Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Max walked down to the barn and saddled up Bouncer, who was sulking about being abandoned for a couple of weeks and needed to be coaxed into cooperating. He took extra care with his saddle blanket and when tightening the girth until the horse stopped trying to nip him and gave him kisses instead.

“You ready to go?” Luke asked as he came out of the barn, his spurs jingling and chaps flapping like a real cowboy.

“Yes, sir.”

“Boss will do.” Luke gave him the side eye as he mounted his own horse. “Weather looks good for a few hours so we should be able to move the cattle to the new field.”

He whistled to the dogs and headed out, leaving Max to follow along behind.

Max had to admit that it felt good to be back on the ranch he’d begun to consider home. Leaving in a huff because Luke had finally called him out hadn’t been his finest hour, and bumming around taking odd jobs hadn’t been as much fun as it used to be. He was secretly glad his boss had taken him back without too much hassle because he sure as hell didn’t deserve it.

Sometimes stuff just came out of his mouth without him bothering to engage his brain and it wasn’t okay. He wasn’t a rebellious kid anymore; he was with friends, and he had to learn to keep his stupid thoughts to himself.

“Phoebe’s nice,” Luke said over his shoulder.

“Yeah, she’s awesome.” Max made sure to shut the gate behind him as they moved downslope of the ranch toward the distant creek.

“You met in Reno?”

“Yup, her plane got rerouted and we ended up in a casino bar together.”

“And got married.” Luke didn’t look at him as he spoke. “And didn’t tell your closest buds.”

“I told the military. It was probably on my record if you’d looked.”

“The only reason I’d be looking at that was if you’d died and I was contacting your next of kin, so I’m kind of glad it never came up,” Luke pointed out.

“I didn’t mention it because I promised Phoebe I wouldn’t tell anyone.”

“She didn’t say anything to her folks when she got back home, either?”

“She did.”

Luke let the silence between them grow until Max felt like he had to keep talking. “She had good reasons for doing so and I knew that when I agreed to the marriage.”

“That’s okay, then.” Luke used his calm voice, and Max wondered what he was thinking. Sometimes he felt better when everyone was shouting at him. He knew how to deal with anger—genuine concern was another thing entirely.

“If you’re wondering why it took us so long to get back together it was a . . . miscommunication.”

Luke snorted.

“I had her address, and I assumed the military would give her all the stuff she needed about me, but either things didn’t get through, or she didn’t know how to access that information until my discharge papers came through.”

“That was three years ago.”

“She couldn’t get away until recently.”

Luke turned to look at him, his blue eyes steady. “Okay.”

“It’s complicated and I’m not telling you her private stuff, so just accept that it happened the way it did because there was no other choice.”

“When Phoebe finally knew where you were, why didn’t she come here?”

“Because this wasn’t the address on record.”

Luke frowned. “You had a Reno address?”

“Yeah.” Max held his gaze. “That’s how Phoebe ended up in Reno and I found out she was looking for me.”

Max could see a thousand other questions forming in Luke’s head and clicked to his horse.

“Do you want to up the pace a little? I know you said the weather looked good, but I don’t want to be out here all day.”

“I guess that means you’ve had enough of me grilling you, right?” Luke asked. “Understandable. Sometimes it’s hard to get out of the habit of overseeing your life.”

“I’m actually in a good place, boss,” Max said.

“Yeah, I can see that.” Luke nodded at the far fence. “Last one to the other side cooks dinner tonight, okay?”

Max was already on his way before Luke finished speaking.

* * *

Noah glanced Phoebe’s way as they turned out onto the county road.

“It gets easier from here as the road is paved.”

“Does it snow a lot in winter?” Phoebe asked.

“Yeah. Last year we got completely cut off during the storm season.”

“I bet that was horrible.” Phoebe looked out at the endless pine trees.

“It had its moments.” Noah’s quick smile was unexpected. “Jen and Sky got stuck with us for quite a while.”

“That was a good thing?”

“As we’re getting married, I’d say so.”

“That’s wonderful,” Phoebe said. “Jen is lovely.”

