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“You’re missing out.”

“I don’t think so. When I meet the right woman, I’m going all in.”

“You’ll regret it. That way lies madness.”

“What, like Tate regrets it?” Because there was no way that was true. Not the way Tate glowed when Stephanie was nearby. Not the way he showered attention on her, and she on him.

“They’re still newlyweds. Give them time. Our parents sure have regrets.”

“I don’t think either of them wishes they hadn’t met, though. Then they’d have to admit they regret us boys, and I don’t think that’s true.”

“They hate each other.”

“Now they do. They let work get between them until there was too big a gap to span.” Maxwell knew Mom had grieved about that. Not that she was quite willing to take another chance on Dad. On the flip side, Dad only had bitter words for Mom when he was forced to swing by Kansas to bring her to board meetings. There wasn’t going to be a reunion any minute soon. If ever.

“See, that’s where I’m different. Work is never going to be my focus. I’ve got time for women.”

Why couldn’t Bryce see there was a balance in life? A guy didn’t need to choose between being a workaholic or glibly refusing all responsibility. Yeah, that’s what Maxwell was telling himself. There was a middle ground. Too bad he hadn’t figured out how to tread it himself.

“You’re going back to Kansas for your high-school reunion?”

Maxwell nodded. “Flying down with Dad on Monday, and I’ll return commercial next week.”

“There’s probably a cute girl or two from your class who’s not attached.” Bryce waggled his eyebrows. “If you know what I mean.”

Bryce’s reunion had been two years back and, from the sounds of it, he’d made the most of his reconnections, at least for a few weeks.

“Told you. I’m not one for casual, and I live here now. I’m definitely not looking for romance in Gilead. A long-distance relationship isn’t going to cut it for me.”

“You’re such a stick-in-the-mud.”

Better that than living Bryce’s life.

A cheer rose. Maxwell turned to see Graham and Cadence jogging down the log staircase hand in hand, big smiles on their faces. Lucky for them, the housekeeping staff had vetoed confetti or rice in the building, and Grandfather had forbidden it outside. They waved and ran out the main doors, where Graham’s VW was waiting.

The couple had planned a road trip around the Pacific Northwest for their honeymoon. Something about how they’d started their relationship on a long drive and wanted to relive it. Most family members headed somewhere more exotic, but… their call. Maxwell knew a bit about marching to the beat of his own drum, so good for Graham.

He looked around the group as it began to disband. Man, he wished he’d declined the invitation to his class’s ten-year reunion. He’d headed to Chicago before the ink on his high-school diploma had dried, and he’d never looked back. Yeah, he’d visited his mother every year or two, but looking up old classmates hadn’t once crossed his mind.

Think of all he could accomplish on the last cottage on Ladybug Lane next week if he stayed in Montana. If he hadn’t given his crew the week off, he’d be severely tempted to cancel everything. But he’d never hear the end of it from Mom, so call the trip what it was: time with his mother with a side of ancient history.

He’d be in and out of Kansas in no time flat, and then he could begin the process of reprioritizing his life. Was that even possible? Time would tell.