What Remains

by Sarah Brocious

  Max punched his friend in the shoulder.

  Terry rubbed his injured arm and grinned.

  “Set down. I will get a plate of pancakes and bacon for ya both.” Mrs. Winston laughed. “And no flirting with the help.” She winked my way after shaking a finger at Max.

  “You work here now?” Terry took a seat at the counter.

  “Yeah, took Mrs. Winston up on her offer.”

  Terry made a face at Max who was still just standing there like a fool. “Sit down, man.”

  Max shrugged and came to sit down right next to me.

  I smiled.

  “Hey, Hadley.” His deep voice was a lovely sound.

  “Hey, Max.”

  He took the menu from my hands. “You need help memorizing?” He opened to the first page.

  I took the menu back. “I think I’ll do fine on my own, but thank you.” There was no way I would be able to concentrate with Max near.

  Mrs. Winston came back out with a plate for each and rolled her eyes. “Max Brandon, you leave that girl alone.” She set Terry’s plate before him and then handed Max his. She reached over and messed his hair like she did when we were young. “Coffee?”

  He gave a nod and then turned back to me. “Not eating?”

  “Working.” I held up the menu and avoided those teasing eyes.

  “You know, you could have come and worked for me, if you needed a job.” He layered butter over his feast.

  I laughed and shook my head.

  “What?” He started cutting up his pancakes. “You don’t think I’d make a good boss?” He poured syrup over the hotcakes.

  I shrugged. “No.”

  He laughed in surprise. “No?”

  I kept my eyes on the menu and deftly stole a piece of his bacon. “Plus, I steal things.” I took a bite and chewed, without giving him a glance.

  “Last time that happens,” he grumbled. I saw him turn his plate out of the corner of my eye, so that the bacon was further away.

  I took another bite of my contraband to hide my smile.

  Mrs. Winston set his coffee down and shook her head. “You want bacon, Hadley?”

  I smiled. “Nah, it tastes better stolen,” I teased.

  Max chuckled and took a bite of his pancakes.

  My brother, who had claimed to not be hungry was cleaning his plate up well. He didn’t fool me with his attention on his food. He was watching us, too.

  “What are you doing after work?” Max didn’t look away from his food after his question. You would swear he was being shy. Max had never been shy, but we had said a lot yesterday. It was new for us both.

  “I don’t know. What am I doing?”

  He grinned down at his food and then turned those hazels on me.

  I was so proud of how inwardly all systems had gone haywire, but outwardly I remained calm. Those eyes were magic.

  “Can I walk you home?”

  I smiled. “Yes.”

  He grinned, set down his fork, and threw a twenty on the counter. “Okay then.”

  I blinked up at him. “Aren’t you going to finish?”

  His grin grew. “I had breakfast.” He stood up. “The food was a ruse. I got what I wanted.”

  I blushed.

  He pushed the plate in front of me. “You can have my bacon.”

  My tongue was tied.

  “I will see you after then?”

  I nodded dumbly.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Winston,” he called, taking a sip of coffee. He was about to leave, but turned back, and leaned toward me.

  I held my breath. His eyes softened on me. His eyes mesmerized me. They were a weapon on my defenses. Beautiful. He chuckled warmly and then snatched a piece of bacon from my plate.

  “Max!”

  He took a bite, chewed thoughtfully, and smiled. “You’re right, it does taste better stolen.”

  Ok, that earned a smile. Clever devil.

  He leaned in again and kissed my cheek. “What time are you letting Hadley go, Mrs. Winston?”

  She smiled. “Whenever you show up at the door with those puppy dog eyes you’re giving her.”

  I think Max actually blushed, but he hid it by slapping Terry’s shoulder. “You ready?”

  Terry sighed and pushed his plate back. “You paid Mrs. Winston?”

  Max gave him a nod and headed out.

  “Want a to-go box, Terry?” Mrs. Winston teased, nodding her head to the half pancake remaining.

  Terry grinned sheepishly and shook his head, hurrying to follow Max out.

  I smiled, sighed, and returned to my studying.

