13. Charlie
CHAPTER 13
Charlie
There’s a new dusting of snow, and it’s beginning to look like a winter wonderland. The electricians aren’t able to come out until next week, which is unfortunate but not surprising considering it’s the holiday season and everyone wants their houses working in tip-top shape for the break.
I pull on my sweats and scoop up my dirty clothes. I heard some clanging in the kitchen, so Max must be alive. I ran into town to pick up a few groceries yesterday and made sure to grab him something to hydrate with.
I cinch up the sweatpants and pull a sweatshirt on. I’m going to make that man sit on the couch today. He looked like death yesterday, and I wasn’t joking about not wanting to drag his body back up here if he passes out in the barn.
“I’m feeding again today!” I call in a singsong voice as I come down the stairs.
I slide around the corner on my fuzzy socks and find Max standing in the kitchen, slightly hunched forward. Yup. He’s definitely not back to his usual ornery self. I pat the dogs on their heads when I walk by.
“I’m all better,” Max says firmly.
I laugh my head off and walk past him to the cold coffee pot. “You haven’t even risked drinking a cup of coffee today. Of course you’re not all better. Go sit down on the couch.”
“Stop being so bossy,” he says, but he has a smile on his face as he says it.
I plant my hands on my hips. “You’re sick. Go sit down. I’ll feed the cows again today. It’s not a big deal.”
“You realize that if you weren’t here, I’d have to figure out how to do it myself, right?”
“Let me put it this way; you can let me feed them without a fuss, or I’ll call that nice Zane Madden and ask him to come help me feed.”
Max glares at me and slowly shuffles toward the living room. “You don’t fight fair.”
“I thought so. Besides, it’s a good workout. I forgot what it’s like to throw haybales.”
“You didn’t hurt your back, did you?”
“No, those are light bales. My grandpa used to pride himself on baling things tight. One year, he had 180-pound bales of alfalfa. It was pure hell feeding with him that year. I think he agreed, because he went back to lighter bales after that.”
Max chuckles softly. “I think I’d like to meet your grandpa.”
“He’s one of a kind. I miss him.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah. He passed away two years ago.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Me too.” I focus on setting up the coffee pot. I like talking about Grandpa, but sometimes it’s still hard to reminisce without tearing up.
“You’re not going to hold this over my head the rest of this month, are you?” Max asks as he lies down on the couch and closes his eyes.
“Probably. I’ll be asking for so many favors you’ll want to cry.”
“You’ve already almost brought me to tears several times. I can’t imagine it can get much worse.”
Wise guy.
I grab a granola bar to eat while I wait for the coffee to perk.
My phone chimes, and I pull it out of my pocket.
Dad: Are you going to Bryce’s for Christmas?
Oops. I still haven’t told my parents that we broke up. The entire town of Pine Ridge knows by now—but not my parents.
Charlie: I actually got some work fixing up Magnolia’s fiancé’s house. I’m in Pine Ridge right now.
Dad: Sounds great, kiddo. Text me some pictures. If you have time, we’re going to Aunt Lisa’s for Christmas. Love you.
Charlie: Thanks, Dad. Love you too. I’ll let you know.
I pocket my phone and fill a cup with coffee. I grab the already mixed calf bottle out of the fridge and stick it in the sink while I fill it with hot water to warm it up.
Magnolia texts next. Apparently, everyone is in a chatty mood today—probably because I’ve been bad at texting people back ever since I got here.
Magnolia: Piper just texted me and said Bryce stopped by the apartment.
What the heck?
Magnolia: She didn’t want me to tell you. She didn’t want to ruin your day, but I thought you should know.
That little rat—Bryce, not Piper. Magnolia, Piper, and I used to be roommates in an apartment in Bend. Now it’s just Piper and me. I rent shop space from a friend on the outskirts of town to store all my tools and work truck in, so it’s never been necessary to leave the apartment, especially since we moved to a better one in a safer part of town.
“You’re frowning,” Max says.
I jerk around and look at him. “Quit creeping on me, Max.”
“You looked mad. Everything okay?”
I scowl as I look back at my phone. “My ex stopped by my apartment.”
“That’s weird.”
“Yeah.”
I send a message to Piper.
Charlie: What did Bryce want?
Piper: Dang it! Magnolia texted you, didn’t she?”
Charlie: Yes.
Piper: I didn’t want to ruin your time over there.
Charlie: What did he want?
Piper: To talk to you. I told him you weren’t here, and he left.
Charlie: That’s it?
Piper: Well, he wanted to know where you were. I wouldn’t tell him.
Charlie: Thanks for running interference with him. That’s weird he’d just show up. He hasn’t texted me or anything.
“Any hot gossip?” Max asks with a little smirk.
I flip my phone back and forth slowly as I think about what to say. “You’re a man.”
“It’s good of you to notice.” He adjusts the collar of his shirt.
I roll my eyes and lean forward to rest my elbows on the counter. “If you had broken up with someone, why would you go to their apartment to talk to them instead of texting or calling?”
“That’s easy. To grovel.” Max reaches back to adjust the pillow behind his head.
“Interesting.” I study Max’s pale face to see if he’s joking or not. He seems serious, though. The poor guy really is still sick. That face looks like it’s been through a war. “Thanks. You take a nap while I’m gone.”
“Okay, boss.”
I grab the calf bottle, gulp the last of my coffee, and get out of the house before I give in to the impulse to text Bryce and find out what he wanted.