‘Yes, I suppose they do.’ She put her hand on his and held it in place.
‘We could make it a family business.’
‘On one condition,’ said Evie. ‘It’s a business that doesn’t drive a family apart.’
‘Deal,’ he said. ‘Come on, let’s go. I’ve got plans for you, Evie Jefferson.’
She grinned as they continued on their way. When they reached Hollyhock Farm, the house was covered in a layer of snow, like frosting on a cake. Twinkle lights ran from one side of the porch to the other, pointing up in the middle when the roof pitched high. It was beautiful out here. So quiet, so magical.
They bundled into the house. Nate and Julia had gone to her sister’s for a couple of days so they had the place to themselves, and Evie felt safe, secure, with her man at her side. That night after Uncle Brett had forced his way into the apartment and terrorised them, Jack had taken her home to her basement apartment. He’d stayed over, insisting on taking the couch, but in the middle of the night, still unable to sleep, she’d crept out of bed and woken him, taken him by the hand and led him back to the bedroom. It had felt the most natural thing in the world. Her life had changed the instant she met the Churchills; even when they’d banished her, it had been the start of something good without her knowing it, and that night was the start of something even better. It was the start of a future with Jack.
‘What are you thinking?’ Jack wrapped his arms around her waist now and nuzzled her hair. ‘If you’re thinking of taking me to bed, I’ve got plans for that later, but we have something else to do first.’
‘Cheeky!’ She giggled and spun round to kiss him. Their first time had been tender, intimate and powerful, but since then sex had become more fun as they began to trust one another more and more. When she’d told Lizzy they’d slept together, Lizzy had thrown her hands in the air in celebration before making up a jug of margaritas. And then she’d wanted to know all the sordid details.
‘I’ll sleep on the couch if you’re not careful,’ she teased him.
‘You will not! You couldn’t stay away from me the first night, you’re not capable.’ He still liked to tease her about it, and she suspected he’d be making the same joke for years to come. At least, she hoped so anyway.
‘Well,’ she began. ‘I never thought I’d say it, but I’m starting to get hungry. I don’t smell anything cooking, Jackson Churchill, so what have you got planned?’
He smiled. ‘Put your coat back on.’ He did the same himself.
Evie did as she was told and he led her from the house, down to the farthest field, down to the maze.
‘Wow!’ As they got closer the lights shone brighter against the snow covering the conifers. The lights twinkled against the crisp, icy white flakes, creating a stunning, magical picture of the maze before them.
‘Ready?’ he asked.
‘For what?’
‘To find the middle, of course.’
‘You’re serious? It’s way too dark!’
‘Chicken.’
‘Oh!’ She took her marks next to him. ‘You’re on, mister.’ When he grinned she grabbed his arm. ‘Hang on a minute, you’ve got a distinct advantage. You know the route.’
‘I’ll give you a head start.’
Evie unwound her scarf from her neck. ‘We’ll go one better than that. You can do it blindfolded!’ Laughing, she pulled the woollen scarf across his eyes and double-knotted it at the back of his head.
‘This is ridiculous,’ he concluded, arms out in front of him.
‘On your marks …’
‘Get set …’ he added.
‘Go!’ they yelled together.
Evie took off along the first path of the maze. The lights had been strung along every conifer; goodness knows how many metres it’d taken, how many batteries were powering the white lights guiding her way.
‘Damn!” She giggled, another dead end. She spun around to find Jack the same way too. ‘Wrong way,’ she laughed, standing on tiptoes to plant a kiss on his lips. The blindfold was firmly in place, she still had a chance. But when she went to run off, he pulled her close to him.
‘You’re not going anywhere till you kiss me properly.’
They must’ve stood there in the little squared off area, the dead end, until Evie’s cheeks were numb with cold, her lips tingling from his kiss.
