Brax

I stir from my deep sleep. Did a sound wake me up or was I dreaming?

“Kwahh kahk kahh kahh kahh!”

I sit up and, realising that Ollie is not in the specially ordered Spiderman-themed single bed next to my king-sized one, I hurry out to look for him.

He’s in the living room of our one-bedroom cabin in Moonstruck Lodge, standing on an ottoman with his nose and palms pressed against the window.

“Kwahh kahh kahh kahh kahh!” he calls out to whatever he’s looking at.

“Hey, bud. What’s out there?” I walk to him and kiss his head.

This is my child. My child. Fuck, I still can’t believe it. And I can’t get over how much I love him despite not being aware of his existence until seven months ago.

The last two months that he’s lived with me full-time—after all the paternity tests and paperwork had been completed, and after a period of transition from his carers to me—have been very challenging. My comfort zone has been—and is still being—stretched to the max. But I’ve also never felt such strong protective and loving instincts towards anyone like I do for Ollie.

“Look, Dad! It’s a bird! It was making a sound, like this. Kwahh kahh kahh kahh!”

Dad. My heart swells every time he calls me that. I thank his mother and her partner for having raised him exceptionally well.

I kneel next to him so I can give him a proper cuddle. “Do you know what that bird is called?”

Ollie shakes his head.

“It’s called a laughing kookaburra.”

He chortles. “A laughing kookak… A what?”

“Kook-a-burra,” I say slowly, grinning at the way he said laughing in an Australian accent, copying me.

“Kook-a-burra,” he repeats.

I ruffle his hair. The kid is so smart and so inquisitive, and his brain is like a sponge. I’d like to think he takes after me. He is definitely the spitting image of me when I was his age. “Why are you up already” I ask.

“That bird woke me up.”

“Did you sleep well?”

Ollie nods, then he joins the kookaburra as it bursts into another song.

I peer at him closely. He looks bright as a button and the cutest boy I know.

I’m still kind of haunted by his sobbing last month on our first day here at Moonstruck Cove. While we were attempting to climb Lover’s Hill at my parents’ insistence, he suddenly started crying for his mother—the lovely woman I met only once in my life and with whom I’d had a one-night stand. Fuck, I was such a fish out of water with those tears streaming down his face.

Thankfully, it didn’t take him long to calm down. I suspected that the large full-moon-week crowd might have contributed to his distress, considering the crazy attention we were getting in New York when our story broke out.

I guess Ollie’s mother dying in a car accident along with her well-known billionaire fiancé was shocking enough that the media couldn’t resist covering it every chance they got, especially when the billionaire’s estranged parents decided to do a paternity test on Ollie.

It was quite the scandal when it was reported that the billionaire wasn’t Ollie’s real dad. And, to the relief of the billionaire’s parents, the private detective they’d hired somehow found me. They became free of Ollie, and the billionaire’s assets became theirs due to stipulations in his will that only blood relatives could inherit his wealth.

To say that I was totally and utterly shocked that I have a son is an understatement. I was even in denial for a short while. But as soon as it was confirmed that Ollie was mine, my heart burst open for him. The love I feel for this little boy is unbelievable.   

That’s why I’m here at Moonstruck Cove—to have some respite from the press intrusion. More importantly, I want to bond further with my son and learn from my parents how to be a good single dad despite being a workaholic investment banker.

And to find out if time has softened Joey Barker’s anger towards me. 

The picture of the sassy—and undeniably beautiful—brunette pops in my head.

Frankly, I still think it’s Dimple who should apologise for butting into my family’s business, but I don’t regret apologising to her. If only she’d accept it, then maybe…

Then maybe what, Braxton?

Then nothing. She might be the most attractive woman I’ve ever met but she’s also a Mooner. I’ve absolutely no intentions of hooking up with a Mooner. With the way this town learns practically everything about almost anyone—and then gleefully meddles in everyone’s business—why would I even want to so much as flirt with a local? I want some peace and quiet while I’m here, not the subject of some juicy gossip.

I shake my head to clear it of thoughts of Dimple.

Getting back to Ollie, bonding seems to be going well. But figuring out how I’m going to juggle my career and single fatherhood when we go back to America? Not easy, especially when I have to prove myself to my new boss. Despite the stellar reputation I’ve built within GX Partners over the years, it doesn’t mean much as far as Lando is concerned. All he knows about me is that prior to him joining GX, I’d taken so many days off to deal with the situation with Ollie. Then, right after starting with us, I’d immediately asked him for two months off for this visit to Moonstruck Cove. Thank God he was understanding. But with a company restructure happening within eight months, I have to show him why I’m one of the employees worth keeping.

