Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Luke came into the kitchen where everyone except Sky was having their breakfast.

“Do you guys remember Fittori?”

Noah looked up. “Fred Fittori?”

“The very one.” Luke took his seat at the table and piled his plate high with pancakes.

“I remember him,” Max said. “Great shot, fast talker, and a wow with the ladies.”

“Yeah, you two had a lot in common,” Luke said deadpan. “I just got a text from him. He’s passing through our neck of the woods, and he wondered if we’d like to meet up.”

“When?” Max asked, like he didn’t already know. “We’ve got a lot coming up what with the wedding, Jen’s bachelorette party . . .”

Luke consulted his phone. “Friday night.”

“That’s when we’ll be out partying.” Jen looked at Sally and Phoebe. “You guys should meet this Fittori guy and maybe have a little celebration of your own.”

Everyone tried not to look at Noah and as if they were just considering the idea and hadn’t set the whole thing up two days previously.

“It would be nice to see him again,” Max said. “I wonder if he’s settled down like me?”

“He’s got a full-time job, so I guess he’s making progress,” Luke said. “How about it, Noah, you in?”

“I’m not sure I want to be out drinking two days before I get married.”

“You don’t have to drink,” Luke said. “We’ll go out to dinner like grown-ups.”

Jen touched his shoulder. “You should go. I hate to think of you sitting here all lonely while I’m having the time of my life.”

“Just dinner?” Noah looked at Luke. “And are you sure you want to go out in the evening?”

Max leaned forward and caught Noah’s eye. “I think it would be great for us to do that with Luke, don’t you, Noah?”

“I guess.” Noah still didn’t look convinced. “Whereabouts was he planning on meeting us?”

“He’s at some kind of conference up here. I’m not sure exactly where, but I think he was hoping we could meet near his location.” Luke looked at his phone. “I’ll check and get back to you and maybe you could make a final decision then?”

“Okay.” Noah nodded. “Let me know. Now, does anyone want the last strip of bacon? Because if you don’t, it’s all mine.”

* * *

Phoebe, who was getting ready to join the rest of the crew for a day rounding up strays, drew Max aside when he came into the mudroom.

“Do you think he bought it?”

“Noah? Hard to tell. He’s a suspicious bastard.” Max touched Phoebe’s nose. “Don’t forget your sunscreen, Mrs. CSR.”

“What did you call her?” Luke stopped midstride toward the door.

“It’s our last name, doofus. Creighton-Smith-Romano,” Max replied.

He could still hear Luke cackling as he went out the door and down toward the barn.

“Not sure what he’s laughing about, Feebs.” Max winked at her. “He’s probably jealous.”

“It is a big responsibility,” Phoebe agreed. “Having all those hyphens to live up to.”

She zipped up her jacket and put her new hat on her head. She still hadn’t heard from George, and she was starting to worry. If he didn’t contact her by the end of the day, she’d have to speak to her grandmother and that rarely went well.

“You okay, Feebs?” Max asked as they walked out to the barn together.

“I’m fine!” she said brightly. “Just thinking about the flowers from the wholesalers. I don’t want them arriving too early or too late. I think I’ll have to speak to them again to make sure we’re on track.”

“The good news is that if they don’t turn up the wedding can go ahead anyway,” Max reminded her.

“But I bet Jen and I would still be stuck with the bill.”

“Not if we sent Noah down to talk it through with them. I’ve seen him make grown men weep in car dealerships as he screwed every penny out of them.”

“I call that good business practice,” Noah spoke from behind them. “A well-prepared spreadsheet will never let you down.” He glanced over at Phoebe as he went past. “If you have any problems with the flowers, talk to me, okay? I’ll deal with them, so Jen doesn’t have to worry.”

“Yes, of course.” Phoebe was now speaking to his back. “Thank you.”

She looked up at Max. “For a big man he’s very quiet on his feet. Do you think he heard the first part of our conversation?”

“He was nowhere near us or Luke when we were talking, and you barely mentioned him. And being Noah, if he had heard anything, you’d be hearing about it right now.” He looked down at her as he opened the mudroom door. “You still don’t look happy.”

“I’m trying to talk to George about some family issues and he’s not answering me.” Phoebe went for the truth.

“Is this about the wedding or the legal stuff?” Max asked as they went down to the barn.

“Everything really.” She sighed. “I . . . had a little falling out with him.”

“About me?”

She gently punched his arm. “Not everything is about you, Max, but you are part of the issue at hand.”

