Chapter 18

Chapter 18

By the time they reached the hotel, Phoebe still hadn’t worked out what she intended to say to her brother. She knew she should have gone alone, but Max had simply swept her along with him, and secretly, she was glad. He hadn’t said much, just got her into his truck, had a quick word with Luke, and started driving.

“You holding up okay, Feebs?” He glanced over at her as he parked the truck opposite the hotel.

“I’m not sure.” She took a deep breath. “I have no idea why he’s here.”

He came around to open her door, reached inside, put his hands on her waist and set her gently on the sidewalk.

“We’ll know soon enough.” He paused, his expression intent. “I’m coming with you.”

She nodded, then took his hand, and they crossed the road together and went into the tall, white Queen Anne-style building.

Lucy was waiting for them at the reception desk. “Hi! I’ve never had a lord come to stay here before, Phoebe! I had no idea he was connected to you until he explained.”

Max looked down at her. “Your brother’s a lord?”

Inwardly, Phoebe sighed. “He’s the Earl of Westhaven. Creighton-Smith is our family name.”

“Which means that Phoebe here, is actually Lady Phoebe. I looked it up,” Lucy said, her eyes wide.

“It’s not something I use in everyday life,” Phoebe said. “It’s simply for legal documents.”

Both Max and Lucy were staring at her as if she’d grown another head and she made a face. “And this is why I don’t mention it because people get freaked out and think they have to curtsey or something.”

“Should I have curtsied to your brother?” Lucy gasped. “I didn’t think—”

“No, he’s not royalty, you’re fine.”

“Does that make Max a lord?” Lucy asked.

“No, it’s not that kind of title,” Phoebe explained. “I have it through my father who was the previous earl.”

Lucy frowned and picked up her phone. “I’ll have to google that.”

“Can you take us to George, please?” Phoebe asked.

“Yes, of course! He’s having tea in the drawing room.” Lucy went ahead of them. “I’ll bring a fresh pot and some coffee for Max.”

Phoebe spotted George immediately and made her way through the room to the far corner where he sat reading the local newspaper. He looked up as she approached and rose to his feet, his expression not exactly welcoming. He was slightly shorter than her, which she knew bugged him, and had the same brown eyes and wavy hair he kept ruthlessly short.

“Phoebe.”

“George, what an unexpected surprise.” She gestured to Max. “Max, may I present my brother the Earl of Westhaven.”

Max reached out and firmly shook George’s hand. “It’s good to finally meet you.”

George sat down. “I’d agree, especially since we’d begun to believe you were a figment of Phoebe’s rather adolescent imagination.”

“Oh, I’m real all right.” Max smiled and took the seat beside Phoebe. The contrast between him and George was remarkable.

Lucy arrived with the refreshments and thankfully didn’t linger. George looked around the room.

“This place is nicer than I expected to find out in the sticks.”

“Lucy is very proud of it,” Phoebe said. “I’m surprised she had any vacancies at this time of year.”

“My secretary sweet-talked her into finding me a room.” George smirked.

“I still don’t understand why you are here.” Phoebe narrowed her eyes at him. “Has someone died?”

“Not to my knowledge.” George raised an eyebrow. “I simply decided that if you were determined to be difficult, I should come and sort things out face-to-face.” His gaze flicked toward Max. “And meet your ‘husband’.”

“I intended to return for Eugenie’s wedding next week,” Phoebe said. “There was no need to come all this way.”

“I wanted to see what the attraction was.” He looked Max up and down in a way that made Phoebe stiffen. “You’re not normally this difficult to deal with.”

Her hand fisted into a ball and Max set his own over it.

“I think what your brother is trying to say is that he thought I might be telling you what to do, Feebs, and that he came out here to make sure you weren’t being held against your will.” Max offered George an easy smile. “That’s it, right? I suppose I can admire a man who’s looking out for his sister’s welfare, but I sure as hell ain’t doing any of that.”

Phoebe raised her chin. “I can assure you that I am perfectly free to make my own decisions, George, and that my disagreements with you have simply escalated because of your unwillingness to follow the letter of the law.”

A flicker of annoyance ran over her brother’s face, and he turned to Max. “Well, it was nice to finally meet you, but I think all further discussions should be between me and my sister.”

Max looked at Phoebe. “It’s your call, boss.”

“I think I would appreciate a word with George in private, Max, but it won’t take long.” She smiled at him and stood up. “Will you wait for me?”

“Always, sweet pea.” He picked up his coffee cup and took a sip. “I’ll be right here if you need me.”

Phoebe followed George up to his room and closed the door behind them.

“What in God’s name were you thinking marrying a fool like that?” George asked. “He’s obviously dumb as a post. And that fake cowboy act?” He shook his head. “I suppose you did find him in Reno, a city full of fakes.”

“Have you quite finished, George?” Phoebe asked. “Max is a decorated Marine and a real cowboy who works full time on a ranch.”

