by Kris Pearson
CHAPTER 18 – CHRISTMAS GIFTS
Anna racked her brain, trying to think of the perfect gift. Something he’d like, but nothing too personal. Something saying ‘I’m so pleased to have met you’ without trumpeting ‘you’re mine - I love you’.
She phoned Jossy once inspiration struck. “Wondering if you’d do me a favour, Joss? Could you go across to the gift shop in the museum and buy me one of those lovely smooth polished wooden boxes? The curvy ones? About the size of…” She tried to think of something culinary. “An avocado? I saw some with bird decorations the other day.” She crossed her fingers. “I don’t mind which bird, but a tui or morepork would be good.”
“Is this for you?” Suspicion coloured her sister’s tone.
“It’s for me to… give to someone else.”
“Jason.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes, all right - him.”
“So it’s serious?”
Anna closed her eyes. “How serious can it be? He’s working for us. And he’s not from a great background.”
She heard Jossy’s indrawn breath, and added quickly, “In fact from an awful one. His mother left his dad years ago. After his sister died. He hates his dad, and he’s set up a company in opposition to him. No love lost there, for sure.”
“Definitely serious. You’re interested in him. You must be. You know a lot about him. Cam says - ” She stopped abruptly.
“Oh yes. Cam…” Anna let his name hang between them, knowing her younger sister would eventually reply.
Jossy cleared her throat. “Cam says they’ve been friends a long time.”
“So what gives with you and him? He was boiling mad that night. The only other time I’d met him he was… well… fun.” Anna picked at the edge of her nail varnish, embarrassed she hadn’t phoned sooner. “I was surprised you didn’t want us to drag him away.”
Jossy left another silence. “No - he needed someone to talk to. I could see that.”
“He barely said a civil thing to you all night. He was lucky you fed him.”
But it seemed Jossy was keeping secrets because no more followed despite some careful digging.
“I should have phoned you the next day to thank you for that lovely meal,” Anna said after getting nowhere. “And to ask how you were, because there were certainly sparks flying.”
“But you had your own hunk to distract you.”
“You think he’s a hunk?” Anna asked quickly.
Jossy laughed. “Which one? I think they’re both hunks. And both hurt. Dangerous combo, I’d say.” Her tone changed. “Okay, I need to rescue something from the oven now. I’ll pop across to the gift shop after that. See you Tuesday.” And she disconnected.
*
Jossy arrived as planned with the final Wynn sister, Becca, and provided Anna with paper and ribbon as well as the beautifully crafted little box.
Uncle Harry and Aunt Davina brought Grandma Esther Wynn to join the others in the top house, leaving Harry Junior and his new wife Rachel to move in with their cousins at the cottage.
James’ and Ginny’s teenage son was collected after a three-day geology adventure that included searching for dinosaur bones. He plunged into photographing the ‘antique’ items Anna had set aside. They were on the internet for sale - and being bid on - almost instantly.
Ollie flew in, and Aaron and Bree finally closed up the Law Office. At last the family was complete, padded out with friends and hangers-on.
Cars crammed the front yard and driveway of the cottage. Music poured through the open windows. Sandy swimmers arrived back from the beach to shower behind the pink palm-tree curtain in Jason’s rapidly rebuilt porch.
“You were bloody lucky,” Ollie said to Anna as they stood looking at the shattered exterior of the family bathroom wall. The old Matai planks had been punched and cracked apart by the weight of the shed, and the replacement window was boarded around to make it fit the original opening.
“Thank heavens I was in the kitchen.” She jabbed a finger at the now-finished retaining wall. “This wasn’t built soon enough. That’s why the ground gave way under the truck. And can you believe Dad and Uncle James gave the cottage rebuild contract to the man in charge of this house instead of the one they’re staying in? A lower quote I suppose, but what other disasters are waiting to happen?”
She jumped as the circular saw screamed into life again next door, followed by the noise of Hoolie screwing another plank down.
