Jax truly didn’t get her disdain for what could’ve been her legacy. “Are you upset because I took over here? Were you wanting it?”
She jerked back, her nose wrinkling as if he’d just sprouted a third head. “Heavens, no. When I left, I never intended to come back. My mother made it clear that my dad chose this place over us. . . .”
She trailed off, her eyes darting over his shoulder to the plane. Blinking once again, she focused back on him. “My reasons don’t matter. But no, I’m not upset he gave this place to you. I just want it out of my life.”
There was no doubt she’d been misguided by her mother, because Paul had loved Olivia more than any airplane or this airstrip. When Olivia and her mother had left, Paul had been gutted and had thrown himself into his work even more. It was during that time that Jax really started hanging around more and taking on greater responsibility.
Paul had gotten so drunk one night and ended up spilling his emotions out in a tearful confession. How he’d e-mailed, but never knew what to say. How she did respond, but claimed she was happy in Atlanta. He’d worried he’d never see her again, that he’d driven her away for good. Paul had confided in Jax things that no one else knew, and Jax still held on to those secrets.
Olivia had a set opinion of her father and if she truly thought he hadn’t cared about her, then she didn’t deserve the truth.
“Daddy, this is the last juice box.” Piper came running back into the hangar, breaking the moment. “Are we still going to the movies? Can I have pop?”
Jax shot his daughter a knowing look. “Have I ever given you pop?”
“If I keep asking you will.”
Piper stopped in front of him and held out her juice for him to put the straw into it. Why these straws were made so flimsy and the holes so tiny was beyond his realm of comprehension. He was utterly convinced that people who made things targeted for kids had no kids of their own.
“When you’re older,” he stated, handing the pouch back to her.
“That’s what you always say,” she muttered. “I guess when I’m fifty I can have Pesi.”
“Pepsi,” he corrected with a grin. “And I was thinking more like sixty.”
When Piper groaned, he smiled and turned his attention back to Olivia. She stood there just staring at Piper, and he had no idea what was going through her head. She looked almost . . . sad. Was she having regrets about coming here and all but demanding he sell? He sure as hell hoped so because she was going to be waiting awhile if she was holding out for a different answer from him.
“Livie?”
She jumped as if he’d broken her trance. “Olivia,” she corrected.
Yeah, he remembered, but he liked to keep reminding her of her roots. Maybe he’d get through that thick head of hers just who she was and that running away didn’t change the person.
He should know.
“I . . . um . . .” Olivia seemed to be at a loss for words. “I’ll check back with you about our talk.”
“You could go on a date.”
Jax nearly choked on air at his daughter’s declaration. And when he glanced to Olivia, her wide eyes suggested she was just as caught off guard.
“Honey, why would you suggest that?” Jax squatted down next to Piper. This was the first time she’d ever said anything like that before.
“Bella in my class said her mom was going on a date and that if they like each other she might get a new dad.”
Jax’s heart clenched. He had no idea she’d even had such thoughts as wanting two parents. For four years he’d been both mom and dad. He’d even watched YouTube videos to try to figure out how the hell to do her hair, but so far he’d only mastered the ponytails. He polished her nails and had let her polish his. Granted, she told him he couldn’t take it off, so his toes were currently a vibrant shade of purple. Thankfully, he always wore boots or tennis shoes—he only prayed he wasn’t in an accident.
“Honey, Olivia and I barely know each other. We aren’t going on a date.”
Piper’s face fell. “But she’s pretty, Dad.”
That was definitely something he couldn’t deny. Olivia was stunning, even when sneering at him.
“Piper.” Olivia stepped forward and squatted down beside him. “Did you know my daddy used to own this airport? I used to run around here just like you. But, not every daddy has time for dating or relationships. And I bet your daddy is so busy flying clients and having fun with you, he wouldn’t have time to take me anywhere.”
Jax cringed. Not only did she just slam her father, she’d basically lumped Jax in with Paul . . . which was fine because Jax respected the hell out of the guy, but it was clear Olivia didn’t.
Piper’s eyes widened, as did her smile. “I’ll just stay with Miss Mary. She always says she’ll babysit anytime.”