George strode over to look out of the window. “This is ridiculous. He’s obviously got some kind of hold over you. Does he know how wealthy our family is?”

Phoebe was so tired of having to constantly defend herself.

“I am not here to discuss Max. I want my inheritance and if you aren’t willing to follow the dictates of father’s will then I will take you to court.”

“Did Max tell you to do that?”

“Don’t be absurd.”

“I’ve had him investigated, Phoebe. He’s a criminal. I’m not lying.” George turned around. “He was in trouble with the police from the age of twelve and ended up in juvenile detention.”

“And then he went to a military school with his parents’ approval, graduated at eighteen, and went straight into the Marines where he served with distinction. There is nothing dishonorable about that,” Phoebe snapped. “In fact, he’s to be commended for turning his life around.”

“You knew and you still married him?” George shook his head. “It’s worse than I thought.”

“I married him because he’s a good man.”

George’s laugh wasn’t kind. “Don’t be ridiculous. You married him because you wanted your inheritance, and you decided it was the only way to force my hand.”

“I wouldn’t have had to ‘force your hand’ if you’d abided by the terms of our grandfather’s will and father’s amendment in his.”

“A will that was conveniently changed when you were father’s primary caregiver.” George held her gaze. “How do you think the court will view that? A dying man coerced into making decisions by a greedy woman.”

“How dare you.”

George took an involuntary step back as she stuck her finger in his face. She was so angry she was shaking.

“I didn’t ask him to change anything. I’m not one of the witnesses to his new will. I wasn’t even aware that it existed until the solicitor read it out after the funeral. I’m happy to swear on a bible in a court of law that is the truth, and I know everyone who was involved in producing that document will stand with me.”

“Except me and your grandmother.”

“That’s up to you,” Phoebe said. “Maybe you should make up your mind as to whether I’m too stupid to understand that Max is manipulating me, or a conniving bitch who forced her own father to change his will in her favor.” She glared at him. “Which is it, George?”

He tutted, which set her teeth on edge. “This is your problem, Phoebe. You get everything out of proportion and lay on the dramatics. It’s not appealing in the slightest. A hysterical woman will never win in a court of law.”

“Bloody watch me!” Phoebe turned to the door. “We’re done. I’ll see you at Eugenie’s wedding.”

She stormed down the stairs and into the entrance hall and was out on the street before she remembered she’d left Max behind. She stood staring at the door into Bernie’s café breathing hard, her whole body shaking.

The door opened. “Are you coming in?” Bernie asked, and then did a double take. “Are you okay, Phoebe?”

“She’s good.” A firm touch on her shoulder made her gulp in more air. “You want something sweet to eat, Feebs?” Max asked. “I’m sure Bernie’s got something nice in there. We can get it to go if you’d rather.”

* * *

Phoebe wouldn’t go into details about what had happened between her and her brother, but Max already wanted to get up close and personal with George and teach him some manners. He’d never seen Phoebe so distraught. She’d eaten two doughnuts on the way back to the ranch and then gone to bed with a headache. He hoped she’d open up to him at some point, but things being the way they currently were between them, he wasn’t one hundred percent certain that would happen.

Should he push the issue? He already knew George had taken an instant dislike to him; the man had barely bothered to conceal his hostility. He was pretty sure George thought he had some hold over Phoebe, which would be almost laughable if the situation wasn’t so serious. Phoebe had him helpless in the palm of her hand and she didn’t even know it.

For the first time in his life, Max wished Noah was around. He had a way of seeing through the bullshit that Max would appreciate right now. He left the barn and went to find Luke in the ranch office.

“Hey, have you got a moment?” Max asked as he stuck his head around the door.

“Totally.” Luke looked up from his laptop. “I hear you were in town.”

“I suppose Bernie’s already told you what happened.” Max sat down in front of the desk.

“She said Phoebe was very upset.”

“Did she mention Phoebe’s brother turned up at the BB?”

“Yup, she got that from Lucy. He’s a duke or something, right?”

“An earl,” Max said gloomily. “I have no idea what that means, but I guess he has a crown or two stashed away in that castle of his somewhere.”

“Is Phoebe okay?”

“She’s gone to bed with a headache.”

“So, no, then.” Luke frowned. “Any idea what’s going on?”

“From our short conversation, I guess the earl’s decided I’m a bad influence on his little sister and that if I’d just go away, she’d go back to doing what she’s told.”

“Okay, that’s slightly understandable if he’s an over-protective brother,” Luke said cautiously. “But he’s definitely underestimating his sister.”

“He treated me like the hired help, and he wasn’t respectful to Phoebe,” Max said. “I’m beginning to understand why she didn’t want me to go to England with her.”

“So where did you leave it?” Luke asked.

“George asked to speak to her alone and Phoebe agreed.” Max paused. “Ten minutes later she went steaming past me in the entrance hall and ended up across the street staring at Bernie’s place as if she wanted to burn it to the ground. Whatever her dick of a brother said made her equal parts mad and upset, and I’m not okay with any of that.”

