Authors: Maya Banks
Max’s mouth turned down into a grimace. “Your truck is on its last leg, Callie. I hate that you still drive it. It’s an accident waiting to happen.”
She rolled her eyes. “You sound just like my dads. And my brothers. They’ve been nagging me forever to get something else. My dads are dying to buy me a new vehicle.”
“You won’t let them?”
His expression suggested she was nuts, and yeah, her truck was old. It had definitely seen better days. The idea of riding in such a thing probably appalled Max. His tastes ran to the more refined. And expensive.
“I can’t afford one,” she said.
When he continued to look at her with a blank expression she sighed.
“I’ve never allowed my parents to just buy stuff for me. They have money. But it’s not
my
money. Everything I’ve earned I’ve stashed away for my dream house. As long as my truck runs, then it’s money I don’t have to invest into a new car and I’m closer to my dream of my own place.”
He frowned. “You’re still thinking like someone who’s not in a relationship.”
“Until a few days ago I wasn’t,” she said lightly. “It’s hard to adjust a lifetime’s worth of thinking in a few days. You have to be patient with me, Max. I’m used to being independent. I’ve always gone my own way. My dream of building my house won’t go away just because you and I are together. It’s something I’ll continue to work for.”
His frown deepened and his fingers curled tighter around the steering wheel. “Do you honestly think I’ll allow you to continue working menial jobs—in a bar, for God’s sake—to fund your house?”
Her eyes narrowed, but he held up his hand before she could speak.
“It’s not a matter of your submissiveness or my desire to control you, Callie. I hope to hell you never think I’m some controlling bastard who regulates every second of your life. This has nothing to do with control. I’m concerned for your safety. You can’t tell me that working in your brother’s bar is something you want to do long-term. Or these other jobs you pick up for extra money. I’ve got more money than I’ll ever use in a lifetime. More than our children will use in their lifetime. Do you honestly expect me to stand by and not give you the money to build your house?”
She sighed and rubbed her head tiredly. It was an argument she’d had many times with her parents. No one seemed to understand how her mind worked. They wanted to take care of her. Buy things for her. Make her life easier. She loved them for it. She truly did. But she wanted her own life. Wanted to be able to look at the things she had and feel a sense of accomplishment.
Her brothers had all forged their own path independent of their parents. Seth was a cop—a damn good cop. Michael was a veterinarian with a thriving practice. And Dillon… Dillon had a Midas touch when it came to business. He probably owned half of Clyde. His bar would be self-supporting enough, but the bar was a drop in the bucket compared to the other properties and businesses Dillon owned.
And then there was Callie. Callie who didn’t have the discipline for college. Who was too antsy and couldn’t stay in one place long enough to study for an actual career. Head-in-the-clouds, dreamer Callie.
Her family loved her but Callie knew she was an enigma to them. Someone they adored but never truly understood. The dads probably took turns blaming each other for fathering her. They were all steady and hardworking. How could Callie have popped from their gene pool?
She sighed again as she saw Max was still watching her, waiting for a response.
“I don’t expect you to understand. But I hope you’ll accept it—me.”
He reached over and took her hand, pulling it to his lips. He kissed each knuckle and then lowered her hand to his lap where he laced his fingers with hers.
“There’s nothing about you I don’t love and accept, Callie. That doesn’t mean I’m not going to fight you on certain matters. There’s no way I’m ever going to be okay with you working ridiculously low-paying, dangerous jobs when I have the means to support you, spoil you and take care of you. That’s who I am. I don’t expect you to understand, but I hope you’ll accept it.”
She winced. How neatly he turned her words back on her. She couldn’t even argue, which irritated her all the more. She glared at him and he merely shot her a smug grin. Yeah, he knew he’d won this round. Damn the man. She usually found his arrogance attractive, but today, she found it…annoying.
Excitement replaced her annoyance as soon as they turned onto Main Street in Clyde. No matter where she went or how long she was gone, when she came home she was filled with happiness.
Max turned into the parking lot of the motel where he’d last stayed and parked beside her SUV. She could tell it pained him to ride in her truck, but she didn’t want him taking his car up the mountain.
