Chapter 11
Max’s father was not pleased with his decision to extend his visit to Colorado.
Sitting on a stool at the kitchen counter, Max closed the exchange of texts and placed his phone face down. His father had complained that Max was wasting time. According to Father, he was gallivanting around and avoiding his responsibilities instead of being home and planning for his future.
Father had asked him pointedly: “If you are not willing to be responsible, then stop delaying and abdicate to Alex.”
Stop delaying and abdicate.
Was that what he should do? Abdicating would certainly take away the pressure to marry.
Yet, all his life, Max had prepared to be the next king. He had practiced for it, lived for it, and dreamed of it. He’d had the education and training to be a king. He even had the heart for it in a way that Alex never would.
The truth was, Max did not wish to abdicate, not only because he was ready and capable of leading his country but also because he was unaccustomed to admitting defeat.
He had clung to the hope that he would discover a way to make the situation work in his favor, and he was still clinging to that hope, although less tenaciously.
“All set for the excursion?” T.W. asked as he shuffled from the hallway into the kitchen.
After staying in the family home for the past two nights, Max had spent enough time with T.W. to know he was a smart and savvy man who had accomplished great things with Healing Springs Ranch in his lifetime.
Emberly had been right about his love for his wife.
He was love-crazy for Leah—so much so that Leah adored him in return.
Max had been watching the way T.W. interacted with Leah, and he’d witnessed the older man putting into practice many of the examples Emberly had shared.
T.W.’s genuine, unconditional, and comprehensive love was truly inspiring, and Max had determined more than ever to facilitate that legacy of love in his own marriage—even though he was not a McQuaid.
’Twas clear T.W. also cared deeply for his children. He expected them to love God, love family, and work hard. He was very open about his desire for each of his children to have fulfilling marriages with loving spouses. With both Tyler and Brock having fallen in love, he believed Emberly was next.
“She needs someone who isn’t afraid of her sass and who appreciates her strength,” T.W. had told him yesterday when they’d been eating breakfast together. “She also needs a man who isn’t intimidated by her brothers.”
Strangely enough, Max had wanted to claim that he fulfilled all those requirements, that he liked Emberly’s sass and strength.
They were among the qualities he liked best about her.
He was also utterly unfazed by her brothers, especially Tyler, who seemed the most perturbed by Max’s decision to remain on the ranch through midweek.
“I’m sure Emberly already warned you to dress in layers,” T.W. said as he approached the refrigerator. “You can always take off the layers if you get too warm, but you can’t do anything if you get cold.”
“Emberly did indeed relay that advice.” With all the layers, Max was starting to overheat as he waited for Emberly to arrive at the house so that they could begin their snowshoeing trip.
Max was not a novice to snowshoeing, and he was looking forward to hiking into the wilderness and getting to see more of the backcountry. More than that, he wanted to enjoy one more day with Emberly.
She had taken the time away from her work and spent the past two full days with him. They had cross-country skied, hiked to a wildlife viewing area, taken one of the ranch’s photography classes, relaxed in the spa and hot spring, and eaten plenty of excellent food.
Today, on Max’s final extra day here, T.W.
had suggested they hike out to the cabin his father had built in the Tarryall Range near Cowboy Peak.
The cabin wasn’t accessible by vehicle but could be reached in the summer by ATVs and in the winter by snowmobiles.
The place was apparently rustic compared with the cabins on the ranch and didn’t have running water or electricity.
But T.W. had talked fondly of how he and Leah had gone there often over the years for a romantic night or two alone.
From the base of Cowboy Peak, the hike to the cabin by snowshoe would only take three or four hours.
Emberly had made the journey many times and knew the way well.
But she’d planned for Winzig to accompany them on a snowmobile in order to carry in supplies for lunch.
Although she had not explicitly stated that the snowmobile would also provide an emergency way out of the mountains if anything happened to them, Max suspected that was also part of her motivation.
When Braun had learned of the expedition, he’d insisted on having a snowmobile of his own and joining them.
Among his many eccentric interests, Braun was an avid snocross follower.
He watched the snowmobile racing competitions and knew the statistics of the top contenders for the upcoming Winter X Games.
Although Braun admitted he had actually never managed a snowmobile himself, he was giddy about the prospect of riding one, and Max hadn’t the heart to deny him.
T.W. poured himself a glass of orange juice, then paused to peer out the large kitchen windows to the western range. “Looks like we’ll get some snow today.”
Max shifted on his stool at the center counter and took in the magnificent vista—the low clouds that touched the peaks. The clouds did appear heavy and full of moisture. But the rest of the landscape was bathed in brilliant sunlight with blue skies overhead.
“Emberly has been keeping an eye on the weather forecast for today.” Max appreciated her attention to detail in all the activities they had done.
“She’s smart.” T.W. took a sip of his juice. “Even if you get a little snow later, she’ll be able to handle it.”
“She is quite smart and independent.” Among a hundred other excellent qualities.
T.W. drank more of his juice before setting the glass onto the counter and turning his full attention onto Max. “I’ve appreciated getting to know you. You’re a fine young man, Max.”
“Thank you.” Max had the sudden feeling that their conversation was taking a serious turn, and he braced himself for T.W.’s assessment.
“I like you a lot,” T.W. continued. “And I think you’re perfect for Emberly.”
Perfect for Emberly? Max’s racing mind came to an abrupt halt. What was T.W. saying? “But . . .?”
T.W. chuckled softly. “There’s no but.”
Was T.W. telling him that he would support a relationship with his daughter? That could not be true, could it?