Luke looked at him. “You know what I’m going to say, don’t you?”

“Yeah, let her come to me and tell me if she wants me to know about it.” Max frowned. “But that doesn’t feel right this time. I feel like I should be asking her.”

“Why?”

“Because she’s hurting, and I want to make things better for her.”

Luke’s grin was annoying.

“What?”

“You’re totally gone over her, aren’t you?”

“I’d feel the same about anyone I care about,” Max insisted.

“Sure, you keep telling yourself that my friend,” Luke said. “And in the meantime, maybe work up the nerve to ask her to come back after she goes to England?”

Max stood up. “I don’t know why I ask you anything. You always say the same old bullshit.”

“You just hate it because I’m always right.”

Max was still fake laughing when he closed the door behind him and went into the kitchen to start fixing dinner. Half an hour into his prep, Phoebe came in and reached for the electric kettle.

Max intercepted her. “Sit down. I’ll get it for you.”

“I’m not ill, Max.” Phoebe sat at the table. Her shirt was crumpled, half her hair was sticking out at a weird angle, and her eyes were red as if she’d been crying.

He set the tea that was made just how she liked it in front of her. “Do you want anything to eat, or can you wait until dinner? I’m making pork with an apple and cider sauce.”

“It sounds lovely.” Phoebe managed a smile.

“Tastes even better. It’s a Nilsen family favorite.” Max was determined not to bombard her with questions and turned back to his chopping board.

She sipped her tea as he finished measuring out the sauce ingredients. “Thank you for being with me today.”

He shrugged like it was no big deal. “You’re welcome.”

“George thinks you’re manipulating me for my money.”

He did turn around at that. “George is an asshole.”

“True.” she acknowledged. “We’ve never gotten along and now things are the worst they’ve ever been.” She met his gaze. “I told him you were one of the best men I’d ever met.”

Max went still.

“You had a difficult start, and you made the best of it, and that’s something to be incredibly proud of.” She half-smiled. “George thought I didn’t know about your past.”

“He looked me up?” Max asked.

“I’m sorry,” Phoebe winced. “It was inexcusable.”

“It’s all good. I bet Noah does the same thing for every one of his sister’s boyfriends.”

Max stirred the sauce, added extra apple slices, and poured it over the pork. He checked the oven had reached the right temperature and slid the roasting pan onto the middle shelf.

“If it wasn’t for Eugenie, I wouldn’t go to the wedding.” Phoebe wrapped her hands around her mug. “But she’ll kill me if I don’t support her through this.”

“Can’t have that.” Max started cleaning up. “And I suspect George will behave himself in company.”

“He can be very charming when he wants to be.”

“I’m sure. He sounds even posher than you do.”

“He went to a very exclusive public school, called Eton,” Phoebe said. “That’s how they all sound.”

Her phone buzzed and she flicked the screen. “Dammit.”

“What’s up?” Max strolled over, wiping his hands on the towel. “Don’t tell me your granny’s arrived?”

“No, it’s George. He’s apologizing profusely and blaming the jet lag. He wants to see us again.” She groaned and buried her face in her hands. “He’s not going to go away, is he?”

Max sat opposite her and held his tongue until she looked up again, her eyes clear.

“I have an idea.”

“Yeah?” Max raised an eyebrow. “Let’s hear it then.”

“We invite him here.”

“To the ranch?”

“He seems to think you’re not a real cowboy. We’ll see if he has any energy left to argue with either of us by the end of your regular working day.”

Max clinked his mug against hers. He couldn’t wait to see the earl on his home ground, “Feebs, you’re an evil genius and I love it.”

She finished her tea and sat with him at the table while he peeled potatoes and snapped beans. He turned aside her offers to help and just enjoyed being with her. He didn’t like seeing her under siege, but he was beginning to understand how resilient she was.

She texted her brother and received an enthusiastic yes even when she mentioned he needed to be at the ranch by seven in the morning.

“So, what’s the plan, Feebs? I take him out and lose him somewhere in the forest?”

She chuckled and he’d never been happier to make someone laugh in his life.

“I think that might cause an international incident.” She paused. “The thing is, Max, I don’t want to fight with him.”

Max nodded. “I get that.”

“But sometimes you do have to take a stand. Like you did with your parents.”

“Hell, don’t use me as a role model,” Max said. “I’m the screwup here.”

She took his hand, her gaze clear. “Actually, you’re not. You’ve drawn well-defined boundaries as to what’s okay with you about your parents, and that’s something I’m dismally bad at.”

“I guess you’ve got to work out what you’re willing to lose,” Max said slowly.

“That’s true.” Phoebe met his gaze. “Should I give into family pressure and restore peace while sacrificing my own needs, or should I make them accept that times have changed and ignore the grumbling?”

“Whatever you choose I’m on your side, Feebs.”

Her smile was a delight and all for him.

“Thank you, Max. You really are the best.”