Page 33 of Seal of Approval

I took deep breaths as I made my way to the door, clenching and unclenching my hands. I knew this day would come. I’d prepared for it in my head. I’d prepared the words I was going to say over and over again.

Max had been released from prison two months ago. I was surprised it took him this long to turn up. I’d been so distracted by Ethan and work that I’d barely thought about it. And the longer it took for him to arrive, the more wishful thinking I had that he wouldn’t.

I opened the door and stepped out. Ethan and Max were sitting on the porch chairs, slightly turned into each other but not directly facing one another. Max looked the same as he always did—blonde, windswept hair, piercing blue eyes. Jail hadn’t changed him a bit. The outside was still the same but what about the inside? Could a man like Max ever change?

Ethan watched me and then stood and came to my side, taking my hand in his. His hand didn’t swallow mine, it joined it. My shoulders relaxed. The simple act told me everything I needed to know. He was here for me.

Max’s shrewd eyes went to our hands and the way his eyebrows turned down told me he had been expecting to find me alone. He stood. His height, his broadness, may have been intimidating if I’d been alone. But Ethan matched him for both. The only difference was Max wielded his size for power, and Ethan never thought of his as anything special.

“Hi, Jasmine.”

Words stuck in my throat. I stared at him.

Ethan gave my hand a squeeze. “Max was just telling me about the time Bailey tried to cut his hair so he could look like Max.”

I nodded. Interesting how he thought of that story to share. Like it showed he had some special connection with Bailey. I bet he didn’t tell Ethan how he had berated Bailey afterwards. Or how he made snide remarks to a five-year-old about how he would never be as good as him.

Max took a step forward. “How have you been? How are Bailey and Rose?”

“We’re good, thanks.” He didn’t deserve any more than that.

“Ethan tells me you’re the head ranger here.”

“That’s correct.”

“You always loved nature. We did some great bush walks in Adelaide.”

I wouldn’t have called the two we went on great. He’d made the whole thing miserable.

“I bet the kids love it too,” he added.

“They do.”

Max took another step forward. My heart slammed against my chest wall. My palm sweated against Ethan’s. His grip firmed, giving me the strength to straighten my back.

Max made eye contact with me. “I’d like to see them.”

“That won’t be happening today.” I was shaking on the inside, but my voice was firm.

“I drove nearly eight hours to see them.” There was a tic in his jaw, but his voice remained passive. He hadn’t lost his skill.

“If you’d called, I would have told you not to come.”

“I’m here now though. It’s been five years. I’ve missed them.”

That wasn’t true. He’d asked about us initially trying to get information from his family. But that hadn’t lasted. If he’d missed them, he would have been craving information, begging for it. He hadn’t asked about us in nearly four years.

Ethan turned his body slightly toward me, bringing himself closer. A protective move? I wanted to lean into him, to soak up what he was offering me.

I gave Max my full attention. “You will not be seeing Bailey and Rose today. I will have my solicitor contact you.”

There went the tic in his jaw again. “Come on, Jazzy.” I cringed at the use of that name. “We don’t need a solicitor.”

Maybe he didn’t, but I did.

Ethan took a deep breath and glanced at me. I looked up at him, my jaw set. He squared his shoulders. “This is something we’ve discussed as a family,” he said. “Jasmine and I won’t be changing our minds.”

Max looked between us. Tic. Tic. Tic.

---