“I’m sure the fight was upsetting for him, too.”
She considered her earlier conversation with Max about his PTSD. He’d feared he would say or do something that might scare them, even hurt them. Is that why he left? Did he think she blamed him? That she feared him?
“Far as I’m concerned,” said Sky, “Cade didn’t get near what he deserved.”
“Logan told me what he said—”
“Don’t pay any attention to what Cade said. He was only trying to get a reaction out of someone. Mainly Max.”
Anna hesitated. “Logan and I had a long talk.” She heaved a deep, satisfying sigh. “He apologized for coming here. Said he understands now why I didn’t want him to know.”
Sky nodded. What else was there to say about that?
“At least Max wasn’t arrested,” offered Anna.
“There is that,” said Sky. “Coop insisted Cade sleep on it and come in tomorrow to talk about it.” She smiled as she remembered how flustered Cade became when Coop told him. “You should have seen his face when Coop said he had a good mind to arrest him for disturbing the peace.”
“Bet he didn’t like that.”
“No. And when everyone there said Cade instigated the fight with his nasty remarks, he shut up and left.”
“I’m sorry you didn’t get a tree.”
“Wouldn’t be the same without Max.” She stared into the depths of her cup.
“Max has a good heart,” Anna said at last. “Always standing up for the underdog.”
“Knight in shining armor rides again, huh?”
“Something like that.” Anna shook her head. “The same thing that makes him that, means he’s beating himself up over the fact that he fought in front of you and Maddie. And all those other people.”
“I know. I want to talk to him, but I’m afraid he won’t see me.” She shook her head. “Maybe I just need to let things cool down a bit.”
“Maybe.” Anna pushed her cup aside. “Max is a great guy, Sky. You two belong together. Don’t let him push you away.”
Sky smiled. “Thank you. I’m not giving in that easy.”
“I called Max to say goodbye, but it went to voicemail.” She shook her head. “I knocked on his door when I saw him come home earlier, but he didn’t answer. I understand why now.” She exhaled slowly. “I’ll be headed home shortly. My stuff’s already in the car.” She sat up straighter. “I think Logan wants to talk to Max before he leaves, so he’ll come home tomorrow.”
Sky shook her head. “Don’t be silly. It’s too late to drive back tonight.”
Anna stood and put her cup in the sink. “You’re too kind, Sky. I’ve been nothing but trouble since I got here. It’s time you got your life back.”
The two women faced each other in the kitchen.
Anna spoke first. “Once again, I really appreciate all your hospitality. I doubt I’d be so accommodating if the roles were reversed.”
Sky ducked her head, then smiled. “Well, I will admit I wasn’t all that thrilled with things in the beginning, but I’m glad we met.” She paused. “And I hope if you come back to town, we’ll have a chance to get better acquainted.”
Anna’s cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink. “Well, Bill did ask if we might see each other again.”
“That’s wonderful,” said Sky. “He’s a great guy.”
“He seems like it.”
“And you’re really not that far away.”
Anna paused. “Logan will graduate this spring. I never thought I’d say this, but maybe I’ll give some thought to coming back. Cade notwithstanding, this is a nice town with nice people.”
The silence continued for several moments, then Sky stepped forward and pulled Anna into a gentle embrace. “You’re welcome here anytime. Please be careful going home.”
Ten minutes after Anna left, a soft knock on the back door had Sky’s heart skipping a beat. Max.
She jerked open the door to find Logan on the step, hands thrust in his front pockets. “May I come in a minute?”
“Of course.” She stepped aside, glancing next door to the darkened house. Poor Max. How he must be hurting. “Your mom gone?”
He nodded. “I, um, just wanted to check on Maddie. Is she okay?”
Touched by his concern, she smiled. “Yeah. She’s in the living room watching television.” Sky shut the door. “I was about to make some hot chocolate and popcorn. Care to join us?”
He nodded. “That would be nice.”
“Go on in and say hello. I’ll bring the goodies shortly.”
Max lay on his bed in the dark and ignored Anna’s knock on the door as well as her earlier phone call. He listened to her message without emotion. She was sorry. She hoped he’d forgive her. Logan was staying one more night. She wished him and Sky the best.
