Page 68 of Aussie
“That’s admirable, Ava,” Aussie’s dad said. “Taking Christian in, too, shows just how much heart you have.”
Ava felt her cheeks warm under their praise. “Thank you.”
As the evening wound down, Ava found herself stealing glances at Aussie and his parents. Their easy banter, the genuine care they showed one another was a dynamic she’d never experienced firsthand but always longed for.
As they left the table, Ava couldn’t help but think how nice it would be to have a family like Aussie’s. A place where warmth and laughter were constants, and love wasn’t something you had to earn.
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 singingWhite Christmasplayed 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.
