Page 101 of Maximum
CHAPTER 24
Uninvited
Fleur
On the first day of August, I stayed in bed longer than usual. My body felt sore and tired from a long night of lovemaking with Maximum.
“What’s wrong? Was I too rough on you last night?” he asked with concern when he got back from the shower and saw that I hadn’t moved.
“I just feel weird. Like I’m zapped out of energy.”
Sitting down beside me, Maximum ran his fingers through my hair. “I would offer to do your morning round, but I would be late for my meeting with the club. I don’t know why the coach wants to meet me this early in the morning.”
“It’s fine. I’ll get up in a minute and check on the animals.”
Maximum had barely gotten up from the bed before my stomach convulsed in cramps and I pushed the duvet off and ran to the bathroom.
He followed and held my hair back when I fell to my knees in front of the toilet and threw up.
We didn’t speak until I’d emptied my stomach and stood by the sink with my toothbrush in my mouth.
“Feel better?” Maximum asked with concern on his face.
“A little.”
“Does this mean…?” He rubbed my back. “Isn’t morning sickness a sign of pregnancy?”
Our eyes locked and I stopped brushing my teeth. “Can you buy a test on your way home?”
Maximum nodded eagerly and stepped over to hug me from behind. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too, babe, but you better get going if you don’t want to be late.”
With a last kiss under my ear, he ran out the door, taking the stairs in a few steps with a joyful whistle.
Ten minutes later I was dressed and down in the kitchen where my four workers were eating breakfast.
“Are you sick?” Patrick asked.
“No, why?”
“It’s almost seven thirty and you haven’t done your morning round yet. Don’t worry, though, all the animals are fed and happy but probably wondering where you are.”
“Thank you.” I sat down and reached for the pot of tea. “I’m a lucky woman to have all you wonderful people helping me, which reminds me…” I took a piece of toast and began spreading jam on it. “Noah will be hiring dog trainers for his new facility and I promised to ask if any of you might be interested.”
Nils answered in his German accent. “I still have a lot to learn, so it’s not relevant for me, yet.”
“Will he be paying us?” Patrick asked.
“Yes. You remember I told you about Noah, who was with us for six months, right?”
“Yes, I remember, and I’m definitely interested. Do you think I should give him a call?”
“That’s a good idea. What about you, Kate?”
She was an incredible animal communicator and had worked with Noah on the canine team for two months before he left. “Wouldn’t you like to work with Noah?”
“I love Noah, but…”