“Yoo-hoo,” Essie’s voice called as brief silence fell. “Yoo-hoo Anna.”
“Hi Essie,” she and Ollie called back in unison.
“Is that Oliver? Come and let me see how you’ve grown.”
“I’m twenty-seven, Essie. I’ve stopped growing.” Nevertheless, he crossed to the fence with Anna to say a closer hello to their old neighbour.
“Oliver! Is that a ring in your nostril?”
He winked. “Easier to remove than the tatts.”
“You young people…” She peered up for a few seconds, inspecting him. “But a very nice haircut,” she conceded, before turning her attention to Anna. “Dear, I’m having trouble with my sewing machine. I was wondering if you could pop over for a few minutes.”
“Ummm… Auntie Ginny would be more use. Shall I ask her?”
“No, it’s nothing mechanical. My eyes are playing up a bit today and I can’t get the needle threaded. Only take a few minutes.”
“Okay then,” Anna agreed.
“I’ll open the front door. It’s a mess around the back.”
They moved away from the fence. “Waste of a lovely morning,” she grumped to Oliver. “She’ll keep me talking for ages.”
And sure enough, when she reached Essie’s front door she was shown immediately into the seldom-used sitting room and invited to pour herself tea from the pot on the nicely set tray. “Back in a sec,” Essie said, scuttling out of the room. Anna glared at the tray. Two cups. She really didn’t want to stay for a long conversation. But then she heard Essie returning, accompanied by another footfall and her favourite male voice.
Jason appeared at the open doorway, looking as surprised as Anna felt. “Frosty! What the…?”
“I thought you two weren’t getting much time to see each other,” Essie said. “So I’m making myself useful.” She sent them a twinkly grin as she bustled away.
“What excuse did she give you?” Anna asked as he drew her into his arms.
“Lightbulb needed changing.”
“And does it?”
He kissed her hair. “Doubt it.”
“Any more than her sewing machine needed threading,” Anna murmured as she pressed herself against him and he settled his lips on hers for a long heartfelt kiss.
She groaned as he lifted away, hummed with pleasure when he changed the angle and tangled his tongue with hers, holding her face in one big hand to keep her close.
“We can’t go on like this for much longer,” she whispered. “Pretending we’re not seeing each other. I’ve thrown a few hints around, but I don’t see them changing their minds about you getting the third house.”
He pulled her right up onto her toes. “Shortie,” he teased. “Good thing you’re the right height lying down. And bugger the house - I’d rather have the daughter.”
Anna nipped his neck and then licked over her bite. “You weren’t saying that a couple of days ago. God, you’re delicious - I want to eat you all up. Lick you all over.” She smoothed her face along his jaw, breathing in his scent. Warm skin, faint cologne, clean hair.
They lost themselves in each other again - Anna scraping her nails lightly over his scalp, and Jason sliding his hands under her butt to boost her right up against his hips. She was left in no doubt how much he wanted her in return.
Finally they drew apart, breathless and frustrated.
“I’m hating not seeing you,” she whispered. “I hope your birds are behaving for your exhibition pieces?”
He lowered her to the ground again b
ut kept her close. “It’ll be easier after Christmas. I’m cleaning up a lot of loose ends right now. But yes, ideas are arriving.”
“Nothing but people arriving next door,” she complained. “Everyone’s finally there now, and they’ve just about stopped arguing about bedrooms.”
“I’ve seen them coming and going.”
“Sisters, cousins… there are lots of us,” she agreed. “It’s like being part of a ridiculous TV sitcom sometimes. But fun. Christmas dinner will be manic.”
She fell silent for a moment, then asked in a small voice, “Where are you having Christmas dinner? You could…”
“Join the wealthy Wynns?”
His curt comment cut deep. She tried to pull away so he wouldn’t see the hurt in her expression.
