Page 110 of Moonstruck Kiss

We nod, grinning.

As I watch the happiness on my son’s face, I wonder why I ever thought that I could have given him a better life elsewhere.

I’m at one of the several round tables we hired for Ollie’s party, sitting with my parents and younger brother Colton.

“Wow, it sounds great,” Colton says of the plans for the lodge’s expansion and my new home.

“Think your company can handle it?” I ask.

He stares at me, then at our parents. “Oh, you want to hire us?”

“Yes,” Dad answers. “Who better to do it than you?”

Colt runs a hand over his face. “I’d love to. I really would. But we’re fully booked. If you want us to do it, we won’t be able to start building for another year at the very least.”

My parents try to hide their disappointment. “We understand,” Mum says.

“Aww, don’t look like that,” Colt says. “Let me see what I can do.”

“Wonderful! That’s all we want,” says Dad.

I hide my smile. My bones tell me Colt will find a way.

Joey walks to our little huddle. “The kids are getting hungry again. It might be a good time to bring out Ollie’s birthday cake.”

“Oh, yes!” I squeeze her hand as I get up from my chair.

“I’ll get everyone organised,” Mum says. “Ollie needs to be near the cake table.”

“I’ll take the video,” says Dad.

We all look at him.

“You know you’re terrible at taking videos, love,” Mum says gently. “Get Colt to do it.”

“Sure.” Colt retrieves his phone from his pocket.

“Video everything from now,” Mum orders as she walks away.

Colt taps on his device and points it at me and Joey. “All right, lovebirds. Three, two, one, action!”

Spontaneously, I put an arm around Joey and grin at the camera. “Now, we’re going inside to get Ollie’s cake. He doesn’t know anything about it, so it’s a surprise,” I say in an animated tone.

Joey follows my lead. “My friend Emory made the cake. It’s in the shape of a laughing kookaburra because it’s become Ollie’s favourite bird. So let’s check it out.” She motions for Colt to follow us.

“We’re great at this,” I whisper in her ear.

She lets out a soft giggle.

We go to the pool cabana, where all of Ollie’s presents have been placed and where we’ve hidden the cake. Emory’s there, placing pieces of fruit around the beautifully crafted cake. Five small candles are already perched on its centre.

“That looks fantastic,” Colt said, walking closer and taking a close-up of the arrangement. Then he points the phone at Emory. “Everyone, meet the talented pastry chef.”

Emory’s eyes widen in alarm before she quickly recovers and waves at the camera.

“Congratulations on such an amazing creation,” Colton says.

“Thank you. I’m so deeply honoured to have been chosen to make Ollie’s birthday cake,” she says seriously, then scrunches her nose. “Cut! Can we re-record, please? I think I was too stiff.”

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