Chasing Hope

by Dana Wayne

  She knew who Logan’s father was.

  Max glanced at the caller ID before he answered his cell. “Hey, John. What’s up?”

  “You still at work?”

  “Yeah. Waiting for Jason to get back from late deliveries.”

  “You gonna be home later?”

  “Yes and no. Sky and I are going out.” He couldn’t keep from smiling. “Our first official date. You need something?”

  There was a short pause before he replied. “I don’t like doing this on the phone.”

  Something put Max on full alert. “What’s wrong? Are you all right?”

  There was an audible sigh before Big John spoke again. “Okay. Fine. We’ll do it on the phone. What are your intentions?’

  “Intentions? Intentions about what?”

  “About Sky. And Maddie. What are your intentions?”

  Friend or no friend, Big John was putting his nose where it didn’t belong. “I intend to take Sky to dinner and maybe a dance. What business is it of yours?”

  “That girl is like a daughter to me, boy. I don’t want to see her get hurt.”

  “And you think I’d do that?” Pain slithered to the surface and put an edge to his voice. “That I’m no good for her?”

  “Hell, no!”

  “Then what is it?”

  A muffled curse preceded another long sigh. “I knew I’d mess this up on the phone. Look, son, you and Sky and Maddie are as close to family as I got in this world. I heard about that boy being in town and what he claims.”

  Anger spiked, and Max fought to remain calm. “I’m not his father.”

  “I believe you. I’m just saying there’s talk already, and it’s bound to get back to her.”

  “I talked to her. She knows I’m not his father.”

  A heavy silence lingered.

  “Spit it out, John. Whatever you got stuck in your craw, just spit it out.”

  “Maddie’s awfully fond of you.”

  “The feeling is mutual.”

  “And Sky. How do you feel about her?”

  His first impulse was to scream back off, but he bit his tongue. From their first meeting, he and John hit it off. Two battle-hardened combat veterans with more scars inside than out. John listened when he needed to talk, sat quietly when he needed companionship, and understood better than anyone the hell he’d gone through.

  John protected those he cared about, and he cared about Sky and her daughter. And Max.

  “I’m crazy about her, old man. And Maddie, too.” He took a deep breath. “I tried not to. God knows she could do a damn sight better than me, but…I want to be with her. With them.”

  After a slight pause, John spoke again, a noticeable smile in his voice. “Good. That’s great. Y’all have fun tonight.”

  Before Max could form a reply, John hung up. What the hell brought that on? He slid the phone back in his pocket and looked at the clock. Five-thirty. Jason would be back any minute, and then he could leave. And do what? Kill time for three hours while he waited for eight o’clock to arrive? Face his taciturn houseguest who hadn’t said two words to him this morning? He pushed Logan from his mind and thought about his date with Sky.

  He couldn’t remember ever being so nervous. It’s just a date, not brain surgery. We’re going out to dinner then maybe to a dance.

  But what about the strings Sky mentioned? Where did they fit into the program? And better yet, what the hell were they? Of course, he had his own ideas, but he’d learned a long time ago not to hope for anything special.

  His revelry was interrupted when his boss scurried in the front door.

  “Sorry the deliveries took so long this time,” said Jason as he rounded the counter. “Everywhere I went people wanted to talk.”

  “No problem, sir.” Max resisted the urge to salute. Old habits were hard to break. “All ready to lock up for the night.”

  “There is no rank here, Max. It’s just us.”

  “Yes, sir—I mean, right Jason.”

  “So, ready for the big date tonight?”

  Max didn’t bother to hide his shock. “How’d you know about that?”

  Jason laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. “You forget how things are in a small town, son. You can’t do anything that somebody doesn’t see or know about. With nothing better to do, they talk.” His steady gaze met and held Max’s. “They talk a lot.”

  He didn’t need him to elaborate. John’s call told him the gossipmongers were already having a field day at his expense. He was sure he had Cade to thank for that. “Unfortunately, they don’t always have the facts, or they choose to spread lies for shits and grins.”

