Page 71 of Charlie Takes a Chance

I give him a quick run down of everything I’ve done so far. “The only strange thing was burn marks on the wall in the living room. It almost looks like someone started a bonfire inside.”

Alexander starts coughing loudly, and Max leans over to pat his back.

Nash just shakes his head. “As long as it wasn’t an electrical problem, I don’t care what caused it.”

Max is looking awfully suspicious, grinning at Alexander, but I let it slide. We all make our way into the living room so I can show them that the wall is as good as new.

Then I just stand there and grin, watching all the little exchanges going on in the room around me.

Oddly enough, these are my people. I can already tell this is a good Christmas.

Whatever this thing is with Max, I can’t believe I feel so at peace about it. Usually, I get the new relationship high—the kind of high where I’m convincing myself that the guy could be the one.

I don’t have that frantic feeling with Max. Instead, I have excitement. Anticipation. I have butterflies, probably way too much attraction, and a confidence that he is a good man. I know I don’t have to pretend with him, which takes a load of pressure off. He likes me as me—not as someone trying to pretend to be different.

Max looks over at me and smiles, and I know I could happily look at that face for the rest of my life.

“So when are we having our owner’s meeting?” Nash asks as he looks at Max.

I jerk my head back and forth between them. “Owner’s meeting?”

Nash looks at me. “Yeah. Just to make sure we’re on the same page as Max. He owns half the ranch.”

CHAPTER 29

Max

Charlie’ssurprised look was pretty priceless when she found out I’m part owner of the ranch. She of course demanded answers, then laughed when she realized the bunkhouse really was mine.

Alexander insisted we all spend Christmas Eve and Christmas together. Charlene and Nash did most of the cooking, and Magnolia was in charge of bartending. Charlie ended up being her grandma’s gopher, and we went back and forth between the bunkhouse and the lodge about fifteen times, getting different things she needed for the meal.

Christmas turns into a loud, fun affair that includes a pool tournament—Charlene hustled all of us—a shouting match between Alexander and Charlie over who was cheating at Monopoly, and then a cooking lesson from Charlene on how to make the perfect Christmas dinner rolls.

Magnolia and Nash seemed content to canoodle and watch the mayhem, and Nash seemed particularly pleased to see his grandpa enjoying himself so much.

Charlie seemed perfectly comfortable with everyone there. I guess I hadn’t entirely realized how close she was with everyone.She said she had met Alexander and didn’t play up the fact that she and him had a history of playing games and arguing their hearts out.

I open my eyes. I was only resting for a few minutes. Glancing up at the clock, I realize I was resting them for a full hour. But glancing around the room, I realize Alexander and Nash were in the same predicament as me. Both are sitting on the couch next to each other with their heads leaned back and snoring softly.

Charlene is sitting in one of the big reclining chairs, and she’s not snoring softly. She sounds like a freight train rumbling through the house. I didn’t know someone so tiny could make such a noise. It’s actually impressive.

Charlie and Magnolia are nowhere to be seen. This means they’ve either disappeared to the kitchen or one of the other living rooms in this house.

I stand up quietly, trying not to disturb anyone, and walk down the hall.

Soft voices reach my ears.

“You’re really not second-guessing this?” It’s Magnolia asking the question.

“Honestly, no. It feels right. It feels like I have something to do and somewhere I’m needed. Somewhere that I’m wanted,” Charlie replies in an earnest voice.

I slow my steps and stop before I reach the doorway that leads into the family room with the pool table.

“I guess I just want to see you happy. And I know things have been a little tough for you, figuring out where you fit in…and I just really want you to find somewhere you’re content. And if Max is it for you, then I’m really glad you’ve met him.”

My heart catches in my chest, and I hold my breath. Because even though I want to be Charlie’s every reason for everything, I also know there are other things that need to happen too. Sheneeds to want to stay. Because I don’t think I can stand having her come to resent me someday. I don’t want to be the reason she gave up something she wanted. I want to be the reason she’s found more than she’s ever hoped.

“You know what’s strange…is I was thinking about staying even before Max admitted his feelings for me. You know I love small towns?—”

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