Chapter 16
CHAPTER 16
A insley was ready by the time the Porsche pulled in. Michael hefted the gift baskets as she drew on her coat. Vancouver wasn’t freezing, but it was cold enough to justify another layer, even though she’d be in the car then the church.
The doorman opened the door, and followed her outside with several baskets.
Zac hurried to help. “Let me get them.”
She smiled at him as he popped the trunk and placed them in, and she withdrew a small gift from her bag. “Merry Christmas, Michael.”
“Oh, Miss Beckett, you didn’t need to.”
“I know, but I think you’ll be glad I did.”
He chuckled, and wished her a happy Christmas, and returned inside.
Zac closed the trunk. “All set?”
She nodded. “I hope I haven’t forgotten anything.”
“You know we don’t expect you to bring a thing.”
“It’s your family. I couldn’t come empty-handed.”
“You’re really sweet, aren’t you?”
Her heart warmed. Oh, he was kind. “I might’ve got something for Chris and Diana and their kids too.”
“You did? Man, you’re putting me to shame. I only got Chris and Diana something.”
“Well, clearly I am going to be the more popular one.”
He grinned. “Bribery, huh?”
“I prefer to call it Christmas presents.”
He laughed, and opened her door, but drew her close. “Happy Christmas, Ainsley.”
He hugged her, something she’d allow, because it was a special day. And how could she not allow it, when for the past few times they’d met it seemed hugs between them were now okay.
And hugging Zac was very okay. He was so big, so strong, that she felt weirdly protected, like his strength gave her strength. Which was dangerous, she had to remember. She didn’t want to depend on a man, only to have him let her down.
“We should go,” she reminded him.
“Yeah.” He pulled reluctantly away.
She got in, he closed the door, then drove her to Chris and Diana’s church.
“Have you been here many times before?”
Zac shot a look at her. “Once. The schedule hasn’t really allowed for it.”
“I know what you mean. It’s hard to get to church sometimes. But I always feel better when I’m there, like I’m encouraged by the faith of other believers.”
She retrieved her first round of parcels, the ones she’d spent far too much time shopping online for in the past two weeks, in between signing documents and sorting lawyer things for the biggest gift she’d share tonight—God bless Stirling. Buying gifts for Chris, Diana, Tanner, Jack and little Faith, plus one for Glenda was so much fun, their surprise and appreciation making the late hours worth it. Gift giving was one of her main love languages, after all.
After the service, once they’d fended off several inquiries and photo requests, Zac drove to his parents’ place.
“So, who should I expect to meet?”
He listed various family members, including his parents, older sister, two grandparents, and an uncle, then glanced across, held her hand. “Don’t worry. It’ll be loud, but it’ll be fun.”
She nodded, even as nerves ate the morsel of breakfast lining her stomach.
“There’s plenty of food. So brace yourself. We are Italian.”
“I’ve never really had Italian food for Christmas.”
He smiled. “Then you’re in for a treat.”
Meeting his family proved as much of a treat as the food on offer, even if his mother was a little intense.
“Ainsley!” His mom kissed her on both cheeks and squeezed her. “I can’t believe my son has finally found a real woman at last, not just one of those bimbos.”
“Ma.”
Ainsley’s laughter was followed by the clang of conviction. Sue Parotti might be a fan of As The Heart Draws , but she’d be less of a fan of Ainsley’s if she knew the truth about this “real” woman’s not-so-real relationship with her son. Still, today was about giving further credence to their story, even if the longer it went on, the more she wondered if this was right. A photo of Christmas lunch with her at his family’s, a pic of him at her family’s for dinner tonight. Post them tonight and watch the internet melt.
His mom loved the bouquet from Ainsley, or said she did anyway, then insisted they all sit at the table.
His father said “Dig in” and Ainsley peeked at Zac. He half-shrugged at her. He’d explained his dad wasn’t a Christian, but wasn’t he going to say grace himself?
Sue seemed to notice as she glanced at Ainsley then coughed. “Come on Tony, you can do better than that. It’s the baby Jesus’s birthday.”
“Fine. Bless this food,” Tony muttered, then glanced at Sue. “Happy now?”
Sue shook her head. Then nodded to Ainsley. “Would you say grace for us, Ainsley?”
