The Gamble (Colorado Mountain #1)(72)
“Duchess, I’m guessin’ he got the message.”
“You’d guess wrong,” I informed him. “Niles doesn’t pay much attention and when he does he hears what he wants to hear. And anyway, I’m not calling him, I’m calling my mother.”
Max gave me a look, squeezed my wrist and then released it, muttering, “I’ll make coffee.”
“I’ll take mine with a shot of tequila,” I snapped and watched him press his lips together and move away.
Then I touched and slid my finger on the screen on my phone until I found Mom and then pressed to connect.
She answered on the second ring. “You’re an early bird today.”
“Dad was just here.”
There was complete silence.
Then a screeched, “What?”
“Yes. He. Was. Just. Here. Spreading his goodwill and love all around Max’s entryway. It’s a wonder there aren’t cherubs flying around sprinkling rose petals and rainbows erupting through the windows, an aftermath of his delightful visit.”
I heard the sink go off and then Max’s chuckle.
I turned to glare at him. He grinned at me then opened the top of the coffeemaker to pour the water in.
“What was he doing there?” Mom asked.
“Niles called him.”
“Why on earth would he do that?” Mom sounded justifiably flabbergasted.
“I don’t know. Because he’s Niles?” I sounded justifiably irate.
“That’s just… that’s… I don’t even know what that is,” Mom stammered.
“It gets better.”
“Oh no.” Now she sounded anxious.
“Dad said he’s staying in town. He said, ‘this isn’t done’.”
“Oh no.” Now she sounded panicked.
“Oh yes.”
“What are you going to do?” Now she sounded hysterical.
“Well, the hotel is a pretty building, so I’d rather not set explosives.” Max chuckled again and I glared at him again while he flipped the lid down on the coffeemaker and then touched the switch.
“So, with that not being an option, what are you going to do?” Mom asked.
“Ignore him.”
“He’s hard to ignore.”
“Yes, well, by a cruel twist of fate, I am his daughter. Two can play at stubborn.”
Mom was quiet then she said softly, “Sweetie, I’m worried.”
“Why?”
“Because I got that picture.”
“What?”
“The e-mail you sent,” she said. “You look happy and he’s, Max… he’s… well, he’s gorgeous.” No doubt about it, she was right about that. “And, sweetheart, he looks happy too.”
My anger took a hit and warmth started to slide through me.
“Mom –”
“I haven’t seen you look like that…” she paused, “heck, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look like that.”
“Mom –”
“I don’t want your Dad messing that up for you.”
“But –”
“And he will. If he can, he’ll do it.”
“It’ll be okay.”
“You’re sure? Because I’m not so sure.”
“Mom, I really think I made my point this morning.”
“How? Because when that man gets something in his head –”
I was watching Max who’d taken down some mugs and just spied the new sugar bowl. He was grinning at it as he slid it toward him on the counter.
I was seeing this and I wasn’t seeing it. This was because something had locked inside me, something unpleasant and ugly.
“I struck him,” I whispered and Max’s head came up and twisted toward me when he heard my tone.
“Sorry?” Mom asked in my ear but my eyes connected with Max’s.
“I hit him,” I said more to Max than to Mom.
“You hit Lawrence?” Mom asked but I was staring at Max who took two strides across the room to me as I dropped the hand with my phone from my ear.
“I hit him, Max,” I whispered as his hands came to my h*ps then slid around and he pulled my body into his.
“Honey,” he whispered back.
“I’m not like this,” I said. “I don’t… I’ve never –”
“It was an extreme situation,” Max broke in gently.
“That doesn’t excuse –”
One of his arms stayed around me but the other hand came to the side of my neck. “Duchess, hate to say this, but your Dad’s a dick.”
“But –”
“I was havin’ trouble not layin’ a hand on him.”
“But –”
“He was in my house actin’ like that, never met me, didn’t show you an ounce of respect.”
“But that doesn’t mean –”
“Then he brought your brother into it.”
“I know, still –”
His arm gave me a squeeze as did his hand, he bent his head toward me and said, “You didn’t hurt him, baby and, honest to God, he got what he deserved.”