“Dad!” Ollie taps my arm. “Take a picture of the bird.”

“Okay.” I stand to get my phone, and the bird flies away.

Ollie pouts. “I hope it comes back.”

“It might. Do you wanna have breakfast with Grandma and Grandpa now?”

He’s all smiles again as he nods.

Ollie has grown to love his grandparents so much, and vice versa. Actually, he’s grown to love all my siblings, too. He can’t get enough of his Auntie Liss, and he always gets excited when video calls come through from my three Sydney-based siblings, who visited here last month to spend time with us. Being back in Australia with my son certainly makes me appreciate my family more, even if they keep on pointing out all the parenting mistakes they see me do. Well, I did ask for help, didn’t I?

I assist Ollie in the bathroom—I didn’t realise how much patience is needed for supposedly simple things like that—and then dress him in light clothing. Even though autumn arrived last week, it still feels like summer. I take his small backpack with his wooden angel figurine inside and sling the straps around his shoulders. He doesn’t like going anywhere without his “Angel Mama.”

A refreshing breeze hits my face as we walk out the door, carrying the scent of eucalyptus and the sound of the river just a few metres away. The vista is stunning, and I stand there for a moment to enjoy it once again.

Our cabin—like the two others on the property—stands on a clearing in the middle of forest-like surroundings. It does feel like we’re a world away from anyone else, and it’s the perfect private spot to hide from paparazzi as well as do some work. The only thing I can complain about is that the internet coverage is crap. Can’t even do video calls without the screen freezing.

“Do you want to ride on the buggy?” I ask Ollie, glancing at the small vehicle parked next to our accommodation.

“No, I want to walk and find the laughing kook…kooku…”

“Kookaburra.”

He nods. “I know. Kookaburra. Kooku is his name.”

“Oh, I see,” I say with a chuckle. See? Smart kid.

We start our trek up to the main house and Ollie starts proudly naming several plants he can now identify. We don’t spot a kookaburra, but he’s thrilled to see a big flock of sulphur-crested cockatoos flying by and making a racket with their loud, raucous screeching.

After about fifteen minutes of meandering, Moonstruck Lodge’s main house is in our sights, framed by flowering plants and well-maintained shrubbery and large trees. It’s big—more like a mansion than a house, with ten suites available for paying guests. It’s not as private here compared to the cabins, but guest reviews are just as gushing.

Unfortunately, my parents borrowed to the hilt to make this place a five-star accommodation, and their financial situation has been a source of worry for me.

Speaking of my parents, they come out to wave at us from the porch.

“Good morning, Brax! Good morning, Ollie!” my mother, Elsa, calls out.

“Good morning,” I reply.

“Good morning, Grandma,” Ollie cries, running up the steps and holding his arms out for a hug.

She scoops him up and tickles him under his chin, making him giggle. “Did you have a good sleep?”

“Yes!” He puts his arm around his grandmother’s neck and squeezes tight. Then he wriggles out of her embrace to go to his Grandpa Evan, who lifts him and spins him around.

“I saw a kookaburra, Grandpa. It was laughing!”

“Oh, wow! Did you take a photo?”

“No! Because Dad was too slow to get his phone.”

“Ah, we’ll have to teach him to move faster then. But let’s have breakfast first, shall we?” Dad raises his brows at me. “In the restaurant okay?”

“Yup.” Now that the town is—to the best of our knowledge—free of reporters, paparazzi, and nosy social influencers, my parents are encouraging Ollie and me to be out and about.

I didn’t mind being cooped up within the lodge’s premises for a month. It was the perfect time for my whole family—and my friends from New York, Sawyer and Brooke—to bond with my son. We enjoyed going bushwalking and kayaking, and we had picnics by the river near our cabin. What was more, I was able to do some office work since I had a lot of babysitters around. While I’m technically on vacation, I had agreed that Lando could call me anytime so I can show him what I’m really capable of. And he’s been doing just that.

Of course, I’m copping a lot of flak from my parents for working a lot, but I can’t afford to let my career suffer—or lose it altogether—just because I’m now a full-time father. In fact, I need this job even more now that I have a son to raise.

Anyway, now that the out-of-towners are gone, Mum and Dad are insisting we start doing something else for Ollie’s sake. I suppose I agree. I’m just not looking forward to the attention we’ll get from the local busybodies.

Like Dimple.

Excitement shoots through me at the possibility of seeing her again but, honestly, what’s the point of wallowing in thoughts of her when I don’t intend to do anything about my stupid attraction? 

