What did he want to talk about? Okay, that was probably a stupid question, but did he really want to rehash the past, or did he have an ulterior motive?
Before she could question him, Max had turned and walked from the room. Raine attempted to shift her attention as she moved toward the rocker, swiping the pacifier off the changing table first. Maybe this would work. Raine wasn’t a fan of the thing because she dreaded weaning Abby from it in the months to come, but something had to help this poor baby sleep, and if the pacifier worked, then, hey, Raine was all for it.
Abby instantly started sucking, her moist lids lowered over her eyes, and she sniffled a little, but for the most part calmed right down.
In no time she was asleep...again. Hopefully for a few hours this go-round. Raine couldn’t keep coming into the nursery every time the baby cried, but she couldn’t just stand outside the door and listen to it, either. Surely there was a happy medium.
Raine placed Abby back in the crib and eased out of the room. Now, if she could just get Max to leave, she’d be able to dodge this inevitably awkward chat. And not only would their talk be awkward, but her emotions were bound to make her more than uncomfortable. The man kept sparking things within her...she just couldn’t let that flame rekindle.
When she passed the hall mirror, she caught a glimpse of herself and resisted the urge to straighten up the lopsided ponytail and all the tendrils that had spilled from it. Max had already seen her, and she wasn’t out to impress him, anyway. It wasn’t like she could even compare to the supermodels and A-list actresses that had clung to his arm through the years.
Besides that, she wasn’t sorry for who she was. She was happy with her meager life, and she wouldn’t feel ashamed simply because her high school sweetheart was in her living room.
At the top of the steps she straightened her shoulders and silently applauded herself for the mental pep talk. Now she had to face Max, figure out what he thought they needed to discuss and get him out of her house. Because she couldn’t afford for those old feelings to come creeping back up again.
Four
Max glanced at the various photos spread across the mantel. Most were of Raine with her grandmother from years ago, but now newer ones had been placed in frames. Pictures of Raine with Abby, Abby sleeping, a black-and-white picture of Abby’s hand holding onto what he presumed to be Raine’s finger.
But he never saw a picture of the baby with a man...or Raine with a man for that matter. The fact she was alone with this baby shouldn’t make him feel relieved, because in reality, that just made him a jerk, but he’d be lying if he didn’t admit that he’d gotten a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach when he had thought of her creating a family with someone else.
When he’d decided to come home, he knew the chances of running into her were pretty good, and he’d dreaded the thought of seeing some lucky man standing at her side.
Max was supposed to be that man. Max had spent day after agonizing day trying to reach Raine once he’d hit L.A. He just couldn’t figure out why she’d lied and said she’d be right behind him. Why not just cut ties before he left and spare him that misery?
But she’d strung him along, and her rejection had sent him into a downward spiral which eventually culminated in his near-fatal motorcycle accident. He’d cared for nothing, living recklessly and damning the world around him. But the wreck had really opened his eyes.
Max released a deep, slow breath. He had no idea what possessed him to drive out here today when the weather was so bad, but he’d seen her stranded in the snow, then socializing with his mother, as if there was no history between them, and couldn’t get over the fact that so much had been left hanging between him and Raine. He knew they’d both moved on, but that didn’t stop him from wanting closure.
He needed answers, and he wasn’t leaving until he got them. Raine may have shut that chapter in her life, but he was about to reopen it.
* * *
As Raine descended the staircase, she held all the poise and glamour her mother had raised her to have, but he couldn’t suppress a grin because of her bedhead, the verbiage on her T-shirt and the way she tried to be so regal when she looked like a hot mess.
But that’s one of the things he’d always admired about her. She never cared what people thought of her image; her only worry was caring for others.
“You should go,” she stated. “The weather isn’t getting any better.”
Max glanced over at one of the photos on the mantel. “I snapped this picture.”
Her eyes drifted to the photo he was pointing to. A young Raine had her arms thrown around the neck of her grandmother, both women were laughing for the camera. Max could practically hear the laughter, and he was instantly transported back to that day.
“She always loved you,” Raine murmured. “She thought for sure you were the one.”
Max stared at the elderly woman in the photo and swallowed the lump in his throat. “Life happens. Plans change.”
“What do you want from me, Max?” she asked softly.
Max turned his attention back to her and noted her defensive stance with her arms crossed over her chest, but he could also see how visibly tired she was. “I want closure.”
“So bringing up the past will...what? Suddenly make things better?”
He shrugged. “Maybe I figured after all this time I deserved some answers.”
Raine held his gaze a moment before she burst out laughing. “Did you come here to humiliate me?”
“What?”
She shook her head and moved farther into the room. “Max, we’re living in two different worlds. Why on earth would you find it necessary to come all the way here just to discuss a period of our lives that really isn’t relevant anymore?”
His cell vibrated in his pocket before he could utter a comeback. Not relevant? The absence of Raine in his life had nearly destroyed him. There wasn’t a day that went by that he hadn’t thought about her, wondered what she was doing. No way in hell was she not relevant in his life.
The number on his screen belonged to his mother, and a moment of panic set in when he answered. Sasha, the nurse, was there with her, so surely nothing was wrong.
“Honey,” his mother began. “Have you left Raine’s house yet?”
“No, why?”
From across the room, Raine studied him.