“So, it is all about me. What’s the problem?”

“George is trying to fob me off with some property in Scotland in exchange for my inheritance on the estate.”

“Okay, so how do I fit in with that?”

Phoebe rolled her eyes. “George is trying to wriggle out of giving me what I am legally owed. I told him it wasn’t acceptable and that if he kept it up, I wouldn’t dream of bringing you with me to England.”

“You don’t want me to go with you?”

She stopped so that she could look at him properly. “I don’t want you walking into a family ambush. It isn’t fair.”

He shrugged, his expression hard to read. “I’ve lived through a few ambushes, Feebs. They don’t scare me.”

“It’s bad enough that I’ve had to give into their pressure and ask you to accompany me in the first place without them complicating matters even more.”

“I already told you I’m okay with that.” He held her gaze, a smile hovering on his lips. “They don’t scare me.”

She raised her chin. “Then maybe they should.”

“They’re just people, sweet pea.”

“People I know far better than you do.” He opened his mouth, and she held up a finger. “Please don’t tell me to relax or chill out or any other such nonsense.”

“I was going to say that family can be tough and that sometimes a little perspective from someone not directly involved can help make sense of things.”

Her instinct was to hotly deny that, but she tried to be reasonable.

“Yes, that is a possibility.”

This time he did smile. “You need to work on your delivery, Feebs. Your mouth’s saying one thing while your eyes are still glaring at me.”

“I am trying, Max.” She sighed. “I’ve been fighting this battle for years all by myself. Sometimes I feel like I’m going mad, and that they must be right simply because they all agree that I’m wrong.”

He leaned in, angled his head around the brim of her hat, and kissed her cheek.

“You’re a strong woman, Phoebe Creighton-Smith-Romero. You’ll win.”

“I wish I had your confidence,”

“That’s exactly why you need to keep me around and take me to England,” Max said. “You don’t need to do it alone, sweetheart. You’ve got me.”

* * *

Later that evening, Phoebe finally saw a reply come through from George. She excused herself from the dinner table and went into Max’s bedroom to read his message.

Please call me.

Annoyed that she’d have to pay for the international call, she found his number and waited for the call to go through.

“Phoebe.”

George sounded even more clipped over the phone.

“George.”

“About all this nonsense. Grandmother isn’t pleased with you.”

“Oh, dear, my life is ended.”

There was a slight pause. “There’s no need to be sarcastic. Grandmother only has the best interests of this family at heart. She truly believes that your attempt to dismantle the estate would set a dangerous precedent.”

Phoebe sat on the bed. She was certain her grandmother was sitting right next to George, dictating what he was supposed to say. For a moment she imagined her grandmother frantically scribbling on giant cue cards and flashing them at George, which made her want to smile.

“Well? What have you got to say about that?” George demanded.

“I’d say that ignoring the legal wishes of the former owners of the estate would set a dangerous precedent.”

“It’s not that simple and you know it.”

Phoebe took a slow breath. “Have you anything new to discuss with me, George or is this just another attempt to bully me into doing what you want?”

“I am not—”

Phoebe spoke over him. “Yes, you are, and I don’t appreciate it. Now, have you anything useful to say, or can I go and finish eating my dinner?”

There was some whispering and then George spoke again.

“I’m not sure what kind of company you are keeping, Phoebe, but you are being remarkably rude. We insist that you bring yourself and that mythical husband of yours to meet us and do what is best for your family!”

“I have been remarkably patient with you and Grandmother for years, George, and I’ve had enough. When I come back for Eugenie’s wedding, I will be finding my own legal representation and taking you to court.” She paused as he started to splutter. “And I will not be bringing Max.”

“You can’t—”

“I bloody well can,” Phoebe said. “Regards to all the family. I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.”

She ended the call and stayed where she was taking long, slow breaths. She was still staring at the door when Max came through it.

“I’m guessing it didn’t go well.” Max looked at her.

“It depends how you define ‘well’. I told him to go stuff himself.”

Max nodded. “Fair enough”

“And that I’ll be seeking legal counsel when I get back to England.”

“Also, good.” He raised his eyebrows. “So, why aren’t you celebrating?”

“Because they still want to use you to control me and I’m not having it.” She met his gaze. “I’m not going to let you come to England with me.”

She saw in his eyes when that hit home and wanted to cry. She gripped hold of the quilt in one shaking hand.

“Max, I know you probably have a strong opinion about why I’m wrong about this, but I really can’t deal with it right now.”

