Chapter 4
Chapter
Four
T he class reunion had been far more fun than Maxwell ever anticipated, and that was all because of Eryn Ralston. He’d rarely golfed — much to his father’s disgust — so he hadn’t been much ahead of Eryn on the course. Stuart and Joanie had hung out with them, and two other couples had joined them for the catered dinner in Gilead High School’s gymnasium later on.
Maxwell hadn’t been a popular kid, but he hadn’t been an outcast, either. He just hadn’t cared to fit in nor tried all that hard. Eryn had gone through school in her sister’s shadow, but she seemed to come out of her shell a little with Joanie and the other women, one of whom worked at the fabric store, Sew Easy.
As the program came to a close, he was strangely reluctant to say goodbye to her. He’d be in Gilead for a few more days. It wouldn’t hurt to hang out a bit longer, would it?
Even as he thought it, he knew it could hurt. Why pretend there could be anything between them? He had zero intention of moving back to Gilead. Eryn might sound wistful about traveling in general and seeing Montana in particular, but she was rooted in Kansas by a widowed father and a family farm.
Wasn’t it just his luck? The first woman to catch his eye in forever, and there was no future to be had. Not that he knew her well enough to assume a future was a remote possibility.
The program tonight had included a short skit by several class members who worked in the Bible college’s drama department, a comedy sketch by a woman who was in national demand as a speaker, and several numbers by the band.
The principal emeritus made his closing remarks and invited everyone to donate to the school’s marching band program, which was in dire need of new uniforms and instruments. Maxwell would drop a check off on Monday. Why not? He had no bones to pick with Gilead High. The kids here deserved the best.
Eryn deserved the best, too, but it seemed like her life had been a series of getting whopped by the short end of the stick. Maybe Maxwell’s donation could help a few kids from the upcoming generation find hope in a brighter future… like Eryn needed.
The classmates rose and applauded as Mr. Stone left the stage. Maxwell joined them. Beside him, so did Eryn.
She looked lovely tonight in a simple black dress that accented her curves. Her long blond hair flowed with gentle curls. She glanced at him as she clapped, and their gazes tangled for a long moment as something passed between them.
What was it? Maxwell didn’t know, but he was going to find out. Maybe geography could be overcome. He’d spent his entire adult life facing puzzles and solving them with aplomb. This was just another brainteaser. He was worthy of the chance to solve it.
Maybe Eryn was, too.
What had all that been about? For a solid couple of minutes, Eryn found herself unable to break away from Maxwell’s gaze. He had stunning brown eyes, deep and unfathomable, a place she could get lost.
Which was all kinds of silly. Eryn didn’t do lost, not like that. She’d figured out at a young age that she needed to watch her own back. No one else was going to, especially not her twin. She’d tried to watch Amelia’s but had been elbowed aside.
Some people talked about the twin bond, how they were each other’s best friend forever, and all that rot. So not true. Not for Eryn. Amelia had always seemed annoyed if she had to share with her and, if Eryn had something she wanted, Amelia simply helped herself.
Now Eryn had Dad all to herself, but that came with a dumpster-sized bucket of guilt. She’d failed him. Failed everyone. Whatever Maxwell was trying to say with that lingering look didn’t matter, because if she let herself hope, he’d be her victim, too. Eryn failed herself. No one in her sphere was safe.
Maxwell’s shoulder brushed hers as they retook their seats. “You okay? You seem lost in thought.”
“I’m fine.” She looked away. “It’s been a nice evening — a nice weekend. Reality returns in the morning with church.” Maybe if she mentioned the church word he’d back off.
“Do you attend Fount of Grace?”
She blinked. “Yes.”
“Oh, good. I’ll see you again then.” He smiled. “That’s where my mother goes, as well.”
Eryn knew who Maribel Sullivan was, an elegant 50-something woman who sat by herself in the same pew every week and talked to only a few who seemed to be in her social class. It wasn’t like Eryn had ever rubbed shoulders with the woman.
Another reminder of how very different her family was compared to Maxwell’s. About the only thing they had in common was being in the same grade and having lost a sibling.
And, apparently, church. Did he attend to placate his mother, or did he have a faith of his own? His brother Tate had taken part in the passion play, so at least one of the younger generations believed. Maybe Maxwell did, too.
Did that make any difference to her? Yes, but only for his sake. Their lives still didn’t overlap by much. Not by enough.
She’d treasure this weekend for the rest of her life, though. His sweet compassion last night. His delight in talking about Montana and his work at the ranch there while they rode horses at Walker Ridge. His bemused acceptance of how badly he golfed, and his whoop when she’d made that one great swing that sent her ball most of the way down the center of the fairway. A fluke, for sure, but he’d cheered it with her.
And now tonight, he’d been attentively at her side as though it were a real date he’d asked her on, and not simply the culmination of their reunion weekend.
“Would you like to go for coffee after the banquet?”
Eryn blinked at Maxwell. “Coffee?”
“I know it’s late.” He grinned. “But that’s what decaf is for. Someplace in town must be open this late.”
Eryn grimaced. “Only the diner, and I’d really rather not go there.” She could just imagine all the questions she’d be faced with by her coworkers if anyone caught sight of her with Maxwell outside of the reunion activities. As it was, some of their former classmates already eyed them speculatively. Joanie probably didn’t think Eryn was good enough for Maxwell, and she’d be correct. Didn’t stop Eryn from enjoying every minute, because it would soon be over.