Oh! “Um, sure.” She lowered her head. “And thank You Lord, for Jesus and the hope we find at Christmas, and bless the hands that prepared this feast. Amen.”
“Amen.” Sue nodded. “That’s more like it. Now dig in, people. Don’t let it get cold.”
The meal was a collection of traditional roasted meats and vegetables and Italian favorites, coated in layers of oil. Ainsley was careful to mostly choose salads.
Zac nudged her. “You are allowed to eat more than the baby.” He motioned to where his sister’s youngest child, a toddler, sat with his mashed food in his divided plate.
“I’ve got all I need. Whereas you, Mr. Healthy, seem to be having a little too much fun.”
“It’s the one day during the season I break my diet.”
“Lucky you.”
He leaned closer. “You could probably go crazy and do that too.”
“Mmm, but then my New Year’s Eve dress might not fit so well.”
“New Year’s Eve, huh?”
She smiled.
“Ainsley, what are the chances you could get me onto the set of As The Heart Draws ?” Sue asked.
Oh. Not so good if—when—she broke up with Sue’s son. “Um, I can talk to the movie set manager. She might be able to help you out.”
Cassie had messaged to see if Ainsley was free to catch up when Franklin played in Vancouver next month.
“That’d be great! It looks so cute. I can’t wait to see you in action.”
“Oh! Um, we don’t have visitors when we’re shooting,” she explained.
“I’m sure they’ll make an exception for your boyfriend’s mother.”
“Ma, don’t hassle her,” Zac said.
“I’ll speak to Cassie, but we’re not scheduled to return to the ranch until June at the earliest. And it is just outside Calgary,” she explained.
“You say that like it’s near the moon! We can make a trip out there, can’t we Tony?”
“Whatever you want, Sue.”
Ainsley ate enough that she hoped satisfied the Parotti expectations, and noticed the time. But then it was apparently dessert time, as Sue and Zac’s sister and grandmother cleared plates. Ainsley went to join them but was told to sit down. Zac used the moment to get a picture of them in front of the tree.
“So, who wants some panettone?” Sue called, as the women returned with large platters of carb- and sugar-heavy desserts.
Zac might be skilled at swerving and dodging on the ice, but it was fun watching him avoid his mom’s attempts to stuff him with treats he clearly didn’t want to eat. Not so fun when she forced Ainsley to do the same, but still, she managed to get a few morsels in, while using the excuse she still had to eat at her parents’ after this.
“But we can’t send you there starving,” Sue complained.
Ainsley patted her stomach. “I’m already full.”
“But you ate like a sparrow! That’s no good. You’ll faint, and I don’t want nobody fainting after eating my food. People will think I poisoned you or something.”
Clearly Ainsley wasn’t the only person in this room with a flair for the dramatic. “Thank you for your hospitality, but I probably will need to go soon.”
“But you only just got here,” Sue complained.
“I’m really sorry, but I need to see my family too.”
“I told you this already, Ma,” Zac said. “Don’t make her feel guilty, otherwise she’ll never want to come back.”
Ainsley’s heart clenched. He said that like they would continue, and weren’t breaking up in February.
Sue sighed. “I don’t want to be selfish, especially on Christmas Day.”
“I really do appreciate your hospitality, Mrs. Parotti,” she said.
“You’re a good girl, aren’t you?” Sue hugged her, then drew back, eyeing Ainsley seriously. “Tell me you won’t break my son’s heart?”
Ainsley swallowed. How to answer this? She couldn’t exactly say they’d made a pact to not fall for each other. That might be honest, but wasn’t wise to say right now. But she could say, “I care about him very much.”
* * *
She cared about him?
Zac’s heart glowed. The way she looked at him, treated him, had showed that a million times. She cared for him and he cared for her, and—
“You make me so happy to hear that.” His mom kissed Ainsley’s cheeks. “He’s a good boy, even if he’s always loved that hockey a little too much. It’s about time he settled down.”
“Ma!”
“Aw, come on. I can tell you think she’s special. I see it in your eyes.”
His cheeks heated. He had to get them out of here. Pronto. “We need to go.”
She winked at him, then squeezed him too, murmuring, “She’s the one, huh?”
Yes. He stilled. But he couldn’t admit that to her. “We’re running late.”