  “Well, personally, I’ve never put much stock in rumors and gossip.”

  Max nodded, unsure how he should respond.

  “So, where are you taking her?”

  Jason’s easy change in the conversation helped lift the pall settling around him. “Steakhouse out by the interstate. Maybe take in the dance at the VFW.”

  “Well, you deserve some fun. Take off. I’ll finish up here.”

  Max didn’t need to be told twice. He rushed around the counter and headed for the door. “Thank you, sir. See you on Monday.”

  His good humor lasted until he pulled into his drive and saw a strange vehicle parked behind Logan’s truck. Shit. Anna. Has to be.

  He parked in his usual spot and sat inside for several deep breaths. As soon as he opened the door to get out, he saw Sky at the kitchen window. Her sad expression said it all. She knew he had more company.

  The door opened before he knocked.

  “Hey.” She motioned him in. “It’s cold out there.”

  He shuffled into the kitchen and stopped at the stove, engulfed in old fears and the dull ache of foreboding. A whiff of her floral perfume said she stood behind him.

  “She arrived a few minutes ago.”

  Max turned around. “I didn’t expect her until tomorrow.” To his dismay, his voice wavered slightly.

  Arms folded, she shrugged. “Well, speaking as a mother, if my child took off like that, I’d be here sooner rather than later, too.”

  “I don’t know what’s going to go down tonight, but it shouldn’t interfere with our date.”

  “I hope not,” she said softly, then looked away, teeth biting her lower lip.

  He scrubbed his face with both hands. “Dammit. I wanted tonight to be special.”

  After a brief hesitation, she took his hands and wound them about her waist, sliding her arms around his neck. “I know. Me, too. But stuff happens, Max. We both know that.” Biting her lip again, she looked down, then reached up and kissed him lightly on the lips. “I won’t lie to you. I’ll be really disappointed if things don’t work out.”

  She lowered her eyes, then glanced up, a sensuous flame shimmering in their hazel depths. The look was so innocently seductive, his libido headed for the stratosphere.

  “Do what you have to. I’m going to take a long, hot bubble bath.” She rubbed her hands up his chest again. “And get ready for our date.”

  He pulled her to him, rougher than he should have, and covered her mouth with his, devouring its softness. She tasted so damn good. Felt so damn good pressed against him. He couldn’t be gentle. He wanted her with an intensity unlike anything he’d ever experienced. Needed her goodness and warmth to fill the empty spot in his soul. Only she had the power to ease the hurt inside. He loved her.

  With all his heart and soul, he loved her.

  Tremors racked her body as she returned his kiss, opening her mouth to his probing tongue, matching his intensity with her own.

  The sharp ring of the telephone made its way through the mush in his brain, and he pulled back.

  Emotions whirled and skidded as he rested his forehead on hers, breath coming in rapid puffs through parted lips. “Damn.”

  “I better get that.” She pulled away and answered the phone. “Hello? Is she all right? Are you sure? Okay. No, I’ll bring it by now.”

>   She turned back to him, her face a mask of worry and concern. “Maddie forgot her inhaler. I need to take it to her.”

  The thought of Maddie being ill made Max queasy. “Is she all right? Does she need a doctor?”

  “She’s just a little winded. They went outside to feed Bonnie’s dog and got to playing. Sometimes the cold affects her that way. The inhaler will take care of it.”

  A shadow of unease crossed her face, and he gathered her against him. She hesitated only a moment before she wrapped her arms around his waist.

  He relished how right being with her was and debated if now was the time to tell her how he felt. There was so much unsettled. PTSD was one thing, but now this mess with Logan and Anna.

  And Cade.

  Her grip tightened, and she muttered against his chest. “This is more than just a—an itch for me, Max.”

