Page 67 of Maximum
CHAPTER 17
Telling River
Fleur
When Maximum and I arrived back at the farm after more than two weeks of absence, I felt the air vibrate with excitement.
Noah had been in charge and we found both him and River in the main house where they were putting away food.
“Ah, there you are. You missed the others; we just had lunch,” River exclaimed when she saw me walk through the door.
Workers rarely stayed on my farm for more than six months, which gave them enough time to learn animal communication. Currently, Noah had been here the longest. Beside him, we had a nineteen-year-old horse girl called Nellie, and Kate, who was a widow in her early forties. Kate had been here for three months already and was a natural when it came to animals. She was pleasant and told me often enough that the physical work at the farm helped distract her from her grief over losing her husband to cancer less than a year ago. In just a few weeks, two more workers would move in.
“Actually, we said hi to Nellie and Kate already. They were heading up toward the north pasture and we passed them on their way.
“We, who’s we?” River’s eyes widened when she saw her brother walk in behind me. “Maximum, what are you doing here?”
“Surprise!” He grinned. “I’m moving in.”
“You became a believer? Are you here to learn animal communication as well?” Her eyes darted between Maximum and me.
“Good to have you back. We worried you’d been eaten by a rhino or something.” Noah was grinning wide when he hugged first me and then Maximum.
“You know that rhinos are vegetarian, right?” I teased and opened my arms again when River followed Noah and hugged us while repeating her question to Maximum.
“Are you here to learn animal communication as well?”
“Nah, I’m leaving that part to Fleur.”
River’s hands fell to her hips as her eyes darted between us. “What’s going on?”
Feeling Maximum place his arm around my shoulder, I smiled and explained, “A lot of things happened in South Africa and Maximum and I decided to be more than friends.”
“No way!” River and Noah were practically gaping at us, which made us laugh.
“Why do you seem so surprised?” Maximum asked.
“Because…” River lifted her arm but let it fall again. “It’s just unexpected, that’s all.”
“Your brother can be very charming,” I said to offer her an explanation.
“Yes, he can, but what about the age difference? I thought you said he was too young?”
“Age is just a number,” Maximum declared.
Noah had regained his composure and smiled at us. “Congratulations. I hope you two will be as happy as River and me.”
“Thank you.” I moved over to open a cupboard and get a glass, talking over my shoulder. “Max, are you thirsty?”
“No, I’m good. So, how have you two newlyweds been?”
“We’re still floating on a romantic cloud from the wedding,” River said.
“Are you ready for your honeymoon in St. Croix?”
“Yes, and in a way I’m happy that we didn’t go right after the wedding. That way we’re getting time to process the party and have something fun to look forward to.” The two of them exchanged a loving gaze.
“Listen, Noah,” Maximum looked toward the door to make sure we four were alone. “I might as well tell you that I let something slip to Fleur. She knows that you’re a billionaire now.”
