“You said I needed a hobby, Mom,” said Zoe. “And after finding the wood carving tools in the shed… well, what can I say? I love my new hobby.”
“And, so you should,” said her dad with a smile. “This is great.”
“I think this is awesome, and you’ve come along so quickly,” said Kate holding up a set of small spoons.
“Hang on, sounds like you knew about this,” Max said to Kate.
“I… um… well, yes.”
Zoe wasn’t sure if the look of surprise on Max’s face was good or not.
Max sighed.
“I think you could sell these,” said Helen.
“Thanks, I hope to get good enough to sell them online. And, when I’m ready, Elly at Bits and Bobs said I can sell some in the café in Burra.”
“That’s great,” praised her dad.
“It won’t be a high income, but I hope it will be something given time,” said Zoe. She twisted her hands together, not liking that Max hadn’t said anything.
“Do you like it?” she asked softly, unsure if she really wanted to hear his answer.
“No.”
Her heart tightened.
He took her hand in his and squeezed. “I love it. Like I love you.”
Her eyes misted. “Cheeky bastard.” She giggled, the emotion bubbling inside of her.
Max picked up the wooden item which was the hardest thing she’d made. A cut out of a Christmas tree, sanded and polished in jarrah wood. It was a stencil she’d found in the shed that his grandma must have made, that she’d used as a guide.
“Our first real ornament,” he added.
“Yes.”
“The first of many.”
She nodded. “I hope so.”
“I know so.” He stood up and went over and hung it on the Christmas tree. “It’s perfect.”
“You don’t mind that I’ve used the tools in the shed?” she asked as he came back over to her.
“I mind that my sister was in on this.”
“You’ll get over it, bro,” said Kate.
“Hmmm…” He gave her a mock stare, before turning to look at Zoe. “I want my home to be your home.”
“Ourhome,” corrected Zoe.
“Ourhome,” echoed Max. “And you’ve done just that.”
“So, you’re okay with this?”
“I’ve just got one thing to say.”
