“Is the sheriff gonna arrest you?”
Logan’s question interrupted her musings.
“He better not,” snapped Maddie as she stood beside Max. “Mr. Jackson had it coming.”
“Maddie…”
“Tink,” Max turned to face the child. “Fighting rarely makes a situation better.”
“He started it.”
“Doesn’t matter who started it.” He looked at Maddie, then Logan. “I’m not proud of what happened today.”
He ducked his head as though gathering his thoughts, and Sky’s love for him grew. He was an honorable and decent man. He wanted them to understand that fighting didn’t solve the problem.
“I’ve learned that sometimes you have to fight to protect what’s yours. Or to help someone who can’t help themselves.”
“I know,” said Maddie firmly. “That’s what heroes do.”
He shook his head. “I’m no hero, Tink. I’m just a man. A man who’s made mistakes, done things I’m not proud of.” He pulled in a deep breath and looked at Sky.
Her heart swelled. Could she possibly love him any more than at this moment?
“I’m just a man who would do anything to protect those he loves.”
Max held his breath and waited for Sky to respond. He got the impression she wasn’t upset, but at the same time, his own insecurity was at an all-time high, and he prayed Coop’s insistence that he talk to her was the right move.
Then, she bent down and took his face in her hands and brushed a tender kiss over his swollen lips. “And that’s one of the reasons I love you, Max.”
Without thinking, he pulled her into his lap and wrapped his arms around her, his faced buried in her chest. “Oh God, Sky. I love you,” he whispered.
“I love you, too.”
Maddie clapped her hands and laughed. “Finally!” She looked at Logan, who remained against the counter. “Wanna go watch a movie with me while they talk some more?”
“Is it all right, Miss Sky?”
She didn’t get up from Max’s lap as she smiled at the boy. “Of course. I’ll order us a pizza in a minute.”
He looked at Max. “Thanks for letting me stay another night.”
“Anytime.”
He started for the living room, then stopped. “Maddie’s lucky to have you in her life.” Face scarlet, he added, “So am I.”
Once they were alone, he turned his good eye toward Sky. “I really am sorry things got so out of hand today.”
“To be honest, Max, I think it was bound to happen sooner or later. There’s just too much history there.”
“Doesn’t make it right.”
“No, but it doesn’t make it wrong, either.” She sighed. “I don’t like fighting. Like you said, it rarely solves a problem. The thing is, I don’t believe you should ever start a fight, but when one is thrust on you, you don’t walk away.”
She shifted on his lap and looped her arms around his neck. “So, just how sore is your mouth?”
“Sure you don’t mind picking Maddie up after school today?”
Max tucked her against his body, still flushed from their midday tryst. It was difficult to find alone time with Maddie around, but since Sky was off this week, he’d made it a point to come home for lunch every day.
The week was almost over, and he’d yet to have a meal. And couldn’t be happier about it.
“I don’t mind. I already cleared it with Jason. Thought I’d take her by the Dairy Barn for a soda. Maybe give you enough time to finish your schedule before we head out to the tree farm again.”
Sky’s hand made little circles on his chest, interrupting his train of thought.
“Maybe they won’t run me off.” He was only half joking.
“There’s not a person in this town who blames you for what happened,” she said indignantly. “Ruby told me this morning he came in the diner yesterday acting like nothing happened.”
“That’s how he rolls.”
“She also said people are giving him hell over the incident. Some are even refusing to go to his store if he’s there and he’s letting his manager handle things.” She paused. “Maybe he’s learned his lesson.”
Max snorted. “I doubt it.”
