Chapter 6

Chapter 6

“Phoebe?”

She jumped as Luke spoke from the opposite side of the table. She had a feeling it wasn’t the first time he’d tried to get her attention.

“Sorry! I was daydreaming.” She set her mug down. It was barely six in the morning, and she had slept through Max’s alarm, and woken up to an empty bed. “What is it?”

“You can ride a horse, right?”

“Yes. I believe my father put me up on my first horse before I could walk.”

“Don’t tell Sky.” Luke grinned at her. “He’s dying to get up there and Jen won’t let him. She says he’s too young.”

He finished his coffee. “We’ve got to drive some of the cattle between two grazing areas about a quarter of a mile apart, and we could do with an all-hands-on-deck effort. Mom usually helps, but she’s on call for the clinic, and Mano’s wife just had a baby so he’s at the hospital with her.”

“I’d be delighted to help.” Phoebe couldn’t think of anything she’d enjoy more—apart from what Max had planned for her that night . . .

“Awesome.” Luke stood up. “You can choose your own horse, or I can saddle up my mom’s mare for you.”

“Whichever is easier,” Phoebe said. “What time are we leaving?”

Luke consulted his phone. “In about half an hour?”

“Should I make some sandwiches and a flask of tea to bring for everyone?” Phoebe asked.

“I think Noah’s already got that covered, but you might need to make your own tea. There are plenty of flasks in the cupboard above the range.” Luke headed for the door. “Bring a raincoat as well as a hat. The weather can change real fast out here.”

“I will,” Phoebe called after him as she went to rinse out her mug and make herself a flask of tea. She’d already eaten some toast, and she’d check the pantry to see if there were any nutrition bars to bring along with her hot drink.

She went back into Max’s room to make the bed and smiled foolishly at the disordered sheets. Her trust in Max had only increased tenfold. He’d made what had felt like an embarrassing failure on her part into a thing that didn’t matter at all. He’d treated her like a princess and slept with his body curved around hers all night long.

She plumped up the pillows and set them back on the bed along with the top quilt. At one point she’d sensed his slight withdrawal but assumed he’d been trying to be respectful with her person. Not that he’d needed to be. She’d loved everything he’d done to her and wanted so much more . . .

She put on a thicker pair of socks and found her hiking boots and waterproof wax jacket. The thought of helping out on a real cowboy ranch was exhilarating. Seeing Max work with his friends was also a treat, although she sensed some tension with Noah who wasn’t as easy to get along with as Luke and the rest of the gang. But she’d seen how Noah was with Jen and Sky, and knew he wasn’t as gruff as he appeared, and despite his appearance, he definitely looked out for Max.

She also reminded herself that she’d only seen the best of Max and that, like Noah, he was a far more complex person than he let on. She occasionally sensed a wariness from everyone when Max opened his mouth, which spoke of past tensions. And apparently, when he’d come to Reno to find her, he’d left without explaining where he was going, which had put Luke in a difficult position.

But wasn’t everyone more complicated than they appeared? Phoebe grabbed her hat and walked to the door. In all her dealings with Max and her family she certainly had stretched the truth somewhat. Her cell buzzed as she reached the kitchen, and she took the tea bags out of her tea. She checked her messages, saw something that looked rather long from her brother, and decided to read it when she got back.

She had work to do and she didn’t want to hold anyone up or embarrass Max. She screwed the lid tight on her flask, put a handful of granola bars in her pocket along with tissues, lip balm, and her phone, and went out. The air was colder than she’d expected and coming straight off the distant mountains.

There was a group of cowboys gathered in the paddock in front of the barn. Phoebe recognized some of them, but others were new to her. Max waved as she came toward him. He wore his usual cowboy uniform of jeans, spurs, chaps and boots, a thick fleece-lined jacket and his white Stetson.

“Hey, Feebs. I hear you’re coming out with us today.”

“If that’s okay.” She smiled as he looped an arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head.

“Can’t think of a better way to spend my day.” He grinned. “I’d rather look at your face than Noah’s.”

“Right back at you,” Noah called out from somewhere.

Max turned to the two guys he’d been talking to.

“Esta es mi esposa, Phoebe.”

He turned back to her. “Feebs, meet Luis and Paolo, two of our best hands.”

Phoebe stuck out her hand. “A pleasure.”