We enter the lodge’s in-house restaurant, Moonstruck Tastes, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee and bacon wafts into my nostrils, making my stomach grumble in anticipation. Ollie is bouncing on his feet, eager for his hot chocolate.

The four of us sit down at the most private corner table, and I look around. The place is almost full, with only two tables next to us kept empty for our relative privacy. That’s good.

As our breakfast arrives, my parents fuss over Ollie, heaping food on his plate and listening to his tales about the birds and plants he saw on our way here.

My mother seems distracted, though. She keeps glancing at the entrance behind me.

“Waiting for someone?” I ask before I sip my coffee.

She lets out a high-pitched laugh—her tell when she’s nervous. “Why would I be waiting for someone when we’re all here?”

I narrow my eyes. My bones tell me I’m not gonna like what she’s planned.

She thinks that finding Ollie a new mother is a great idea. Hilarious, right? She hasn’t exactly said that out loud, but I’ve no doubt that’s what she had in mind when she introduced me to a woman named Lara yesterday. Lara’s first words to me were, “Gosh, you’re so much hotter in person,” followed by, “I’ve always wanted to live in New York since visiting it three years ago.”

Thanks, but no, thanks. Not that Lara wasn’t nice and all. I’m just not after a relationship—at least not of the permanent kind. My exes would attest that I’m way too career-driven to be a good boyfriend.

Since I want to avoid any conversation regarding my non-existent love life, I bring up the subject both my parents don’t want to talk about.

“Can we please discuss your financial status?” I ask in a gentle tone. “Like I said, I’m happy to help. I wish you’d consider my advice, at the very least.”

Dad grins. “We’re absolutely fine. Nothing to worry about.”

I suppress a sigh. “I know that this place is special to you. And I’m so proud of what you’ve done with it over the years, especially when the buildings were barely standing when you inherited it. But you know that numbers don’t lie. There are not enough rooms here to generate the money you need to give you a comfortable income. What’s the point of a hard slog day in, day out when you can sell this place for a fortune to someone who has the funds to develop it? Then you can buy another business that’s not only easier to manage but also a heck of a lot more profitable.” While this property is over one hundred acres, only a small area is being utilised. The rest is untouched bushland. Developers would throw big money at my parents to snap this up.

“But we’re fine. Really,” Dad insists.

All right, I didn’t plan to bring my sister into this, but it looks like I have to. “Liss told me that you have a very short-term loan with super-high interest rates that you’re having a hard time paying.”

My parents glance at each other. “How did she know that?” Mum asks before shaking her head. “Oh, don’t tell me.”

I chuckle dryly. “It’s true, huh? So why did you have to get a loan with such undesirable terms if you’re doing well?”

“Because,” Dad says, “at the time, that finance company was the only one willing to lend us money for the electrical and plumbing issues we had. Anyway, it’s all paid up.”

My brows leave my forehead. “All of it?”

Dad chuckles. “Yes.”

“How? And please don’t lie to me just to shut me up about this.”

“Lying is not good,” Ollie interjects, eating his pancakes.

I grin at my son. “That’s right. Listen to Ollie.”

“We got another loan with much better terms, so stop worrying. Honestly, things are going great.”

I narrow my eyes at Dad. My parents never did like talking about anything financial with us kids.

“Here she is.” Mum starts waving at someone behind me. “Candy! Over here!”

A sigh escapes me. “Seriously?” I ask my dad in a low voice.

He leans close to my ear. “Just be nice. You don’t want things to be awkies.”

“Awkies?”

“Awkward,” he says with a disbelieving frown. “You don’t know what awkies mean? You have to get out more, son.”

I snicker. “It’s more like I can’t believe you said that. Are you having a mid-life crisis?”

He laughs.

A hand on my shoulder makes me turn my head, and my gaze lands right smack on a woman’s rather impressive cleavage. The newcomer’s breasts—almost spilling out of her top—are exactly in my line of sight from my sitting position. I look up at her face and find her smiling at me, her pearly whites gleaming. “Hi, Brax. I’m Candy. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

I stand to shake Candy’s hand—and to create some distance. “Nice to meet you, Candy. How are you?”

She ignores my offer of a handshake and throws her arms around me instead. Thankfully, it’s just a brief, albeit very tight, hug.

“I’m fantastic! And this must be Ollie.” Candy turns to my son.

“Yes, this is Ollie,” my mum answers. “Ollie, this is Candy.”

I wait for Ollie to comment on “candy” being a confectionary, but he offers his hand for a shake and says. “Nice to meet you, Candy. How are you?”

