The sharp ring of the telephone made its way through the mush in his brain, and he pulled back.
Emotions whirled and skidded as he rested his forehead on hers, breath coming in rapid puffs through parted lips. “Damn.”
“I better get that.” She pulled away and answered the phone. “Hello? Is she all right? Are you sure? Okay. No, I’ll bring it by now.”
She turned back to him, her face a mask of worry and concern. “Maddie forgot her inhaler. I need to take it to her.”
The thought of Maddie being ill made Max queasy. “Is she all right? Does she need a doctor?”
“She’s just a little winded. They went outside to feed Bonnie’s dog and got to playing. Sometimes the cold affects her that way. The inhaler will take care of it.”
A shadow of unease crossed her face, and he gathered her against him. She hesitated only a moment before she wrapped her arms around his waist.
He relished how right being with her was and debated if now was the time to tell her how he felt. There was so much unsettled. PTSD was one thing, but now this mess with Logan and Anna.
And Cade.
Her grip tightened, and she muttered against his chest. “This is more than just a—an itch for me, Max.”
Her words were muffled, but he got the message and pushed back a little. One finger under her chin, he raised her face to look at him. “It is for me, too, Sky. I’ve never felt this way about anyone. Ever. You smile at me, and my heart skips a beat. I’d do anything, anything for you and Maddie.” He swallowed, determined to get the words out. “You make me forget all the bad shit that’s happened in my life and look forward to tomorrow.” His voice dropped to a rough whisper. “For the first time in a very long time, I’m glad to be alive.”
Her chin trembled, and moisture glistened at the corners of her eyes. “Oh, Max—”
“I don’t know what the future holds, but as long as we’re in it together, I don’t care.”
“Me, too.”
He brushed a gentle kiss across her forehead. “I best go see what new and exciting adventure awaits me next door.”
“I’ll see you later.”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “Count on it.”
He stepped out into the chilly air, determined not to let anything spoil this night with Sky.
Logan’s raised voice greeted him as he opened the kitchen door.
“You lied to me!”
Daniel to the lion’s den, door number one.
Anna stood in the middle of the kitchen, her back to him, while Logan stood near the table, hands fisted at his sides as he glared at his mother.
She spun around when Max entered, and for a moment, he was struck speechless. Time had been kind to her. He always liked her long, wavy hair, but this short cut suited her even better. It framed an oval face unlined by time, but nonetheless etched with concern, and sparkling green eyes that glistened like polished jade. The skinny girl with crooked teeth was now a beautiful woman.
And the last person in the world he wanted in his kitchen.
“I want to know why you lied to me,” snapped Logan. “I have a right to know.”
“Baby, please,” began Anna, “I—I did what I thought was best for you.”
“By letting me believe my father was dead?” He hissed. “Or maybe you don’t even know who he was.”
Max took a step toward him, remaining calm yet firm. “I understand you’re angry, boy, but you will not disrespect your mother. Not in my house.”
Logan’s breath hissed in and out as he glared at Anna, his face a mottled red, a vein in his temple visibly throbbing. “And what about him?” He pointed to Max. “Why did you keep all those pictures and stuff if it wasn’t him?”
Max quashed the urge to speak up again. What a mess. Would he ever get rid of Cade’s interference in his life?
“I told you. Max was—is—my friend.” She wrung her hands and turned haunted eyes to Max. “And he always will be.” She faced her son. “But he is not your father.”
“Then who is, dammit! I have a right to know.”
Anna sighed, arms laced together across her chest.
“Does he even know about me?”
Max pointed to a chair at the table. “Why don’t we all sit down?”
“You can’t tell me what to do,” Logan snapped.
In full-on Marine mode, Max turned toward the belligerent young man, eyes locked with his as he towered over him. “This is my house. You do what I say, when I say. Now. Sit. Down.”
Logan hesitated only a moment before he dropped into a chair, his face a mask of undisguised hostility and pain.
Max and Anna joined him at the table.