“You’re married?” Luis looked at Max. “Since when?”

Max shrugged. “Four years now, isn’t it, Feebs?”

“Yes, indeed.” She smiled brightly at both men. “I’m very lucky.”

Max nodded and took her hand. “I have to introduce Phoebe to her horse, guys. I’ll check back with you later.”

They strolled away and Phoebe sighed.

“What’s up?” Max looked down at her.

“It’s just that everyone looks so horrified when they meet me.”

“Sweetheart, that’s not about you. It’s just that no one ever thought I’d get married so they’re wondering if you’re a saint.”

“Or a fool,” Phoebe said gloomily.

He stopped and turned to her so that she could look up at him.

“There’s only one fool in this marriage and I can one hundred percent guarantee that it isn’t you.” He paused. “I could stop telling everyone. Would that help?”

“No! I’m perfectly fine with being married to you.”

His eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled down at her. “Good.”

“Not again . . .” Luke spoke from behind her. “Could you two stop cooing at each other so we can get going?”

“Have you seen yourself with Bernie?” Max looked over at Luke. “I’m just showing Phoebe her horse.”

Luke pointed over his shoulder. “Macy is tied up right outside the barn in completely the opposite direction to where you’re heading.”

“Thanks for the input,” Max nodded. “Come on, Feebs, we’d better get you mounted up before Luke loses it completely.”

He walked her over to the barn and spent a few minutes talking her through Sally’s horse’s habits while she got acquainted with the lively mare. He helped her up into the massive saddle and made sure her stirrups were at the right length before handing her the two reins.

“Remember, hold ’em like an ice-cream cone in one hand, use them like a rudder on a boat, and don’t kick too hard or she’ll buck you off.”

“Got it.” Phoebe gathered the reins and felt the horse’s instant response. She’d only ridden western style once before. If she wanted to be useful, she’d have to get up to speed pretty quickly. None of the cowboys had time to worry about her.

Luke came over and smiled at her. “Looking good, Phoebe. Just follow me or Max and you’ll be fine.”

“I’ll do my best,” Phoebe said as she settled into the worn leather saddle that offered far more support than her usual English one. The hint of cold in the air vanished as the warmth from Macy’s flanks crept up Phoebe’s thighs. She made sure her hat was well fixed on her head and followed the rest of the riders out through the gate, and toward the foothills.

Macy picked her way through the coarse clumps of grass and old tree stumps like a pro, meaning Phoebe got the chance to look around and enjoy the magnificent setting. There was obviously a waterfall somewhere as she could hear a consistent roar. They seemed to be skirting the ever-encroaching trees and working their way toward the west. Several dogs ran with the horses, tongues hanging out, tails wagging as they made the occasional sideways quest to investigate an interesting scent. The cold air scented with pine stung her face, but she didn’t care.

Being on a horse had always been a way to escape her stifling home life, and the horrors of boarding school, and nothing had changed that. Max kept pace with her, which meant she got to admire his superb horsemanship and the way his body moved effortlessly with his mount. Occasionally, he whistled to the dogs or grinned at her, but he let her ride free.

Luke, who was leading the group, stopped, and waited for them to gather around him. He split them up into teams to work to get the cattle out of the one field, across two others, and onto an unpaved road and down into the valley. Phoebe was teamed up with Max, Luis, and Paolo to guard the right side of the gate while Luke and his team rounded up the cattle and drove them out of the field.

The dogs stopped fooling around and became all business, getting in close, circling the cattle, nipping at their heels, and making the cowboys’ work a lot less dangerous. Phoebe watched everything with great interest, Max at her side.

“Don’t you normally do this bit?” she asked.

“Sometimes.” His smile was a delight. “Today it’s all on Noah.” His gaze shifted past her to Luke. “Get ready. They’re gonna come our way and we need to stand firm, so they’ll head toward the left and away from the forest.”

“Got it.”

Phoebe copied the cowboys’ stance and arranged her horse at an angle toward the approaching cattle blocking any escape. Macy didn’t seem bothered at all, her ears flicking to dislodge the inevitable flies, her placid gaze on the cattle. One thing Phoebe did know about horses was that they were usually fine, until they weren’t, and that even the quietest pony could get freaked out by the strangest things.

