Chapter 21
Emberly—still on Max’s lap—reached for his hand as the helicopter began its descent. Tyler’s attack had brought them both back to the reality that their marriage would be controversial and they would likely have more conflict ahead—hopefully no more physical altercations though.
Max squeezed her hand even though he’d been distracted for the short duration of their ride.
“The reporters have been swarming the ranch since the story broke two days ago,” Kade said through his headset as he nodded in the direction of the ranch entrance. “Someone will have to inform them you guys have been rescued so they go away.”
Emberly peered out the window at snow-covered foothills to the sight of vehicles, camera crews, and reporters swarming the area outside the locked gate. Security personnel stood nearby, making sure no one came past.
Her family had learned to keep out reporters and paparazzi during many of Brock’s visits home. But they’d never had a prince to protect or a story of international importance.
Max glanced down at the people milling about, some of them now pointing at the helicopter with camera lenses that could probably see right inside.
He sat back out of sight and tugged Emberly back with him. “I shall go and speak with them directly.”
“I can go with you.”
His brow had a worried line in it that had only gotten deeper with every passing minute.
In the front seat next to Kade, Tyler hadn’t spoken for much of the ride.
From the way his jaw was clenching, she knew he was frustrated about her and Max getting married.
But he’d probably refrained from saying or doing anything else because he didn’t want to earn another headlock from Winzig, who was kneeling on the floor while Braun sat in the second passenger seat.
Emberly was disappointed that neither of her brothers had been more excited for her. But what had she expected? Their lack of support was partially why she’d decided to go through with marrying Max at the cabin.
As Kade directed the helicopter to the landing pad on a plateau above the family house, the back door of the house opened, and her mom and dad exited along with Kinsey and Wyatt, all in heavy coats and boots and hats. No doubt they were all worried about her.
Tyler had already called them after they’d reached cell phone range and let everyone know they were all okay. Since all of their phones were dead, Tyler had asked Dad to alert Max’s family that he’d been found and was doing fine.
Emberly shifted and caught Max’s gaze. Even though he offered her a small smile and brushed his thumb across the back of her hand, the gravity in his eyes did nothing to ease the worry growing inside her.
Did he regret their hasty marriage? Was he concerned about how to tell his family, the same way she was hesitant about how to tell hers?
She hoped he wasn’t having regrets. The only regret she was beginning to have was that they’d had to leave their secluded bubble out in the wilderness, where they could be together and love each other without anyone condemning them.
Even though they’d been stranded and hungry, at least they’d had a blissful time together.
As the helicopter touched the ground, Emberly silently rehearsed the words to explain to her parents all that had happened.
“I’d like to be the one to tell Mom and Dad about Max,” she said to Kade and Tyler as she stepped down from the helicopter onto the landing.
Mom and Dad had just ascended the stairs and were already crossing toward her. She barely had time to take a few steps before they were gathering her into their arms tightly.
She hugged Kinsey and Wyatt and then embraced Mom and Dad again as Wyatt and Kinsey went to Tyler and hopefully distracted him from spilling the news about her marriage.
“I was trying not to worry too much,” Dad said as he pulled back. “I knew you had all the skills necessary to survive out there.”
“Even so.” Mom cupped Emberly’s cheek as she blinked back tears. “We didn’t know if you’d decided to stay at the cabin or gotten caught in the snowstorm on the way down.”
“I made the decision to stay since I didn’t know if we could make it down before the conditions got worse.”
“That was a wise choice, darlin’.” Dad shifted toward Max, who was standing beside her. “I’m sorry for all the worry this has caused your family, Max.”
“I apologize that you are having to deal with the media.” Max stood tall and regal. “I also apologize that you had to learn about my true identity through this mishap.”
Dad waved a hand. “Oh, don’t worry. I already knew. The minute you started showing interest in Emberly, I had one of my connections do a private investigation to learn more about you.”
“Da-ad. Was that really necessary?” No wonder her brothers were so overprotective. They had inherited that trait from Dad.
He shrugged, his grin turning crooked. “I’m sorry. It probably wasn’t necessary. But you are my only daughter, and I couldn’t let you spend time with a man I didn’t approve of.”
“I was well aware of Max’s royalty, and we were keeping it under wraps so that we didn’t end up with the press at our gates.” She gave him a pointed look.