“I can see that.” Maxwell looked thoughtful. “And then there’s my mother, who insists on staying up to see me safely home as though I were 18 not 28. Whose parent does that?”
Eryn raised her hand a little and chuckled. “My dad, too.” Her grin faded quickly as she recalled the bomb he’d dropped last night after waiting for her.
“You live with him?”
“Yes.” Like a loser. She didn’t need to see the pity or condescension on Maxwell’s face.
“Cool. I bet that works out well for you both.”
Eryn blinked. “Um, yes. So far, it has.” She didn’t need to dump the sordid details of their current situation on this guy. Maxwell had been nothing but a pleasant diversion this weekend, and who wanted to remember that ending with pity? Not her.
“Is your dad doing okay?”
Did she dare answer honestly? Maxwell would probably think she was begging for money, and she would never do that. Besides, Dad said the farm sale to the Groenings was final. Even Maxwell’s wealth couldn’t reverse that.
“I can’t imagine how hard it’s all been for him, losing his wife and his daughter.” Maxwell studied her pensively as he went on. “I’m not sure if that would be worse than losing a mom plus a twin, though.”
Maxwell, like everyone, assumed Eryn and Amelia had been a tight unit. That was so far from reality, but Amelia was having the last laugh from beyond the grave. She’d always hated the farm, and Eryn and Dad were losing it on account of her medical bills.
Eryn shook her head to dislodge the thoughts. She didn’t want to waste them on Amelia when she had Maxwell to herself for a few more minutes. Even now, their classmates’ voices grew louder as men helped women with their wraps and began exiting the auditorium. “I guess it isn’t a contest. It’s been difficult for both of us.” In so many ways.
Maxwell rose and shook hands with Stuart as the Brandts left the table, citing a need to get their babysitter home. Then he sat back down and met her gaze. “I have a question for you.”
Her answer would be yes. Which was ridiculous, since she didn’t know what the question was. “Oh? What is it?”
“I’ve really enjoyed reconnecting with you this weekend, and I’d like to keep in touch. Would you be open to that?”
She stared at him. What, exactly, did he mean? Because he was leaving, and she was staying. He couldn’t possibly mean… no, of course not. There was no way he could possibly be thinking of a long-distance relationship, and no one did pen pals anymore. Were there any other ways to take his question? She couldn’t think of any.
Eryn forced a quick smile. “I’m not sure what the point of that would be. I mean, it’s been nice seeing you again, too, but…”
Maxwell’s pensive smile faded. “Friendship is never wasted, but you’re probably right. There’d be no point.”
Friendship was noble, and one could never have too many friends. Eryn should know, because she had very few. But friendship with a guy — a handsome, attentive, muscular, wealthy guy — would only make her want all the things she couldn’t have.
The thought was so depressing it was all she could do not to burst into tears then and there. She bit her lip and enforced control. “I really appreciate the offer.” More than he could ever know. “But I don’t see our paths crossing again. At least not until the 20-year reunion.”
His dimple showed when he grinned. “I don’t want to contemplate being 38. I feel old enough here at the 10-year, except that some people have a busload of kids already. Maybe I’ve missed the point of life.”
Join the party, buddy.
But she wouldn’t say that. It was just hard to imagine a man like Maxwell having regrets. Eryn felt the same way whenever she saw Joanie Brandt and her kids around town. Stuart hadn’t seemed like a great catch as a teen, but it appeared he was a devoted husband, father, and employee.
Eryn tried for levity. “Are kids the point of life? If so, I guess I’ve missed it, too.”
“I’m sure there’s more.” His warm brown gaze held hers. “I hate that you turned me down.”
She hated it, too. She took a deep breath. “I’m not sure what the end game would be. Friendship is nice, but how would that even work, as far apart as Kansas and Montana are? It’s best not to—” She cut off the word ‘hope.’ He didn’t need to know what he’d stirred up in her in only a day.
“It could lead to more. I can’t promise that, of course. We barely know each other.”
And once he did know her better? He’d back off anyway.
Eryn shook her head. “If life were different…”
The overhead lights flicked off then on a couple of times.
Maxwell looked toward the doors. “I think we’re the last ones here, and that was a signal to get moving.”
“Probably.” Before Eryn could stand, Maxwell was behind her, pulling out her chair. He’d been so attentive and polite and kind all weekend. Maybe she shouldn’t be so quick to reject his overture.
Yes, she should. The longer she let herself dream, the more painful it would be when the crash came. And it would come. Guys like Maxwell Sullivan didn’t fall for girls like Eryn Ralston.
End of story.
Fairy tales were only fables, after all. They didn’t happen to real people. They’d only been written so women like her could escape their sordid realities for a little while and dream of charming princes sweeping them off their feet.
Like Cinderella at the ball, Eryn had enjoyed a couple of amazing days, but her pumpkin of a beater car hadn’t turned into a jeweled coach, and Maxwell wouldn’t be showing up at her doorstep to see if the glass slipper she’d left behind at the stroke of midnight would fit on her size-eight foot.
It wasn’t anywhere near midnight, and she had no glass slippers, just a pair of slingbacks she’d splurged on with her first paycheck when she started busing tables at the diner a decade ago.
Her life would be back to humdrum tomorrow. Or at least after she and Dad had sorted Amelia’s belongings.
Ugh.
Getting away had never sounded so good.