She gathered her reins and focused on the cloud of approaching dust and the whooping cowboys pushing the herd toward the narrow point of exit at the gate. As the dust reached her, she wished she’d brought a bandana to cover her mouth and nose because it was suddenly hard to see. She blinked and set her hand on Macy’s neck while she murmured for her to stay calm.

There were a lot of cattle—far more than Phoebe had expected, as she was used to smaller English farms. She tried to count them but gave up when the total went over a hundred, and simply held her station. They streamed by, the dogs at their heels, the cowboys whistling and urging them through the open gate and out into the wider pasture next door.

“Good job, everyone!” Luke yelled. “Let’s keep ’em moving across this field toward the far corner.”

Max grinned at Phoebe as he rode past. “You’re doing great. Just stay in line and walk Macy toward the far gate. If any of the cows make a break for it, try and head them off, or whistle and one of us can lasso them.”

“I wish I knew how to do that,” Phoebe said.

“I’ll teach you.”

He turned his attention back to the cattle who were moving in the right direction, if somewhat reluctantly. The cowboys had fanned out around them in a semicircle and were slowly closing them in and moving them down the slope. It reminded Phoebe of watching her father’s prize sheep dogs work the sheep.

There were gaps between the riders and occasionally a rebel steer tried to change direction and make a break for freedom. So far none of them had made it farther than a few steps before one of the dogs or the cowboys had stepped up and stopped them. Phoebe was impressed by the efficiency of the operation. It took a skilled workforce to keep the cattle calm while still getting them moving toward the gate and Luke’s team had it down.

While they waited for Luke to open the gate into the next field, Max moved closer to Phoebe.

“The next part is the longest and the land spreads out so there’s more chance some of the cattle will wander off.”

“Okay.” Phoebe nodded.

“Just take it slow and watch what the rest of us are doing and you’ll be fine. You’re a great rider.”

She shrugged. “My father insisted upon it.”

“Did you hunt?”

“Like, foxes?” Phoebe shuddered. “No, I couldn’t bear it. I got a lot of stick for not joining in, but I’m glad I didn’t. It’s heavily restricted now, which was a tremendous relief. I did compete in three-day eventing for a while.”

“What’s that?”

“It’s a combination event where you compete in show jumping, dressage, and cross-country all on one horse, and in three days.”

Max whistled. “That’s a lot of different skills for a person to learn, let alone a horse.”

“I loved it,” Phoebe said. “The winner had to be good at all three.” She bit her lip. “I was once asked on a trial for the British Olympic team, but I had to turn them down.”

“Why?”

“I didn’t have time to train properly after Father became ill, so I sold my horse.”

“Sorry to hear that, Feebs.”

She smiled. “That’s life. When did you learn to ride?”

His smile was wicked. “You won’t like the answer to that.”

“Try me.”

“I’d sneak into people’s fields and ride their horses bareback when they weren’t around. I fell off a lot and had a few concussions, but I taught myself the basics.” He paused. “When my dad found out, he got me lessons and came with me, which was great.”

Phoebe chuckled. “That doesn’t surprise me in the least.”

“Not a lot of horse ownership in my neighborhood.”

“Which is a shame because learning to look after a horse is such a confidence-building experience. If I had the time and the money, I’d love to run that kind of event for disadvantaged children. It’s one of the reasons why I’m so determined to break the terms of this will—” Phoebe broke off and looked toward Luke. “I think we’re about to get our orders.”

“Yeah, Luke loves bossing people around. He did it a lot in the Marines,” Max said.

“Because he was your superior officer.” Noah came up on the other side of Max. “And a damn good one.”

“We all got out alive, so I’d have to agree,” Max said. “Can’t deny he enjoys it, though.”

Both men looked at Luke who stared right back at them.

“What?”

“Just admiring your ability to command, boss,” Max said.

“Sure, you are,” Luke said. “I’m going to open the gate and we’ll let them through as slowly as we can, so they won’t have time to spread out too fast. Everyone got it?”

They all nodded, and Luke whistled to the guy on the other side of the gate. “Open it up and then file through and fan out so we cover as much ground as possible.”

* * *

Max couldn’t stop glancing over at Phoebe as they progressed through the sloping meadow. Her face glowed with excitement, she rode like a dream, and she seemed to be having the time of her life. He envied her ability to live in the moment and embrace what was going on around her with such enthusiasm. He felt better just being with her, which was a first. He wasn’t great at trusting anyone, but he knew she had his back just like Luke and Noah did. Why she supported him was still a mystery, but he wasn’t going to knock it.

