Page 224 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

Robert grabbed her arm. “No, you don’t. Not until we come to an agreement. Fifty thousand dollars and you’ll have the proof you need to hang Max Duncan.”

Max stepped from behind a tree. “I was looking for you, Becca.”

Becca’s heart sank at the coldness in his voice. “Max, I—I was asking Robert some questions.”

“So I heard.” His face was like granite as he looked at her.

She couldn’t bear the disappointment she glimpsed in his eyes. “It’s not like it sounded. I wasn’t fishing for information about you.”

“That’s not what I heard.” He grabbed her elbow and ushered her toward the path.

“You’re history now, Duncan.” Robert’s voice brayed after them. “You’d better be looking for a new home.”

“Max--.”

“Later.” His clipped voice cut her off.

“I heard he might--.”

“I thought you trusted me, Becca. Was it just a ruse to get past my defenses? All this time you thought I killed your parents, is that it? And you still think I tried to kill you the other night, I suppose.” He sounded suddenly weary.

“No, Max, that’s not it! Would you listen to me?” Becca grabbed his shoulders and shook him. “You are so pig-headed.” She grabbed his head and kissed him. “There. Does that convince you? I love you, okay? You stupid, impossible man. I love you. I heard Robert sabotaged the boat, not you. I was asking him about that.”

Max shook his head as though dazed. He kissed her before she could say anything more. “Say it again,” he murmured.

“I love you,” she whispered against his lips. “I knew you didn’t have anything to do with it. Robert just offered to give me proof for fifty thousand dollars. I knew he was just blowing smoke.”

Max clutched her so close she couldn’t breathe. “Okay, I believe you,” he said.

She burrowed against his chest. “Now that we have that settled, don’t you have something to say to me?”

He grinned. “I might. But you’re going to have to wait. I’ve got to go cut down a tree.”

“Oh, you’re impossible!” She scurried along beside him as he walked toward the group of men milling around waiting for the contest to start.

Becca felt so happy she could burst as she watched Max throw himself into the contest. She was grinning like an idiot, she knew.

She felt the back of her neck prickle and turned to see Robert staring intently at her. His narrowed eyes and tight mouth made her shudder. He gave her a small salute then melted into the crowd.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

After the excitement of the lumberjack contests yesterday, Max had rushed through his shower to see Becca. Now sitting with her in church, he felt complete and whole. Molly held his hand on his left, and he glanced at Becca from the corner of his eye.

She looked so beautiful with the sunshine sparking through the stained glass window and shimmering on her hair. A burgeoning happiness filled him so full he thought he couldn’t contain it.

He drank in the words of the sermon. Since he’d prayed with the minister, life seemed bright with promise. Becca’s coming had changed everything. God knew what he needed before Max realized it.

When was the last time he’d felt this eager and happy? Years, he knew. Maybe never. He tried to remember how life had been with Laura, but too many awkward and unhappy moments blurred his memory of the early days.

After church, he held her hand as they walked to the car. The same happiness shone on her face that he knew was on his. He was almost afraid to talk about the future for fear this joy would vanish if he looked at it too closely.

The next morning, his mood was still simmering on high. Max had enough time to look through some business affairs before dinner. He whistled as he turned on his computer. Glancing at his watch, he saw he had time to order supplies for the next month. Though it was nearly nine o’clock, the house was quiet. Gram and Molly had gone for a walk in the folly. Molly was always thrilled when she got Gram to herself. Jake and Wynne had gone to town, and Tate, Nick and Shayna weren’t up yet.

He wondered what they’d do if he pounded on their doors and told them to get ready for church. Grinning at the thought, he headed to the hallway.

The grandfather clock in the hall ticked loudly in the silence of the house. He went to Gram’s office and rummaged through the desk for the number of the store on the mainland. Everything was much more orderly now that Becca had worked her magic.

She’d been good for all of them. He smiled tenderly at the thought. She’d changed his life, his and Molly’s and Gram’s.

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