“She is.” Noah lapsed into silence until they came down the mountain and reached the edge of the town. “Are you planning on sticking around?”

“That’s something Max and I have to work out,” Phoebe said.

“He’s not always an easy person to understand, but he has a good heart.”

Noah found a parking slot and angled the truck into the space. He turned off the engine, took off his sunglasses and looked directly at Phoebe.

“I don’t know you, and you’ll have to excuse me if this comes out wrong, but don’t screw him around, okay? He’s a pain in the ass, but he deserves to be happy.”

Phoebe met his uncompromising stare. “I can assure you I mean him no harm.”

“Some women marry military guys for all the wrong reasons. Max doesn’t need that kind of hassle.”

“I understand. I can only repeat that I would never knowingly hurt him.”

“I guess that’s a start.” Noah put his sunglasses back on and undid his seatbelt. “Come on, Sky. Let’s go and get you a snack at Bernie’s.”

Phoebe’s breath whooshed out as Noah exited the truck and got Sky out of his seat. Talk about intimidating. Noah hadn’t said much, but he’d made sure she knew he wouldn’t appreciate her messing with Max, which was interesting when they appeared to have a somewhat combative relationship. Perhaps he was all about protecting his own—something Phoebe heartily approved of.

She stepped out of the truck and put on her sunglasses. The town had a middling-length main street with a few fine Victorian houses along one side while the shops ran along the other. She noticed the sign for a BB and had a sudden urge to rush over and get herself a room far away from the ranch and all its occupants.

“Hey.”

She squeaked and pressed a hand to her chest when Noah loomed over her.

He frowned. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“You already did that earlier,” Phoebe murmured. “Should I meet you somewhere after you’ve concluded your business, or would you prefer me to tag along so you can keep an eye on me?”

“Hell.” Noah grimaced. “I did scare you. Jen’s going to kill me. She told me not to say anything.”

“It’s all right.” Phoebe looked up at him. “I’m sure Max appreciates having friends who are willing to speak up for him. I can only repeat that I want what’s best for him, too.”

Noah looked like he wanted to say a lot more and then stopped and cleared his throat. “Do you want to come to the coffee shop and meet Bernie? We can do a tour of the town after Sky’s had his snack.”

“That would be lovely.” Phoebe blew a kiss at Sky who was waving at her from Noah’s arms. “I’m looking forward to meeting Bernie.”

Even though the town itself seemed quiet, the coffee shop was busy, and they had to squeeze into a corner table. Noah went to find a high chair for Sky while Phoebe looked around. Even though three people were serving at the front, there was still a line.

“I didn’t expect it to be so packed.” Noah frowned as he settled Sky carefully into the seat. “I don’t like crowds.”

“We could get our drinks to go,” Phoebe offered. “It’s a pleasant day and we could eat outside.”

Noah shook his head. “Sky likes it here. He’d kick up a fuss if I tried to get him out before he has his snack.”

The idea of the big, tough Marine bowing to the wishes of a small child made Phoebe want to smile.

“Hey, little buddy!” A red-headed woman approached, and Sky screeched and waved his hands in the air.

“Hey, Noah,” the woman said, then turned her way. “What have you done with Jen?”

“This is Phoebe.” Noah paused. “Max’s wife.”

“Hello.” Phoebe smiled and offered her hand. “Are you Bernie? I’ve heard so much about you.”

Bernie grinned. “I wish I could say the same. I didn’t even know Max was married until Luke let it slip this morning when he texted me.”

“We kept it quite private.”

“Congratulations! Drinks are on the house—and Sky’s choice of snack as well.” Bernie looked pointedly at Noah. “I can’t wait to hear all the details when I next come out to the ranch.”

Bernie took their drinks order and offered to send a selection plate of pastries and cakes to the table, which sounded perfect to Phoebe.

Noah waited until Bernie returned to the counter before he turned to Phoebe.

“It’s a small town. Better to get it out there before the gossip starts and Bernie’s practically family.”

“Fine by me.”

