Leave it to Max (Lori's Classic Love Stories Volume 1)

by Lori Handeland

  “Why do you think he’s better off with no one than with you?”

  “You’ve only been telling me that since I got here.”

  “I was wrong.”

  He shook his head. “Writing’s all I know. If I can’t do that, I’m no one. Max is better off with someone.”

  “You’re an idiot.” She took his hand and put her lips to his palm the way she always used to. When she would have released him, he clung, and she let him. “You’re Max’s father, and that’s someone enough for me. We’ll tell him the truth as soon as I get his gramma out of jail.” Her lips twisted. “Again.”

  *

  The following week was a good week, full of a family life Livy had never expected to enjoy with the man she’d never thought to see again. She didn’t want it to end.

  Even though Max had literally chosen his father to be his father, for Max to get what he wanted Livy would have to live up to her lie. She was terrified Max was going to despise her for it.

  But one problem at a time.

  At the end of that perfect week, Livy and Kim once again awaited Judge McFie in court. He’d fined Rosie one thousand dollars on the contempt charge, and today they would finish the interrupted proceedings.

  “Has Rosie told you where she hid the golden goose?” Kim asked.

  “She didn’t take it.”

  “Right.” Kim’s eyes widened as she caught sight of something behind Livy.

  Livy craned her neck to see Rosie—or a woman who resembled Rosie—entering court. Hair braided demurely, she wore the court dress Livy had purchased years ago. The garment appeared brand-new—never worn, because it hadn’t been. She’d even put on panty hose—a torture device straight from the Inquisition, according to Rosie—and pumps—shoes “invented by sadistic men.”

  “What’s gotten into her?” Kim murmured.

  “A sense of decorum?”

  “I wouldn’t count on it.”

  Livy and Rosie’s relationship was better than it had ever been. Amazing what a little truth and a two-week separation could do for a family tie. Though they’d probably never see eye-to-eye on everything, Livy could live with that. Once you knew that someone loved you, you could live with a lot.

  Rosie took her place at their table and gave Livy a kiss. There’d also been a lot more touching and kissing than Livy was used to from her mother, but she was adapting and had only had her nose crushed by an unexpected embrace the first three times.

  “What gives, Mama?”

  “Compromise. I hear that sometimes if you give a little, you get a whole lot.”

  The click of high heels and the twitter of twin voices approached. This time the assistant district attorney managed to keep the sisters on their own side of the room, though their glares reached all the way across, and so did their words.

  “That getup isn’t going to work, Rosie,” Violet called. “You can change your clothes, but you can’t change the stripes on a zebra.”

  “What zebra?” Viola asked. “When was there a zebra?”

  Rosie just raised her eyebrows at Livy and folded her hands on the table.

  Though Livy should have been glad Rosie had taken her advice and dressed for the occasion, seeing her lively mother like this made her think of retired nuns and cane-wielding grannies. Livy didn’t like it. Rosie was more Rosie wearing a banner on her chest and sandals on her feet.

  “Thanks for trying, Mama. But next time, wear what you want, okay?”

  “Next time? Who said there was going to be a next time?”

  “If there isn’t, I’ll never have any fun in my job.”

  Rosie patted Livy’s cheek. “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”

  “What has gotten into the two of you?” Kim demanded. “Has there been an invasion of the body snatchers that I don’t know about?”

  “No,” Livy answered. “I just realized how much I love my mama.”

  “About time,” Kim muttered.

  Since Kim was right, Livy let it go.

  “See?” Rosie squeezed Livy’s hand. “Give a little, get a whole lot.”

  Judge McFie entered and sat at his bench.

  “I guess we’re about to find out just how well that works,” Livy said.

  “Got a goose?” he demanded before anyone could say a word. He narrowed his eyes behind his thick glasses and peered about the room. “Where’s Rosie?”

  “Right here.” Rosie raised her hand and waved at him.

  “What are you up to?”

  “She’s trying to pretend she’s normal, but we all know better,” Violet answered.