“I don’t want you to miss your family,” she said to Ainsley. “It’s been very nice to meet you.”
“You too, Mrs. Parotti, Mr. Parotti.”
“It’s Sue and Tony,” his dad said gruffly.
“Thanks for making my boy think about something other than hockey.” His mom winked at him again.
Ainsley’s cheeks were pink as she smiled nervously and farewelled the others.
By the time they were in the car, he felt a similar wash of embarrassment. They were quiet as he reversed then turned the car around, and he drove toward Coquitlam where her parents lived.
He peeked across, caught her snatching a glance at him. Then her giggle drew his laughter.
“Your poor mom. She really likes the show, doesn’t she?”
“You’ve got no idea.”
“Oh, I’ve got a pretty good idea now.”
“You know you don’t have to set up a tour of the ranch.”
“I don’t mind. I’ll be talking to Cassie in a couple of weeks anyway. It’s just going to be a little awkward, considering…”
Considering they weren’t necessarily going to be “together” in the future. If she had her way. “How about we cross that bridge when we come to it?”
She heaved out a breath. “Okay.”
It was dark by the time they arrived at her parents’. He greeted Benson again, shook Ainsley’s mom’s hand, then met Mack her brother, and his man-friend Emmett.
Emmett. Who looked awfully like that entertainment reporter who’d been at the gala all those weeks ago.
“Well, hello Zac Parotti.”
He hadn’t realized Ainsley’s brother was gay. Here was another secret she kept well hidden. Not that it was anyone’s business. But still, it surprised him.
He then met her aunt, her frailty reminding him that Ainsley had said she had cancer.
“It’s good to meet you, young man.”
“And you.” He held her hand gently as he shook it.
She didn’t release his hand until the others had moved to the other side of the room. “I understand you are becoming good friends with my niece.”
He used Ainsley’s line. “I really care about her.”
“I can tell you do.” Her head tilted. “Well, what is it about Ainsley that you like the most?”
Wow. This felt like a loaded question. “I could say her smile, but I think it’s actually her heart.”
Her expression softened. “Sometimes I think her heart is too big,” she mused. “She wants to do so much for others, that she almost forgets she still needs to live herself.”
“She’s really compassionate.” He wondered if her family knew about Ainsley’s visit to the strip club. Somehow, he didn’t think they did.
“So, will you promise to take care of her?” Winifred persisted.
Didn’t she know about their so-called arrangement? “I promise to take care of her as long as she’ll let me.”
She nodded. “I know she might think this is temporary—”
So she did know.
“—but I think you’d be good for her.”
“So do I.”
She chuckled. “And probably she’d be the same for you.”
“Oh, I know she is.” His mom was right. Ainsley drew his attention to things bigger than a sport. She made him want to be a better man.
He caught her smiling at him across the room in front of the Christmas tree, and his heart thumped.
“Do you think we should get that picture now?” Ainsley asked.
He drew near and took a selfie of the two of them, then they posted at the same time.
The evening passed with more food, then gifts, and he remembered what she’d done. Her increased level of shimmery excitement and whispers with Mack confirmed that.
The gifts were passed out, including one for him, then Ainsley stood next to the tree. “So, Mack and I have one final gift.”
“It’s really Ainsley,” Mack mumbled.
“It’s something both of us have been wanting to do for years,” Ainsley said. She glanced at Zac, and he nodded, which seemed to brace her shoulders.
“So, Mom, Aunty Win, here’s a little gift for you.”
“Or a not-so-little gift,” Mack murmured, as Ainsley handed an envelope to her mother.
“What is this, Ains?”
“Just open it.”
He prayed that her mom would respond the way Ainsley hoped.
“Ainsley, you didn’t…”
“What’s she done?” Benson asked.
Ainsley’s mom pulled out a key, a house key, it looked like. It had a tag with an address written on it.
Winifred gasped. “That looks like—”
“It is.”
Whoa. Was this the house Ainsley had bought? Had she just given it to her mom?
“Ainsley, I don’t know what you’ve done, but it looks awfully like you’ve given us the key to our old house.”
“That’s because it is, Mom.”
“You bought us a house?” Benson asked, clearly confused.
Ainsley glanced at Mack, and he left Emmett’s side and drew near. “We bought Grandma’s old house.”
