by Clay, Verna
She jerked her eyes open. She was lying on her side facing Max with her naked body pressed against his. She had one leg thrown over his hip and one arm hugging his waist. He leaned back slightly and studied her face.
Max said, "That was the best sex I've ever had and I hope it won't be the last between us."
Pilar blinked as the previous night, in all its glory and detail, flashed before her eyes. Max lowered his lips to hers, but before she caved in to lust once again, she asked, "Did you pay for extensive repairs on my car?"
Max nuzzled her ear. "I did. And I'd do it again in a heartbeat, so there's no use arguing about it."
She replied, "Right now, arguing is the last thing on my mind," and covered his mouth with searing kisses. He didn't seem to care about morning breath, and neither did she. When he reached for his wallet on the floor to grab another foil of protection, she helped him with it. After another hour of glorious lovemaking, the sun was up and shining brilliantly.
Pilar glanced at the clock across the room and quickly sat up. "Oh, goodness, it's almost six. I can't take a chance of Willie finding us like this."
Max rubbed her back. "Honey, as much as I want to spend the day in bed with you, I understand." He also sat up and wrapped a blanket around her. "You get dressed first."
Pilar almost cried. She may have been a wild woman the night before, but Max was sensitive enough to know she wouldn't want to parade around in the nude in front of him. Without looking at him, she lifted her PJs off the floor, grabbed her backpack, and headed for the bathroom. Staring at herself in the mirror with her hair in wild disarray, the words to the song Max had whispered in her ear the night before swirled in her mind. All Night Long. She'd never understood how people could make love all night, but now, heaven help her, she did.
Chapter 20: Reality Bites
Pilar dressed quickly and with a last splash of water on her face hoped the bracing cold would fortify her courage. She needed to confront Max—again. She'd let her defenses down and spent the most incredible night of her life with him. Already she felt the bite of reality—he could break her heart. This couldn't happen again.
Inhaling a calming breath, she left the bathroom. Max's bed was made, but he wasn't in the room—so much for garnering her courage. She stepped onto the porch to see him leaning against the side of the cabin. He had to have heard her open the door, but he didn't turn around or say anything.
She cleared her throat. "Max, I want you to know that last night was incredible." Her voice broke and he turned to look at her. The stupid tears she'd been holding back moistened her cheeks. Swiping at them, she continued, "But I really want you to keep your distance from me. Even though it's my fault that it happened, I don't want anything like that to happen again." She forged on with what had to be said. "I…" She tried again, "I'm not the kind of woman who can deal with casual sex. When I married, I thought it was forever. I thought Parker and I would raise a family, have a beautiful life with our children and grandchildren, grow old together…" She paused and Max's gaze never waivered from hers. "I want the white picket fence and the adoring husband." She gave a sad smile. "As you've seen, I only have half of that dream." She glanced toward the towering cliffs across from the cabin. "If we had an affair, you'd only break my heart. You and I both know that as soon as your commitment to your grandfather is over, you're gone."
She brought pleading eyes back to his and registered his understanding. He said, "As difficult as it will be, I promise to keep my distance. I care too much for you to bring you sadness."
Turning to reenter the cabin, Pilar paused with her back to Max. "Thank you for repairing my car, but please don't try to fix my life again. I'd insist on repaying you, but I know it wouldn't do any good." Quickly, she opened the door. Her heart was already breaking and there was nothing she could do about it.
Chapter 21: Skylar
For Max the mule ride back to the rim of the Grand Canyon was long and arduous. For the sake of Willie, he and Pilar kept things light, although sadness tinged their conversations. Occasionally, Max caught Willie looking between them with a perplexed expression, but the boy didn't ask any questions.
Both Pilar and Max played travel games with Willie on the return drive and it was almost midnight before they reached Oasis. Max pulled his car next to his RV and carried Willie the distance to Pilar's trailer. She carried the backpacks. Max laid Willie on his bed and Pilar followed him back outside. She bid him a cool goodnight. He stared at her for a long moment, wanting to kiss her sad expression away, but instead, said softly, "Goodnight, Pilar." He didn't hear her reenter her trailer as he walked to his RV, and once he was inside, he immediately pulled his front curtains open. She still stood outside. In the moonlight their gazes met, and then she entered her trailer and closed the door.
