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“Oops.” His brother looked sheepish.
“Will the microwave do? There’s a new one in the kitchen.”
“It will,” Jaclyn said.
“Good,” Joe said. “Now come on, we’re going to the living room, and Georgia can see my Christmas tree.”
Once the cold stuff was in the fridge, they all followed Joe down the hall.
“I’m impressed,” Ryan said. “Did Violet help you?”
“The beautiful Christmas tree was here when I arrived,” Violet went to say more, but stopped.
“I did it all, but Holly David did help me straighten the star yesterday.” Joe glanced at Violet, sensing that she had wanted to say something. “Come on. Let’s sit down. The table’s already set for lunch, thanks to Violet, so we can relax and have a drink.”
Violet’s cheeks went a pretty pink and her voice was soft. “Did you see it, Joe?”
“Not yet, did you find a tablecloth?”
“You’ll see.” Her smile was sweet; even when she’d had good reason to be stressed last night with her car breaking down and being towed behind his tractor up and down hills and through potholes in the rain, she remained calm and sensible, and that fuelled his attraction.
“Who’d like a drink?” Ryan asked.
“Of course we’d like a Christmas drink. Even though it’s only early December, it’s the Christmas month!” Jaclyn said.
Ryan stood and handed Georgia over to Jaclyn. “There’s a six-pack in the esky, and there’s a bottle of champagne there for the girls if they’d like that.”
Violet’s cheeks pinked again, and Joe wondered whether she was still feeling awkward about being included in their family Christmas celebration. A glass of champagne might help her relax.
“Would you like a glass of champagne, Violet? Or a beer?” he asked.
She nodded. “Champagne, if that’s okay.”
“Of course it’s okay. You’ve been invited to a Christmas dinner, and I want you to feel totally comfortable. Champagne will break the ice.”
“It is better than sitting out in the bush in my broken-down ute.”
Ryan brought two beers and a bottle of champagne from the kitchen.
“Uh oh,” Joe frowned. “You didn’t think to bring glasses, did you, Jac?”
His sister-in-law shook her head. “No.”
“I’ve only got Vegemite glasses.”
Violet’s eyes held his and they both smiled.
Jaclyn looked at them both curiously and then glanced at Ryan.
“Give me a minute,” Violet said.
Joe watched as she left the room and then felt Jac’s eyes on him. She smiled and raised her eyebrows.
A minute later, Violet returned with two crystal flutes. “I found these in the mouse cupboard,” she said. Her cheeks pinked again, and when her tongue slipped out and she licked her lips, Joe had a sudden urge to kiss her.
“The mouse cupboard?” he repeated slowly, trying to compose himself.
“It’s okay, I’ve washed them. It was actually a treasure trove. You’ll see when lunch is ready.” She gave him a cheeky smile and put the two glasses on the table.