She grinned and bounced out, opening the door to her truck. She slid into the driver’s seat, sighing as the worn leather cupped her behind like a lover. Yeah, she was old, but she was still a good truck and Callie loved her.
Max climbed into the passenger side with a look of exasperation but remained silent as she began backing out of her spot.
Normally she would stop and see Lily or stop in at Michael’s practice or even stick her head in at the sheriff’s office to say hello to Seth, but she was anxious to go up to her parents’ so she could show Max her meadow.
There would be plenty of time to visit with the family later.
Knowing that if she did her usual routine of parking at her parents’ house and walking down to the meadow she and Max would get held up by her mom and dads, Callie opted instead to pull off onto the old logging road that would take them to the meadow without going all the way up to her parents’.
She cast a sideways glance at Max. He looked tense. His jaw was set into a tight line and his gaze was sharply taking in their surroundings. The closer they got to the meadow, the darker his expression got.
“Something wrong?”
He shook his head but remained quiet.
With a shrug, she drove around the last bend and then parked in front of the old fence that used to separate Colter land from the meadow.
“This is it,” she said with a note of reverence she never seemed to rid herself of when she spoke of her meadow.
Max slowly opened his door and got out. She climbed out and met him around the front of her truck.
“Why the fence?” he asked. “I thought your family owned all of the property up here.”
She frowned a moment. She didn’t remember going into detail, but then Max knew her parents owned a lot of land so it was a natural assumption.
She slid her hand into Max’s and urged him toward the worn, wooden fence.
“We just never took this part down. Someday I’ll get to it. It was up when the previous people owned the meadow. My dads tried to buy it for years with no success. Then when my mom got pregnant with me, they suddenly wanted to sell. My dads bought it as a surprise for my mom. And, well, you know the rest.”
His lips formed a thin line. “Yeah.”
“Isn’t it beautiful?”
Callie sighed as she stared over the rolling slope of the land to where the creek ran down the middle. Flowers covered the earth in a blanket of vivid color that took her breath away.
“It’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen.”
She beamed at Max. “I think so too. Now can you see why I want to build my dream house here?”
He nodded, but he still looked…dark. Thoughtful. She couldn’t imagine what was going through his head. Did he think that he somehow took a backseat to her dreams?
She slid her arms around his waist and hugged him, though whether she did so to reassure herself or him she wasn’t sure.
“Right over there is where I was born,” she said softly as she pointed to the right of the creek and back, closer to where the property adjoined her parents’ to the south.
Max smiled. “I imagine you were always an impatient child. Even from the very beginning. Trust you to be born here.”
She grinned. “It was perfect. Do you know that of the four of us, only one was born in an actual hospital? We swear that Dillon was switched at birth with one of the other babies. No one could ever figure out where he came from.”
“I just hope you don’t have any crazy ideas of giving birth in the middle of nowhere,” he said with a scowl.
She laughed and squeezed him again. “Oh no. I’m afraid I’m too fond of modern technology. And pain relief! I want to be surrounded by nurses and doctors and the guy giving the epidural.”
He kissed her brow and his expression eased. “That’s good because I want only the best for you and our child when the time comes.”
Her entire heart squeezed ridiculously until she felt near to exploding. How could she possibly be this happy when just days ago she’d been miserable? She wanted to pinch herself, but if this was a dream, she was so not ready to wake up yet.
“Come on,” she said, pulling at his hand. “Let’s go walk down to the stream. I’ll pick some flowers for Lily. She loves flowers. She’s an artist, you know. She once drew me a picture of the meadow and gave it to me. It’s so awesome.”
Max smiled as she dragged him to the fence. “You love this place, don’t you, Callie?”
She stopped with one leg slung over the wooden slats. “It’s my most favorite place in the world.”
There was a hint of sadness in his eyes as he stared back at her. But then he blinked and it was gone. He put his hand out to stop her progress and then he hopped the fence with ease. He reached back and hoisted her over, then laced his fingers with hers once more.
“Let’s go see your meadow,
dolcezza
. I’m happy to spend as much time here as you like.”
