Page 103 of Maximum
“I didn’t want to sit down with you then, Pierre, and I don’t want to do it now. This is unbelievable! What will it take for you to understand that I’m not coming back? You chased me out of South Africa and the last time you flew all the way up here, it ended with us fighting until you finally left. There’s nothing more between us and there never will be.”
“But hear me out.”
My brows arched and my lips pressed firmly together.
“Your mother told me you’re getting married in less than a month. I don’t want you to. He’s not right for you.”
I snorted and turned on my heel, walking away from Pierre.
“Baby, he’s just a pretty boy. He’ll never understand you like I do.”
His nonsense didn’t deserve an answer, so I kept walking with Pierre running behind me.
“I’m not asking you to marry me again. I get that it’ll take time for you to learn how to trust me, but I’ve got this huge assignment and I really want you to come with me. It’ll be like old times with the two of us on another adventure together. Remember how we talked about filming the reindeer migration up in Lapland in Norway? I’m finally doing it. Think about it… we’ll see the Northern Lights and watch thousands of reindeer, and after that I’m heading up to do a photo series on polar bears. You love bears.”
I spun to face him. “I love Maximum more.”
Pierre’s face fell. “Do you mean that?”
“Yes. There’s nothing you can tempt me with that would make me leave Maximum.”
His chest rose and fell in a long slow exhalation. “I was afraid you might say that. But then at least teach me what it is you do.”
I sputtered something between a snort and a laugh. “Oh, now you want to learn how to communicate with the animals? I offered to teach you when we were together.”
“That was different. I didn’t want to take your job away from you. Besides, I tried, remember? I didn’t have a knack for it like you do. Things haven’t worked out as well since you left. Can’t you at least give me that… for old time’s sake?”
Sensing the desperation oozing from him, I tempered down my resentment and answered in a leveled tone. “It’s not something I can reach into my back pocket and hand you. It’s a skill that takes time and practice to learn. I doubt you’d have the patience for it.”
“I have patience. I wait hours for the right shot, you know that.”
I took up walking again.
“Can I at least come in and have a glass of water or are you not even going to offer an old friend that much?”
There it was again; the desperation that had driven Pierre to travel across the world in the hope that he might be able to convince me this time.
With a sigh of annoyance, I threw a comment over my shoulder. “You can start by moving your car; it’s blocking the road. There’s parking in front of the farm.”
Pierre followed instructions and I brought him into the kitchen, which was now empty.
“Can I use your bathroom? It’s been a long journey.”
I pointed down the hallway. “Second door on the right.”
As Pierre disappeared into the bathroom, I took a few steadying breaths and leaned against the kitchen counter. I had to learn to control my anger with him. Pierre wasn’t a monster, just a thick-headed ex who couldn’t let go of what we once had.
I had suggested plenty of times that he learn animal communication and even though I had no interest in teaching him myself, I was considering which colleges to direct him to, when the door opened, and Kate came in.
“Fleur, I think you need to check on Buck—he’s eaten something he shouldn’t have, and he doesn’t look good.”
“Oh, that darn goat will freaking eat anything he sees.” I pushed off the counter and was headed to the door when I paused in front of Kate. “My ex-husband is here. He’s an idiot but harmless. You’re my best student and he really wants to learn animal communication. Since he and I can’t communicate without fighting, I obviously can’t teach him, but maybe you would have the patience for him.”
“Me?” Kate frowned. “I’ve never taught anyone, except the children when they come on daytrips to the farm, but that’s different.”
“But you’ve seen me teach for five months now. I think you could do it, but I doubt he would have the patience to learn. Honestly, don’t do it if you don’t want to, and if he’s not taking it seriously, tell me and I’ll ask him to get lost.”
“How long is he staying?”