  “I object.” Livy stood.

  “To what?” McFie continued to peer and scowl.

  “To the assumption that Rosie isn’t normal and they are.”

  The sisters’ gasp was loud in the sudden silence. Then they both began to talk at once.

  But the judge thundered, “Quiet!” and amazingly they were. “I want to hear this. Go on, Counselor.”

  Livy glanced at Kim, who gave her the high sign, and Rosie, who gave her a smile. Livy wanted to make this point for her mother. Rosie deserved justice. Everyone did.

  Though Livy had gone into law for some measure of control, lately she’d begun think that the more you tried to control things, the less control you had. And while this should have turned her off the job she’d always loved, instead she saw the law in a whole new light. Because justice—fairness, equality, decency— while at times as much of an illusion as control, was still worth fighting for.

  Livy approached the bench. “This case is about one woman’s word against the word of two others. Three women, who, as everyone knows, do not get along.”

  “Our word against hers,” Viola stated. “Whose are you going to believe?”

  Livy remained silent and just looked at the judge. McFie glared at the sisters. Since he was older than their father, they subsided, though they grumbled words no one could make out. Livy took the small favor and ran with it.

  “Sure, Rosie has been complaining about that goose to everyone who would listen. She said she was going to do something, although she never said what. Even if she said she was going to take it, that doesn’t mean she did. I’ve been saying I was going to throttle her for years, and she’s still breathing.”

  The judge didn’t think she was funny, so Livy cut to the chase.

  “Rosie says she didn’t take that goose. The sisters say she did.” Livy tossed her hands up and shrugged. “Who will you believe? The sisters, because their father was a judge, instead of Rosie, because hers wasn’t? Rosie dresses strange and believes in ghosts. So what? If you want to get technical, so do they.”

  The sisters gasped again, but this time no one listened. Livy pressed her advantage and positioned herself in front of the sisters’ table.

  “They’ve got a trained goose and a father who comes for tea, despite the fact that he’s buried in the family plot. Not too odd in Savannah. Eccentric. And that’s fine. In fact, it’s good. Part of the ambience around here.”

  The judge nodded, so Livy kept on talking as she walked toward Rosie. “I’m not saying my mother doesn’t drive me crazy with her causes and her crusades. But that’s her right. She’s my mother.”

  She winked at Rosie before turning back to the judge. ‘‘How she dresses, what she believes in, how she chooses to live her life, has nothing to do with her word or its weight in a courtroom. In America everyone’s word weighs the same. That’s why it’s America. She’s innocent until proven guilty. Proven. And I’ve seen no proof here. So if you’re sitting for justice, for truth and right, for the American Way…”

  Kim snorted.

  Maybe she had gone too far, so Livy finished quickly. “Then you have to release Rosie Frasier. Today.”

  As she sat down, the utterance “Cool!” floated from the back of the room. A glance over her shoulder revealed that Klein sat right behind her. Since she couldn’t imagine him saying “Cool!” with quite that level o
f enthusiasm, Livy looked farther afield.

  Max and Garrett had snuck into the cheap seats near the door. The proceedings had started late, leaving them time to arrive after school let out.

  Garrett’s dark eyes, intent on her face, made Livy remember a few other family things that had been going on all week. She was glad she hadn’t known he was watching her or she wouldn’t have been able to think straight.

  She was also glad Max had caught her little speech. It was one of her best. He’d heard her defend his precious Rosie. Now if only he could see justice in action.

  “Your Honor, if I could speak?” The assistant DA stood.

  “This is only a hearing, junior, not the trial. Though Ms. Frasier seems to have made an excellent stab at a closing statement, regardless.”

  “But it’s only fair—”

  “I think the people have said enough.”

  “But—”

  “Sit!”

  Someone in the back snickered. Funny, but it didn’t sound like Max, and she doubted Klein even knew how.