“Max! Look out!”

He jerked his attention away from Phoebe to find a steer coming straight at him. At least Bouncer had the sense to get out of the way, but it meant the steer was past him, and heading for the forest at an ungainly gallop.

“Yipee!” Phoebe turned her horse on a dime and set off in pursuit with Max right behind her.

“Keep him away from the trees!” Max shouted as he fumbled to release his lasso.

Phoebe immediately moved to his left, coming up almost alongside the steer and changed its trajectory, which gave him the space to spin out his rope and neatly capture the steer around the neck. He eased Bouncer through the gears and down to walk allowing the animal to slow down with him and not get panicked.

“Nice catch!” Phoebe grinned at him. She’d lost her hat, and her hair was windswept and wild.

“I shouldn’t have let him get by me in the first place,” Max said ruefully. “Let’s get him back where he’s supposed to be.”

“Were you taking a nap?” Phoebe teased as she turned her horse around.

“I was too busy looking at you,” Max confessed.

She went even pinker than she already was, and a shy smile hovered on her lips. “You’re such a joker, Max.”

She set off back toward the lower pasture and Max followed more slowly with the steer. Luke gave him the eye as they approached.

“What’s with you, today?”

Max shrugged and leaned down to release his rope. “Sorry about that.”

“No harm done, and Phoebe seemed to enjoy the chase.”

Both men glanced over at Phoebe who was chatting to Luis as if they’d known each other for years.

“Always good to have someone watch your back,” Luke said as if he’d been reading Max’s mind.

“It sure is.”

“Will you act as my rear guard?” Luke asked. “I need to get back to the sharp end.”

“Sure, boss.”

Max made certain that this time he was in the right position as they persuaded the last few steers to pass through the gate. They had to get the cattle across the unpaved ranch road, over the rock-strewn dried out creek, and into the field in the shade of the pine trees. It would take at least another hour and the sun was now overhead. He took a moment to drink some water and looked around to find Phoebe to remind her to drink as well, but there was no sign of her.

Noah saw him looking and called out. “She’s gone ahead.” He paused. “Probably good for your concentration.”

Max wasn’t sure he liked how everyone knew he was fixated on Phoebe, but there wasn’t a lot he could do about it. He raised his hand in acknowledgement and put his flask away.

“She’s a good rider,” Noah carried on talking. “I’m not worried about her taking a more forward position.”

“Damn straight.” Max shut the gate behind him and made sure it was locked in place. “She’s doing fine.”

He waited until Noah loped off to take up his position in the middle of the pack and followed along behind, mopping up strays and keeping everything moving in the right direction. Being at the back meant he received more than his share of kicked up cow shit and dust, but he figured he deserved it. He put his sunglasses on and zipped his fleece over his mouth and nose and kept it together until Luke finally called for a halt.

The redwood trees provided some much-needed shade. There was still a trickle of water coming down the creek for the horses, which kept the whole pasture moist for the cattle to graze on. He found Phoebe chatting with Luke under the trees while she helped set out the lunch Noah and Luke had brought in their saddlebags.

“Hi!” She smiled at him. “I was just telling Luke how you roped that steer in one try. It was most impressive.”

He handed her his water flask. “I bet you’ve forgotten to drink anything.”

“Correct. I was having too much fun.” She turned to Luke. “The distances you have to cover with your cattle are huge.”

Luke raised his eyebrows. “That was just a quick change around. In the fall we do a three-day drive to get them closer to the ranch for the upcoming markets and the winter.”

“Three days?” Phoebe asked.

Luke shrugged. “It’s a big place.”

“We have to extract them from all the hills and valleys, which takes time even with sat-nav imagery and tags,” Max added. “We start out on the farthest boundaries with the all-terrain vehicles and move inward, camping overnight when the light goes.”

“I can’t even imagine.” Phoebe looked over at the swiftly rising ground of the foothills. “There can’t be much grass up there.”

“Not much, but there’s water running down from the snowcap on the mountains and cattle need that to survive, too. They find the good grazing spots and stay there until we come by and encourage them to leave.” Luke took out a large container. “Can you put that on the table, please?”

