“Of course. You’re Mama’s boyfriend, and boyfriends spend holidays with their girlfriends.”
Like a caffeine buzz, happiness coursed through him, and his smile widened. “I see.”
She cocked her head to one side and studied him closely. “You have a really nice smile, Max. You should use it more often.”
Before he could reply, the energetic child on a mission returned.
“Can we go now? Mama might get off early.”
She tugged his hand, and he stood.
“Do you have any Christmas decorations?”
“No. I—”
“Don’t worry. We’ll take care of that, too.” She was all smiles and giggles as she pulled him toward the door. “And don’t forget your jacket.”
Max couldn’t stop the chuckle that rumbled in his chest. Maddie would make a good Marine. Determine the objective. Devise a plan. Execute. At the moment, the plan was to get going on the great Christmas Tree hunt. Never once in his whole life had he done such a thing. The prospect of sharing this momentous occasion with the two most important people in his life caused unfamiliar joy to bubble inside him. I’m going to chop down a Christmas tree. My first Christmas tree.
Her non-stop chatter all the way to the diner should have perturbed him. Instead, it made his chest tighten. For so long, he had hungered for this…this normalcy. To know he stood on the brink of having the one thing he craved more than anything was far more frightening than any battlefield enemy he had ever faced. He knew how to deal with that. How to fight back, how to win.
But this was different. He had no clue what the rules of engagement were, or if there were even rules to be mindful of. On top of that insecurity, a lifetime of hurts and doubts threatened to worm their way into his head. I don’t deserve this happiness. I’m no good for them. I got more baggage than Amtrak.
He took a deep breath. Nothing good comes easy. You gotta fight for what you want.
Maddie was still talking when he stopped in front of the diner. “This is going to be the best Christmas ever, huh, Max?”
He helped her down from the back seat of the truck, and she took his big hand in her small one. When she looked up at him, her eyes so full of trust and love, a chunk of doubt fell away.
“Absolutely,” he said. “The best ever.”
Hand in hand, they walked inside. A quick scan of the room showed only a few patrons remained. He stopped when he saw Sky in a back booth talking to Logan. By the expression on their faces, the conversation was serious. He hesitated, unsure if he should interrupt.
Maddie, however, had no such reservations and hurried forward.
“Hi, Mama. Hi, Logan.”
Sky looked at Maddie, then Max, her eyes asking a silent question.
“I told Max we could surprise you,” offered Maddie. “That way, you don’t have to pick me up, and we can go get the tree quicker.” She turned to Logan. “We’re going to chop down a Christmas tree. Do you want to go with us?”
“Maddie,” cautioned Sky.
Before she got another word out, Maddie-on-a-mission took charge.
“He’s staying at Max’s house so he can come, too.” She turned to Max. “Right, Max?”
The last thing Max wanted was to share this afternoon with a virtual stranger. But, on the other hand, maybe the kid needed a break. “You’re welcome to come if you want.”
“I’d be in the way,” said Logan softly. “I’ll just head back to your place if you don’t mind.”
Suddenly, Max was a kid again, being told over and over he was in the way, a mistake, a problem, and unwanted.
No way in hell would he ever be the reason any kid experienced that kind of rejection. He may be pushing eighteen, but Logan was still a kid to Max. “You won’t be in the way at all,” said Max. “In fact, you can help me cut it down.”
Logan’s features brightened slightly. “Are you sure?”
“I think that’s a splendid idea,” said Sky. She slid out of the booth and stood beside Max. She looked around the diner, then kissed him softly on the lips. “I won’t be long. Ruby just locked the doors, and it will take a few minutes to finish up.”
While Sky finished clean-up duties, Max listened quietly as Logan and Maddie discussed the attributes of the perfect tree. Well, truth be told, Maddie did most of the talking, with Logan barely getting in a word. But judging by the smile on the kids face, he didn’t mind. The little pixie had that effect on people.
Logan insisted on driving his truck, despite Maddie’s assertion they all ride together. She wanted them to sing Christmas songs on the way and said it would be fun. It certainly didn’t sound like fun to Max, but evidently it was important to her, so Max would sing.
And sing they did. A little halfhearted at first, at least on his part, but after some talking-tos from Maddie, he sang “right,” and thoroughly enjoyed himself, though he doubted he would ever sing Jingle Bells again.
By the time they reached their destination, everyone was in high spirits. They met up with Logan and headed for the wagon they would ride to the actual trees.
The first person they saw was Cade Jackson.
Sky’s heart dropped like a rock when Cade stepped into view. Oh, no. Not this. Not now.
“Hello, Max,” he crooned, “Need help finding a family tree?”
Max ignored him and took a step to the side, Maddie in tow.
Cade stepped in front of Logan, and Max turned around, lips compressed into a thin line, eyes suddenly dark and cold. The muscles in his cheeks jerked as his jaw clenched and released. Tension bounced off him like shock waves as he edged Maddie forward. “Go to your mother,” he snapped.
