by Nicole James
He hesitated a long moment, staring at the fire, before quietly confessing, “I asked her to marry me, Ava.”
“Oh Max, I had no idea. What did she say?”
Max shook his head, his eyes still on the flames, not sure he could even form the words.
“Please, Max. Tell me what happened.”
“We went to tell her parents. I wanted their blessing, you know? Her father forbade her from marrying me. Said if she walked out that door, she no longer had a family.”
“I’m so sorry. What did she do?”
“I held my hand out to her. I expected her to choose me. She didn’t.”
“Oh, Max,” Ava whispered.
“I’ve waited for weeks for her to come to her senses.”
“Have you talked at all?”
“She came to see me. Wanted to continue as we’d been, sneaking around behind her father’s back.” He turned to look at Ava then, his hand dropping from the mantel. “I can’t do that.” He shook his head. “Not anymore. That night, when she didn’t come with me, when I had to walk out of there alone… something broke inside me. I can’t go backward. And if she doesn’t want to move forward with me, what is there? What do we have left? There’s nothing.”
“Max, I’m so sorry. Maybe if you give her time, she’ll realize…”
He shook his head. “No. I don’t think so. Not after tonight. I think I just need to give up that dream. I need to move on. Decide what’s next for me.”
Jameson walked in. He bent to kiss Ava and then straightened. He must have felt the vibe in the room, seen the concern on his wife’s face. His eyes moved to Max.
“What’s goin’ on? Everything okay?”
Ava reached up to slip her hand in her husband’s, but her tear-filled eyes were on Max.
“Brother, you okay?” Jameson tried again.
“No.” Max shook his head. “But I will be. I’m thinking of going up to the bluff.”
“When?” Jameson asked.
“Tonight. Now. I just need to get away and think. It’s a good place to do that.”
“Tonight?” Ava asked. “But it’s so late.”
Jameson studied his brother, and then his eyes dropped to her. “He’ll be okay.”
“But it’s so cold.”
“I’ll put on a warmer coat,” Max said.
“You should take one of the down sleeping bags if you’re planning on staying up there all night,” Jameson suggested. “I’ll go get one for you.”
Ava pushed aside the afghan and stood. “I’ll make you a thermos of coffee.”
Max went outside to his pickup and stood for a few minutes, bracing his hands on the cold metal edge of the truck bed.
The dirt road stretched before him, deserted and black; far in the distance, past the trees, he could see where the land began to lift up to the ridge, up to his and Malee’s spot.
The screen door behind him creaked, and the sound of boots on the porch steps carried to him. Jameson tossed a sleeping bag in the bed. Max turned as Ava passed him a thermos.
“Thank you, sweetheart.” He gave her a hug.
Jameson handed him a flask. “Here’s something to put in it.”
Max grinned as he took it. Then Jameson pulled him in for a hug and a couple of pounds on his back. “Stay warm, bro.”
With that, he climbed in the cab and headed off. A dirt trail led out of the back of their property and up toward the bluff, up to the place he and his brothers had gone many times as boys, up to the place he now thought of as he and Malee’s special spot.
He parked near the tree he’d carved their initials in, dropped the tailgate, and hopped up on it. His legs swung as he uncapped the flask and took a hit. The stars sparkled overhead, and the lights of town glittered in the cold, crystal-clear night.
He took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the clean mountain air and letting it out slowly as he reflected on everything that had transpired.
When he’d first met Malee, he’d worried that perhaps he wasn’t good enough for her. Now it dawned on him that he felt that way about a lot of things throughout his life. He’d always felt his ink wasn’t as good as his brothers. He’d worried he wasn’t good enough to fight MMA. Recently, he’d let feelings of the like hold him back from buying the gym from Pops, thinking that maybe he wouldn’t be able to run it.
Ava’s words came back to him from that day at the shop months ago; she’d told him not to let anyone tell him he wasn’t good enough to have what he wanted. He’d brushed her words off at the time. Now they sunk in.