  “Happy sigh, Hadley girl?”

  I nodded. Happy indeed.

  Chapter 8 Out Of The Mouths Of Babes

  By the end of my first day, I was already waiting the counter. I was a quick learner, and the lunch and dinner crowd was far busier than Mrs. Winston had anticipated. Was I perfect? Nah, but I was willing to make mistakes to learn. Lucky for me, my old towns folk cut me some slack.

  I was wiping down the counter when he appeared. I’d been looking forward to it all day. He arrived with little Madeline in tow.

  “My mom was feeling under the weather,” he explained her presence. He sat down in the stool before me and lifted the child up in his lap. She was too small for a stool of her own.

  I smiled at the happy beaming face. “Hey, Mady.”

  “Hey, Hadley,” she chirped.

  “I’m almost done,” I promised. “Mady, do you want some chocolate milk?”

  The child’s smile grew and she nodded.

  “What do you say?” Max whispered in her ear.

  “Yes, please,” she belted out.

  I smiled and went for the milk. It was still so strange to see Max Brandon as a dad. But it suited him well.

  I handed the child a cup with cap and crazy straw. She happily clasped it to her chest and took a sip. I got another grin from her dad, too.

  “Mady,” he prompted gently.

  “Thank you,” Madeline said sweetly.

  “Take your time,” Max hurried to assure me. His hazels lit. “I’m fine with watching.”

  My cheeks warmed and I couldn’t help my smile. I hurried to clean up what remained of my day. I wanted to be walking beside this man, not being watched by him. My nerves wouldn’t be able to take it.

  After turning in my apron, I followed Max and Madeline out into the warm summer evening. It was a little too warm.

  “To late for a swim, I suppose,” I said thought fully. I reached into my pocket, pulled out a hair band and lifted my hair from my neck.

  “Not too late,” Max argued. “Best swim is at night.” I saw the teasing in his eyes. “Remember?”

  I felt the butterflies. “Maybe.”

  He chuckled. “Well, maybe you need a reminder.” His eyes were full of promise.

  “Yay, swimming?” Madeline cried. She grasped her daddy’s hand as we crossed the street.

  Max laughed. “I was teasing, doll.”

  I blew out a breath, glad for the distraction.

  Madeline frowned and reached her other hand for mine. It was such a sweet and trusting gesture. I allowed the little hand to cling to mine.

  I peaked up at Max and he looked pleased.

  We poked around slowly as we walked down the street toward our homes. We were in no hurry. Madeline’s happy chirping was refreshing. She went on about a story grandma read to her about a girl in a red coat and a wolf with shiny sharp teeth. It was innocent and it was all that was necessary. Max’s presence and Madeline’s voice was all that I needed to end this amazing day.

  We stopped in front of my house and Max hesitated. I could see he wanted more time.

  “Thanks for seeing me home,” I smiled. I walked up the walk leading to the stair. I felt his hand at my elbow, and he turned me about.

  “Lets,” he whispered.

  I laughed at the strange request. He had a lopsided grin going on and he looked so hopeful. “Lets what?”

&n
bsp; He grinned, looked over his shoulder at Madeline. “After she is to bed…lets go swimming.”

  I smiled. “Really?”

  He looked sheepish when he heard the surprise in my voice. “Why not?” His voice was low so that his daughter couldn’t hear.

  “We haven’t done that since we were kids, Max.” I shook my head at him, but softened my voice when I saw the disappointment in his eyes. “You want to?”

  He grinned. “Swim in the moonlight with you?” His hands held my shoulders gently. “Hell yeah.”

  “Dork,” I chastised affectionately. His cheesy exclamation was something I was okay with. I smiled up at him. His hazels danced with mischief. “Okay,” I agreed. The mischief turned to triumph. Damn those magic eyes!

  “I’ll be here around eight-thirty,” he said with soft excitement.

  I laughed, feeling eighteen once more. “It’s a date.”

  His mouth quirked up on one side. “Yeah? Okay, it’s a date,” he agreed. He stood just looking at me, as if waiting for me to change my mind.