She went up on tiptoe to kiss him. “Thank you, Max. I love you so much.”
He caught her chin and turned her toward his mouth. “And I love you.”
She smiled as she pulled away and then she dropped his hand and took off at a run. “Come on!” she called over her shoulder. “Last one there gets a spanking.”
Max’s laughter followed her as she ran full tilt down the hill toward the bubbling creek. She knew he’d catch her—which was the point. Max was an adventurous guy, but no way he’d allow her to spank him.
He caught her just a few feet from the stream. He likely lagged behind just to give her false hope. He smacked her on the ass and then sped by, reaching the stream a mere three feet in front of her.
She stopped and bent, sucking in deep breaths. Damn the man, he didn’t even look winded and she was on the verge of puking.
“You did that on purpose,” she accused.
“What?” he asked innocently.
“Waited until the last minute to catch me.”
He grinned. “You don’t seriously think I’m going to pass on any opportunity to spank that pretty ass of yours, do you?”
“You wouldn’t be laughing if you’d screwed up and I beat you.”
He chuckled again. “If anyone could ever get away with spanking me,
dolcezza
, it would be you. But no. I’ll be the only one dishing out spankings in this relationship.”
She turned her lip down into a pout, knowing it would delight him.
He pulled her to him and nibbled at her bottom lip as she knew he would.
“I can guarantee you’ll enjoy the spankings every bit as much as I will.”
“Shhh,” Callie said, shushing him with her hand. “I’m calling Mom.”
Max shut the door with a sigh, trudged over to the bed and plopped down on the edge. Then with a dramatic flair he fell back, arms outstretched, and closed his eyes.
Callie laughed and put the phone back to her ear. “Hey Mom!”
“Callie! Where are you? I’ve been so worried. I can’t say it’s not like you to run off at a moment’s notice, but you have to admit, the circumstances were different this time.”
“I’m fine, Mom. Promise. I wanted to let you know that Max and I are back in town. I was hoping to bring him up to meet you soon.”
“Of course. We can’t wait to meet him, sweetie. When did you want to come up? Where are you staying? You know there’s plenty of room here.”
“Uhh.” Not that she minded being at her parents’, but no way did she want her and Max staying there. It would put a serious crimp in their sex life. “Anytime is good for us. The sooner the better. And we’re fine. Really. Max has a room at the motel.”
“Oh Callie. That motel is horrible.”
“We’re good, Mom. Now when do you want us up?”
“Tomorrow. Definitely tomorrow. I’ll have your dads fix a nice dinner. No, maybe lunch is better. Let’s plan on lunch and then we can spend the afternoon getting to know Max.”
“That sounds great. We’ll come up around eleven.”
“Terrific. We’ll see you then.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Callie?”
Callie put the phone back to her ear. “Yes?”
“Are you happy?”
Callie smiled until her teeth ached. “Yeah, Mom. I’m happier than I ever imagined.”
“That’s all I care about, then.”
“I love you, Mom.”
“Love you too, baby. See you tomorrow.”
Callie hung up and turned to see Max watching her from the bed.
“They want us up for lunch tomorrow. The entire family will be there. I have no doubt my mom is even now on the phone rounding up the rest of her brood and issuing orders to be there or die.”
Max chuckled. “She sounds like a tyrant. I wonder where on earth you got your personality from.”
Callie flopped down beside him and hit him with a pillow. “My mom is the sweetest person on earth, but yes, she still rules the roost with a velvet fist.”
Max wrapped his arms around her and then pulled her across his lap before she had time to respond. His hand settled on her jeans-covered ass and his laughter sounded wicked in her ear.
“Now, it seems I owe you a spanking.”
She went limp and white-hot desire sizzled through her body, prickling her skin. It amazed her how instantly aware she became around this man. A word. A touch. Just a look and she was putty in his hands.
“Better make sure I don’t scream,” she muttered. “My brother’s the sheriff, remember? Last thing I want is him breaking down our door because someone reported that I was being murdered in a hotel room.”
