That should give us plenty of time to check-in to the Stamford Grand Hotel, freshen up and get ready for lunch.
The arrangement was to meet in the restaurant of the hotel, which Zoe was relieved, as it took the pressure off now that they were going to be late. Her cell vibrated, and she glanced down to see a message from her mom, who was fine that lunch was going to be delayed. They were already at the restaurant, but were happy to wait.
Zoe guessed her parents might be as nervous as she was to be meeting Max’s immediate family. Even though they were obviously over the moon to be able to have lunch with Helen and Kate, and a little disappointed that Max wasn’t coming. She wasn’t sure why the cattle needed to be sold right now, but since she didn’t know enough about farming, she hadn’t argue the point.
It felt like she was under the microscope, that both sides of the family were watching her closely to see if things would work out between Max and her.
Did he feel this pressure too?She figured he may well, based on his comment when she was sick on Monday.
Should I talk to him about this?She sort of didn’t want to. With his sharp retorts, and cheeky deflections, she wasn’t sure a deep and meaningful conversation was the way to go with him. It was more like a heated argument was more his style. And hers. Since their relationship was built on a lustful attraction, she didn’t feel comfortable talking about her feelings with him.
I’ll have to be, she thought.
Her determination wavering.
Though trusting her feelings when pregnant was something she wasn’t so sure was a good idea. This really wasn’t the ideal situation to start a relationship.
Yet, here she was. Trying.
First, I need to get through lunch and a shopping trip.
This was one shopping trip she wasn’t at all looking forward to.
Max crossed his fingers as he watched the semi-trailer take his cattle away from sale. They would be sold tomorrow. He was banking on a good price, so he could provide for Zoe and their baby. It was always at this point when doubt would slice away at him, and he would begin to question if he should’ve waited until the new year. But then if he had, it would be much closer to when the baby was born, and he wanted Zoe to have the chance to do her own styling to not just the baby’s room, but also to the house. It now was her home too.
No point thinking about it now.
Max kicked the stones on the ground, sending them flinging in all directions. He made his way back to his ute. Bluey sat on the back, panting from the workout of loading the cattle.
“Reckon she’ll like what I have planned?” He patted Bluey behind his ear. The dog leaned in harder to his palm, enjoying the scratch. Max wished he was like Bluey without a care in the world.
Maybe I should’ve talked this over with her.
It wasn’t his style. He’d been alone for so long now. Zoe had turned his life upside down, and not just with the news of being pregnant. He wanted to do right by them both. This was the only way he knew how, by giving her a gift of money so she could do some renovations and feel at home.
Would this be what she wanted?He shrugged, as he got into the ute. He didn’t really know. They had been doing what new couples did early in a relationship, sex and lots of it.
He started the engine, then drove back the short distance to the house, where Jim was working on the roof to attach the satellite dish. Max figured the boosted internet might help Zoe connect with her city life, and not feel so isolated. It was different for him, life in the country, on a farm, was all he knew. He was sure about one thing though, he couldn’t move to the city. For his family, he’d give it a go, but that lifestyle wasn’t for him. It was bad enough each year when he went to the Royal Show in Adelaide. He was a country boy through and through.
He slowed as he approached the old homestead.
“Nearly finished?” he called out from the open window of his ute at Jim, who was on the roof.
Jim nodded and gave him the thumbs up.
At least he should have two surprises ready for Zoe when she came home. He wanted her to like them, and realize that’s the real reason he stayed behind. Small sacrifices for a bigger picture. He hoped his plan would please her.
“Look how much you’ve changed already,” exclaimed her mom. Zoe walked into the restaurant area at the Stamford Grand Hotel. They had finally arrived, and Zoe had gone straight to see her parents, leaving Kate and Helen to check-in. They assured her it would be fine.
“Mom.” Emotion rose up inside of her and her eyes filled with tears as she embraced her mom. She’d missed her. Her dad stood from the table and came over. She let go of her mom to hug her dad.
“Dad, how are you?”
“How’s my favorite daughter.” He hugged her tightly, then sat back down at the table by the window which gave a view of Glenelg beach.
Zoe grinned, she was their only child, and her dad’s comment was an ongoing joke he had with her.
Her mom patted her belly. “How’s my little grandie going?”