Goddamn it, she was right. He had to stop thinking that way and letting those negative thoughts stand in the way of getting what he wanted.
He’d worked at Brothers Ink since he was barely out of high school. It probably wouldn’t have been his choice, but it was a way Jameson felt he could support the family after their parents’ death, so naturally Max had gone along with it. And for the most part it was a fun job.
No, it more than a job; it was the family business, and he knew in his heart, that no matter what problems there sometimes were between he and his brothers, he would never leave the business. It would always be home to him.
But lately, he’d wondered if there wasn’t something more—something with a deeper meaning, more fulfilling to his soul. Oh, he knew he helped people with his art; he knew he helped heal people who were suffering loss over grief or illness or any of a myriad of life’s trials. But helping the kids at the gym? That filled his soul in a different way, a way he needed.
So, was that his future then? Did he have to face the fact that it was time to let go of the dream he’d had of a life with Malee, of building a family with her? Was it time to look to a new dream? Perhaps taking over Fourth Street Gym was the new dream he needed right now. It was something to look forward to, something to give him meaning and direction, because if he just stagnated now, he’d spiral down into a deep depression.
He loved Malee; he’d always love Malee, but he’d come to realize that wasn’t enough to save a relationship. She had to want it just as much as he did for it to work.
He glanced over at the tree, the heart barely distinguishable in the moonlight. He’d had visions of them making a life together, having children, creating a family all their own. But sometimes dreams didn’t work out the way you want them to; sometimes you have to let them go.
It tore at his heart, as he took another sip off the flask, closed his eyes, and let that one go.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Maxwell climbed from the warmth of the sleeping bag he’d spread out in the bed of his truck and jumped to the ground. He stretched, taking in the horizon. He took in a deep breath of the chilly air, watched his foggy breath as he exhaled, and looked down over the sleepy town spread out before him with a renewed purpose in life. He needed to have something to move forward toward, and he’d decided what that was.
He rolled up the sleeping bag, slammed the tailgate closed, and slid behind the wheel to head back to the farmhouse.
A few minutes later, he jogged up the back porch stairs and entered through the kitchen. The thought of a hot cup of coffee had him bee-lining for the coffee maker to start a pot.
While it brewed, he headed quietly to the desk next to the stairs and dug through the drawer where he kept his bank statements, tax returns, and bills. He gathered them up and returned to the kitchen to pour himself a steaming mug of coffee and then spread his finances out on the kitchen table.
He went over his savings, income, and expenses as he sipped his coffee, scratching out figures on a yellow legal pad. When he looked up from it in frowning concentration, he saw Ava leaning against the door jam in her fuzzy robe, studying him. He set his mug down. “Sorry, honey. Did I wake you?”
As if on cue, she yawned, then smiled and moved to the coffeemaker. “No, it was the smell of this brewing that drew me down the stairs.” She poured a cup and moved to stand behind him, resting her free hand on his shoulder as she peered ove
r it to the paperwork spread over the table. “What’s all this?”
He twisted his head to look up at her. “I’ve been thinking about something for a long time, and I think I can swing it.”
“What’s that?”
“I’m gonna buy the Fourth Street Gym.”
Her brows rose. “Pops’ place?”
He nodded.
“Well, I know you love working with the kids…”
“I do.”
“But what about the shop?”
“I’ll still work there. Brothers Ink is the family business. I’ll always work there. But Pops is going to close his place up and move to Florida. Without it, the young kids will have no place to go.”
“Why is he closing down?”
“His wife is getting worse. He wants to be closer to family.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”
“The kids need that place. I’ve been going over my finances, and I think I can swing it.”
“But if you’re at Brothers Ink, who will run the gym?”
“I’ll hire someone. The place practically runs itself. I know I can do this. I need to do this, Ava.”