The next weeks proved to be hell on Max. To avoid running into Pilar, he ate frozen dinners and stayed away from the diner. Whenever they did come face-to-face, he made excuses that quickly took him away from her presence. He did, however, continue pitching baseballs with Willie. He didn't have the heart to hurt the boy's feelings. Besides that, the hot weather seemed to have weakened Desi until he was in no condition to toss balls.
The last week of August, a month that was hotter than Hades, found Max barely controlling his irritability. His body, his emotions, and his mind craved Pilar. She was like that single potato chip that was never enough. He decided to walk to town to work off some of his frustration. Maybe he'd visit the hardware store and look for gadgets to improve his outdated RV.
Kade's Garage was one of the first buildings encountered when entering Oasis and Max hurried his pace when he noticed a crowd had gathered. His heart pounded when he recognized a vehicle that looked suspiciously like his sister's Range Rover. He started running when he saw a toppled motorcycle and a dent in the SUV's fender.
Pushing through the crowd, he scanned for the persons involved in the accident. His baby sister, her eyes wide, was being confronted by Kade. Kade had a gash on his cheek and his black leathers were skinned and dust coated. Gesturing angrily toward Skye, he shouted, "You just about killed me."
She responded in a shaky voice. "I didn't see the stop sign. It was hidden by that tree branch."
Kade shouted again, "Well, who the hell drives ninety miles an hour in a business zone. Even if there wasn't a stop sign, you should have seen me."
Max glanced at the questionable sign. Indeed, it was difficult to see, and just the day before he'd ask Gator to trim the branches around it. His sister was justified on that account. However, he knew from experience that she usually drove faster than the posted speed limit. Kade's accusation was probably correct.
Kade stomped to the motorcycle and jerked it upright. Vehemently, he shouted, "I just called the owner of this Harley to let him know it was ready for pick up!" He stared daggers at Skye. "I've been working on it for two months, and now, thanks to you, I've got to inform my best customer that his bike has been wrecked."
Max stepped between his sister and Kade. Skye saw him and ran to throw her arms around him. As confused bystanders and Kade watched, Max explained, "This is my sister, Skylar Rutherford." He directed his stare at Kade. "I'll pay whatever the cost to repair the bike."
Kade said stubbornly, "No, I think the insurance company should be notified. Your sister needs to own up to her responsibility. Money won't buy her out of this one."
Max heard several of the crowd gasp. He sighed audibly when the onlookers' gazes moved between Max, Kade, and Skye. Soon, the town would have a new topic for the gossip mill. He was about to respond when Skye turned, advanced on Kade, and pointed a finger. Max puffed a breath. His sister was slow to anger, but when she did, she was a powder keg. She walked until she was close enough to tap her finger on his chest. "You are an arrogant ass and have made the assumption that I am not responsible. For your information, I only have one speeding ticket, and that was years ago. That stop sign…" she turned her finger toward the red culprit, "�
��is the cause of this accident and not my driving ability. So, Mr. Jerk, if you want to report this to my insurance company instead of accepting the funds that I, and not my brother, will provide to fix the bike…go for it! It won't affect my driving record at all!"
Kade replied, "Oh, I intend to, lady. Because I don't believe you!"
Max watched his sister straighten her shoulders and glare at Kade. Suddenly, she turned toward Max and said, "How can you live in this heat? Where the hell is that trailer park?"
Max motioned to Skye's car. "Get in. I'll drive you there." He looked toward Kade. "Is it okay for her to leave? I'll come back later with her insurance information."
Kade sent a hard stare in Skye's direction and jerked a nod.
Skye glanced at the crowd and called, "The party's over. You can return to whatever it is you do in this furnace."
