“I happen to think I have excellent taste in husbands. When I met you, I didn’t think there were any good guys left. You know about Alistair. About what he did.”
“He was a fucking idiot.”
“Yes. I think I knew it was over before I caught him in bed with the next-door neighbor, though. I didn’t love him. I didn’t feel any passion for him. But I stayed with him because I didn’t want to be like my mother. Going through man after man. I wanted a relationship that would last. I’m not sure why I ever thought Alistair was that man. I guess because for the first time I had my mother’s approval. Stupid, huh?”
“All I’ve ever wanted is to make my dad proud of me,” Max told her.
“I can barely remember my father. Have I told you how I used to dream about him returning to get me?”
He shook his head.
“I always thought that one day he’d just show up and tell me he was a secret spy and that’s why he’d disappeared from my life without a word. Never happened, though.”
He ran his hand up and down her back soothingly.
“I had the best that money could buy. The best education. A big house. A maid and a cook. Nice clothes. And you know the only thing I ever really wanted? To come first with someone. To be noticed. To have someone love me. You love me. Logan loves me. I didn’t marry you for the material things you could provide. But because you’re there for me. You never give up. No matter how often I try your temper or muck things up. You’re always there. Supporting me.”
He kissed her cheek. “I never want you to want for anything, Savannah.”
“I don’t. I have everything I need.”
He shook his head, glancing down at her hands. He ran his thumb around and around the palm of her hand. Shivers raced through her, hunger filling her.
“I always swore my wife wouldn’t work too hard.”
She snorted. “I’m hardly at risk of that. Even before all of this happened, I didn’t exactly work long hours.”
“If I had my way, you wouldn’t work at all.”
She stayed silent even though she longed to ask more questions. She knew bits and pieces about their childhood, but they usually changed the subject when their parents came up.
“My father treated my mother like she was the most precious thing in the world to him. He showed us how a man should look after his woman. Take care of her. After he died, my mom was lost. She wasn’t the same. Then she met Gary. He was nothing like our dad. He was an asshole. He was a truck driver so he was gone a lot, which was the only good thing about him. He drank too much, he was emotionally abusive and he never gave my mom enough money to get by. I don’t know what happened to the money dad left her, Gary probably gambled it away. I have no idea why she married him.”
“Maybe she was lonely.”
“Being lonely would have been better than being with him. She cleaned houses to make ends meet. Most days she must have put in twelve hours. She was so thin, you know? Frail. Probably didn’t get nearly the amount of food and sleep she needed.”
“She died of pneumonia, right?”
“I didn’t get home in time to say goodbye to her.”
“Oh, Max.” Her heart broke for him.
“I loved her. I could never understand why she stayed with him, you know? He used her. He took the money she earned and gambled it away. He was a selfish asshole. And she stayed with him.”
“Do you think I’m a selfish person?”
She felt him stiffen then he placed his fingers under her chin and turned her to face him. “Selfish? Why would you say that?”
She shrugged. Now, that she’d asked the question she was regretting it.
“Savannah,” he said warningly.
“I just think I could do more around here. I’ve never been that interested in ranching, but it means a lot to you and Logan. And you always pay attention to the stuff that’s important to me.”
“Savannah, we never expected you to show interest in the ranch. It’s our responsibility.”
“You guys work so hard, and you could use the help, right?”