“Okay.” He half-turned to the door. “Do you want me to bring your dessert in here for you? Sally made a great apple pie.”

Phoebe rose to her feet. She wanted to ask him to hold her but didn’t have the nerve when she knew she’d hurt him.

“That’s very kind of you, but I’ll come and eat at the table.”

“That’s my girl.” He held the door open for her but didn’t try and touch her as she went past. “Don’t let the Brits grind you down.”

* * *

Max shut the stall door and took the last barrow of manure out to the pile before returning to the tack room where he sorted out a few tangled halters and bridles. He was just looking for something else to do when someone cleared their throat behind him.

He turned around and nodded at Luke. “Just making sure everything’s shipshape, boss.”

“I appreciate that.” Luke looked around. “I think you’ve done all my chores, too.”

“Well, I still owe you a few weeks work,” Max said as he went into the feed room to make sure he hadn’t missed anything.

Luke followed him. “Everything okay?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Because you’re out here past your bedtime practically shining the floors of a horse barn,” Luke said. “That usually means you’re trying to avoid something or getting ready to leave.”

“I’m not leaving anytime soon.” Max shut the door with something of a bang. “You can depend on that.”

Luke hadn’t been officer material for nothing, and Max could see him making the connections in his brain.

“What about the wedding in England?”

“I’m surplus to requirements.”

“Phoebe’s changed her mind?”

Max deliberated telling his boss to take a hike and then paused. He’d been banging on about Phoebe getting some perspective on her problems. Maybe it was time for him to bite the bullet and do the same.

“It’s a long story,” Max said.

“I have the time. We can stay out here or go up to the office.” Luke paused. “There was something I wanted to talk to you about anyway.”

“Let’s go inside before I start polishing the roof tiles,” Max said. “Everyone’s gone to bed, so it’ll be nice and quiet.”

Ten minutes later, they were tucked away in the office with fresh coffee, a closed door, and a silent house around them.

“How are the finances looking?” Max asked, knowing he was prevaricating, but happy to go along with it.

It had been a brutal winter and they’ve lost a third of their herd, which had destroyed all the progress Luke had made since retiring from the Marines to make the ranch his full-time job.

Luke made a face. “Better than I feared but it’s still not easy.” He patted a pile of files on his desk. “This is all the paperwork for grant applications, federal farm aid, tax loopholes and bank loans for this year.”

Max whistled. “That sucks. Noah’s been helping you out with it all, right?”

“Yeah, he knows his way around a spreadsheet and it’s better than bothering Mom. She used to do all the books while working full time at the clinic.”

“Sally’s a goddess.”

“Truth.” Luke looked at him. “So, what’s up with you and Phoebe?”

Max bristled. “Why do you instantly think something’s wrong?”

“I didn’t,” Luke said. “But I guess I hit a nerve anyway.”

Max set his mug down on the corner of Luke’s desk and his boss immediately slipped a coaster under it. “She doesn’t want me to go to England with her anymore.”

“Did she say why?”

“Some crap about not wanting me to have to deal with her family.”

“And you think she’s wrong about that?”

“I think I’d like to be there to protect her from those idiots, but she’s gotten some crazy idea in her head that she has to protect me from them.”

Luke sat back; his gaze interested. “Why? What’s so important about you being there in the flesh?”

Max weighed his options. “Phoebe says they don’t believe I exist.”

“Like you’re a figment of Phoebe’s imagination?”

“Something like that.” Max tried to think of how to share why that mattered without giving too much away.

“They want to meet you and Phoebe thinks it’s a bad idea.”

“That’s right.

“And she says it’s because she doesn’t want you to get hurt, but you don’t think that’s true.”

“Yeah.” Max looked everywhere but at Luke and blurted out the unthinkable. “Maybe she doesn’t think I’m good enough.”

“Have you mentioned that to her?”

“Hell, no.”

There was a long enough pause that Max ended up glancing at Luke who was looking unbearably sympathetic.

“Can I ask why?”

“Because I don’t want her thinking I’m making it all about me when she has a million other problems with that bunch of dickheads to worry about.”

Luke nodded like it all made perfect sense.

“And why I’m asking you for advice when I practically had to lock you in a room to sort out the most basic stuff with the woman who’s loved you forever, I don’t know,” Max said.

“Other people’s problems are far easier to solve than your own.”

“That’s what I said to Phoebe.”

“How did that go?”

“She told me she knew her family best and that I should butt out.”

