Page 21 of Impossible
He turned and strode toward the cart, moving quickly so that Ada had to practically dash after him. She stopped short. “Wait.” Pivoting, she went back to fetch the ribbon, then took it to Daisy.
“Thank you,” the girl said in astonishment, clearly unaware she’d lost the ribbon. “Mama would have been upset that I lost it.”
Ada made a mental note to bring more ribbon for them. “Here.” Ada tied it back into the girl’s hair. “All fixed.”
Daisy smiled widely, then twirled around, her skirt billowing. Her brother did the same, but of course he had no skirt to make his movements look elegant. Or perhaps it was because he immediately got dizzy and fell down. Chuckling, Ada helped him up. “All right?”
He nodded, but didn’t speak. Then he smiled at her. “Pretty.”
“He’s only two,” Daisy said as if that explained everything.
“Thank you, Jem. You take care of your sister now, all right?” Ada ruffled his hair, then gave Daisy a pat before hurrying to the cart. Thankfully, Warfield hadn’t left without her.
“I said we needed to go.” He didn’t sound like his typical irritated self. There was a hollow, worrisome quality to his tone. Ada didn’t like it. She also wasn’t about to take him to task for not paying attention to his tenants. She’d have to do that later.
She climbed into the cart on her own since he was already seated. She was barely situated before he started driving.
Casting sidelong glances in his direction, she tried to read his expression. That was impossible since he didn’t have one. He looked as if he were carved out of stone, a statue. But who would create a statue with such a flawed face?
That thought made her angry. Why not create a statue with a scar? He was a war hero, was he not?
“Did something happen?” she finally asked, his tension swirling around her until her shoulders felt tight.
“No.”
She realized they were driving back to the stables. “We’re finished with our visits?”
“Yes.”
“Why?” She tried to stifle her disappointment and failed.
“Because I never wanted to make them in the first place. You’ve been nothing but an irritation since you arrived. I want you to—no, Ineedyou to—leave me the hell alone. Stop trying to make me smile, stop trying to trick me into engaging with the estate, and for the love of fuck, stop being so bloodynice.” He stopped the cart abruptly and turned toward her. “I am not a good man, Miss Treadway. I’ve done things that would make you scream in terror. I don’t want your kindness or your help. Just make your damn notes and leave me alone.”
All while he’d spoken, a low, horrible fury burned in his voice. His eyes flashed with anger, but something else too—pain. He hid it quickly, kept his features schooled into an impenetrable mask of disdain.
He started driving again at a slightly faster clip. Ada fought to keep still, clasping her hands together lest she try to touch him in comfort. He wouldn’t want that, even if he probably needed it.
Mrs. Bundle had told her there was a different man beneath his façade. Ada was certain she’d just glimpsed him.
And there was no way she was leaving him alone.
Chapter5
He’d behaved horribly.
Which wasn’t different from any other day, except that it was. That afternoon, Max had let his anger and self-loathing run rampant, and he’d frightened Miss Treadway in the process.
Because of a red ribbon.
Everything about that long-ago day was burned into his mind for all time. A warm summer afternoon with a light breeze. The scent of dirt and grass. Birdsong. Dark hair. Red ribbon.
No. White ribbon stained with blood.
Max squeezed his eyes shut and clenched his hands into fists. He wouldn’t go back to Spain, to that horrible day. Except he couldn’t escape it.
Exhaling slowly, he pushed the tension from his shoulders down his arms and flexed his hands. He might not be able to run from it, but he could hide. Or try to, anyway. What else did he have to do?
Opening his eyes, he regarded himself in the mirror. His face looked weary, with lines etched around his eyes and mouth. Even his scars, wrinkled and pinkish, had lines.
