Page 35 of Charlie Takes a Chance

I flip my phone back and forth slowly as I think about what to say. “You’re a man.”

“It’s good of you to notice.” He adjusts the collar of his shirt.

I roll my eyes and lean forward to rest my elbows on the counter. “If you had broken up with someone, why would you go to their apartment to talk to them instead of texting or calling?”

“That’s easy. To grovel.” Max reaches back to adjust the pillow behind his head.

“Interesting.” I study Max’s pale face to see if he’s joking or not. He seems serious, though. The poor guy really is still sick. That face looks like it’s been through a war. “Thanks. You take a nap while I’m gone.”

“Okay, boss.”

I grab the calf bottle, gulp the last of my coffee, and get out of the house before I give in to the impulse to text Bryce and find out what he wanted.

CHAPTER 14

Max

Thankfully,on the third day, I feel way better and back in the land of the living. Sort of. I have that strange out-of-body feeling you get after a bad flu bug, but at least I’m walking without pain now. No more urges to hurl up my guts. Good thing, too, because when I go out to check the cows in the south pasture, there are four new calves.

With Larry’s and Jim’s help, I get the pairs moved to a pasture with a barn. It’s where I’ve been keeping the newborns and momma cows so that I can keep a close eye on them and keep them fed.

After finishing feeding everyone for the day, I have one last chore to do: I text Nash.

Max: Charlie’s doing fine. You can tell Magnolia.

Nash: And how are you? I heard you were sick.

Max: News travels fast. Charlie must have told you.

Nash: No, Henry told Billy, and Billy called Grandpa.

Max: Good grief. Maybe they could just put out a bulletin at the end of the road. ‘Max St. James has the flu.’

Nash: Yep. You’ve definitely been sick. You’re always such a grump afterward.

I pocket my phone and find Charlie in the living room of the lodge, tearing apart a big wall.

“What did that wall do to you?” I ask her as she swings a hammer at it. She turns to look at me, slowly lowering the sledgehammer to the ground.

“If I’m still here at Christmas, I’m buying you a bell to wear around your neck.”

I smile. Sneaking up on Charlie is probably something that is just habit at this point. I’m amazed she hasn’t started to return fire with the same kind.

“Have the electricians been here yet?” I ask.

“No,” she says with a grimace.

I shake my head. “It’s only two weeks until Christmas! They should probably get on it.”

She narrows her eyes at me. “You think I can’t have this place in tip-top shape by the holidays?”

“It would be a Christmas miracle,” I say with a laugh. With how long it takes contract workers to get out here, I’d be shocked if they got it done by Easter.

“It’s going to be the best darn Christmas you’ve ever seen.” She waves an arm around. “I’m going to find the biggest tree possible and put it up right over there.” She points behind me to the wall with floor-to-ceiling windows. “I’ve already found all the Christmas decorations in the attic. It’s going to be a freaking winter wonderland when I’m done with it.”

“Hmm. So it decorates, too,” I say as I eye her with wonder.

“I’m holding a hammer,” she reminds me calmly.

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