  Her words were muffled, but he got the message and pushed back a little. One finger under her chin, he raised her face to look at him. “It is for me, too, Sky. I’ve never felt this way about anyone. Ever. You smile at me, and my heart skips a beat. I’d do anything, anything for you and Maddie.” He swallowed, determined to get the words out. “You make me forget all the bad shit that’s happened in my life and look forward to tomorrow.” His voice dropped to a rough whisper. “For the first time in a very long time, I’m glad to be alive.”

  Her chin trembled, and moisture glistened at the corners of her eyes. “Oh, Max—”

  “I don’t know what the future holds, but as long as we’re in it together, I don’t care.”

  “Me, too.”

  He brushed a gentle kiss across her forehead. “I best go see what new and exciting adventure awaits me next door.”

  “I’ll see you later.”

  He kissed the tip of her nose. “Count on it.”

  He stepped out into the chilly air, determined not to let anything spoil this night with Sky.

  Logan’s raised voice greeted him as he opened the kitchen door.

  “You lied to me!”

  Daniel to the lion’s den, door number one.

  Anna stood in the middle of the kitchen, her back to him, while Logan stood near the table, hands fisted at his sides as he glared at his mother.

  She spun around when Max entered, and for a moment, he was struck speechless. Time had been kind to her. He always liked her long, wavy hair, but this short cut suited her even better. It framed an oval face unlined by time, but nonetheless etched with concern, and sparkling green eyes that glistened like polished jade. The skinny girl with crooked teeth was now a beautiful woman.

  And the last person in the world he wanted in his kitchen.

  “I want to know why you lied to me,” snapped Logan. “I have a right to know.”

  “Baby, please,” began Anna, “I—I did what I thought was best for you.”

  “By letting me believe my father was dead?” He hissed. “Or maybe you don’t even know who he was.”

  Max took a step toward him, remaining calm yet firm. “I understand you’re angry, boy, but you will not disrespect your mother. Not in my house.”

  Logan’s breath hissed in and out as he glared at Anna, his face a mottled red, a vein in his temple visibly throbbing. “And what about him?” He pointed to Max. “Why did you keep all those pictures and stuff if it wasn’t him?”

  Max quashed the urge to speak up again. What a mess. Would he ever get rid of Cade’s interference in his life?

  “I told you. Max was—is—my friend.” She wrung her hands and turned haunted eyes to Max. “And he always will be.” She faced her son. “But he is not your father.”

  “Then who is, dammit! I have a right to know.”

  Anna sighed, arms laced together across her chest.

  “Does he even know about me?”

  Max pointed to a chair at the table. “Why don’t we all sit down?”

  “You can’t tell me what to do,” Logan snapped.

  In full-on Marine mode, Max turned toward the belligerent young man, eyes locked with his as he towered over him. “This is my house. You do what I say, when I say. Now. Sit. Down.”

  Logan hesitated only a moment before he dropped into a chair, his face a mask of undisguised hostility and pain.

  Max and Anna joined him at the table.

  Anna finally broke the prolonged silence. “I did what I thought was right.”

  “For who? You?”

  “Logan—”

  “Did he know about me?”

  “What good—”

  “Or did you lie to him, too?”

  “…We were young, barely out of high school—”

  Logan slammed his fist down on the table. “Did he know about me?” Each word was clipped and hard.

  Anna sighed deeply and looked down at her folded hands. “Yes and no.”

  “What the hell does that mean?” His volume rose a notch. “Did he, or didn’t he?”

  “Easy, son,” said Max calmly. “Yelling won’t get your message across any clearer.”

  “Don’t call me that. I’m not your son.”

  “No, you aren’t,” said Anna. “But you are mine. So, please. Lower your voice.”

  A surge of pity filled Max as he watched the scene unfold. It was a no-win situation, and yet, he was compelled to try to mediate the damage. “Annie—the fuse is lit. There’s no way to blow it out now.”

  She swallowed hard and clinched her eyes shut. “He knew I was pregnant.”

  “And?”

  Silence.

  “Mom? What happened when you told him?”

  “He did you both a favor by being an ass about responsibility.” The words were out before Max could stop them, and he choked back a groan. So much for keeping my mouth shut.

