CHAPTER ELEVEN
Jett sat behind the steering wheel of his ute, parked in the driveway of his two-story, brick house. He gritted his teeth as a fire burned him from the inside out. Paris had taken off again. Was he a fool to believe anything could exist between them? Or did she need time to calm down? Knowing Paris, she’d leave Yalgoo straight after Christmas and hide in Melbourne. He strangled his hold on the steering wheel, torn about what to do next. Pushing her to talk would only drive her further away.
From the moment he laid eyes on her at the airport, he wondered if the universe was playing matchmaker or if Paris’s uncle was cupid. In Paris’s company, something changed inside him, awakening with an explosive need, and after their night together, she’d opened up his old wounds. Losing her again terrified him, but what could he offer for her to stay?
Up ahead, his black cat, Claws, perched on the railing of his veranda. Sitting in the ute wasn’t helping, so he climbed out. By the time he scaled the front steps to the house, the screen door slapped open, scaring the cat away.
“Dad! Merry Christmas.” Ace, wearing his rocket pyjamas, bolted outside. Ginger locks curled over his ears, way overdue for a trim.
Jett’s heart soared. He lifted Ace into his arms, spinning him. He smelled of candy. “Merry Christmas. Missed you so much.”
Ace wrapped his arms around Jett’s neck. “Nana’s baked so many shortbread, we’ve run out of table space. She put some on the TV. And the chickens got out again.”
Jett laughed, adoring his son’s excited voice. “Well, you better show me what’s been going on while I’ve been gone.” Setting him down, Jett followed Ace indoors, salivating with the aroma of baked cakes, spice, and vanilla.
In the open kitchen, Jett found his mum pulling out a hot tray of gingerbread men from the oven. Slices and tarts littered every flat surface—counter, table, chairs, and even the small television against the back wall.
“Are we expecting the whole town to visit?” He laughed and approached his mum, who wiped her hands down her apron. Her smile was contagious.
“These are for the party.”
“Yeah, but I thought you were only taking one plate.”
She flicked him on the arm with the kitchen towel. “There’ll be lots of people attending, and I want no one missing out. Remember last year when people kept asking if I had any more shortbread?”
“That was three people, Mum.”
She batted him away.
Ace tugged on Jett’s hand. “Nana said we can open presents once you’re back. And you’re here now.” He dragged Jett by the hand into the main room where a giant Christmas tree filled one corner. It leaned to one side from the ornaments Ace insisted on adding only on the section facing the window. He had said it would allow Santa to find their house during the night when they turned on the tree lights. Regardless, Jett loved the pine smell. His dad had brought home a fresh tree each year.
“Which one is mine?” Ace fell to his knees near the gifts.
“All of them,” Jett said. “And don’t forget your stocking too. Think Santa left you something in there.”
Ace squealed with delight and dove in, wrapping paper flying in every direction. “Yes! I got a truck set.”
Jett’s mum nudged him. “How’d you go with Paris? How is she?”
“She’s… good.” And feisty as ever. He grabbed a bell-shaped cookie from the tray on the coffee table and stuffed it into his mouth, the buttery and vanilla sweetness demanding he eat ten more, at least. Ace spun around, clutching a kite kit. “Nana said you were collecting a girl from the plane.”
Ace’s attempt to wiggle his eyebrows had Jett chuckling, well aware he’d picked up that move from Jett.
His mum patted his arm. “So how did it go with her?”
He studied her curious gaze, and the slight twitch at the corners of her mouth, and right then he understood why she stared at him with such precision. “You were in on this, with Paris’s uncle. You both wanted me to collect her? Hoping we’d hook up?”
She pursed her lips. “I’ve never seen you happier than when you were with her. And I remember how miserable you became after she left.”
“That was ages ago. I’m over her.” He bit into another baked treat, well aware he’d just lied to his mum. When he reached for his third, she brushed him away.
“Is that why you haven’t found a girl to settle down with yet?”
He sighed. “Not this again.”
“What’s wrong with Paris?” His mum gripped her waist, her lips pinched thin.
So many things, yet his previous dates didn’t compare to her. They never worked out for different reasons; not welcoming of Ace, he didn’t wine and dine them enough, or they simply weren’t right for him.
His mum watched him with her intrusive gaze, meaning she wasn’t dropping the subject now or for the next century.
He glanced at Ace as he carried the stocking, which was half his size, to the sofa and laid it on its side before scooping out more gifts. While both Paris and he had no siblings, Paris used to babysit for many families in the town as she adored children. She’d make a wonderful mother.
“She’s not interested,” he finally said to his mum. “Priority for her is her career in Melbourne. She’s only visiting for a few days. And next time, please keep me out of your dating plans. I can find someone myself.” He didn’t mean to sound unappreciative, but having his emotions blended into a cocktail or being reminded he’d lucked out in the girl department sucked.
“Hey, Ace,” he said. “Do you want to bring Nana her surprise?”
Ace scrambled under the branches and reappeared with tinsel attached to his arm. He pushed it off and ran toward them. “This is from us.” Ace placed the badly wrapped present into her hands.
“Aww, you boys spoil me enough.” She ripped the red paper and found a crystal ball. Inside the glass sphere sat a photo of Jett’s parents before his dad had passed away.
Her eyes glistened, and Jett’s throat thickened at seeing the glee in her expression. The photo had been taken when Jett was eight and the three of them visited Darwin. He’d taken the photo of his parents just outside a zoo. Jett wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. Ace pressed up against him. Nothing compared to having family close and filling his heart.
“Hope you like it, Nana,” Ace piped up. “I picked out the gift.”
“I love it. Thank you.” Her voice cracked, and she wiped her eyes, staring at the old black and white photo.
“Okay, Ace,” Jett started, “how about we go and fix the chicken coop? Got to make sure they don’t escape again.”
Ace hopped up and down, arms in the air. “Yes.”
“First,” Jett’s mum added, “get changed out of your pyjamas.”
His shoulders dropped as he stared at Jett for salvation.
“You heard her. I’ll wait.”
Ace darted out of the room.
“You know, Jett,” his mum said, plucking a thread of tinsel off his arm, “sometimes love just needs a persuasive kick. Don’t give up on it. Your dad spent months chasing after me to marry him, and it was the best decision I made. I just want you happy.” Her smile burst with joy as it always did whenever they spoke about his dad. Her face lit with a softness, yet he caught the slight quiver of her chin.
The holidays and birthdays were the hardest for her, though he’d noticed since Ace joined their family, she no longer stayed in her room during those days. He hugged her once more. “Love you, Mum.”
His parents had adored each other. The way they stared at each other, giggled, and stole kisses reminded him of his time with Paris. She fit him perfectly, and maybe his mum was right about not giving up on what he wanted.
With his mum back in the kitchen, he headed outside. Sheep dotted the rolling landscape. He collected his Akubra hat from a hook on the wall and jammed it on his head.
Ace raced past him, wearing his rain boots. “Daddy, I need my hammer.” He waved at Jett. “Come on, Nana said we have to be quick so we’re ready for the Christmas party.”
Maybe that was the answer. Yep, tonight he’d make Paris understand how he felt and that he had no intentions of letting her leave him for a second time. He should have fought for her five years ago. He wouldn’t make that mistake again.