  “While I have to say that Mrs. Frasier’s antics have been a constant thorn in my side, as well as the side of every judge in Savannah, I must also concede that Ms. Frasier is right. I have no business making a decision based on my level of annoyance, however high that level might be. Justice is what we’re here for. Justice will prevail. Without witnesses or proof, I see no reason to charge Mrs. Frasier under section 16-8-20 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, neither felony nor misdemeanor. Therefore, Mrs. Frasier is released.” He slammed his gavel and fled the room.

  “Wasn’t that fun?” Rosie stood.

  “I enjoyed it,” Kim said.

  Livy took Rosie’s face between her hands and kissed both her cheeks. “Nice job.”

  “That was all you. And I must say, your daddy would be proud.”

  “Of a lawyer?”

  “Of you. Justice. Now, that would have been right up his alley.”

  “It would have.”

  “Mom!” A whirlwind hit her legs and wrapped itself around her waist. Dark happy eyes met her own. “You were the greatest!”

  “I was, wasn’t I?”

  “I always thought so.” She met the equally dark, nearly as happy, eyes of Max’s father. She wanted to touch him right there in front of everyone, kiss him in celebration and tell the entire world the truth. But first they had to tell Max.

  “Just who might you be?” Rosie asked.

  “Livy,” Kim purred. “You’ve been hoarding the baby-sitter.”

  Klein cleared his throat, and Livy glanced his way, but he scowled at the approaching sisters.

  “I remember you now,” Miss Violet chirped.

  Max still hung on tight to Livy’s waist, a warm solid presence, as Livy went cold inside.

  Both Miss Violet and Miss Viola stared at Garrett. “You’re that young man Livy spent the summer of…of… Ach, what was it, Sister?”

  Miss Viola’s head swung back and forth between Max and Garrett. “The summer of 1992.”

  “Yes. We only saw you those few times, walking hand in hand. It was sweet how much in love you were. That’s why we were so sad when you—” She broke off as the light dawned and her gaze met Livy’s. “But you’re—” An eyebrow went up; her lips turned down. “I see.”

  The coldness inside Livy spread, making her feel distant, a watcher, as her world imploded.

  Rosie and Kim stared at Garrett, then Max, then Livy. The hurt in their eyes made it hard for her to breathe. Garrett appeared as frozen as she was, uncertain, alarmed. Klein stepped forward as if to help, but there was nothing that could be done to stop Livy’s house of cards from tumbling, tumbling down.

  She’d thought the worst pain of her life had been standing in J.J.’s empty room, but she’d been wrong. The worst pain of all was the sensation of small hands releasing her waist, the sight of dark eyes filling with understanding and the sound of a whisper dripping with accusation. “Mom?”

  “Max, we need to talk.”

  And she discovered she was wrong again, because the worst agony of all was watching Max run away and knowing that was justice.

  Chapter 17

  Garrett caught Max before he reached the door. Livy remained frozen, the sound of her son crying—sobbing, really—rendering her unable to move or to think.

  Max fought Garrett for a minute, then threw himself into his father’s arms, hiding his face against Garrett’s stomach. Garrett picked him up, and Max wrapped himself around his father with complete trust.

  She’d been so afraid that Max would be betrayed by the person he loved the most. She hadn’t expected that person to be her.

  “We need to go somewhere and talk,” Garrett said.

  “I—uh, there’s…” Why couldn’t she focus?

  Garrett turned to Klein. “The three of us need a private room.”

  “You admit you’re his father?”

  “I never denied that. I never will.”

  Klein gave Garrett his piercing cop’s glare, then with a sharp nod accepted his words and him. “Follow me.”

  Garrett followed with Max. Livy couldn’t seem to move.

  Max still hid his face, as if he couldn’t bear to look at anyone. Livy knew how he felt. The accusing stares of her mother and her partner were beginning to make her skin crawl.

  “Maybe you should talk to him alone,” Livy said. “I don’t think he wants me right now.”

  “I hate you!” Max shouted, though he still refused to look at her. “You lied and you told me he was dead!”

