Page 20 of Jax

The sun cast a golden glow on the lush Indiana countryside as Jax drove, stealing glances at Mia beside him. Her eyes were wide with wonder, taking in the rolling hills and dense woods that stretched out before them.

"Never seen anything like this, huh?" he asked, amused by her amazement.

"Never," she replied, her voice soft and full of awe. "This is . . . beautiful."

Jax couldn't help but smile at her reaction. It felt good for him too, appreciating the vastness of the world outside his computer screen. He knew at that moment that he wanted to show her more, to give her a life beyond the confines of the city they had left behind.

Pioneer Village finally came into view, its rustic buildings and cobblestone paths nestled amongst the trees. The sound of hooves on stone and the smell of woodsmoke filled the air as they stepped out of the car and began to explore the historic settlement.

"Check it out," Jax said, pointing to a blacksmith hammering away at a glowing piece of metal. Mia watched, fascinated, as sparks flew from the anvil, the rhythmic pounding echoing through the village.

"Look over there," she whispered, tugging on his arm and leading him toward a woman weaving cloth on a wooden loom. They stood side by side, observing as the weaver's skilled hands worked quickly and efficiently, creating intricate patterns in the fabric.

"Hard to believe people used to do everything by hand," he thought aloud. For a fleeting moment, he wondered what it would be like to trade his computer for a simpler life, devoid of constant digital distractions.

"Sometimes," Mia said, her voice barely more than a whisper, "I think I was born at the wrong time."

They wandered through the village, the scent of wood smoke and freshly turned earth filling their nostrils.

"Let's check out the gristmill," Jax suggested, guiding Mia towards the wooden structure perched on the edge of a gently flowing creek. As they approached, the rhythmic creaking of the water wheel blended with the burble of the stream, creating a calming melody that seemed to transport them even further back in time.

Finding a quiet spot near the mill, they sat down on a patch of soft grass, their hands still entwined. Jax studied Mia's face, her eyes filled with wonder and curiosity as she took in their surroundings.

"Isn't it amazing how people used to live like this?" Mia asked, her voice tinged with awe. "No phones, no computers . . . just working with their hands, relying on each other."

"Yeah," Jax agreed. "It's... refreshing, in a way."

He realized that, for the first time in a long while, he wasn't preoccupied with work or his online crusades. Instead, he was fully engaged in the here and now, sharing this experience with Mia—and it felt damn good.

"Thanks," he murmured, his gaze shifting to the water wheel as it continued its hypnotic dance.

"Sometimes, we all need a little reminder to slow down and appreciate what's right in front of us," Mia said, her voice gentle yet wise beyond her years. As she leaned closer, resting her head on his shoulder, Jax felt a surge of protectiveness mixed with desire—a fierce need to shield her from the darkness that had tainted her life, while also exploring the depths of their connection.

“Let’s go sit down awhile,” said Mia. “I want to just soak it all up.”

The sun reflected off the surface of the water, casting a shimmering light on the surrounding trees as Jax and Mia sat side by side on the grassy bank. The rhythmic sound of the gristmill wheel turning in the background filled the air with a tranquil hum.

"Y'know, this is kind of weird for me," Jax admitted, his fingers idly tracing patterns in the soft earth beside him. "Being cut off from technology like this."

Mia turned to look at him, her eyes curious. "How so?"

Jax sighed, trying to find the right words. "I mean, I'm used to being connected all the time. But now . . . it's like I've been forced to step back and really take in the world around me. It's frustrating in some ways, but at the same time . . . I can't deny there's something almost freeing about it."

"Life without smartphones and computers, huh?" Mia said, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Welcome to the dark ages, Daddy."

Jax chuckled, feeling a warmth spread through his chest at her playful tone. Even though she was using that nickname jokingly, it felt good. Really fucking good.

“You don’t go on those chatrooms in real life, do you?” Mia asked suddenly. “You know, looking at cam girls?”

Jax blinked at her. “Never. I work with computers, I don’t use them for entertainment or sport. And I never, ever look at women like that. Paying them money to get naked for me. I only did that with you because I had to look real.”

Mia swallowed. “You never asked me to get naked.”

“True,” Jax said quickly. “Like I said before, your body is your own, Mia. I just want to help you feel as comfortable and safe as possible.”

Mia nodded. “I’m starting to.”

“Good,” replied Jax. “You want a sandwich?”

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