He smiled at her reassuringly. He knew from Juniper that she was doing very well in the shop, allowing Juniper to have a day off here and there. On top of that, a few of her hand painted ceramics had sold online and Juniper was confident that with a little savvy marketing, she could push more sales, which would take a bit of pressure off the retail outlet and help both Juniper and Leah. But there was an air of vulnerability about her that made him want to constantly reassure her. He took the plates to one of the trestle tables set up along the back fence as Leah moved inside to help Juniper bring out the food.
The yoga class was over, the food and drinks were all laid out, it was time to get ready for the party.
“Come on, Billy, it’s nearly party time. You need to get out of your pjs.”
“Oh, but they’re my favorite. They’ve got Bluey and Bingo on them!” He crossed his arms across his body, an angry frown, scrunching his face.
“Exactly, so you don’t want to mess them up. Leah didn’t give them to you so you could get sand and sauce all over them on their first day.”
Seeing no reasonable come back for that logic, Billy followed Juniper inside. William sat down on the bench seat under the oak tree in the corner of the yard. It was a warm day, the air heavy and oppressive with the threat of summer rain. He tensed up when he saw Violet step out of the motorhome and make a beeline for him. She’d changed into purple slacks and a long, white, flowing shirt. Her vibrant purple hair was pulled back in a clip and she looked ready to do business. He blew out a breath of relief when he saw Mikayla, Rafe, Callum, Nora and John come through the gate and amble down the drive at just that moment, preventing the interrogation he was pretty sure Violet had planned. Billy emerged, properly dressed in shorts and a Bluey t-shirt.
“Hey! It’s my birthday! Did you get me presents?”
“I sure did! What do you think this is?” Laughing, Mikayla held up the big box she was carrying, smothering Juniper’s maternal protest about manners. “But I’m just going to put it over here on the gift table until your Mum says you can open it.”
“Leah let me open her present first thing, when she got here,” Billy protested.
“That’s because Leah’s not as tough as me and doesn’t know how to say no.” She ruffled his hair as she walked past and laid the box on the gift table, next to the one William had already put there. Nora, John, Callum and Rafe added their gifts to the table, everyone laughing as Billy’s eyes went wide at the sight of the big pile.
“All for me?” he asked breathlessly, looking beseechingly at his mother.
“At least let everyone get a drink and something to eat first, darling,” Juniper said, moving to the food table and picking up a tray of sandwiches and offering them to the group. Once everyone settled in chairs with glasses of wine or soft drink in hand, Juniper gave Billy the go ahead.
With all the exuberance to be expected of a three old at his own birthday party, Billy ripped into the gifts, exclaiming with delight at the tonka truck Mikayla had given him, a blowup ball pit from John and Nora, a kid’s ukulele from Callum and a toy ambulance from Rafe.
William admonished himself for the twinge of nerves he felt as Billy reached for the last gift on the table. He found himself moving to the back of the group as Billy ripped the wrapping off and opened the box. “Frogs!” He yelled, in absolute delight. “William gave me frogs!” He pulled one out and kissed it, making everyone laugh. Juniper leaned in and took out the little wooden pool, the lily pads delicately carved, four more frogs sitting in the bottom.
“Oh, isn’t that gorgeous,” Mikayla exclaimed. “Where did you get it?”
William rubbed his hand along the back of his neck, ridiculously uncomfortable. “I ah, I made it.”
“No!” Her brown eyes round with surprise, she got down on her knees next to Billy and helped him set up the frogs in the pond. “Aren’t you just a dark horse?”
“It’s so beautiful,” Juniper said softly, running her finger over a lily pad. “This is more than simple whittling, William.” She raised her eyes to his, the emotion swirling in them undeniable. “How did you know how to do this?”
He shrugged. “It’s just a thing I used to muck around with, when I was a kid. My family has a farm in the southern highlands and the property manager was really into carving, so he taught me.”
“It’s amazing.”
“It’s sealed, so you can put water in it.”
“Can I, Mummy?” Billy asked excitedly.
“Sure.”
“Mikky, can you help me?” Billy picked up the pond.
“Might be easier if you use the hose, mate. You get it and I’ll turn the tap on.”
As Mikayla helped Billy fill up the pond, Juniper moved to William’s side. Wine glass in one hand, she draped her arm around his shoulder and with a stunning smile on her face, pulled him down and pressed a long, lush kiss against his lips.
He smiled at her when she pulled back, sliding an arm around her waist and pulling her against him. “If I’d known you were going to give me that reward, I would’ve given him one every day since I got here,” he said, trying to lighten the moment.
“Kisses aside, you should definitely do it more often. You’re very talented.”
He rubbed his hand up and down her back. “Honestly, it’s nothing.”
“I don’t agree, but it’s clearly making you uncomfortable so I’ll drop it. Kiss me again before I go and clean up all the wrapping paper.” He kissed her, relishing the feel of her hand trailing down his arm, giving his fingers a squeeze before she moved away. Turning, he saw Violet watching him, a look of speculation in her eyes. He sighed at the inevitability of it and, grabbing a coke, moved tothe bench under the oak tree. Violet soon joined him, resting her elbow on the back of the bench and turned to him, surveying him with an unreadable expression.