“Thanks, Frosty, but I’m set. I told you Cam and I are going to his place further up the coast. Do some diving. Hopefully catch some crays.” Then, as though he realised he’d been too sharp with her, he ran the back of his hand down her cheek. “We’ll go to his mum’s for the actual dinner - we won’t be able to get out of that - but then it’s the boat and some beers and a couple of days away from the world.”
She glanced up at him again, already forgiving him. “Sounds good. Peaceful.”
“Need a break,” he agreed. “Get my mind into a different place.”
“So when are you leaving?”
He kissed her again - long and deep - a kiss that felt like goodbye. “Tomorrow night. Essie’s deck is almost finished. The shelter fence and support for the shade-sail is under way.” He smiled down as she pressed herself closer against him again. “What does she expect us to do? Go at it like rabbits in her sitting room?”
Anna exploded into shocked and delighted laughter. “What if we did?”
Jason threw a sideways glance at the sofa. “Not big enough for much fun. Although I could bend you over the back and do you doggie style?” One of his hands slid up to tweak her nipple.
Anna’s breath hitched. “Or you could pour me a cup of tea and we could play ladies?”
“Not good at being a lady…” He nudged against her in a graphic demonstration.
“No - not very ladylike at all…” She reached up for another kiss. “It’s so good to see you though. I wasn’t expecting this.”
“She got us good,” he agreed. “Come home again tomorrow. To say goodbye before Christmas?”
Anna looked deep into his dark brown eyes. Closed her own because it wasn’t possible. “Sorry,” she whispered. “Dad’s birthday. We’re all going out, and that’s something I can’t avoid.”
He rubbed his hand in a big circle on her back. “Well damn. Can you at least get out onto the beach so we can see each other before I go? I only need you for a few minutes, but I want to give you something.”
Warmth prickled up her spine - partly from the magic sensation of his hand, and partly from the pleasure of him possibly having a gift for her. She thought of the little box Jossy had brought. Vowed to have it wrapped and ready as soon as she could. “Yes,” she whispered. “Later in the afternoon? I’ll let you know when. And after Christmas, no more secret meetings.” She nipped his ear lobe and added, “I don’t want to disturb you from getting your exhibition work ready, but I’ll have to go back to work far too soon. I want to grab some time alone with you if that contract is out of the equation.”
Jason’s ringtone sounded and he cursed softly as he released her and checked the screen. “Billy?” He listened intently. “Oh shit no! Badly?” Another gap. He reached out and grabbed a handful of Anna’s hair, closing his eyes and burying his face in it. “On my way.”
“What?”
“Manu’s had a fall. This is on the campground job. I need to be there, much as it pains me.” He released her hair and shoved his phone away in a pocket.
“Then I hope he’ll be okay so close to Christmas. My First Aider’s certificate is up to date in case you need me. I’m the designated volunteer for the design office,” she said, pulling the door open.
“Anything you don’t take on?” Jason asked, in a tone that suggested she was a perfectionist who worked too hard. “I’ll let you know. Billy’s the older brother. Maybe a bit too protective.”
*
Jason ran his fingers across the surface one final time. As perfect as he could make it. Would she see it as a translation of her at the centre of his world? Him surrounding her with his love?
He shook his head at the fanciful interpretation as he folded the tissue paper around it and slid it into the glittering bag. The only gift he’d made for anyone since his sister died. Sure, he’d bought perfume and chocolates and dinners for girls over the years, but that was just money. No-one had claimed his time or his imagination like Anna. No-one had deserved his undivided attention until now.
He drove more slowly than usual - early for once, despite spending time sorting and packing his holiday gear. It would be the last time he’d see her for several days, and that was several days too long. However enjoyable Cam’s company was, Anna’s was now his first choice.
Sighing, he pulled the van onto the shoulder of the road for a couple of minutes. No point getting any closer to the houses and setting tongues wagging for her. Already Essie and Jossy and nosy Eric had seen how attracted they were - and maybe assumed it was a relationship with no future. A rich girl toying with a boy from the wrong side of the tracks. A poor boy getting above his station and heading for a fall.