Max rubbed his hand over her behind. “Oh you’ll enjoy this one,
dolcezza
. I know I plan to.”
Callie was a nervous wreck. Why, she didn’t know. This was only one of the most important days of her entire life. Her family, who meant the world to her, was going to meet and stand in judgment of the man she loved more than anything.
Yeah, good reason to be nervous.
If only she hadn’t poured out her hurt to her family. If she’d only waited…they wouldn’t be coming into the meeting with Max with prejudice.
She sighed. Woe be unto the man who hurt her dads’ little girl. Her brothers weren’t much better. They’d probably all glower at Max the entire time.
“Quit biting your lip,
dolcezza
. You’re going to ruin that pretty mouth of yours.”
She glanced over to see Max studying her. He’d insisted on taking his car to her parents’, and she hadn’t argued. She wanted Max to feel comfortable and on equal footing.
“I’m just…nervous.”
“Yes, I can see that. You need to stop worrying so much. Your parents will see how madly in love I am with you. Isn’t that what every parent wants for their child? Someone to love them and take care of them?”
It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him that her family knew everything, but that would only make Max uptight and there was no sense in them both being on edge. Besides, Max probably knew. He knew how close she was to her family, and she and Max had been apart for several months. Who wouldn’t have come home and told their family what a scumbag he was?
By the time they pulled into her parents’ drive, Callie’s stomach was in knots. She rubbed her damp palms down the legs of her pants as Max parked beside her mom’s SUV.
She didn’t have long to contemplate whether she wanted to get out because her mom appeared on the porch, a wide smile on her face. Before Callie had her door opened, Holly Colter was down the steps and hurrying toward the vehicle.
Thank goodness for Max. He was out with a warm smile and hand outstretched while Callie still hung halfway out of the car.
“Hello, Mrs. Colter. I’m Max. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
Callie stumbled out as her mom enfolded Max in a warm hug.
“Hello, Max. And please, do call me Holly. It’s wonderful to meet you too.”
“Hi Mom.”
Holly turned to Callie and just as quickly pulled her into a bone-crushing hug.
“Mom,” Callie said with a laugh. “You just saw me a few days ago.”
Holly pulled back with a muttered
hmph
. “I don’t care if it’s only been a few hours. I’m entitled to be happy to see you. I have to make up for all the time you spend from home.”
Callie hugged her again and all her unease melted away in her mother’s embrace.
Holly pulled back and then grabbed at Callie’s and Max’s hands. “Come on inside, you two. Your dads are waiting to meet Max, Callie.”
Callie smiled over at Max who wore an expression that looked like a cross of awe and confusion. Holly dragged them both toward the door and all but shoved them through.
Ethan stood in the living room. Though he opened his arms for Callie, he looked at Max with an indecipherable expression on his face.
“Be good,” Callie whispered as she hugged her dad.
Ethan kissed her cheek and then extended his hand to Max. “I’m Ethan Colter, one of Callie’s dads.”
“Max Wilder,” Max said as he shook Ethan’s hand.
One down, two to go.
“Where are the other dads?” Callie asked.
“In the kitchen. You and Max get comfortable. I’ll go get them,” Holly said.
Callie perched on the couch next to Max and laced her fingers through his.
“Isn’t it me who should be nervous?” Max murmured. “Relax, Callie. I’m pretty sure they won’t threaten to kick
your
ass.”
Callie burst into laughter, which caused Ethan to raise an eyebrow in their direction.
Just then Holly returned with Adam and Ryan in tow. Predictably, both dads’ faces were set in stone. Callie rose and when their gazes alighted on her, they softened and warmth entered their eyes.
She hugged Adam first and then went into Ryan’s arms. He squeezed her tight and then pulled her to his side as both dads stared Max down.
“Stop,” Callie hissed. “Give him a chance.”
With a grunt, Ryan disentangled himself from Callie and closed the distance between him and Max. He stuck out his hand. “Ryan Colter. Glad to meet you.”
Max shook his hand and then extended it in Adam’s direction. “Glad to meet you, sir.”
“Where is everyone else?” Callie asked, breaking the silence. “Are they coming?”