Phoebe had decided to try the coffee and she wasn’t disappointed. Noah took his black. Sky had some kind of juice in his sippy cup and a sprinkle cookie almost as big as his head that Noah was dishing out in very small sections.

“Bernie runs a food delivery service as well as the café,” Noah said. “She’s about to expand her business because it’s doing so well.”

“How wonderful,” Phoebe sipped her coffee.

“What do you do yourself?” Noah asked.

“I’m involved in the family business.” Phoebe paused. “Well, I was until my father became ill and I dropped everything to look after him.”

“How’s he doing?”

“He died at the beginning of the year.”

Noah grimaced and met her gaze head on, which she appreciated. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Thank you. I miss him very much.”

Phoebe took refuge in her coffee and Noah let her be as he talked to Sky and dissuaded his attempts to throw his cookie around. She was surprised at his endless patience, and the calm reassurance he gave the toddler, which wasn’t like his gruff persona with her at all.

He didn’t know her, and he was wary of her intentions toward his friend, which spoke well of him, but made him even more intimidating. Bernie seemed nice, although her curiosity about Phoebe and Max being married was palpable. Phoebe couldn’t blame her. She struggled to believe it herself sometimes.

Choosing to marry a complete stranger in a wedding chapel in Reno hadn’t been clever and could’ve ended up very badly indeed. The thought of anyone in her family finding that out would be mortifying—although she suspected none of them would believe she’d have the guts to do anything of the kind.

As if he was connected to her brain, her cell phone buzzed with a text from her older brother, George.

Did you make it safely to Nevada?

Yes! It’s beautiful here. I’ll send pics of the ranch when I get a moment.

Ranch? Thought you were in Reno.

Change of plans

She waited as the bubbles indicating he might be replying appeared and disappeared.

An address would be nice in case there is an emergency.

Phoebe frowned. You have my cell number.

Grandmother asked me to get the address. Maybe she wants to send you a birthday card.

Unlikely, unless I’m staying for six months.

She looked up at Noah who was attempting to brush cookie crumbs out of Sky’s hair. “Would it be possible to have an address for the ranch?”

“Sure. Nilsen Ranch, County Road, Quincy, Plumas County, California should work.” He frowned. “Not sure of the zip. You’ll have to ask Luke or check at the post office.”

“I will, thank you.” Phoebe tapped in the address and sent it to George who replied with a thumbs up.

Her phone went quiet, and she returned to the far more pleasurable task of sampling Bernie’s cooking. The rush in the café subsided and Bernie came back. She set two boxes on the table beside Phoebe.

“Doughnuts for Max and cinnamon rolls for everyone else. Don’t let Sky get into the boxes.”

“Yeah, I once made the mistake of putting them beside him on the backseat,” Noah said. “It was cake carnage; his sugar high lasted three days and my truck was a sticky hell.”

“Max said you’d know what he liked.” Phoebe got out her purse. “May I pay you?”

“They’re on the house.” Bernie waved away her offer. “I can’t charge my family.” She looked at Noah. “Did you still want to talk to me about the big day?”

Noah glanced warily at Phoebe and then at Sky. “I don’t think he’ll sit still long enough.”

“I could take him for a walk?” Phoebe offered. “I wanted to take a look around the town anyway.”

Both Noah and Bernie looked at her and Phoebe sat up straight.

“I’m quite trustworthy and used to dealing with small children.”

“Sure. Okay, I won’t be long.” Noah fished in his pocket and brought out his keys. “You could pick up the mail from the ranch box at the post office. Sky always loves it in there.”

“I’d be happy to.” Phoebe took the keys.

“Brass colored key with the number on it is for the box, and if you want to dump the mail off in the truck, use the chunky key fob to unlock the vehicle.”

“Got it.” She held Noah’s gaze. “I promise not to kidnap Sky or drive off in your truck.”

“Good, because I’d hate to have to chase you down.”

It took a moment for Phoebe to realize Noah might be joking.

“Best to carry him or get the stroller out of the truck,” Noah advised as he handed Sky over to her.

