Chapter 4
Four
M ax kept an eye on Margot as they crossed Annabeth’s backyard and into hers. She seemed to have gotten a handle on her tears, though she still looked upset. Hopefully, by the time they landed in North Dakota, she’d be ready to tackle whatever waited for them head-on.
Rounding the corner of the house, Max lifted a hand in greeting to Ezra, who leaned against his car.
Ezra pushed off the fender and smiled. “You guys ready?”
“I think so,” Max said. “We just need to grab our bags.”
“Let’s do it, then. I want to be back for dinner tonight.”
Max turned to head into the house, but nudged Margot’s arm to get her attention. “You can wait in the car if you want. Ezra and I can get the suitcases.” There were only two, plus their carry-ons.
“Oh.” She glanced at the car, then back at him. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. Go take a moment.”
She inhaled a quick breath through her nose. “I’m not a crybaby, I swear.”
He gave her a soft smile and touched her arm. “I know you’re not. We all have things that test us. You’ll be okay once you get a handle on stuff.”
“All of us, huh? Even you?”
Oh, if she only knew. One day, he’d tell her his hang-ups. “Yes. Now go. Sit.”
She thrust her tongue into the corner of her mouth, glancing toward the house. Finally, she nodded. “Okay. Thanks.”
“Yep.” He started for the front door while she headed for the car.
Ezra caught up to him as he crossed the threshold. “She okay?”
“Yeah.” Max reached for his suitcase. “She’s just upset about leaving the girls.”
Understanding lit Ezra’s eyes. “Ah. Enough said. I know we can tell her they’re in great hands—all of us will watch out for them while she’s gone, not just Annabeth and Dean—but it won’t matter. Those are her babies.”
“Yeah.”
“You doing okay?”
Max frowned. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
Ezra lifted a shoulder, then slung Margot’s carry-on over it. “You’re pretty attached to the twins too.”
Max’s gaze darted to the window overlooking the backyard and Annabeth’s house beyond. It bothered him a little that he wouldn’t see them for several days, but not like Margot. “I’m good.” He picked up his carry-on.
The amusement dancing in Ezra’s blue eyes told him he wasn’t fooling anyone, but he didn’t care. The man could think whatever he wanted. Em and Lily were in good hands, and he had bigger things to worry about.
He hadn’t voiced his concerns about Tad’s death to anyone, but the guys knew. They felt it too. He’d seen it on Dean’s face when they said goodbye. He’d heard it in Ezra’s voice when he asked the man to fly them to San José. The circumstances were more than suspicious. And Max had never liked how Tad cut all contact with Margot and the twins. With the way Margot and Annabeth described him, it was wildly out of character. It was his hope that North Dakota would offer some answers, or at least avenues they could go down to find out why he left.
“That everything?” Ezra glanced around.
Max took a quick look. “I think so, yes. Let’s go.”
They headed for the car, stowing the luggage in the cargo area of the SUV, before climbing inside.
The drive up the coast was an easy one, and they were soon pulling into the airport. Ezra flashed his ID at a guard, who recognized him and waved them through with a smile.
“It’s nice knowing people who know people,” Margot commented. “I hate airport security.”
“I wish I could fly you all the way to North Dakota. But Brooke’s got several board members coming in, and she asked me to take them on some helicopter tours, so I’m stuck here.” Ezra glanced at her in the rearview mirror.
“It’s fine. We’ll manage. Going through security alone will be a breeze. I’m upset about leaving the girls behind, but I will not miss lugging a stroller and two cooped-up toddlers through an airport.”
Max hid a grin. It’d be more of a breeze than she knew. Their first-class seats meant they could go through the expedited line.
Ezra pulled up near a hangar and parked. Brooke’s plane with her company’s logo sat outside. For this leg of the trip, Max had insisted on paying for the fuel and Ezra’s time. Brooke had protested, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. She did enough for them, and he never wanted her to feel like they took her for granted. She’d sicced Ford on him, but Max had simply handed him the check and told him to do whatever he wanted with it if she wouldn’t accept it. Brooke’s company had founded a non-profit to help the local impoverished people. He figured Ford would add it to their coffers as an anonymous donation. Margot didn’t know he’d paid her, and he didn’t intend to enlighten her. He also didn’t plan to tell her that the money she gave him for her flight and for the hotel, he’d put into a high-yield savings account. Someday, all the money would go to the twins. He didn’t need it.
Getting out, they grabbed their luggage and headed for the plane. Ezra unlocked the cargo compartment, and he and Max stowed the bags. Once that was done, he lowered the stairs. “You two can go get situated. I have to do a few pre-flight checks, then we can get going.”
“Sounds good.” Max motioned for Margot to precede him onto the plane.