Holly nodded. “They’re on their way. Why don’t you come help me in the kitchen a moment, Callie?”
Callie’s mouth popped open. Ethan tried hard to suppress a smile but failed miserably. Holly frowned at them both and then tucked Callie’s hand into her own and pulled her toward the kitchen.
“So, Max, tell us about yourself,” Ryan said.
Holly shoved Callie into the kitchen so she heard no more.
“Subtle, Mom. Real subtle.”
Holly scowled at her daughter. “Better to let your dads interrogate Max without you in the room. Let them do their male bonding or beating their chest or whatever it is they do and we’ll sit in here and have a glass of tea.”
“Poor Max,” Callie sighed.
“He looks quite able to handle anything your fathers throw at him.”
“Soooo, what do you think?” Callie asked.
Holly plunked down on a barstool and her eyes sparkled as she looked back at Callie. “He’s gorgeous, Callie! And the way he looks at you. There’s no doubt he cares a lot about you.”
“He loves me,” Callie said softly. “And I love him.”
“So you’ve worked things out?”
Callie nodded. “Yeah. We’re getting there.”
Holly reached for her wrists and turned them over as she stared at the silver bands. “What are these? They’re beautiful. So feminine and delicate looking!”
Callie’s cheeks warmed. How could she possibly explain their significance to her mother?
“Max bought them for me,” she said in a low voice.
Holly leaned closer and peered at the engraving. “Oh, that’s lovely. Such a wonderful sentiment. That’s funny. He doesn’t strike me as an expressive sort of man.”
Callie smiled. “Oh? What does he strike you as?”
Holly frowned for a moment, her lips pursed in thought. “He seems…hard. Unyielding. Like someone used to getting his way, which of course would never work with you so clearly I’m wrong. You’re such a hardhead. Always have gone your own way, much to your fathers’ and my despair.”
Laughter bubbled out, nearly choking Callie. If her mother only knew.
“You’re pretty dead-on,” Callie said. “Max is very used to getting his own way.”
“Until he met you, anyway,” Holly said cheekily.
She wouldn’t blush. She would not give herself away. She bit her cheek and remained silent, content to let her mom make of her relationship what she wanted. What was between her and Max was private. She wasn’t comfortable with her family knowing the dynamics of their relationship. It would only cause them concern, because they’d never imagine her happy in a situation where she gave up so much control.
“Oh look, the guys are here with Lily,” Holly said as she craned her neck to look out the kitchen window.
Eager to see her sister-in-law, Callie hurried from the kitchen. She cast a quick glance to see her fathers deep in conversation with Max. No one looked like they were ready to kill anyone else, so she took that as a good sign.
Dillon was first inside. He hugged Callie fiercely and cast a dark look in Max’s direction. He moved to the side to hug his mom but made no effort to walk over to Max.
Lily was next inside and Callie pounced on her immediately. Lily hugged her and then whispered urgently in Callie’s ear. “There’s something I have to tell you.”
Callie pulled away in puzzlement. “What’s wrong?”
Lily’s mouth turned down into an unhappy frown. “It’s Seth. He’s been doing some checking.”
Lily was cut off when Seth barreled through the door, his face grimmer than Callie had ever seen it. It went beyond his sheriff look when he tried to be all intimidating. He looked…pissed.
“Seth, what on earth is going on?” Callie asked.
Seth paused, his gaze softening. He pulled Callie into his arms. “I’m sorry for what I’m about to tell you, baby girl.”
“Seth Colter, what’s the meaning of this?” Holly demanded, hands on hips in true don’t-mess-with-mama mode.
Callie’s fathers rose from their seats, answering frowns on their faces as Michael trailed in behind Seth not looking any happier than his two brothers.
Panic scuttled around Callie’s belly until she felt near to puking. What was going on? Why were they so angry? Why were they all looking at Max like they wanted to murder him?
She instinctively moved away from her brothers and to Max. He was there, putting his arm around her and pulling her into his side. Seth’s nostrils flared as he stared angrily at Max.
“I’m going to kill you for what you’ve done, you son of a bitch.”