Page 6 of Aussie
Ava smiled, her heart fluttering slightly at the sound of his voice. It had a subtle accent. It was Australian, she realized after a moment. “Yeah, it’s his goal to become a SEAL. We were just over at the recruiter booth talking to them about it.”
The man grinned, his smile making her heart skip again. “I know. The recruiter told us to pick him if he volunteered.”
Ava blinked, surprised. “Really? Why?”
“He was impressed by your son’s attitude and how prepared he is,” the man said.
Ava felt warmth spread through her. “He’s not technically my son,” she admitted, glancing down before meeting the man’s eyes again. “I’m his foster mom. Well, sort of. It’s actually a long story. I’m his social worker, and he’s staying with me through the holidays.” She had no idea why she had told the man that.
The man’s expression softened, and he seemed genuinely interested. “He’s a lucky kid to have someone supporting him. And I’m sorry the recruiter mentioned you were his mom.”
Ava chuckled softly. “Oh, please don’t apologize. I don’t mind.”
“I’m Aussie, by the way,” the man introduced himself, holding out his hand. There was that soft accent again.
Ava took his hand, feeling the warmth of his grip. “Ava,” she replied, trying not to let her thoughts run wild about how good-looking he was. His accent, his kind eyes,oh, be still my heart.It was all too much.
Aussie’s eyes flicked to Christian again. “He’s got the drive, that’s for sure. What’s his story? If you don’t mind me asking.”
Ava hesitated, but for some reason, she felt comfortable enough to share some of his background. “Christian had a rough start. His mother was a drug addict and a prostitute. She overdosed when he was just three. He’s been in the system ever since. We have no idea who the father is. There is no name listed on the birth certificate.”
Aussie’s expression was full of understanding and no judgment. “Sounds like he’s lucky to have you.”
Ava smiled, her heart warming at his words. “I feel lucky to have him, too.”
???
Aussie was intrigued by the woman standing beside him.
Ava, as he now knew her name, had caught his eye when Lucas, one of the Navy recruiters he had been talking to, had been talking about the boy who was with her.
When Lucas had first pointed the boy out, it wasn’t the kid that had caught his attention. It had been the woman standing next to him with hair as dark as a raven’s wing. When the sunlight hit it just right, a blueish hue danced within the long strands that fell down her back in waves. She had been impossible to miss.
When Aussie first approached her, he had been a nervous wreck, which was ridiculous because he was a SEAL who was trained for the toughest missions. Talking to a stranger shouldn’t have felt like stepping into uncharted territory.
But the longer he stood there listening to Ava talk about the boy she was caring for, the more he began to loosen up.
From what he’s heard, Aussie’s respect for Christian grew, but it was Ava’s quiet strength that struck him. She didn’t seem like someone who sought the spotlight, yet here she was, advocating for a kid who clearly mattered to her.
As the demonstration continued, Aussie stood beside Ava, a comfortable silence hovering between them. When an opportunity arose, he snuck a few peeks at her.
As a small explosive device detonated, Ava jumped.
“Holy crap!” she exclaimed as she held her hand over her heart. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
Aussie chuckled. “It’s quite the show,” he replied, looking down at her. Her dark blue eyes sparkled.
“That was really intense,” she said, a small laugh escaping her.
“It can be,” Aussie admitted. He nodded his head in the direction where Christian was helping Snow, one of his teammates, carry a fake injured person. He had a serious and determined look on his face.
“He seems to really be enjoying himself.”
“He does. I’m just glad he got to experience this,” she told him.
Aussie wanted to ask more questions, but he didn’t want to come across as being nosey.
Moments later, the crowd was clapping as the demonstration came to an end, and after shaking hands with Aussie’s teammates, Christian came running back over.