“But why?” Winifred asked. “You know that place holds so many bad memories.”
“So it’s time for some good ones.”
Clearly there was a mystery here he didn’t know. Neither did Emmett, judging from the confusion on his face.
“Ainsley, what do you mean?” her mom asked.
Ainsley glanced at Zac, and he offered a smile.
Her shoulders straightened. “I have long wanted to do more for the victims of domestic violence, and the White Night fundraiser only confirmed that. Mack and I have been wanting to buy Grandma’s old place for years, and have been waiting for the owners to sell. So when they finally put it on the market last month, we had to get it.”
“But why?” Winifred asked.
“Because we want to turn it into a safe house and refuge for women and children who are trying to escape domestic violence.”
Her mother covered her mouth. “You don’t mean it?”
Ainsley nodded, and seemed to take on a new confidence. “I do. I’m going to call it Violet House and connect it with local agencies like White Night who can help make sure that women are kept safe. I don’t want any other women to feel like they don’t have a safe place where they could go.”
“Like our mother couldn’t,” Winifred said softly. “God rest her soul.”
Whoa. Whoa. She didn’t mean to suggest—
“Our grandmother was beaten by our grandfather,” Mack said to Emmett. “By the time she was found it was too late.”
Zac glanced at Ainsley who pressed her lips together, blinking rapidly, like she might be fighting off tears. “Ains,” he said softly.
But she ignored him, going to embrace her mom and sister, and was soon joined by Mack. The four of them hugged as Zac swapped awkward glances with Emmett while Benson looked on.
The conversation centered around the house and Ainsley’s plans for a nonprofit, which her mom and aunt seemed thrilled by.
“My lawyer tells me as soon as we get the zoning changes approved, then we’ll be set to make this happen. But because this will be a safe place it’s also a secret, so we can’t post about it or tell anyone where it is.” She eyed Emmett.
“You know me, lips are sealed.” He mimed throwing away a key. Then his face softened. “You’re a good woman, Ainsley.”
She shook her head. “My grandmother, Violet, she was the good woman.”
It was late by the time they finally departed, this time to kisses and hugs, not handshakes.
“Your passion project, huh?” Zac asked, as he drove Gerta back downtown.
Ainsley slumped in her seat, her weariness obvious. “I think they liked it, right?”
“Are you kidding? They loved it.”
“Good.” She sighed. “I wondered if maybe it might be a bit much, especially considering the badness that happened, but I think they could see the vision.”
Her vision. He grasped her hand. “Can I say that I’m incredibly proud of you?”
“Apparently.”
He snickered.
“But seriously, thank you. That means a lot.”
“I mean it. A lot.” He squeezed her hand. “I have never met anyone else like you.”
“Well, you’ve met Diana, and Glenda, and—”
“Well, they’re not you. You’re really special, Ainsley.”
She peeked across at him, and he wished he wasn’t driving, so he could find out what that look meant.
She yawned. Then laughed. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to kill the moment with a yawn.”
“The moment isn’t killed.” Although it was getting late. He had a flight tomorrow for a game against Dallas the following day. But he didn’t want to end tonight, even though downtown was nearing, as was her apartment.
He pulled in, and parked. She didn’t get out. “I hope you’ve had fun today,” she said.
“I have.” Today had been eye-opening, revelatory, wonderful. And there was still one gift to give. “Can I walk you upstairs? You might need an extra pair of hands with all the Christmas loot you’ve got there.”
Another yawn erupted from her. She laughed. “Oh, I’m sorry. It’s not you, it’s me.”
“It sounds like you need me to walk you upstairs, so you don’t fall asleep halfway.”
“We have an elevator, but… okay.” This was said almost shyly.
He hurried to open her door, and she retrieved her coat and the collection of gifts, and carefully balanced them as they made their way inside.
Michael wasn’t on duty but another guy, who nodded and wished them a good night.
Zac’s cheeks heated at the implication. He wasn’t going to stay too long. Well, long enough that he hoped it would be a good night, but not in a non-Chris-approved way.
She pressed the button for the tenth floor, and they ascended in silence. But every so often he caught her gaze on him, and he’d smile, and she’d duck her head.