“Sasha just went out to get something from her car when a trooper pulled up, thinking she was leaving. We’re under a level three advisory, and unless it’s an emergency, no one’s allowed on the roads.”
Max shot his gaze to the wide window in the front of Raine’s living room. “You’re kidding?” he said, as he watched big fat flakes cling to the window.
“Afraid not.”
“I can’t leave you alone,” he told her. “I’ll head out right now and be there shortly.”
“Don’t risk getting fined or even hurt, Max. Sasha is here, we’re safe and warm. There’s nothing she can’t provide for me. Besides, I’m fine. I’m tired, but nothing a nap can’t fix.”
Max knew all of this, but it was the fact he was going to be stuck here with Raine that was giving him fits. Trapped with Raine and a baby. What the hell, Fate?
“I know, but I came back home to help you, and I can’t do that if I’m not there.”
“I’m sure it will be fine later tonight or maybe tomorrow. We need it to stop snowing so the state workers can keep the roads clear.”
He continued to watch the snow come down, showing no sign of letting up. The dark gray skies weren’t looking too kind even though it was still early in the morning. Shouldn’t the sun be out?
“I’ll get back to you as soon as I can,” he promised. “I’ll call and check in, too.”
Max hung up with his mother and eased the phone back into his pocket before turning back to Raine.
“Looks like I’m stuck here,” he said.
Her eyes widened. “I’m sorry...what?”
“Seems the county is on a level three advisory, and no one is allowed out unless it’s an emergency.”
Raine jerked her attention to the window. Her shoulders slumped, and she released a heavy sigh. “Life sucks,” she muttered.
Max shook his head. “I’m no happier about this than you are.”
She focused her narrow gaze on him. “Don’t even think of taking advantage of this situation.”
“Excuse me?”
“The snowstorm, the stranded victim.” She pointed a finger at him. “I hope you don’t think we’re going to bond or have some passionate reunion.”
Max laughed. “You’re still just as outspoken as you used to be.”
Raine dropped her hand. “I’m nothing at all like I used to be,” she groused. “That girl grew up when life smacked her in the face.”
Max wanted to know more, wanted to know what had happened. God, did he ever want to know. Something made Raine hard now, and he hated that. He wanted to see that free spirit he’d fallen in love with, but at the same time, maybe it was better this way. Maybe having her hate him was for the best, because he certainly wasn’t too thrilled with her, either.
“Go on with whatever it is you were doing,” he said. “Pretend I’m not here.”
“Not so eager to chat now?”
He shook his head. “Not when you’re so upset. Besides, looks as if I’ll be here for a while.”
“No matter how long you’re here, I won’t want to discuss the past.”
She turned on her heel and nearly stomped off. Max smirked. Now what the hell was he going to do? He had work he needed to do, but his laptop was back at his mother’s house, and there was no way in hell he’d ask Raine for her computer.
He pulled out his phone and checked his emails. This movie deal he was working on could not be put on hold. He’d waited years to prove he was worthy of directing his own film, and, with the help of Bronson Dane, producer of every film worth any mention in Hollywood, Max knew this was the big break he’d been waiting for.
When Bronson had approached him with this project, Max had nearly cried. Seriously, he’d never been so close to happy tears in his life.
And this snowstorm and being stranded with Raine for God knew how long would not put a damper on his work. He could communicate with his phone and her computer...if she let him use it. And when the snow cleared, he was getting the hell out of here.
* * *
Raine mixed a touch of aloe and a hint of jasmine, but her shaky hands tipped the bottle and made a mess over her scarred countertop. Resting her palms on the edge of the work space, she hung her head between her shoulders as the recent events took control of her emotions.
Why? Why did he have to come back just when she was really starting to turn her life around? The sales from her lotions and soaps were really promising, and next month the Farmer’s Market would reopen, and she’d start pulling in even more money with the vegetables she’d been growing this winter. She already had several potted plants thriving in her meager indoor greenhouse, and it wouldn’t be long before she was outside gardening again. Things were looking up.
And most important, she had Abby who had come into her life just before Christmas and she couldn’t be more blessed.
So why did her ex-turned-Hollywood-hotshot have to show up at her house, looking like he’d just stepped off the ski slopes in Vail, and wreak havoc on her hormones?
Raine laughed. There, she’d admitted it to herself. She was as attracted to Max now as she had been years ago, but, just because he was still the sexiest man alive, it didn’t mean she would act on her lustful feelings. She had no time, nor did she have the inclination, to travel down that path of heartache again.
Heavy footsteps sounded outside her door, and she froze. When those steps moved into the room, she closed her eyes and willed him to go away.
“You okay?” he asked.
No, she wasn’t okay, but the standard answer was “Fine,” right?
She turned, leaned her butt against the edge of the counter and crossed her arms. “You need something?”
His eyes searched hers as if he was looking for answers only she could give. Yeah, she had nothing. No emotions, no feelings. Right now she felt as if she’d been wrung dry.
“I hate to bother you, but if I’m going to be stuck here, I need to get some work done. Do you have a laptop or computer I could use?”
He wanted to work? Great, that would keep him out of her hair for a while.
“I have a laptop in my bedroom,” she said. “I’ll go get it.”
As she moved forward, he stepped in her path, stopping her with his wide, muscular body. His hands came up to gently grip her forearms.