In true Cade fashion, he went out of his way to hurt and embarrass them both. It was all Max could do to remain calm.
“You’re my knight in shining armor, Max,” she’d told him at one point. “And I’ll always love you for that. But let it go. Cade’s not worth it.”
Things went to hell shortly thereafter when she discovered she was pregnant, and Cade blew her off.
“Well?”
Logan’s sharp question brought Max back to the present. “Well what?”
He nodded toward the photo Max held. “Explain that.”
“It’s pretty obvious. We went to prom together.”
“And?”
“And nothing.”
Logan’s quick intake of breath and narrowed eyes warned of a rising temper.
“What did she tell you?”
Body tense, his words were clipped and hard. “That you were dead.”
He couldn’t imagine why she would say such a thing. “She told you I was dead? That makes no sense.”
The tips of his ears turned bright red. “Well, she told me my father was dead. But then I found those letters and that picture, so I got on the internet and…”
Max tried to be gentle, but his patience wore thin. It was obvious the boy had little concrete information on which to base his absurd assumption. He was alternately angry with Anna for putting him in this position and sorry for the boy caught in the middle. Max hated to be the bearer of bad news, but he had no intention of feeding the kid’s wild story. He sat back in the booth and tried to think of what to do next. “What exactly did she tell you about me? Me, specifically.”
The downcast expression told Max all he needed to know. “You haven’t talked with her about this, have you?”
Defensive, he sat up straight, hands fisted on the table. “She won’t tell me shit. And your name was all over the place.”
Max shook his head, emotions in turmoil. “And you assumed that meant something without having all the facts.”
The kid’s face got redder, and his jaw clamped tight. But he didn’t lower his gaze.
“Where’s your mother, Logan? Does she know where you are?”
This time his gaze dropped to the table, and he shifted in the seat. “Home…I’m supposed to be hunting with friends.”
A tense silence ensued. Well shit. What now? Best not to give him any false hope. “For the record, Logan,” said Max firmly, “I’m not your father.” He pushed back in the seat and took a breath. “Where are you staying?”
One shoulder rose then fell. “My truck.”
Shaken, Max pulled out his cell phone and passed it over. “Call her,” he snapped. “When she gets here, we’ll talk.”
“I deserve to know the truth!” His exclamation had customers looking their way.
“Keep your voice down,” said Max firmly. “Call your mother.”
He stood and stalked toward the counter where Maddie sat with a mug of hot chocolate. Sky stood behind the counter, expression guarded.
Cade made no effort to hide the fact that he had listened in on their conversation.
“Something’s come up,” said Max. “I’ll have to pass on the parade.”
Maddie looked past him to where Logan sat talking on the phone. “Who’s that?”
“A friend.” He looked at Sky. “I’ll come over later.”
Sky nodded. “Not sure what time we’ll get home,” she said softly. “Maddie wants to talk to Santa, and I’m sure the line will be long.”
“Who’s the kid, Logan?”
Max ignored Cade’s question. “No problem.” He looked at Maddie. “I’m sorry I can’t watch the parade with you guys or take you to see Santa tonight. I might can make it over there later. I’m not sure.”
Maddie heaved a sigh. “That’s okay, Max.” She looked over his shoulder. “Maybe your friend could go with us.”
“Another time, Tink.”
Logan walked up and handed the phone to Max. “She’s pi—uh, mad, and can’t be here till Sunday afternoon.”
“Hi. My name’s Maddie. What’s yours?”
Caught in the middle of a bad dream, Max waited.
“Logan,” the kid said at last.