  “Eight-thirty.”

  He smiled, squeezing my shoulders, and making no effort to move away. “Yeah.”

  A sigh from the sidewalk had us both looking over Max’s shoulder. Madeline crossed her arms and shook her head. “Daddy, just kiss her.”

  I laughed in surprise at the little girls order.

  She laughed, delighted at my reaction. Max just looked embarrassed. He grinned, leaned in and kissed my cheek. The brush of his lips was a welcomed sensation.

  “Eight-thirty,” he chuckled, picked up Madeline, and tossed her over his shoulder.

  And my cheeks were hurting from smiling so hard.

  ~

  True to his word, Max was standing on the stair to my home at eight-thirty. I had my suit beneath my sundress, a towel over my arm, and a bag containing hoodie and jeans in case it got cold.

  Max did not come empty handed either. He had his towel and a cooler. He smiled when I appeared. “Hello, Hadley.”

  “What’s in the cooler?” I lifted my brows.

  “It’s a surprise.” He reached for my hand. “Come on.”

  I felt nervous taking his hand, but a good kind of nervous. This felt right. “Want to try out the Shelby?”

  I glanced over at the car he had been working on the other day. It still needed work on the body, but I was impressed he had it running already. “Yeah?”

  He nodded. “She’s a little rough around the edges, but she needs a little attention.

  I smiled. “Yes, definitely!” I took his hand and he helped me down the stairs.

  We hurried down the walk and to his drive. He opened the trunk and set the cooler inside. I chose to hold on to my things.

  We hopped into the beautiful piece of classic American machinery. The top was down and the seats had been maintained, having sat in the garage covered all these years. The leather was a little rough, but holding together.

  “She’s so pretty,” I said softly, touching the old leather.

  “Thanks,” he laughed.

  I reached for a seatbelt and came up empty.

  “I’m going to replace the seatbelts. The old ones were broken.” He looked apologetic. “It’s just a short distance, though, and I will drive safely,” he promised.

  I smiled. “I trust you.” That earned me a smile.

  Max started her up and she purred to life. There was a little hiccup in her purr, but she was over fifty now, she was allowed. We pulled out of the drive and onto the road.

  The evening was just starting to set, so the sky had a purplish hue to it. You could barely see the suns rays teasing the horizon. I leaned back and let the warm breeze blow over me and peaked up at the stars that were beginning to wink back. I had missed evenings when the stars were in abundance. City lights never allowed for such.

  Max was silent, but I think he was allowing me to enjoy my moment. Enjoy it I did. I felt so at peace here. I had missed home and he was taking me back to a moment when all was right. This little act of mischief was lightening that ache in my chest.

  I looked over at him. His eyes were straight forward, but his head was leaned back on the headrest. He was totally relaxed. The wind was tugging at his dark hair. Max. I felt a touch of sadness for all the years I had missed with him. Where would we be now if I had just acted as an adult?

  I mentally shook my head. I was a child then. I couldn’t change the past. But I could enjoy the now with him. I fought a smile and pushed back my nerves. Gently I slid over to him.

  He gave me a quick curious glance but set his arm across the back of the seat to allow me room.

  I felt totally shy and vulnerable, but I cuddled into his side and set my head to his shoulder and it felt like home. I let out the breath I was holding and relaxed against him.

  Max’s arm went about me and his hand rested on my arm. His fingers stroked my skin softly. “Better?”

  I hid my face in his shirt, but nodded. “This is okay?” I asked softly.

  He chuckled and the sound rumbled against my cheek. “Hadley, this is heaven.”

  I lifted my eyes. He kept his eyes on the road, but his smile could not have been more telling.

  I was almost sorry when we reached the lake. I pulled away as he parked the car and reached for my things.

  When the engine stilled the air seemed eerily quiet and then the crickets resumed their chirping and the tree frogs chorused back and forth. You could hear the gentle slap of the water against the banks. It was pitch black without the Shelby’s lights on and the only light was from the stars and the half moon that dominated the sky. It was perfect in my thoughts.