Her blue eyes sparkled down at him. “Believing in yourself is half the battle, Max. And I believe you can do this, too. And I have no doubt about you being the perfect person for those kids. Kids seem to like you.” She stroked her hand down his cheek. “You’re going to make an amazing uncle.”
He twisted in his seat, put one arm around her waist, and patted her belly with the other hand. “You pick a name for this little angel yet?”
“Lila Rose.”
He spoke to her belly. “Well, Lila Rose, you’re going to have an awesome mommy.”
“You hittin’ on my woman?” a masculine voice said from the doorway.
Max turned to see Jameson scratching his bare chest, his pajama bottoms hanging low on his hips, and a bad case of bedhead. He squinted with sleepy eyes toward the two of them.
Max grinned at his brother and tugged Ava closer. “Yup. That’s exactly what I’m doing.”
Jameson moved to the coffee pot without another word.
Ava and Max exchanged a look, Ava rolling her eyes.
“Well, you’re a romantic bastard, Jamie. Aren’t you gonna come fight me for her?”
Jameson yawned as he poured himself a cup. “Maybe later.”
“Did I wake you when I got out of bed?” Ava asked her husband.
He turned and leaned back against the counter, raising the mug to his mouth. “I suddenly had the whole bed. I didn’t know what to do with myself.”
She put her hand on her hip. “Are you saying your wife is a big fat cow who takes up the entire bed?”
Jameson realized he’d just stepped in a pile of it, and Max burst out laughing at his brother’s sudden unease.
“Baby, did I say that? No! I just meant I missed your beautiful sexy body pressed up against me.” He took a sip and continued, “I love hanging off the edge of the bed. Really.”
Ava grabbed a dishtowel off the counter and swatted him with it. “Jameson O’Rourke, you apologize to me right now.”
He pulled the cup down from his mouth, fending off the towel with the other forearm. “I thought that’s what I just did.”
Max laughed harder. “Jamie, you don’t know shit about women.”
“You shut up,” Jameson growled, grabbed the towel with his free hand, and tugged his wife to him, hooking his forearm around her waist. He gazed down into her face. “Settle down, woman. You know I love you.”
She smiled up at him. “You’d better.”
He kissed her, and then peered down into her mug. “You’re not supposed to be drinking that.”
She winced. “I know. But it’s so hard!”
Jameson grinned and tightened his arm. “Come here, my little caffeine addict, and I’ll show you what’s hard.”
She giggled as he tickled her, and she almost spilled the mug.
“Hey, take it upstairs, you two,” Max growled with a grin.
Jameson wrestled the mug from his wife’s hand and dumped it out in the sink, then he looped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her with him to the table, peering down at the paperwork. “What’s all this?”
Ava smiled up at him, taking pleasure in spilling the beans. “He’s buying Pops’ Gym.”
Jameson’s brows shot up, his eyes pinning his brother’s. “You’re what?”
“Don’t look so worried, Jamie. I’m not putting in my notice. Just… expanding the family holdings.”
“Pops’ Gym, huh?” He nodded, contemplating. “It’s a good investment. You need some capital, let me know, I’ll go in on it with you.”
Maxwell looked up at his brother. “I appreciate it. And I may have to take you up on it, but I’d like to try and swing it on my own if I can.”
“Understood. Just remember the offer stands if you need it.”
Maxwell swore he saw a new respect shining in his brother’s eyes. He glanced from Jameson to Ava, who was hugging her husband’s waist and looking up adoringly at him.
Max was happy his brother had found someone so right for him. They could rail and rib each other, and then a moment later be cuddled together like now, just the two of them against the world.
Max had thought he’d found that with Malee. At the reminder, a new wave of loneliness hit him.