A holiday diversion was what people would see.
A fast burn-out was what they’d expect.
Well, not if he could help it.
And there she was in the distance, in what was probably the same thin-strapped black dress she’d worn the first evening she’d come to his house. The skirt swung and fluttered as she walked. Good memories. He smirked as he remembered the too-small condom in her pocket and what it had led to.
He flipped the headlights on and off. She raised an arm and started to cross the road so she’d be on the passenger side when he drew level. Organised, as usual.
“Hiya!” she said, climbing in before he’d had time to play the gentleman. “You cleaned up well.”
“Looking impressive yourself.”
He watched as she gathered up her hair in both hands and smoothed it back behind her bare shoulders. Shoulders that were lightly tanned now she’d had a few days in the sun. Then she leaned across and kissed him, slowly and sweetly.
He revved the van. “How about I drive a bit further away from civilisation if that’s what you’re after?”
Anna shook her head, and her hair tumbled forward again. “Switch it off. I can’t stay long. Dad’s birthday bash is just about under way.” She glanced at the gift bag lying on the seat between them and snapped her purse open. “I bought you a little something, too. Just a pretty thing you admired in Wellington.”
“That would be you,” he said, claiming another kiss before passing her the bag. “It’s a one-off. Matai from the cottage. I thought you might like to own a piece of it into the future, seeing it’s been such a big part of your past.”
Anna took the bag with reverence. “You made me something?”
He ducked his head and spread his hands in the air. “Thought I may as well put these to good use. And I wanted you to have something no-one else has. You already have a lot of what no-one else has, as far as I’m concerned. So…”
Her blue eyes lifted to his. “Thank you. The feeling’s mutual. I hope you know that.” She slid his gift from the bag and peeled back a corner of the tissue paper. “Jason!”
He watched with both trepidation and pleasure as she exposed the edge of the frame. The timber gleamed smooth and satiny, decorated with the faint undulations of his python tattoo here and there.
“Did you carve this?” she asked, touching it, and running her finger to and fro. “It’s beautiful. It’s amazing. I can’t imagine how many hours it must have taken you.” She eased more of the tissue paper away, obviously trying not to r
ip it.
He allowed himself to relax a little. “You’ve been occupying my mind, and it’s been good thinking about you as I made it and polished it.”
“And carved it,” she added. “That’s so clever. Such a reminder of you.”
She pushed the paper further aside to reveal the whole frame. The photo of herself laughed out at them. The best of the shots he’d surreptitiously taken on the night when she joined the jam session. He’d captured her after she’d sung, and the flush of triumph lit her face. She looked happy. Relaxed. Her usual barriers of caution and the need to achieve had dropped away.
She was just a girl on an evening out, with the extra glow of good lovemaking touching her with magic.
Anna leaned over and kissed him. “You’ve made me look… quite pretty. I tend to freeze up in photos. Thank you. It’s amazing - for all sorts of reasons. Is it really timber from the cottage?”
“Had to trim things up when I was fitting the replacement bathroom window, so I can guarantee it’s genuine.”
“That makes it extra nice,” she agreed, running her fingers up and down the side of the frame and stroking the snake-scales. She reached for her purse. “And for you,” she said, drawing her beautifully wrapped package out and offering it to him.
Jason held it up. Turned it around. “Work of art - too pretty to unwrap.”
Anna pretended to grab for the end of the ribbon, but he twitched it out of her reach.
His gaze sharpened, then he brought the little parcel to his ear and shook it. A faint rattle issued forth. “Did I break it?”
Anna pressed her lips together. “Unlikely. Open it and check.”
Cradling it in one hand, he tugged the end of the bright red ribbon so the bow released and allowed the golden paper to unfold like a flower. The perfect small box sat in his palm and gleamed in the rays of the lowering sun. A tiny round-eyed owl was inset on the dark timber of the lid.
“Ruru,” he said, touching the glittering blue-green paua shell. “Thank you. You saw me admiring them at Te Papa.”