“Okay, so here’s how I see it.” Luke leaned back in his chair. “You have two options. One, you accept that Phoebe thinks she’s protecting you and let it go, or two, you ask her if she thinks you’re not good enough to be seen as her partner at her sister’s wedding.”

“What if she says yes?”

“To which part?” Luke’s brow furrowed.

Max forced the words out. “That I’m not good enough.”

“Then you’ll know.” Luke met his gaze head on. “But I’ve seen the way she looks at you, bro. She’s not going to do that.”

“I wish I had your confidence.” Max took a sip of his coffee. “You don’t know the half of it.”

“I know you’re married to a woman you barely know, and you’re trying to make things work, and that’s good enough for me.” Luke took a drink of his own coffee. “I’d like you to be happy, Max.”

“Not sure I trust that feeling,” Max muttered. “It’s not something I’m used to.”

Luke grinned. “Poor little Max can’t deal with someone who actually likes him and wants to be with him.”

“Not sure about that. I mean, how can I ask someone who lives in a castle to come stay here?”

“Hey, that’s my family ranch you’re talking about,” Luke protested.

“You know what I mean.”

“I guess that’s something else you’re going to have to talk to Phoebe about.” Luke held his gaze. “One thing I’ve learned is that if you really want something, you have to get over yourself and ask the honest questions.”

“Took you long enough,” Max grumbled. “And you needed several assists.”

“Exactly, so benefit from my experience and don’t screw this up.” Luke pointed at him. “And if Phoebe says she’s happy to stick around, feel free to build yourself a house next to Noah’s.”

“Not sure I want to be that close to him,” Max said. “I have to see his face all day at work as it is.”

“Then build a ten-foot fence so you don’t have to look at him,” Luke said. “Come on, Max. It’s not like you to be negative.”

Max nodded. “Thanks for the offer. It means a lot.” He paused. “I haven’t had a home since I left my parents place.”

“You mean since they kicked you out.”

“They weren’t bad people, Luke. I made their lives hell.”

Luke folded his arms. “Doesn’t matter.”

“They didn’t kick me out and they did me a favor by sending me to military school.” Max held Luke’s skeptical gaze. “They could’ve washed their hands of me and let the juvenile court system take over, but they took responsibility, paid my fees, and that helped me get back on track.”

“If they were so wonderful, why aren’t you in contact with them now?”

Max shrugged. “Because they did their job, and they don’t need me screwing up their lives again. Can we get back to where we were talking about our feelings?” He made a face. “I can’t believe I just said that.”

“Sure.” For a moment Luke looked uncertain. “I wanted to ask your opinion on something.”

“Okay, shoot.” Max sat back; his mug cradled in one hand. “Want some more relationship advice because man, you suck at that.”

“Maybe,” Luke said. “I want to propose to Bernie.”

“Well, that’s a shocker.”

Luke opened his desk drawer and took out a small velvet box. “Mom said she’d be thrilled if I wanted to give Bernie this family ring.”

He passed it over to Max, who whistled when he opened the box.

“Nice! Two diamonds and a sapphire set in gold. Bernie will love it.”

“I hope so.”

“So, what’s the problem?”

“Bernie’s very down to earth so I was thinking, should I just give her the ring next time I see her and not make a big deal out of it?”

Max stared at his boss and slowly shook his head.

“What?” Luke demanded.

“Did you see the way Jen and Bernie were cooing over Phoebe’s ring? Bernie would totally want you to make a big deal out of getting engaged. Even Noah managed to take Jen out for a nice meal and get down on one knee.”

A crease appeared between Luke’s brows. “Should I do it at the wedding?”

“Hell, no!” Max sat up straight. “Number one, that’s Jen and Noah’s big day, and number two, it makes you look cheap.”

“Cheap?” Luke looked offended.

“Like you’re too tight to pay for your own celebration and you’re hijacking someone else’s.”

“Oh, right. I see that, now.” Luke nodded. “I’ll take her out to dinner after the wedding and do the whole getting down on one knee thing. I’ve never asked someone to marry me before.”

“Trust me, that’s the easy part.”

“You would know—although, all Bernie and I have to decide is whether she’s okay coming to live here or if she wants me to build her a separate house.”

“Half on her dad’s land and half on yours?”

“That would be cool.” Luke grinned.

“You could live next door to Noah,” Max suggested and started to get up. “I hear there’s a plot available.”

“Funny.” Luke hesitated. “Do you think Bernie would prefer a surprise party?”

Max groaned and sat back down. “It’s gonna be a long night.”