CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
The following afternoon, Ava found herself in what she could only describe as cookie boot camp.
The kitchen smelled heavenly. It was a mix of cinnamon, vanilla, and melted chocolate that wafted through the air. The soft croon of Bing Crosby singing White Christmas played from a small speaker on the counter.
Ava stood at the island, her hands dusted with flour as she rolled out sugar cookie dough, stealing glances at Aussie’s mom, who was spooning cupcake batter into a cupcake pan.
“You’ve got a good hand for this,” Aussie’s mom said with a warm smile as she poured the remaining batter into the pan before glancing up at Ava. “Are you sure that you haven’t done this professionally?”
Ava laughed, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face with the back of her wrist. “Not even close. This is my first time baking in, well, forever. I usually just buy cookies when I need them.”
“Not anymore,” she said with mock seriousness. “Around here, everything’s made from scratch. You’re officially in training.”
Ava smiled as she cut another batch of star-shaped cookies. The light, cheerful atmosphere put her at ease, a welcome distraction from the chaos they had left behind.
“So,” Aussie’s mom began, her tone casual but her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Tell me about you and my son.”
Ava paused mid-roll, a blush creeping into her cheeks. “Um...what do you want to know?”
“Aussie’s mom shrugged, though her expression betrayed her eagerness. “I’ve just never seen Aussie this smitten before. He’s never brought a woman home to meet the family, let alone around Christmas. That’s a big deal for him.”
Ava felt her cheeks grow warmer as she focused on the dough. “He’s amazing. Honestly, I don’t know how I got so lucky to have him in my life.”
Aussie’s mom nodded knowingly. “And he’d say the same about you, I’m sure.” She slid a tray into the oven and turned back to Ava, her tone softening. “You’re good for him. It’s obvious. And Christian? That boy is a treasure. He’s so polite, so curious about everything. You’ve done a wonderful job with him.”
Ava swallowed, touched by Aussie’s mom’s words. “Thank you. He’s been through a lot, but he’s such a good kid. If it were up to me, I’d adopt him tomorrow and make him mine forever.”
Aussie’s mom raised an eyebrow as she leaned against the counter. “So, why not do it?”
Ava sighed, cutting out another star. “Because the state doesn’t exactly look favorably on single parents adopting kids. It’s frustrating, but I’m not giving up on him.”
Aussie’s mom reached over and patted Ava’s flour-dusted hand. “I can see how much you love him. And I can also see that you’re not going to be single for much longer.”
Ava blinked, caught off guard. “What?”
Aussie’s mom chuckled, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Oh, come on, sweetheart. You and Aussie are practically written in the stars. And let’s just say I wouldn’t be surprised if my son is already thinking about putting a ring on your finger.”
Ava laughed, though her heart skipped a beat. “We haven’t even been on a real date,” she admitted.
Aussie’s mom gasped, placing a floury hand on her chest in mock outrage. “You mean to tell me that man hasn’t taken you out properly? That’s a crime!”
“Well, in his defense, it’s been a little crazy lately,” Ava said with a grin. “I guess we just haven’t had the chance.”
“Well, that needs to change,” Diane said firmly, wagging her finger. “Mark my words. I’ll make sure it happens.”
Ava shook her head, laughing softly as she finished the last of the cookies. “You’re a force to be reckoned with, aren’t you?”
“Always,” she said with a wink.
They moved the last tray of cookies into the oven and began packing up the cooled batches into festive tins. The red and green containers that were adorned with ribbons were destined for the Christmas fair in two days, which was also Christmas Eve.
As they loaded a tray with an assortment of cookies, Aussie’s mom placed a hand on Ava’s shoulder. “Everything will work out, Ava. I have a good feeling about this.”
Ava smiled, her heart feeling a little lighter. “Thanks. I hope so.”
Together, they carried the trays of cookies into the study, where Aussie and his dad were seated, deep in conversation.
◆◆◆
Aussie leaned back in the worn leather armchair in his dad’s study. He had a steaming mug of coffee in his hands. The room smelled of pine from the crackling fireplace. Across from him, his dad sat in a matching chair, his hands resting on the arms, his gray eyebrows slightly furrowed.
Aussie had just finished giving his dad the cliff notes version of the situation back in Virginia Beach.
“You’re sure this situation isn’t going to follow you here?” his dad asked, his tone low and serious.
