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“I need time to think about this,” he told them. “It’s not something that I can decide in a short time. This is my livelihood. You’ll plan from Atlanta where you can continue to work. I have to be with the mess, the contractors. I’d be the one on-site trying to make decisions while you’re hours away.”

Livie’s gaze never wavered. Not once. It was as if she was daring him to keep finding reasons this wouldn’t work. Her set jaw, her clasped hands over her perfectly pressed capris were all telltale signs that she wasn’t going to back down from this.

Well, he’d wanted her to move on from selling, right? In his mind, though, he figured he could talk her into just leaving him alone and moving on.

But on the flip side, she’d have to stick around at least for a while to get this ball rolling . . . wouldn’t she? Jax wasn’t too proud to admit he wanted her. That a

dolescent crush had blown up into something he hadn’t expected, and frankly didn’t welcome. He had a young daughter and he was always careful not to bring women around. Not that he dated, but if he were to find someone, he’d have to be very careful about who he let into his life. Piper was at an age that she wouldn’t understand. And with her mentioning a mother lately, he really had to watch his actions and words.

“I’d be here some,” Livie informed him. “But I am going to have to get back to Atlanta soon. So we don’t have a lot of time to think on this.”

Jax came to his feet, propping his hands on his hips as he shook his head. “You’re not giving me much choice when half of this is mine.”

“Maybe Jade and I should wait outside.” Melanie stood and glanced down to her friends. “This is between Livie and Jackson.”

Jade came to her feet and sighed. “As much as I want to stick around and be nosy, I know Olivia will tell us anyway.”

Jax watched as the two ladies left his office. Jade shot him a wink as she closed the door behind her. With a laugh, he turned his focus back to the woman on his couch.

With her hair perfectly groomed over her shoulder, the polished clothes, and manicured hands, she looked completely out of place in this dingy room. But, at the same time, she belonged here, because beneath all that perfection was the girl who used to call this hangar home.

Her eyes darted around the room. Nothing had changed since her father had passed. The same picture hung on the wall behind the desk. The picture her father had taken of him when he first purchased the Cessna that sat right outside the office door. With a wide smile on his face, Paul Daniels stood proudly in front of the plane.

Piper stared at the photo. Slowly she came to her feet and kept her eyes locked on the picture behind him. He didn’t say a word, didn’t want to break whatever moment she had flashing through her mind. Maybe she was recalling a time when her father taught her to fly. Perhaps she was remembering how he always used to slip her money when she came to see him. Even if it was just five dollars, he always said he wanted Livie to have everything.

At the time, Jax didn’t understand why Paul would literally give the last bit of cash from his wallet, but now he realized that he only wanted Livie to love him.

As she grew older and more distant, Paul randomly reached out to her, trying to connect with her but not push too hard. Livie had always been his little girl, they shared a bond. But when the marital issues started, Jax firmly believed Livie’s mother told her lies and turned her against Paul. Jax never really knew, but nothing else made sense.

He turned to keep his eyes on Livie. She stood within inches of the picture, her shoulders not as rigid as they normally were.

“You said he was sick when we left.”

Her words hovered in the air between them. He knew she’d bring that topic up and he owed her some answers since he was the one who’d tapped into this to begin with.

“He didn’t want you or your mother to know.”

Livie threw a glance over her shoulder. “It doesn’t much matter now, does it?”

Not really, but he’d been the only one Paul had confided in about his fears. Most of the people in town knew he was sick, but Paul did a good job hiding the fact. He never wanted pity, never wanted handouts. He was the most prideful man Jax had ever known.

“He had cancer.”

Livie stared at him another minute before turning her attention back to the picture. “Why didn’t he want anyone to know?”

“The marriage was over, you had sided with your mom and were eager to leave Haven.” Jax would never forget the look of defeat on Paul’s face when he realized his family was leaving for good. “He didn’t want your attention or your mom’s out of pity. You know how he was.”

Livie nodded as she twisted around and gripped the back of his desk chair. “I know. Damn pride.”

Tears shimmered in her eyes, but he wasn’t going to mention it or try to console her. He may not have known the new Livie well enough, but he figured someone this determined and strong wouldn’t appreciate having her weakness brought to light.

She glanced around the office once again, this time her eyes landing on the back of the door. He didn’t even have to turn to know what she saw.

“They’ve hung there forever,” he told her. “Piper loves to put them on and pretend to be my helper.”

Livie’s sad smile caused a tear to trickle down her cheek.

Well, hell. He couldn’t exactly ignore that. Jax circled the desk and came to stand beside her.

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