“I wasn’t kidding when I mentioned that you and Emberly are falling in love with each other.”
T.W. had said something about that during their introductions, but Max had not taken him seriously, had assumed he was teasing Emberly. Although Max did not want to contradict T.W., he had to correct the man. Max liked Emberly, admired her, was attracted to her—a great deal, actually. But love?
“I do think it is rather soon to conclude that we are falling in love. After all, we have known each other less than two weeks.”
“At your age, two weeks is plenty of time to know if you’ve found the one.”
Max could not quite believe he was having this conversation with T.W. It seemed slightly presumptuous and forward, but he had learned the McQuaids were not reticent. They spoke directly about most issues.
Surely, then, T.W. would not mind candidness in return. “I do not believe in the one philosophy of finding a spouse. Nor do I believe I must find my soulmate or forever relegate myself to unhappiness.”
“I don’t either.”
Max paused. “Is that so?”
“Course we’ll feel more attracted to certain people than others.” T.W. was still studying Max intently. “But once we decide on a person, then they become the one, and it’s our lifelong job to turn them into our soulmate.”
Max liked that reasoning. “Is that what you have done with your wife?”
T.W. smiled softly in the direction of the lower level, where Leah was using their top-of-the-line exercise equipment to work out. “Yep. I’ve made it my life’s mission to make her feel cherished every single day.”
“That is quite the noble undertaking.”
“It’s nothing less than what God designed—that a husband love his wife so completely that he would die for her.”
Everything T.W. was saying made complete sense.
He could understand now why Emberly respected her father and his advice so much.
“So you believe I can love Emberly the way you love Leah?” Once the question was out, Max felt foolish for uttering it.
He had speculated privately about a future with Emberly, but it was not something he was ready to give voice to, especially to T.W.
“Forgive me,” he said quickly before T.W. could reply. “I am overreaching—”
“Nope. You’re fine. I’d like to hash this out before she gets here.”
Hash this out? Max wasn’t familiar with the phrase.
“It’s real obvious you both care for each other,” T.W. continued. “Fact is, I’ve never seen Emberly as taken with a man as she is with you.”
“Not even Ryan?”
T.W. scoffed. “Ryan didn’t have enough backbone to hold up against Emberly’s brothers. But yours is made of steel.”
Max’s pulse was suddenly pounding faster. Was T.W. correct about Emberly being more taken with him than with any other man? She had not said anything about liking him, nor had she crossed the line of friendship that had been established.
“I can tell you’re just as taken with her.”
Max wanted to deny T.W. After all, this was not the sort of conversation he was accustomed to having—talking with a father so openly. But if T.W. could be direct and vulnerable, Max could make the same effort, could he not?
“I shall admit,” he said slowly, “I am attracted to her, and I do admire her greatly. She is an incredible person.”
T.W.’s smile widened. “Then maybe you should decide she is your one and only.”
“I should not like to rush into something and make a mistake.”
“I know plenty of couples who waited months, even years, dating each other so they wouldn’t rush and make a mistake. But after they were married, they claimed they made a mistake anyway.”
“I understand that the length of knowing a person cannot be a deciding factor in a relationship. But taking one’s time cannot hurt, can it?”
T.W. shrugged nonchalantly. “Sometimes people delay because they say they need to get to know each other better. But the truth is, a lot of those people don’t really dig deeper into each other’s lives, even with more time. So in my opinion, quantity of time isn’t as important as quality.”
Deep down, Max knew T.W. had a good point. After all, Max had gotten to know Emberly more thoroughly in a week and a half than he had known Sarah in the many months they had dated.
At the clatter of a truck rumbling up the driveway behind the house, Max looked out the window to see Emberly arriving with a trailer carrying the two snowmobiles.
T.W.’s expression again turned earnest. “Guess what I’m trying to say, Max, is that I give you my blessing if you decide you want to make Emberly your one. ”
A strange relief whispered through Max, although he was not sure why, since he had no plan—at least yet—to make Emberly his one.
As soon as the relief came, so did a prick of guilt.
Would T.W. be so gracious if he knew Max’s real identity as a prince?
He had the feeling T.W. probably would not let such news impress or influence him.
Yet how could Max accept T.W.’s blessing to have a relationship with Emberly if he had not yet been completely honest?
T.W. cast a glance toward the back hallway, likely knowing this personal time together was rapidly coming to an end. “I’m mighty biased, but I also know Emberly will be a real treasure to the man who claims her.”
Max could not argue with that statement—not in the least. Emberly was one of the most incredible women he had ever met. Even if he decided to claim her at some point, that did not guarantee she would want him.
The back door rattled.
“She has not made mention of her feelings toward me,” Max whispered hastily.
“Guess you have some work to do today to make sure her feelings for you are real clear.”
“Hello?” came her call in the hallway.
“In here, darlin’,” T.W. called.
Max’s mind was spinning with everything he and T.W. had just talked about, likely one of the most honest conversations he had ever had with anyone—except the part where he left out he was a prince.
Even so, the exchange had given him a great deal to ponder during this last day with Emberly. It certainly made him want to test if she might be interested in more than just friendship and consider a future with him.
A future with him.
The very thought was overwhelming, but as she stepped into the room in her heavy gear and with flushed cheeks, her beauty and vibrance and energy made him breathless. He had to hold himself back from going right over to her and proposing on the spot.
He was certifiably crazy. But he did not care one ounce. He was indeed falling in love with Emberly McQuaid, and he could no longer deny it.