My lips stretch wide as my heart swells with pride. Did he just copy me?

“I’m well, thank you,” Candy answers, taking Ollie’s little hand.

“Come, sit, Candy.” Dad grabs an empty chair from the next table and positions it between Ollie’s and mine.

I want to glare at him, but my father always wants to make my mother happy. I can’t blame him for that.

Candy and I both sit down, and she scrapes her chair against the floor to move closer to me. “Brax,” she breathes. “I still can’t believe I haven’t met you before today.”

“Because he doesn’t come often enough and never stays long enough,” Mum complains.

I do feel guilty that since my parents and Liss moved here almost nine years ago, I have only visited four times and haven’t stayed for more than a couple of weeks each time.

What can I say, though? I have a very demanding job in a highly competitive industry. “I’m staying for two months with Ollie this time,” I say defensively.

Mum huffs. “And that’s not long enough.”

“Well, I’m glad to meet you now,” interjects Candy. “I work at the post office. Do you need to send postcards to anyone back in New York? I’ll help you pick some. We have a good variety.”

I smile benignly. “That’s sweet of you. But I’m afraid I’m not a postcard-sending kind of guy.”

“We have other souvenirs, too—“

Mum starts waving again. “Oh, hey, Joey!”

My heart jumps at the name.

What’s she doing here? She wasn’t invited, was she?

I bet she’s wearing her favourite clothing: Overalls.

I twist my head to look and gloat a little inside. Yes, she’s wearing cream-coloured shorts overalls that show off those shapely legs of hers.

Our eyes meet and, I swear, the air between us sizzles. I’m not sure if she feels it, though, because her one-dimpled smile—which I have to admit I find utterly cute—disappears.

Just as I thought. Dimple hasn’t forgiven me. Wow, can this woman hold a grudge or what? It’s been a year!

“Good morning!” she says brightly to everyone at the table—except me. “Anna’s not at reception and I didn’t want to leave this there in case people think it’s something complimentary from the lodge.”

Dad stands and takes the delectable-looking arrangement of chocolate-covered fruits. “Anna’s busy helping to prepare the honeymoon cabin. But thank you for delivering this early, Joey. We weren’t expecting it till later.” He calls a server over and instructs him to take the basket to Anna.

“Would you like to join us?” Mum asks.

My head whips towards my mother. It takes me a second to realise I’m frowning at her.

“No, thank you, Elsa,” Joey answers. “Slick looks like he’s gonna have a tummy ache if I do.”

I redirect my frown onto Dimple.

“Slick?” asks Candy.

Joey throws her chin at me. “City Slicker.” Her left brow arches ever so slightly as she looks down at my shoes.

Unbidden, I shuffle my feet back under my seat to keep them away from her prying gaze. Why on earth did I wear my brand-spanking-new white leather loafers today? And what does it matter what Dimple thinks? I’m a man who happens to like white-coloured casual footwear. Nothing wrong with that. And it’s her fault that I stepped on cow dung last year when walking through a field. Long story.

“Hello, Joey,” I say dryly. “You’re such an expert at covering your thrill at seeing me again with your mask of underwhelm.”

She smirks. “I see your head is still stuck up your…”—She glances at Ollie—“the clouds.”

“Come on, you two. I can’t believe you still haven’t let bygones be bygones.” Dad drags another chair towards our table. “I know you’re busy, Joey, but have a quick coffee with us and meet Ollie.”

Dimple’s expression turns to one of sweetness as she smiles at my son, and I’m reminded of the first time I met her two years ago at Mum’s fifty-fifth birthday party. It was also the very first time I met other Mooners apart from those who worked in the lodge because I’d never ventured out in my previous short visits.

Well, I couldn’t keep my eyes off Dimple then, could I? Seriously, I was bowled over by my attraction for her. We spent a long time chatting and laughing, ignoring everyone else at the party. Unfortunately, I had to return to Manhattan the next day.

No wonder I was excited to return to Moonstruck Cove for my fourth visit. That was last year. And my infatuation bubble burst when I discovered just how meddlesome these locals were, with Joey being one of the biggest.

“Hello, Ollie,” she says as she sits on the chair my dad placed next to my son. “I’m Joey.”

Ollie gives her his right hand while he uses his left to pop a strawberry in his mouth. “Nn to mmt u. Hhr u?” he says.

I grin. My kid is so cute.

Dad whispers in my ear. “Tell him not to talk with his mouth full.”

Oh, right. I forgot my fatherly duties for a second there. Sometimes, I still hate being the disciplinarian.