“Yes, of course.” Phoebe set the box down alongside the other two. “Do you think there’s enough for everyone here?”

“I’ve got more.” Noah’s deep voice came from behind them. He put a set of bulging saddlebags on the bench, “There’s a bunch of fried chicken, rolls, and fruit in here as well as some beverages.”

“I’m starving,” Phoebe said. “It must be all that fresh air.”

“You did good.” Noah nodded to her.

“Thank you.”

“I’d hire you as a working hand.”

“That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me,” Phoebe stuttered and immediately went red. “I mean, not that we’ve had that many conversations, but—”

Max took pity on her and patted her hand. “How about I do the unpacking and you check on the horses? I think I forgot to loosen Bouncer’s girth.”

“I’ll go and check.” Phoebe turned toward the forest, Max’s flask still in her hand. “Do they need water?”

“Luis is taking care of that,” Max reassured her. “But if you see any of the guys, tell them it’s time to eat.”

“Will do.” Phoebe walked off leaving Luke, Noah, and Max at the table.

Noah unbuckled the bag. “I packed everything in tight so I’m not expecting too much damage. Can you start on the other one, Max?”

“Sure.” Max complied.

“I meant what I said about Phoebe,” Noah set a large foil package full of chicken wings on the table and Max’s stomach growled. “She’d be a great hire. Shame she won’t be sticking around.”

“You don’t know that.” Max looked up from his task.

“Aren’t you going back to England for a wedding in a few weeks?”

“Sure, we are, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t coming back.”

“You think she’d live out here?” Noah looked around the shady glen.

“Jen did.”

“She did it for me,” Noah said. “And Bernie’s from around here and she gets it.”

Max set a bottle of iced tea on the table with great precision. He was having an amazing day; the sun was shining, and he wasn’t going to let Noah spoil it. “Do you want me to put all the beverages out, or should I leave some in the cooler bag?”

“Nothing to say about Phoebe?”

Max looked at him. “Nothing I want to say to you, bro.”

Luke cleared his throat. “Can we focus on the food here?”

“Happy to, if Noah would just get off my back for five minutes.” Max set the cooler on the ground.

“I’m just making conversation,” Noah said. “The trouble with you, Max, is that you’re great at dishing it out, but not so good at taking it.”

Max took a long, slow breath and met Noah’s gaze head on. “Maybe you’re right.” He turned to Luke. “I’m going to check in with Phoebe and call the rest of the guys over for lunch, okay?”

“Thanks, Max.” Luke was looking at him oddly. “That would be great.”

He walked away, staring into the shallow creek in need of some space between himself and Noah who might be one of his best friends, but sure knew how to needle him. But that’s what happened when you let people in. They worked out your weak spots and exploited them, and you couldn’t do anything about it because you were friends . . .

“Max?”

He looked up and smiled as Phoebe came through the trees to join him. Her hair had curled in the heat, and she’d caught the sun on the tip of her nose.

“Is everything okay?”

He shrugged. “Yeah, it’s great.”

She touched his arm. “I overheard a bit of what Noah was saying to you.”

“Which bit?”

“When he suggested that I wouldn’t be coming back here with you after the wedding.”

“Oh, right. The good bit.” Max managed a smile. “It’s none of his business, Feebs. Just remember that.”

“I suppose he thinks that because you are friends, he can be nosey,” Phoebe said. “My sister’s the same. She seems to think I owe her an explanation for everything I ever do.” She paused to link her fingers with his. “But you’re right. We don’t have to explain ourselves to anyone.”

“Except each other,” Max said. “And I’ve done a piss-poor job of that so far.”

“Well, that’s where you’re wrong.” Her smile was so sweet it made him catch his breath. “I think we’ve been communicating really well recently.”

“Yeah?” He stroked his thumb over her mouth. “What if I tell you that was just the start of the conversation? We haven’t even gotten onto the important stuff yet.”

“I think this stuff—the talking, the kissing and the just being together is pretty amazing myself.” Her smile widened. “But I’m such an amateur.”

“A gifted one.”

“Thank you.” He loved the way she blushed. “Maybe you bring out the best in me.”

He kissed her, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her lips and the hint of pine sap he could smell in her hair “I think you’ve got that the wrong way around, Feebs. You bring out the best in me.”