  The wail ricocheted off the ceiling and seemed to slither down Livy’s spine. She hugged herself against the chills.

  “He hates me,” she whispered.

  Rosie’s arm came around Livy’s waist, giving her support when she needed it the most. “All children dislike their mothers now and again. You know that. But I seem to remember someone telling me that we all have our reasons for the things that we do. Max needs to hear yours.”

  Livy shook her head, but her mother shoved her forward. “Olivia, get in that room and talk to your son. Do not make the mistake I did and let things fester too long.” When Rosie spoke like that, the appropriate response was “Yes, Mama.”

  Livy followed Garrett, Max and Klein to a conference room. She had been there several times before with clients. She wished she were with clients now.

  “You going to be okay?” Klein asked.

  “Probably not.”

  He put a finger beneath her chin. “Chin up. Face the music.”

  “I take it that’s your version of ‘I told you so.’”

  His answer was to pat her awkwardly on the shoulder. “I’ve got to get back to work. If you need anything, all you have to do is call me.”

  Then he shut her in the room to face that music.

  “Are you really my daddy?”

  Max’s tear-clogged voice wavered, and Livy leaned her head against the closed door. She deserved this, but that didn’t make it any easier to bear.

  With a deep breath, she turned. Max still clung to Garrett’s waist like a koala cub to its mother. At Garrett’s questioning glance, she nodded.

  “Yeah, I’m your dad.”

  “But I thought your name was James.”

  “It is. James Garrett, Jr. I changed it for the books.”

  Max thought about that a minute, then shrugged. “’Kay. I’m glad you aren’t dead.”

  “Me, too.”

  “And I’m glad you’re my dad.”

  “You couldn’t be more glad than I am.”

  Max’s face, puffy and wet, lightened. He rubbed his eyes with the back of his uncasted arm. “Really?”

  “Of course. What guy wouldn’t be thrilled to have a great kid like you for a son?”

  “I’m not that great. I’m little, and geeky, and scared of a lot.”

  “You’re perfect and I…” Garrett’s voice trailed off; he glanced at Livy again, and she smiled, even though she wanted to cry. “I�
�I—” He cleared his throat, seemed to struggle a bit, then blurted, “I love you, Max.”

  Livy caught her breath. Now that he’d broken the “I love you” barrier for his son, was there hope he’d break it someday for her? And if he did, should she believe him? Or would she always wonder if he loved her merely for Max.

  Max, oblivious to the undercurrents, led with his heart. “I love you, too. I loved you when you were Garrett, but now that you’re Dad, I love you even better.”

  The wonder on Garrett’s face was priceless, the love in his eyes true. Livy wanted to join them, but at that moment Max glanced her way and proved that she was an outsider still, at least where love was concerned.

  “I want to live with you now, Dad.”

  “Why would you want to do that? Your mother needs you. She loves you.”

  “She lied and said you were dead. I haven’t had a daddy because of her.”

  “Max, I—”

  “No.” Garrett gave Livy a warning look. “Let me.

  Even if the truth pulled Max farther away from her than ever, Garrett deserved to say his piece.

  Garrett sat Max on the table and took a chair. “That’s not true. What happened was my fault, not your mother’s.’’

  Livy had expected to be the bad guy, maybe because she was. She’d lied; she’d tried to keep them apart; she was wrong, not him.

  “My fault,” he repeated. “I ran away and I didn’t come back for a long, long time.”

  Max’s face scrunched up. “Like I was gonna do but you caught me?”

  “Kind of. Except I left Savannah, and your mom had no idea where I’d gone.”

  “She couldn’t have found you if she really, really tried?”

  “I don’t think she could have. I went from place to place. I was not a responsible guy. I was scared of a lot, just like you.” He smiled a gentle smile that tugged at Livy low and deep. “Your mom trusted me, and I broke that trust. She thought it was better if you believed I was dead. Then you wouldn’t miss me so much because you’d never had me. Do you understand?”