Page 37 of That Conflicted Feeling

I’vehad quite enough of him charming my mother. “Oh,I’mpretty sureMrs.Lovewellwouldn’t have objected if you’d shown up in the goat bathrobe.”

Heturns to face me. “I’mpretty sureI’dhave been arrested beforeIgot there.”

Lookingdown, he smooths his shirt over his left pec. “Youdid a great job too.Noone would even knowI’dbeen peed on.”Helifts just his eyes, peering at me under his brows. “Unlessthey got extremely close to me.”

Damnhim.Damnhim and his eyes.Andhis chest.Andwhatever he was keeping a close handle on under the bathrobe.

“Allright, well, anyway, let’s get you back to town.”Itoss his jacket, whichI’dbrought in from the feed shed, over my arm and jingle the bus keys.

“Oh, don’t forget your soap.”Momtries to head back to the table but stops and winces.Whenshe’s having a flare-up, she often forgets and tries to move like usual.

Maxputs his arm around her, guides her back to the chair, and eases her down.

It’shard to know if he’s naturally helpful and caring or if he’s doing it only to try to get me on his side.

And, goodLord, my mom’s fickle.She’lllean on him, no problem.Butwill she let me get her a walker, or even just a cane?Noway in hell.Apparently, she’d be very happy ifIgot her aMax, though.Well, that’s not happening.Definitelynot.

“Thankyou.Hereyou go.”Momreaches across the table for the shoebox of soaps she had me put together a few minutes ago.

I’msure the last thingMaxwants is homemade goat milk soap.It’llprobably go straight in the garbage as soon as he gets back to theB&B.Orhe’ll give them toMrs.Lovewell, and she’ll adore him even more.

Momlifts the lid and peers inside. “Youdidn’t give him anything sweet or flowery, did youPolly?”

“Whatdo you mean?That’sallIgave him.It’sone hundred percent sugar plums and cupcakes in there.”

“She’skidding.”Momrolls her eyes and nudgesMaxwith her elbow like they’re old pals sharing a running joke.Thenshe points at the contents of the box. “Look, there’s a couple of the cinnamon ones you liked, a cucumber with mint, a eucalyptus, and my favorite, spicy lemon.”

“Doyou make a cupcake one, though?”Maxasks. “Orwas that a joke?”

“Nojoke,”Ianswer. “It’sthe most popular one at the shop.Well, that and the mocha.”

Maxpicks up one of the bars and examines the brown recycled paper band around it that’s stamped withMom’slogo and the ingredients.

“Gloria’sGoatBar.”Hismouth quirks up at one side as he nods and his bright blue sparklers look fromMomto me. “Coolname.Youtwo are quite the entrepreneurs, aren’t you.”

“Neverhad an employer in our lives,”Itell him.

Maxplaces the soap back in the box, puts on the lid, and tucks it under his arm.

“Thankyou.I’llenjoy them.Now,Ibelieve my chariot awaits.”

Ihand him his jacket.

“Solovely to meet you,Max,” saysMom. “I’msorry my daughter made such a mess of you.”Shelooks around him at me. “Sheknows better.”

Iopen the back door and gesture for him to go ahead of me.

“Yougo lie down,”ItellMom. “I’llbe right back to make dinner.”

Sheslowly mouths back, “Veryhandsome.”

Oh, for pity’s sake!Shecan’t want me to be with someone who represents everything that’s already wrecked our lives and is now about to wreck them even more.

Igive her a hard stare, then head out to meetMaxat the van.

Nowthat he has his jacket on, if you saw him only from the front and from a distance so you couldn’t spot the hole in his pant leg, you’d never be able to tell what he’s been through.WhatIput him through.

Heclimbs in, sets the box of soaps on his lap, shuts the door, and gives me that cheeky smile through the window.