“If not, I’ll go into town and see my friends and stay the night.” He kissed her forehead, enjoying how she leaned into him.
“You’re not feeling too lonely?”
She exhaled heavily.
He sensed there was a lot of emotion behind her sigh. “You’ll get to know some of the locals more.”
“How?”
This was something he needed to ask his mom or sister. For him it was a bit different because of the farm. “Maybe we can go to the pub for a meal more often.”
“I think I need to do more than that.”
“You have a baby to grow first.”
“I can multi-task, you know?”
“Okay, well… I don’t know what else to suggest. I know you’ll figure something out. Don’t you have some legal research to do?”
“There’s been a little work, but it’s slowing down in the lead up to Christmas. And I’m worried there won’t be much work next year.”
“Don’t worry about next year, it will take care of itself.” He mused at what he’d just said. It was something his dad used to say to him. Maybe Zoe and I are more suited to each other than we realized.
“There’s a lot to do for Christmas first,” added Max.
“On that note…”
Max had a sudden awareness that there had been a lot of planning today between his mom and Leanne. “Don’t tell me, it’s all be organized between our moms.”
“Something like that. The lunch got a bit heated.”
“Is that what caused you to end up in the hospital?” He braced himself. If needed he would talk to his mom and tell her to give Zoe some space.
“I like to think not. It’s all fine now. Everyone is learning to get along.”
“I’ll chat with mom, if you want me to.”
Zoe shook her head. “They’ve agreed about what to cook for the family meal on Christmas day.”
“That’s a miracle in itself.” Max couldn’t help berating himself for not being there today for Zoe.I’ll do better.
“It was.”
“Sounds like you handled the situation well.”
“I want to make sure that you’re fine with the arrangement for Christmas, too.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s the first big event for us as a couple. I want us to decide on whatwewant.”
Max hadn’t thought about this Christmas like that. He’d been more focussed on trying to make Zoe comfortable, and even then, he might’ve missed the mark. He didn’t like the fact that she was feeling lonely on the farm. If Ellie or Billie could come and visit her even for a few days, he was sure that would help. Both were farm girls and used to the wide-open spaces and life on a farm.
“I want whatever will make you happy.” She’d given up her life in the city to come and live with him, and he wanted to accommodate her to make up for how much she’d given up. She’d resigned from her job, moved away from her family and friends, it was the least he could do.
“What would make me happy is both of us deciding on what we want for Christmas. It’s our first Christmas together, and I want it to be special.”
“It will be.” He squeezed her closer to him.