She went on tiptoe to wind her arms around his neck and kissed him and he forgot about Noah and just lived in her world for a blessed moment.

“We should eat.” He reluctantly let her go.

“I’m starving.” She grinned at him. “This has been so much fun.”

He took her hand, and they started walking toward where the others were gathered.

“Especially the bit when you roped that steer on your first try.”

Luke looked up as they approached.

“Next he’s going to claim that he only let the steer through so he could show off for you, Phoebe.”

“You took the words right out of my mouth.” Max winked at Phoebe. “Now, what would you like to eat?”

* * *

As they packed up the meal, Luke asked him to carry one set of the saddlebags over to his horse. Max obliged and buckled them in place while Luke dealt with the other set.

“Thanks for not going off at Noah,” Luke said, his attention still on securing the bags. “All I can think is that he’s suffering from wedding jitters and doesn’t know where to direct that anxiety.”

“I don’t appreciate constantly being called out. But I’m trying to be a better person here.”

“I noticed,” Luke said. “And if that’s the effect Phoebe has on you, I’m one hundred percent behind her sticking around.”

“We haven’t talked about it, yet.” Max was more willing to discuss this with Luke who, as his boss, needed to know his future plans more than Noah. “We’re still working things out.”

“I can see that.” Luke patted his horse’s rump and checked the girth was tight. “I just want you to know that if you do want to live here, you’re both very welcome.”

“Thank you.” Max held Luke’s gaze. “Considering all the crap I’ve dragged you through, I . . . appreciate that.”

“Semper fidelis, right?” Luke made a face. “Apart from Dave, obviously.”

“Always faithful,” Max echoed his boss’s words. “I’m trying, boss.”

“I know.” Luke punched him gently on the shoulder. “Now, why don’t you go and see if Phoebe is ready to leave and if she’s game for a gallop across the meadow with you.”

“I’m on it,” Max went to turn away and then asked. “You got another cap in your saddlebags?”

Luke rummaged around and handed him one. “Here you go.”

“Thanks.”

Max walked over to where Phoebe was already mounted on her horse.

“Hey.” He held up the cap. “Put this on, would you?”

“Am I burning?” Phoebe took the hat and studied it “I wasn’t sure if it was just embarrassment, what with me putting my foot in it every time I talk to Noah.”

“Nah, it’s definitely the sun.” Max shaded his eyes to look up at her as she smoothed down her hair and put the cap on. “It suits you.”

She fluttered her eyelashes at him. “I’m very glad to be representing Al’s Feed Store. Are we heading back to the ranch now?”

“Yeah, but it should take a fraction of the time we took getting here.” He nodded at Macy. “She likes a good gallop.”

Phoebe visibly brightened. “She does?”

Max mounted Bouncer beside her. “Do you want to race me to the top gate?”

Phoebe gave him a seductive up and down glance. “Is there a prize?”

“I’m the prize.” He waggled his eyebrows.

“How does that work exactly?”

He lowered his voice so that no one else could hear him. “You win, you get to tell me what to do tonight. I win, I get to tell you.”

“Sounds fair.” She nodded. “See ya.”

She was gone so fast he almost swallowed his tongue.

“Hey! That’s my trick!” Max yelled.

He set off after her, Bouncer’s longer strides eating up the ground between them, but he couldn’t quite get in front of her—wasn’t even sure if he wanted to. She was riding low in the saddle like a jockey, her head almost touching Macy’s neck as she allowed the horse to dictate the pace.

She reached the top gate about half a length in front of him and punched her fist in the air with triumph. “I beat you!”

“Only because you cheated.” Max grinned at her as he unlatched the gate and they both went through. “But that’s okay. I’ve been known to do that myself.”

“Just so we are clear, I get to tell you what to do for the rest of the day?”

He grinned. “Nice try, but the deal is you get to be the boss in the bedroom once we’re alone tonight.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Are you sure it isn’t for the rest of the day?”

“One hundred percent sure. Why?”

“Because if I were calling the shots, I’d be asking you to kiss me right now.”

“On horseback?”

“Anywhere really.” She met his gaze, her brown eyes shining. “I’m having such a lovely day, Max. I don’t want it to end.”

She clicked to her horse and set off again. This time Max made no effort to chase after her because he already knew she’d be right there waiting for him when he got back to the barn.