Max groaned and opened the passenger door for his sister. A quick glance at the bystanders and he could practically see the tongues wagging. Just when he'd begun to feel accepted in Oasis, his sister had made him an outsider again, and herself a pariah of the community.
Max started the engine and slowly turned the Range Rover around. He waited for Skye to speak and the first words out of her mouth stunned him. "That man is gorgeous! What I wouldn't give to photograph him. I'd have top designers begging him to wear their clothing. Too bad he's such a dick."
Max almost laughed. Instead of responding to her observation, he asked, "What are you doing here?"
"Trying to find out why you're here. I couldn't get through to you on your cell phone and you didn't respond to emails. And when I couldn't reach Max, Sr., I called Bertram and he gleefully told me where you were, but that's all I could get out of him. Since I had to pass through Arizona on my way to California, I decided to stop by. What the hell is going on?"
Max replied, "As for cell phone service, it's sometimes iffy out here, and my internet capability left with the Prevost. But as for what's going on, that's something you need to ask Gramps, after he gets back from vacation."
Skye gave Max a shocked expression. "Gramps! Since when do you call Max, Gramps? And since when does he go on vacation?"
"I think the vacation was just a front to take the Prevost away from me. And he became Gramps when he sent a note signed with that term of endearment."
Skye looked at him askance. "Seriously, Max. What's going on?"
Max puffed a breath. "Maybe I should start at the beginning. Three months ago I was called out of a seriously important meeting and ordered to meet with Max in New York." He paused as he pulled Skye's car beside his Mercedes parked next to his Bounder. She took one look at his RV and busted out laughing. "No. No. No. You're not living there, are you?"
"Welcome to Home-Sweet-Home."
She gaped at him. "Oh, I can't wait to hear this story—Max Rutherford III, grandson of Max Rutherford I, and heir to Rutherford Acquisitions, living in a trailer park in the middle of the desert in an antique RV."
Max grinned. "Please join me in my humble abode while I regale you with a tale straight from the crypt."
When Max opened the door of his Bounder and waited for his sister to enter, she pointed to Pilar's trailer and asked, "Who's your neighbor with that ridiculous fence?"
Instantly, Max went into defensive mode. "She's a single mom named Pilar with a great kid, and she saved for a year to buy that fence. Personally, I like it."
Skye lifted an eyebrow. "If you say so."
Max prepared coffee while Skye checked out his digs. She merely shook her head, sat at his teeny table, and said, "I can't believe this."
Max sat across from her and finished his tale. However, whereas three months ago he had been pissed at being forced to live in Oasis, now he was amused and regaled his sister with stories of its residents.
Skye sipped the last of her coffee that was now cold, grimaced, and said, "Honestly, Max, the way you talk about this place it sounds like you enjoy being here and the residents are your best friends." She waved her hand in front of Max's eyes. "Have I entered the inverted universe of The Stepford Wives? Where's my brother; is he in there?"
Max gathered their cups and walked two steps to the sink. "I think you're reading more into this than there is. Three more months and I'm out of here."
Skye shrugged and changed the subject. "So, do you want my insurance card to take to the hunk of the century?"
Max laughed. "I knew the guy was good-looking, but really, give me a break."
Skye laughed. "Max, that man is the poster child for male models. I'd love to build a portfolio for him and then shop him to the best-of-the-best agencies."
Max interjected. "He's Pilar's cousin."
Skye said, "Fence lady?" and pointed in the direction of Pilar's trailer.
"Yep."
"Like they say, it's a small world after all." She reached for her purse and pulled out her insurance card and driver's license. "I sure hope he accepts your offer to repair that motorcycle. Of course, I'll reimburse any expense."
Max said, "I was trying to diffuse the situation. You'll probably have to pay for it directly. Gramps put me on a budget and I used a good chunk of it for repairs to Pilar's car."
Skye made an "oh" with her mouth and Max said hastily. "Don't read anything into it. She's just a friend."
Skye pointed out the window. "Is that your friend?"
Max looked and nodded. "Yes, that's Pilar and Willie." Pilar said something to Willie and he entered their trailer. Max was surprised when she continued to his RV and knocked on the door. His heart pounded when he opened it.