Aussie sighed, shaking his head. “As sure as I can be. Derek and the FBI agent are the only ones who know we’re here.” He hesitated, running a hand through his hair. “But it’s serious, Dad. These people who have threatened Ava and Christian are believed to be behind the three murders in our town over the last few months.”
His dad nodded, his expression thoughtful. “You’re doing the right thing. Protecting them is what matters. But it’s a hell of a responsibility, son.”
“I know,” Aussie admitted, his gaze falling to the flickering flames. “But they mean a lot to me. Ava is incredible, Dad. She’s strong, kind, and smart. And Christian? That kid’s been through so much, but he’s still got this huge heart. I’d do anything for them.”
The older man studied him for a moment before his lips curled into a small smile. “Sounds like you’ve got it bad for her.”
Aussie chuckled softly. “Yeah, I guess I do.” He paused, his expression turning serious. “It’s only been a little over a month, but it feels like I’ve known her a lifetime. She’s just different. She makes me think about things I’ve never really thought about before. About a future.”
His dad leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I’ve never seen you like this. And that’s saying something, considering I raised you.”
Aussie laughed. “It’s different with Ava. She’s not just some passing thing. I want this to last.”
“I’m happy for you,” his dad said sincerely. “And for what it’s worth, I like her. She’s got a good head on her shoulders, and the way she looks at you, well, you’d be an idiot to let her go.”
Aussie felt a rare warmth spread through his chest at his dad’s words. “Thanks, Dad. That means a lot.”
“And that boy,” his dad added, nodding toward the TV room where Christian was sitting, talking on the phone to Katy. “He’s a good kid. And I can tell you, after spending time with him earlier while we were horseback riding, that kid looks up to you. He respects you.”
Aussie’s chest tightened, his thoughts turning to Christian. “He’s special. I don’t know what his future holds, but if there’s a way to keep at least him and Ava together, I’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen.”
Before his dad could respond, the door to the study opened, and Ava and his mom stepped in, balancing a tray of cookies.
“Cookie delivery!” Ava announced as she set a tray of sugar cookies on the table between him and his dad.
Aussie grinned up at Ava. “ I see that you survived Mom’s baking boot camp, huh?”
“Just barely,” Ava teased, making everyone laugh.
Christian walked into the room carrying a tray of mugs. “I made us hot chocolate,” he said as he carefully placed the tray down on another table.
“Thank you, Christian. That was very sweet of you,” Aussie’s mom told him, and Aussie smiled.
Christian turned toward Aussie’s dad. “Thank you again for taking me horseback riding today. I had fun.”
“You’re more than welcome, son.” his dad replied warmly, patting Christian on the back as he sat on the edge of the couch.
“Okay, the moment of truth,” Ava said as she picked up a star-shaped sugar cookie and handed it to Aussie. “These are the first cookies that I ever made from scratch.”
“So, you want me to be your guinea pig?” Aussie asked with a grin.
Ava rolled her eyes playfully. “Just eat it!”
Aussie bit into the cookie, and he had to suppress the moan that wanted to escape his mouth. The buttery sweetness of the cookie melted in his mouth. It was, without question, the best fucking sugar cookie he’d ever tasted. Though he would never tell his mom that.
But as Ava watched him expectantly. He knew that the anticipation was killing her. So, he couldn’t resist teasing her.
He kept his facial expression neutral as he chewed it. “Well?” she asked as she leaned closer.
Aussie swallowed the cookie and then chased it down with a sip of hot chocolate.
“It’s alright, I guess,” he said, his tone deliberately nonchalant. He was fighting to keep a straight face.
Ava’s eyes narrowed, and she swatted at his arm. “ Alright ? Seriously? I slaved over those cookies.”
Before she could pull away, he caught her wrist and gently tugged her down onto his lap, laughing at her surprised yelp. He wrapped an arm around her waist, holding her close as he leaned in, his voice dropping to a soft murmur. “Okay, you win. It’s one of the best cookies I’ve ever had. Happy?”
Her mock glare melted into a smile, and Aussie grinned, popping the last bite of the cookie into his mouth. “But I might need another one, just to be sure.”
She rolled her eyes playfully, but the soft smile she gave him lingered, and Aussie felt the warmth in his chest grow.
As everyone settled in with cookies and hot chocolate, the room filled with chatter and laughter. For a moment, Aussie let himself believe that this was what life could always be like—safe, happy, and filled with the people who mattered most.