The doors opened and she walked to the end, at what he figured must be the eastern end of the building, nearer where the harbor must be. She unlocked her door, and he carefully carried her gifts in.
“Just put them on the table, thank you.”
He did, then drew closer to the window. A balcony showed a covered outdoor table, and what he guessed were chairs, stowed for the winter. As he’d suspected, lights to the right reflected off the water.
He peered to the left, where he could just about make out his building.
“Is your place over there?” she asked.
He pointed to the top of a nearby lit-up apartment block. “You can just about see my condo there.”
“The top?”
“The sub-penthouse, so close enough.”
“Hmm. Someone famous must live there.”
“It has good security.” And a gym. And nice views overlooking the park. “So I’m guessing the fact you can see the water means you can see the mountains, too?”
“From my bedroom.”
He swallowed. That was something he couldn’t afford to think about.
A meow stole his attention to the floor, where a cat he’d seen on video stared at him. “I’m guessing you must be Louie.”
“You’re guessing right,” Ainsley said.
“Hello, Louie,” Zac said solemnly.
Louie’s gaze narrowed slightly—there was a bit of Mack in that look—then he turned and wandered away, going to rub Ainsley’s leg.
“I don’t think he likes me.”
“You wait. He warms up slowly. You’ll see.”
He glanced around. Her place was neat, with feminine touches, like the lilies in the vase, and the floral paintings on the wall. “Your place suits you,” he said.
“How?”
“It looks soft and pretty.” He glanced at her. “Like you.”
Even though the light was dim, he was pretty sure that was a blush. “You’re sweet.”
“You’re amazing.”
“Zac.”
“I mean it. Who buys a house for their mom and plans to turn it into a women’s refuge? Someone who’s amazing, who has a good heart, that’s who.”
“I felt like it was something God wanted me to do.”
He was sorely tempted to take her in his arms again. But first he had something to do. “Hey Ainsley?”
“Hey Zac?” She smiled.
“You know, with all the gift giving today I forgot something.”
“What’s that?”
“I forgot to give my gift to you.”
“You have a gift for me? But I don’t—”
“Being with you is a gift.” He smirked. “Your presence is gift enough for me.”
She rolled her eyes but smiled.
“Close your eyes.”
“Zac, I don’t know—”
“Hold out your hands.”
“Oh. Okay.” She obeyed.
He dug out the little box and placed it in her cupped hands. “Open,” he whispered.
She stared at the box, then up at him. “What have you done?”
“It’s just a little something.”
She gently slid the gold bow from the gift box, then took off the lid. Then gasped. “Zac.”
“Hey, I figured you deserved a little something.”
“This isn’t little.” She held up the diamond pendant. “Oh, Zac.”
Was her expression saying she didn’t like or didn’t want it? “They’d run out of smaller options.”
Her lips hovered between a smile and wonder. “I don’t know what to say. But—”
But?
“—but I don’t think I should accept it.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s far too valuable. And we’re not, we’re not…”
He didn’t want her to finish what she obviously wanted to say. Because in this moment he wanted the fantasy to be real. “I think a guy like me would be expected to give a girl like you something special.”
“Oh.” She eventually nodded. “You’re probably right.”
Definitely right. “Turn around and I’ll put it on.”
She did. And he tried to. But standing so close to her had made his hands shaky, his fingers clumsy.
“Do you need a hand?” she asked.
“You might need to lift up your hair. It’s a bit hard to see.”
She lifted up her hair so he could see her neck, and he knew the desire to kiss the skin where her jaw met her neck. But that would likely creep her out, so he refrained.
He finally got the clasp to work, and the diamond fell to her throat. She turned around, lifted it up. Glanced at it then him. “I don’t know what to say,” she whispered.
“I hope you like it.”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
She lifted a hand, as if to touch his cheek, then dropped it. Exhaled. Stepped back. “It’s getting late.”
It was. “Before I go, I think we should get one more selfie.”
“Right now?”
“Yeah.” So that, regardless of what happened between them, he’d always have this moment to remember her.
He drew her near, tucked her close, making sure the diamond was seen. Then held out his phone and took their photo.
But this one wasn’t for posting. This one was just for him, just for her. And maybe would be shared one day when he could finally write a comment along the lines of “Forever isn’t long enough with you.”