Chapter 23
TWENTY-THREE
He’d never try to hide what we are to each other.
BAILEY
The moment Max strode into the living room, I flung myself into his arms, ignoring the twinge in my sore muscles and the full-body ache that hinted that maybe I’d overdone things just a little.
It wouldn’t matter if I’d pushed too much too soon, because I’d spend the next few days resting and planning future content, and I’d be fine by next weekend.
Hopefully.
Max squeezed me back but loosened his hold when I winced.
“I’m so glad you’re all right,” he said, his eyebrow flicking up as if to silently confirm whether I was, in fact, all right.
I nodded. I was tired and sore, but I’d be fine soon. What concerned me more was how I ought to feel about the fact that the hike had been completely uninterrupted.
Had they left me alone because they were no longer in town?
Much as I might want that to be the case, I was also worried because without any firm answer, the questions would hang over my head.
Nate wandered in behind Max and removed his cap. I let go of Max and turned toward him, about to ask for his opinion of what, if anything, ought to be done next. Before I opened my mouth, Eugene emerged from the kitchen with a tray of drinks.
“I have tea for Bailey and coffee for everyone else,” he said, setting the tray down and passing out mugs.
“Cookies too?” I picked up a cookie with oats in it and took a bite. A sweet, mapley taste filled my mouth. “Yum. Thank you.”
Eugene patted my shoulder. “No problem. Have as many as you like. There are more in the kitchen. We know how fast you lot go through baked goods.”
Once we all had drinks and cookies, we sat around the dining table.
“What do you think it means that no one took the bait?” I asked Nate.
He shrugged. “Perhaps they’ve moved on, or maybe they somehow figured out it was a trap.”
“So, what next?” This came from Heather.
Nate just grimaced. “Can’t say I know. I guess we’ll just keep investigating. My request for a sketch artist has been added to a waiting list. We might be able to get someone here in a couple of weeks.”
Max reached for my hand, and I took his, grateful for the support. I really didn’t like the thought of carrying on without answers. My freaking anxiety would never leave if we didn’t get any.
Heather’s eyebrows shot up. “What’s going on here?”
My cheeks warmed, and I scrunched up my face, uncertain how much Max would want them to know when we hadn’t officially had a “where is this going?” conversation yet.
But Max just looked at his mother and smiled. “We have feelings for each other, and we’ll be going on our first proper date as soon as I can get a booking at that restaurant at the ski resort.”
Aww. Now my cheeks weren’t the only part of me that was warm. The ski resort had the only fancy restaurant in the area. People could eat bar food at Drunken Destiny or have lunch at the cafe, but the ski resort was romantic. It meant he wanted to woo me properly, and I was all for that.
Heather straightened, her eyes glittering. “That’s wonderful!”
Eugene got up and clapped Max on the shoulder, then gave mine a gentle squeeze. “I always thought you two would be good together. Haven’t I said that, Heather?”
She rolled her eyes. “Yes, dear. But just because they’re both lovely people, that doesn’t always mean romantic compatibility.”
Eugene sidled around the table, motioning to us as if to say, “But look, it clearly does,” and I giggled. He was such a goof sometimes.
“How did it happen?” Heather asked.
I exchanged a glance with Max. I didn’t really want to admit that I’d crawled into his bed because I was scared and ended up kissing him.
“Go on,” she urged. “Tell us.”
Nate huffed. “I’ll tell you what happened.
I suggested the operation we undertook this morning, and Max lost his shit because he was worried about her.
He kissed her without even thinking about how it might scar his poor brother, who was still in the room, and then they made eyes at each other until I left. ”
“It took you long enough to get the hint,” I teased.
I didn’t mind his explanation. It was better than the truth, and to be fair, that moment had prompted us to actually acknowledge what we’d done the night before.
“It was actually quite romantic,” I said, sending Max a soft look.
“It sounds like it.” Heather picked up a cookie and crunched it while watching us avidly. “Bailey, you know I’ve always thought of you as a bonus daughter. I couldn’t be happier that Max finally realized what a gem you are.”
“Hey,” Max protested, and I laughed again, thrilled by her words. I hadn’t thought that either of Max’s parents would be against our relationship, but her easy acceptance was a relief nonetheless.
“We want to hear all about your first date,” Eugene added with a wink.
Nate groaned. “I know more than enough about their love life already, thanks.”
“Then they won’t tell you,” Heather said tartly. “But your father and I would love to know.”
They teased each other good-naturedly for a while, and, eventually, we said our goodbyes and headed out. Nate promised he’d be in touch if there were any updates, and, other than that, we were to go on as normal.
Honestly, I thought that was asking for a bit too much.
“Normal” had flown out the window a long time ago. I doubted I’d feel safe anytime soon. Maybe signing up for self-defense classes would help—along with a whole lot of therapy with Dr. Friedman. Otherwise, I was screwed.
“How are you feeling?” Max asked as we reached our vehicles.
My shoulders felt heavier than usual. “I don’t know.”
“I’m sorry we didn’t catch them.”
I sighed. “Me too. Although it is a relief not to have to face them.”
That said, I still thought that the short-term stress would have been worth it to have the weight off my mind.
He came closer and ran his fingers down the side of my face. “Are you okay to drive on your own?”
I let out a shuddering breath. “Yeah.”
“I’ll be right behind you.”
He kissed me and pulled away to go to his van. He’d left it there this morning and been picked up by one of the officers stationed at the hut.
I got into my car and locked the doors. During the drive, I checked the rearview mirror every few seconds to make sure he was still behind me. He was, his presence as steady and reassuring as ever.
When we arrived, we parked on the road in front of his house. There was a pang in my gut as I remembered that I’d have to move out again soon. I was supposed to leave earlier this week, but considering we’d put the trap in place, I’d felt safer staying.
Honestly, I doubted I’d be comfortable going back to my place even now. Not when the person or people responsible for assaulting me were still out there.
A car door shut, and, with a sigh, I got out and locked up, meeting Max on the path to his front door. He let us into the house, and I went straight to the sofa and sat down. My muscles were tired, and I didn’t plan on moving much for the rest of the day.
But then there was a bump in the hall.
Just the faintest noise that was absolutely, one hundred percent not the house settling.
My chest tightened, and slowly, I began to turn.