Only Yours (Fool's Gold #5)(77)

She watched her mother as she spoke, but Denise didn’t respond to the name. Obviously, being subtle wasn’t going to work.

“Mom, I want to talk about my boss.”

“Sure, honey. Is there a problem?”

“Not a problem. Just…” She shook her head. “Is Max Thurman the same Max you used to date? Is he the guy from your tattoo?”

Her mother rose and crossed to the sink. “What an odd question. Why do you ask?”

“Because I work for him. If you two have a past, I don’t want to say something I shouldn’t.”

“How could you possibly do that?”

“You’re not answering the question.”

“I’m not sure I’m going to.” Denise turned to face her. “Yes, I had a life before I met your father. But that was a long time ago. I married your father and I loved him with all my heart. He was a wonderful father and an amazing husband. I would give anything to have him back.”

Her mother sounded emotional and maybe even angry.

“I’m not questioning your commitment to Dad.”

“I should hope not. I’ve been a widow over ten years. I’m just barely starting to date, even though I don’t like it.” Her gaze narrowed. “Have you girls been talking about this?”

“A little. We’re just wondering what happened.”

“Nothing that concerns any of you. I won’t discuss this and I don’t want you three talking about it, either.”

“Mom, why are you mad?”

“I’m not mad. I’m pointing out I don’t need my adult children butting into my private life.”

Montana felt as if she’d been slapped. “All right,” she murmured, standing. “We won’t discuss it again. I’m sorry.”

She grabbed her purse and ran to her car.

SIMON REACHED FOR HIS CELL phone. “Bradley.”

“It’s Erica. How are things in Fool’s Gold?”

“Good.”

Erica worked for the company that coordinated his assignments. As his time in Fool’s Gold would soon be ending, it made sense she was calling.

He glanced at the calendar on the wall. The months had gone by quickly.

“I have dozens of requests, as per usual,” she said. “After Peru, I think the two that look the best are either helping out at a clinic in Appalachia or joining a humanitarian aid group in Pakistan. I suppose it depends on where you want to spend those months. Both teams would be delighted to have you. Should I email the information?”

He felt a light scratching on his leg and glanced down. Cece gazed at him adoringly, obviously wanting to be in his lap. He scooped her up.

“Sure. Send the files and I’ll look them over. I can travel to either place.”

“If you’re going to Pakistan, you’ll need a couple more booster vaccines. One of the thrills of international travel.”

He petted the little dog as she stared at him. Love burned in her little brown eyes. When he shifted his hand so he was scratching her chest, she licked his wrist.

“Send me that information, as well,” he told her.

Erica agreed she would and they hung up.

Montana tapped on his partially open door, then entered. “Hi. I was waiting in the hall. I didn’t want to interrupt your call.”

“You wouldn’t have.”

She stopped in front of his desk. “I’m here to take Cece for a walk.”

The little dog had been spending most of her days at the hospital. When she couldn’t be in Kalinda’s room during a treatment or for meals, Fay dropped her off in his office.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, taking in the troubled expression.

“I had a fight with my mom. Except it wasn’t exactly a fight. I don’t know. I asked her about Max.”

“Your boss?”

She told him about the tattoo on her mom’s hip, how she’d had it for years, probably since before she’d gotten married.

“We never knew who the guy was. Even when Max moved here and hired me, I didn’t put it together. He never said anything and Mom never talked about him. But Nevada saw them together. Or rather, not together. They just stared at each other. It was intense.”

“But if they had a relationship, it was years ago.”

She sank into the chair on the other side of his desk. “I know, so it shouldn’t matter, right? She loved Dad. We all know that. But when I asked her about Max, she got angry and told me it wasn’t my business. That she didn’t want me and my sisters talking about her. She seemed really angry. We have a good relationship. I’m not used to being on the outs with her.”

“So talk to her again.”

“Maybe. I’m giving it a couple of days. I would apologize, only I didn’t do anything wrong. We’ve always been a family who talks about things. She and Dad encouraged that. No secrets. But here we are, ignoring a very tall man.”

He’d never had a close family, so he couldn’t relate to what she was feeling. What he did know was that Montana was hurt and he had to help.

“Maybe she’s embarrassed and doesn’t want you to know.”

“Embarrassed about what? An old boyfriend? Max is a great guy. I guess what scares me is that I always thought Dad was the great love of her life. But what if she loved Max, too?”