She set the sturdy little boy on her hip and considered her options. “I’d better get the stroller because I won’t be able to carry Sky and the mail together.”

“I’ll get it out for you,” Noah took back the keys and strode off leaving Phoebe staring at his back.

“Bye-bye, Nono.” Sky waved, seemingly unperturbed by his parental unit disappearing on him.

Phoebe went after him emerging into bright sunshine and the sight of Noah already opening the stroller. Sky went rigid in her arms.

“No. Walk.”

“Not this time, buddy.” Noah placed him in the seat. “You know it’s not safe in town.”

Sky’s lip came out as Noah buckled him in. “Walk.”

“Later, okay?” Noah crouched down to look Sky in the eye as he buckled up the harness “Be a good boy for Phoebe.”

Sky looked away and Noah sighed. “Please?”

He straightened up and turned to Phoebe. “My advice is not to give in and let him out, or he’ll never go back in again.”

The town was charming—apart from the traffic that came through the main street. It reminded Phoebe of Creighton village at home, which had a similar problem. Both places relied on the main road to bring in goods and people, but neither had been designed for the size and speed of current vehicles, and bypassing towns was expensive, especially when the town was planted in the middle of a vast woods.

Phoebe found the post office easily and went in through the side door to a huge hall covered in mailboxes of all sizes. It took a few moments to find the right box and empty it into the handy bag Noah had given her. Even with five people, plus Sky, living on the ranch there was a surprising amount of mail.

She took a moment to buy some international stamps from the machine and text George the zip code. If she could find a postcard of the town to send to her grandmother, it might reassure her suspicious relative that she truly was where she was meant to be.

“Fee!” Sky waved his arms around. “Go.”

She smiled down at him. “Yes, of course. Let’s find something more interesting to do than look at the mail. I wonder if Noah would mind if we shared an ice cream?”

* * *

An hour later, she was in the truck with Sky napping in the back. He’d been very well behaved while she’d looked around the town and had only tried to get out of the buggy once.

“Can I ask you for a favor?” Noah’s gruff voice interrupted her musings.

“Yes, of course.” She turned to look at his harsh profile.

“Don’t tell Jen I was talking to Bernie about the wedding.”

Phoebe frowned. “I wasn’t aware that you were.”

“Apparently, I tend to . . . micromanage things. I was just checking in with Bernie to see that she and Jen had everything in hand for the reception.” He paused. “That’s supposed to be Jen’s job.”

“Ah. I see.”

“I wasn’t trying to influence anything. I just wanted to get an update—purely for my own personal spreadsheet.”

“I promise I won’t say anything unless she directly asks me about it.”

“Thank you,” Noah said gruffly. “I appreciate it.”

“When is the ‘big day’?” Phoebe asked.

“The end of the month.” He glanced over at her. “If you’re still here you’re invited.”

“Thank you.” Phoebe nodded. “I’ll discuss it with Max.”

“It’s at the ranch.”

“How lovely. My sister is getting married in six weeks.”

“I guess you’ll need to be home for that.” Noah signaled to turn out onto the county road. “Is Max going with you?”

“He’s invited.” Phoebe echoed Noah’s words. “My family are looking forward to meeting him.”

“None of them met him in Reno when you got hitched?”

“I was on my own.”

Phoebe had a sense she should stop giving Noah information, but her innate politeness kept getting in the way.

“I thought you’d come after him to get a divorce,” Noah said abruptly. “It’s not as if you’ve spent any time together. If it were me, I’d be pretty pissed about that.”

Phoebe pressed her lips together and kept quiet. If Noah wanted any more information, he’d have to take it up with Max.

“I still can’t believe he got married and didn’t tell anyone. It’s not like Max to keep anything quiet. Normally, the problem is shutting him up.”

Phoebe smiled serenely and readjusted the boxes of cakes on her lap. Just because Noah had suddenly decided to be all chatty didn’t mean she had to join in. Maybe it would be good for him to be met with silence for a change. He might be right about everything he was saying about Max, but her loyalty wasn’t with Noah. It was to the man who’d agreed to marry her and that’s where it would remain.