"Hi, Max. Word is all over town that there was an accident between your sister and my cousin. Is your sister okay?"
Max motioned Pilar inside. "Yes. No one was hurt. Please come in and meet Skylar." Pilar squeezed past Max and his body came to attention at her proximity. He wanted to groan. He motioned her toward the couch, opposite the table, and asked if she'd like a cup of coffee. She nodded and sat down.
Skylar stuck out her hand. "Hi, Pilar. Max has been telling me great things about the park and its residents. Please call me Skye."
Pilar looked surprised by Skye's words, but accepted her handshake. "It's nice meeting you, Skye. I…ah…heard that my cousin wasn't exactly cordial. I hope you won't hold that against him. He's really a nice guy."
Skye laughed. "I haven't pissed anyone off that much in, well, maybe a week."
Max rolled his eyes and handed Pilar her coffee. He was about to sit across from Skye at the table but there was another knock on his door.
Pilar said, "That's probably Willie. I told him to wash up before coming over here."
Max reached for his mitt and baseball and opened the door.
Willie said, "I'm ready to pitch, but if you want to forget it 'cause you got company, that's okay."
Max patted Willie's head. "Nope. I'm ready. But first I'd like you to meet my sister, Skye."
Willie poked his head inside the RV. "Hello, ma'am."
Skye grinned. "Hello Willie. So you're the next Willie Mays."
Willie looked pleased. "I hope I can hit as good as him someday."
Skye said to Pilar, "Would you mind if we sat outside so I can watch my brother and Willie. I haven't seen Max doing anything fun since he was fifteen and we got in trouble for dropping water balloons from the second floor onto our stepbrother's head."
Pilar said, "I'd love to sit outside."
Max said, "Now Skye, you know tossing those water balloons was your idea."
She laughed and responded. "Ha! And Gramps is a cuddly teddy bear."
Max flipped on the fan outside his RV and positioned the breeze to blow on Skye and Pilar before joining Willie in the road. They tossed some warm-up balls. Willie said, "I'm ready when you are."
Max pounded his fist into his mitt. "Ready."
Willie sent a curve ball hard into Max's mitt and Skye yelled, "Wow! That was great!"
Chapter 22: No Deal
Pilar watched Will
ie throw pitches to Max and listened to the easy banter that flowed between them. The perpetual lump in her throat whenever she was around Max, just got bigger. She turned her attention to Skye. For wont of something to say, she said, "I like your name."
Skye grinned. "Thanks. I like yours, too."
There was an awkward silence and then Skye observed, "I don't know what's happened to my brother, but I haven't seen him this playful since we were kids." She chuckled. "Maybe Max, Sr. sending him here was a good idea."
The ball rolled to the edge of the RV and Max jogged to pick it up. He glanced at his sister. "Don't think about leaving before tomorrow. Tonight the park is hosting an International Potluck."
Skye's mouth gaped. "Like I said before, you may look like my brother, but what have you done with him?"
Max just shook his head.
Before Pilar considered her invitation, she said, "You can stay with me, Skye. My trailer has more room than Max's RV."
Skye glanced between Max and Pilar and said slyly, "Why don't I stay in the RV and let Max stay with you."
Quickly, Pilar responded, "Oh, no. You've got the wrong idea. We're just friends."
Skye winked and said, "Okay, if you say so."
Willie called, "Do you still want to toss the ball, Max?"
Max ran back to his position in the road. "I sure do." Pilar saw him send his sister a frown.
* * *
Max unloaded his sister's suitcase and carried it into Pilar's trailer.
Pilar said, "Willie's going to sleep on the couch, so you can put the case in his room."
Skye protested, "Hey, my career has taken me all over the world and into every conceivable condition. The couch is fine."
Pilar shook her head. "Nope. Whenever we have guests, they sleep in Willie's room."
Max delivered the suitcase and returned to the living room. "I'm going to run your insurance info over to Kade and see if I can diffuse the situation some more."
