Page 13 of Grumpmas

I heard a grunt, followed by the loud thud of Jack’s axe making contact with wood. Christ. I loathed living next door to him.

What grown man whacked wood as a hobby, anyway?

“Is Jack outside?” my father asked.

I wanted to groan but held the annoyance back for the sake of my parents. I didn’t understand how they could be friends with Jack. They either felt sorry for the damn fool being all alone or they were obligated to because he had saved my life.

I sighed. “Yeah.”

Shit. I almost rolled my eyes.

“Jack could watch Faith,” Mom added.

Jack Timber?Watch my daughter?Hell no!Not even if hell froze over.

“Nuh-uh. I don’t think so.” I shook my head.

Dad added, “Come on, Elle. Let Jack babysit.”

I held the phone closer to my mouth.

“Dad? No, I’m not letting Jack help me out,” I whispered as I glanced over at the fence, but saw no movement. “He’s not good with kids.”

“Nonsense. I always thought he’d make a great dad.” He shrugged with an amused grin.

I snorted.

Jack? A father?I bet the damn miserable asshole couldn’t even take care of a goldfish.

“Maybe twenty-five years ago,” I teased.

“Jack!” my father called out repeatedly.

“Dad! No! Stop!” I whisper-shouted.

“Jack! I know you’re there! I can hear wood chopping, my friend!” Dad shouted.

Suddenly, the ruckus stopped, and Jack popped his head over the fence with a wide grin on his face. He crossed his arms leisurely over a post and stared at me. I had never had more of an urge to deck him and make him go back to being a damn provoking lumberjack—far away from me and anything to do with my child—but my dad had a plan. One I wanted nothing to do with, and surely Jack would feel the same.

“Hey, Gabe! Joy!” Jack waved. “How’s the vacation coming along?”

Fake. One hundred percent being the phony dick Jack truly was. God, I hated him.

“The Bahamas is great! We love it here!” Mom beamed.

“Gosh, I went there years ago, and I met this beautiful brunette. Long hair, brown eyes as deep as the sea...” Jack reminisced, all while he locked his eyes on me. “Christ. I enjoyed her company.”

I rolled my eyes at Jack. “Yeah, right. Probably scared her away with your bitter attitude, and she hopped on a plane, never looking back.”

“Elle. Don’t be rude,” my father scolded me and changed the subject. “I wish we could move here, but we have family at home who need us.”

“Speaking of needing help...” my mom blurted out. “Elle has a favor to ask of you, Jack.”

“She does?” Jack tilted his head, and his grin got wider. “What did you want to ask me, princess?”

Insufferable ass. I wasn’t begging for Jack’s assistance. No fucking way. I’d take Faith to work with me and deal with the consequences.

I glared at Jack and kept my damn mouth shut.