“Where do you want to sit?” She glanced back as she walked into the main cabin.
“Wherever.”
She picked two leather seats facing each other, with a small table in between. Stowing their bags, they settled in.
“You know, I don’t think I’ve thanked you for coming with me and for setting all this up.” Margot gestured to their surroundings. “Once again, you’ve put your business on hold to help someone else. Thank you.”
He waved a hand, then folded them over his stomach as he relaxed into his seat. While he was independently wealthy thanks to some wise investments with his military retirement and hazard pay, he couldn’t sit at home all day and do nothing. The boredom would drive him insane. So, he took tourists on speedboat tours of the coastline and offered parasailing adventures. “It’s not a problem. It mostly runs itself. I’ve hired a great crew. They flew into action when I called and have rearranged the schedule to accommodate my absence. I can keep up with the paperwork while we’re gone. It’s all online.”
“Well, I still appreciate it. I know I balked at you coming, but I’m glad now you didn’t listen. I don’t want to be alone when I do this.”
“I know.” He sent her a cocky smile, trying to lighten the mood. “And I knew then too.” Honestly, he was a bit uncomfortable with her thanks. He wasn’t here for that. He was just here for her.
The team liked to tease him that he had a thing for Margot. He always denied it, said she was just a friend. And that was true. She was his friend. But the truth was, he did have feelings for her. Margot was sweet and kind. Her soft, shy smile had drawn his attention the moment he met her. There was an elegance and a grace about her that just made her—special. As he’d gotten to know her and she’d opened up more, the attraction had only grown. She was brilliant, funny, sassy, and a wonderful mom.
He kept his feelings to himself, though, because he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. When they met, she was reeling from her husband’s betrayal. She didn’t need some guy fawning all over her. She needed a friend. Someone she could lean on and trust to be there. He’d done everything he could to be that person.
Margot chuckled. “Sometimes, it’s scary how well you know me. I mean, I know we spend a decent amount of time together, but we’ve only known each other a year. There are times where you know what I need before I’ve even figured out what’s wrong.”
He lifted a shoulder. “I pay attention. And you can’t sit there and tell me you don’t know the little quirks about me. Shall I remind you of the Saltillo tile incident?” He arched an eyebrow. She’d let the twins fingerpaint on his Saltillo tile floors. She’d covered the tile with a tarp and paper, but hadn’t told him that until after he’d panicked.
She rolled her lips inward, amusement dancing in her eyes as she tried to suppress a laugh and failed. “Oh yeah. Sometimes, it’s just too easy.”
“I was sick, too, so more easily fooled.”
“Mmm-hmm, sure. Keep telling yourself that.”
One side of his mouth lifted. “I will.”
They kept their conversation light while they waited on Ezra to finish. Max asked about the progress on the clinic and learned they were closer to being open than he’d thought. It would be a great asset to the community, for the rural populations, especially, once it opened. Soon, they’d be hiring office staff, then clinical staff.
When Ezra ascended the steps and closed the door, Max was happy to see some of the sadness had left Margot’s eyes.
“All right, let’s get in the air, shall we?” Ezra stepped toward the cockpit. “If you need something, just come up front. There are drinks in the fridge here.” He pointed to a panel on the wall. “And snacks in the cabinets. It’s a quick flight, so we should be there shortly.”
“Thanks, Ezra,” Max said. “I think we’ll be fine.”
With a nod, Ezra disappeared.
True to his word, the flight was quick. About an hour after they took off, they touched down in San José. Max helped Margot down the steep stairs, then they retrieved their bags from the cargo hold. They piled into a car near the hangar, and Ezra drove them to the international terminal. Pulling into the drop-off lane, he parked, then helped Max retrieve the bags from the trunk.
“That’s everything.” Ezra held out a hand to Max. “Safe travels. If you need anything, let us know.”
Clasping his hand, Max gave him a quick smile. “We will, thanks.”
“Anytime.” Smiling, Ezra turned to Margot. He leaned in and gave her a quick hug. “I hope things turn out well. You’ve got good company.” He pulled back to wink at Max.
To Max’s surprise, Margot sent him a sunny smile. “I know.”
Ezra lifted an eyebrow and sent him a curious look before a bright smile crossed his face. He shut the trunk, casting a quick look back.
“We’ll see you in a few days.” Max caught the slightly rascally look in his eyes. He backed away, towing his suitcase, and ignored it.
“Yep. Let me know when your return flight is. I’ll do my best to pick you up from here.”
“Will do.”
Margot lifted a hand. “Thanks, Ezra.”
He nodded once. “See ya.” Rounding the rear of the car, he opened the driver’s door and climbed in while Max led Margot away.