“Ollie,” I say in a warning tone. “Please don’t talk with your mouth full.”

Dimple chuckles. “It’s nice to meet you, too, Ollie. And I’m very well, thank you. How are you?”

My boy’s eyes round in what seems like awe. He puts his hand up—telling us to wait—while he quickly chews, then swallows. “She understands me! I said mmmm nnnn mmmm rrr mmm rrr and she understands me!”

We all laugh—and my heart swells from his cuteness. “Yes, she understood you,” I correct gently. There. I’m really learning.

“Are you a mind reader?” Ollie asks Dimple.

“No. I’m an art teacher.”

Ollie’s jaw dropped to the floor. “There’s an art school here?”

“Well, it’s just my studio. One big room where people come to improve their painting and drawing skills.”

“I’m a great painter and drawer! Right, Dad?”

I nod indulgently. “Yes, Norah helps you create nice art, doesn’t she?” Ollie’s nanny is such a talented artist that Ollie always ends up creating great artwork—which is mostly Norah’s doing, of course. That’s why I agreed to pay her more when she asked for a raise.

“Norah watches TV when I draw and paint. I do it all by myself,” Ollie declares.

I don’t contradict him. It’s probably best to talk to him about this little lie when we’re alone.

“Can I go to Joey’s school, Dad? Please?”

Ollie’s begging look tugs at my heartstrings, but I’m pretty sure Dimple wouldn’t appreciate having to entertain an active four-year-old while she’s working with paid students. “I think Joey’s school is only for older kids and adults,” I say.

“But I’m really good!”

“I know you are. Maybe I’ll enrol you at an art school when you’re old enough.”

“But we’ll be back in Manhattan then, and I wanna go to Joey’s school.” His lips start to tremble.

Uh-oh. Tears incoming.

An out-of-my-depth feeling starts to creep into my chest. I haven’t figured out how to manage my own emotions when I see Ollie crying, and I glance helplessly at my mother.

It’s Dimple who steps in. “Tell you what, Ollie. How about you visit me in my studio one day? You can draw on a big sheet of paper.”

“Really?”

“Yes. By the way, I also brought these for you.” Joey puts three star-shaped chocolates in front of Ollie. “But you have to promise to only eat them when you’re allowed to, okay?”

“Thank you! I promise! And I promise to behave at your art school.”

“Okay,” she says with a laugh.

“Hey, it would be a great idea if Ollie comes tomorrow morning,” Candy interjects. “I’ll be there, too. Save a spot for me, will you, Joey?”

Joey’s brows rise. “I didn’t know you were interested in art lessons.”

Candy shrugs. “I’ve always been interested.”

“Sure,” Joey says with a smile. “I’ll book you in.”

“And me, too!” Ollie pleads.

“Come on, Brax,” Candy urges, squeezing my arm while batting her lashes. “Say yes.”

I run my fingers through my hair so that I can discreetly dislodge Candy’s hold on me. Then I turn to Dimple. “Are you sure he can attend?”

She nods. “A child with this much enthusiasm for art shouldn’t be discouraged. If he gets bored, he can leave early.”

“I won’t get bored,” promises Ollie.

Joey smiles at him, and I’m suddenly feeling all sorts of warm towards this woman.

Ugh, I don’t want to add to the attraction I already feel when I don’t want to have anything to do with her. But maybe I’m just touched by her kindness to Ollie.

She suddenly turns her head towards me and finds me staring. Blinking, her tongue comes out to lick her lips before she schools her expression.

Aha! I caught that look!

But even though Dimple seems attracted to me, too, it doesn’t mean much because it’s clear I’m her most disliked person on earth.

“By the way,” she says casually, “Liss wants me to tell you that you’re to visit her at our shop soon.”

“Why?”

“Don’t know. She just had her tuned-in look.”

Before I can stop them, teasing words tumble out of my mouth. “Are you sure it’s Liss who wants me there?”

Her mouth drops open. “Are you insinuating it’s me who wants you there?”

“I thought maybe you’d want to… apologise in private.” Fuck, I almost said kiss and make up.

“Why should I—“

“Don’t you start arguing now,” my mother interrupts. “Since Ollie might be seeing Joey for some art tutoring, isn’t it time to put your grievances to bed?”

A picture of Dimple in my bed flashes in my mind.

Argh, what the actual fuck?

I don’t want her taking that kind of space in my head again. The last thing I want is to get involved with her and her smart mouth.

Because she’s a Mooner.

Enough said.

***End of Chapter Two***

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