He turned back to his paperwork and gathered it up, swallowing down the emotion. He’d survive and somehow he’d get over the hurt. But right now he needed to get a shower and make a trip to see a banker about a loan.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Malee climbed out of bed and walked through the apartment to her aunt’s tiny kitchen. She poured herself a steaming cup of coffee and glanced at the clock. It was almost 11:00 a.m. She’d gotten very little sleep the night before and was glad her aunt had let her sleep in. She yawned, and then caught her reflection in the dining room mirror. Her eyes were still red and puffy from all the crying she’d done last night. It had been such a shock to see Max in handcuffs. But more than anything, it had hurt to see Max standing next to that blonde in front of that dance club with a hickey on his neck. It meant he was moving on, and she wasn’t ready for that.
Malee closed her eyes and told herself to stop thinking about it, because if she didn’t put it from her mind, she was going to start crying all over again. Taking a deep breath, she carried her mug into the living room, where she found her aunt sitting on the sofa and watching the local news on television. Aunt Tan had the captioning on so she could follow along, but Malee was barely paying any attention to it as she sipped her coffee.
How are you feeling this morning?
Malee knew her aunt saw the sadness in her eyes; still she tried to smile and signed, Okay.
Aunt Tan reached over and patted her leg. Everything will work itself out, my dear. Just wait and see.
Malee tried to smile, but she didn’t feel very optimistic about it. She stared down into her coffee mug.
A moment later, her aunt was tapping her frantically on the leg and pointing to the television. Malee looked up at it curiously, wondering what on earth could suddenly have her aunt so excited.
There on the screen was Charlotte Justice being interviewed by some entertainment host. Malee’s mouth fell open. The beautiful rock musician was wearing Malee’s kimono for the interview!
She glanced to her aunt who was excitedly pointing at the screen and grinning from ear to ear.
Malee read the captioning. The host was asking Charlotte about an upcoming concert tour and a stop she’d be making in Denver. They talked about her new album that dropped today. A graphic of the album cover flashed on the screen behind them. The host said, “The title of your new album is Dragonfly, and I couldn’t help but notice the beautiful dragonfly design on your kimono, Ms. Justice.”
“Please, call me Charlotte.” She looked down at the kimono and stroked her hand over it, lovingly. “Yes, it’s hand-painted silk
by a local artist in Grand Junction named Malee. It’s extraordinary, isn’t it? The craftsmanship is exquisite. She gifted this to me for the Dragonfly Tour. It’s my new good luck charm.”
“Well, luck aside, I’m sure your tour will be a huge success. I’m hearing the first portion has already sold out.”
The rest of the interview was a blur. Malee could only stare in a trance until her aunt shook her. Malee! She told everyone your name!
Malee could only stare at her, shell-shocked.
Quick, bring me my laptop!
Malee frowned at her. “Why?”
We have to get you a website quickly, even if it’s only with your name and email address.
“You really think so? You think people will contact me?”
Yes! Yes! Quickly now! We have to hurry.
An hour later they had the most basic of websites set up. She uploaded a photo she’d taken of a hummingbird she’d drawn as her background logo with the words Designs by Malee over it, along with several shots of her standing with Charlotte Justice in the kimono, and the rock star wearing it on stage in Telluride. They added an invitation for parties interested in her designs to contact her through her email.
A few minutes after the website went live, she began to get emails. All afternoon inquiries from all over poured in. Charlotte Justice’s fan club got wind of it. Soon there were pictures of Charlotte from the interview, wearing the dragonfly kimono popping up all over the Internet.
Malee and Aunt Tan read over the emails as they poured in.
Malee, they want your designs! Do you know what this means?
She shook her head.
You’re in business! We’re going to have to figure out some pricing. We’re going to have to get you set up with some supplies and a workspace. Oh, my, there’s so much to be done!
“Maybe I could set up a card table.”
No, no, no. You’ll need much more space. There are hundreds of emails coming in.
“Papa has no room, there’s nowhere.”
Aunt Tan grabbed her hand, her eyes getting big. The empty storefront downstairs!
“Aunt Tan, I have no money for that.”