  Logan fixed pain-filled eyes on Max. “So, you knew him?”

  “…Yes.”

  “And you didn’t like him?”

  “No.”

  Logan looked at his mother, then back at Max. “Because she went with him and not you?”

  “No. Because he—” Max stopped himself before he said what he really thought. “It’s like your mom said. They were young. Too young for things to have worked out between them.”

  Logan ducked his head, hands fisted on the table. “Is he dead or not?”

  Max remained silent this time, determined to try and stay out of this mess.

  Logan rapped the knuckles of one hand on the table and repeated the question. “Is he dead or not?”

  Anna closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “No.”

  He sat up straight. “Does he still live here? Have a family?”

  She glanced at Max, one brow raised in a silent question.

  In a futile attempt to delay the inevitable, Max tried to be the voice of reason. “What do you hope to gain from this, Logan?”

  His eyes bored a hole in Max. “Does he?”

  “Trust me on this. Having the man who fathered you in your life is no guarantee of a happy home.” Max kept his expression neutral, despite the pain his statement wrought.

  “But I never got the chance to find out for myself, now did I?” Logan pushed his chair back and stood. “I need some air.”

  Before anyone could react, Logan stormed out the back door.

  Anna rose, uncertainty creasing her brow, and her lower lip trembled. “I’ve made such a mess of things.” A sob escaped, and she covered her mouth. “He hates me.”

  Suddenly, Max was eighteen again, watching someone he cared for fall apart in front of him. “He doesn’t hate you. He just doesn’t understand.”

  “What am I going to do?” Her eyes clouded with tears. “He’s going to find out.”

  Just as he did all those years ago, he opened his arms, and she fell into his embrace, slender body shaking with uncontrolled sobs.

  He held her against him as he had that night so long ago, whispering words of encouragement he didn’t really believe. “It’ll be okay, Annie. We’ll figure this out.”

 
; He caught movement from the corner of his eye and looked up in time to see Sky standing beside her car, eyes wide.

  Watching.

  Sky froze, mind and body numb, her heart all but stopping as she watched Max embrace Anna. A thousand logical explanations raced through her mind as she fumbled with the door handle and finally got inside Blue.

  Her exit from the house coincided with Logan’s dash out Max’s back door, his expression dark when he glanced her way and headed for his truck. All of which led her to believe the meeting had not gone well, and Max was just trying to comfort Anna.

  A very natural thing for friends to do, right? The hug meant nothing. So what if her face was buried in the hollow of his neck, and his arms held her close? It meant nothing. Or did it?

  Rational thought evaporated as the image replayed in her head. It took a great deal of effort not to look back toward the kitchen window as she backed out of the drive, intent on getting Maddie’s inhaler to her.

  Thankfully, Maddie was fine when she arrived and had no desire to visit with her mother, so ten minutes later, Sky sat behind the wheel of her car wondering what to do. The demise of her first date in years was bad enough, but the prospect of her relationship with Max ending before it really began broke her heart.

  “You’re overreacting,” she chided herself. “They’re friends. She’s upset. He’s just trying to comfort her.”

  All that sounded logical, even probable. But it didn’t take away the pain.

  Nor did it stop the tsunami of questions and doubts that swamped her. Is there more to their friendship than he implied? What happens now? How could I have let myself fall so quickly for someone I barely knew? Again. And Maddie. Oh God. Maddie.

  She made a U-turn and drove away with no destination in mind. After a circle around the town square and a pass through the parking lot of the local chain store, she found herself parked in the alley behind the diner.

  “This is ridiculous,” she muttered, “I’m wasting time and gas I can’t spare. I just need to go home, take a hot bath, and go to bed.” Alone was the unspoken end to that thought, followed by a long sigh of defeat. Eyes closed, she leaned her head back. I will not cry. I will not cry. Despite that admonition, a painful tightness gripped her throat, and she drew in a shaky breath.