  We carried our things closer to the waters edge, laying out our towels and slipping from our unnecessary clothing. We were quiet as we did so. Down to our suits we made our way into the water. It had cooled with the suns disappearance.

  I didn’t remark on the coldness because I knew he would tease. I bravely waded in. I heard him chuckle, though, he knew my show of bravado was just that…a show.

  I decided to take it a step further and just dove in. When I came back up, yards from him he gave me an ovation. I laughed and flung a spray of water at him. He was under the surface before the spray could touch him. He resurfaced beside me with a grin.

  I could only make out his outline and a flash of teeth to begin with, but my eyes started to adjust to the dark. It was relaxing, floating in the dark waters and listening to nothing but nature itself. The coolness of the water now felt good compared to the hotness of the day.

  Max moved closer, reaching for my hand. He grabbed first the left and then the right, pulling me about gently in the water. I let him lead me in circles, leaning my head back, so that my hair swirled in the wake of our movements.

  “Glad you came?” His deep voice shocked me as in reverberated through the quiet communion we had been experiencing.

  “Yes,” I agreed. “Its lovely out here.”

  He chuckled. “And the company is okay?”

  I smiled. “It’ll do.”

  “It’ll do?” A snarl rumbled in his throat. The hold on my hands tightened.

  I yelped as he pulled me against his chest. “Don’t dunk me,” I pleaded, laughing at his frown. I wrapped my arms about his shoulders to keep above the surface.

  His arms wrapped about my waist “Dunk you?” He shook his head slowly and his arms flexed about me. “That was the old Max,” his voice was low and tender.

  My heart stopped for a second. I had to remind myself to breathe, as he watched for my reaction to him. “And what does the new Max do for retaliation now?” My voice was barely over a whisper. All of my bravado was gone. The strong arms about me stirred feelings I hadn’t felt in a long while. I looked up into his face and the evening had darkened his eyes.

  He smiled gently. “New Max would never retaliate.”

  I blinked up at him.

  “I’m more into kissing and making up than fighting.” He moved us again in the wat
er, slow circles. The muscles in his chest adjusted to keep us balanced.

  I could make out the outlines of his tattoos in the moons glow and in the reflection on the water. “Is that so?” I whispered in response to his admission.

  “If I remember right, old Hadley was okay with that.” He lifted a brow. “What about the new? Does she?”

  I swallowed hard. I focused on the lapping water around us and not on the overwhelming need to touch and be touched by this man. “Um, I’m not sure.”

  He laughed. He threw his head back and laughed at me!

  I tightened my hold on him, as his laughter shook us both. “You aren’t afraid are you?”

  I shook my head. “Of course not…you just start talking about kissing, and…and…”

  He chuckled and let me go. “I’m just playing with you,” he defended himself.

  I felt disappointment. I shrugged it off and splashed him a bit. “I knew you were.”

  “Oh you did, huh?” He reached for my hand again. I allowed him to easily draw me closer. My heart fluttered. I felt his breath on my face and then he leaned in and pressed his lips to my ear. “Fibber,” he murmured and released me once more. “I will not accost you. Not tonight,” he teased. He shook his head at me and swam further in. I followed.

  We enjoyed our swim once more in silence. When we had tired, we headed back to our towels and his cooler. I shivered a bit in the evening air and shrugged into my hoodie once I’d dried most of my skin and squeezed the damp from my hair. He tugged his shirt back over his head and sat back down before his cooler.

  “So whatcha got?” I tried to peak in.

  He shoved my shoulder, gently pushing me back. He grinned and opened his cooler. “Thought you might enjoy an adult drink as an actual adult.” He tossed me a solo cup and produced a bottle of chilled wine.

  I smiled. “No beer?” I teased.

  He grinned. “I thought you might like this more.” He pulled the cork and reached over to pour it into my cup.

  “I do,” I said with a smile. I sipped the sweet drink and sighed.

  He poured his own drink and lifted it to me. “Cheers.”

  I tipped my head to him and lifted my cup. “Cheers to what?”