Dad raised his gloved hands. “Don’t blame me. I didn’t tell a soul. This only happened after Max’s family released a press statement about his disappearance.”
Max nodded. “I do believe the best thing I can do for the peace of your ranch is to go and make a quick appearance and then send them on their way.”
“First,” Emberly said quickly, reaching for Max’s hand, “Mom, Dad, there’s something you should know.”
Both of her parents stared at her hand intertwined with Max’s. What would they think? Would her mom be upset that she hadn’t been able to help her only daughter plan a big wedding? Would her dad be frustrated that Max hadn’t asked permission to have her hand in marriage?
She swallowed hard and could feel Max watching her.
“T.W., Leah.” Max squeezed Emberly’s hand. “I love your daughter.”
Dad’s smile began to rise again.
“I not only asked her to be my wife during our trip,” Max continued quickly, “but I also suggested that we become man and wife while we were at the cabin.”
Dad’s smile quickly fell away, and he stared with an open mouth at Max.
Emberly forced a smile. “We’re married. Max is my husband.”
Mom’s eyes had widened, but otherwise, she didn’t move.
Emberly held her breath. Tyler, Kinsey, and Wyatt had grown silent, clearly overhearing the conversation. Kade was closing up the helicopter, and he paused too, probably waiting for Mom and Dad’s reaction.
“You’re not joking?” Dad spluttered.
“They are not, sir.” Braun stood a short distance away. “I performed the ceremony.”
Dad’s brown eyes came to rest on Emberly’s face again, and he seemed to be looking for something there. “Do you love Max?” he asked quietly.
“Yes.” She leaned her head against Max’s arm. “I love Max more than anything.”
Dad shifted and studied Max’s face with the same intensity as before, holding out a hand to Max. “Welcome to the family, son.”
“Thank you.” Max shook her dad’s hand.
Then Dad turned to her and drew her into another hug. “He’s a good man, Emberly. Real good.”
“He is.” She breathed out her relief at her dad’s easy acceptance of the situation.
As Dad released her, Mom grabbed her into a hug too. “Congratulations, honey.”
Emberly clung to her mom. “You’re not too disappointed that I didn’t have a big wedding?”
Mom pulled back but held onto Emberly’s arms. “Not at all. I’m getting to help Kinsey with hers, and I’ll learn to be satisfied with that.”
They chatted more about the simple cabin wedding as they made their way down from the landing pad to the house. Once there, Max asked Kade to take him to the gate so that he could talk to the reporters.
“Are you okay?” she asked as they stood by the back doorway while waiting for Kade.
Max took her hands in his. “I regret the strain my family must have experienced in not knowing about my welfare.”
“I’m sure they would love hearing from you personally.”
“Yes, I am sure they would.”
She held out a hand toward Kade. “Let Max use your phone.”
Within no time, Max was on the phone with his family. He walked a short distance away to have privacy, so she couldn’t hear what he told them. He spoke for only a few moments before returning to her, the worry line in his forehead not as deep.
She wanted to kiss any remaining worry away. In fact, she wanted to kiss him regardless of any reason other than the fact that they hadn’t kissed in a while and she was craving a kiss.
Instead, she took his hand and intertwined their fingers. “What did they say about us being married?”
“I did not tell them.”
A sense of uneasiness prickled her. “Oh.”
“’Twas not the right moment.” He glanced toward where Kade was waiting in the SUV he’d backed out of the garage. Winzig was in the passenger seat already, and the back door was open and waiting for Max.
“So when is the right time?” She couldn’t stop herself from pressuring Max. After all, she’d told her family almost the moment they’d arrived home so that it was out in the open and she didn’t have to hide anything.
“I shall tell them soon, but not tonight.” He bent and pressed a kiss to her forehead, then strode away.
She could only watch him with a growing sense that things were changing now that they were back to normal life. Was he pulling away from her already? Was the bond they’d formed at the cabin loosening?
Maybe it had formed because of the forced proximity or because of the strain of being stranded in a snowstorm. What if he already regretted their rash decision to get married?
She pushed aside her concerns and went inside with her family. Mom immediately began helping Anson prepare breakfast for her and Max, starting eggs and bacon cooking as well as heating the griddle for pancakes.
Emberly took a stool at the counter beside her dad and Wyatt, while Tyler and Kinsey hovered nearby.