When he’d decided to come home, he knew the chances of running into her were pretty good, and he’d dreaded the thought of seeing some lucky man standing at her side.
Max was supposed to be that man. Max had spent day after agonizing day trying to reach Raine once he’d hit L.A. He just couldn’t figure out why she’d lied and said she’d be right behind him. Why not just cut ties before he left and spare him that misery?
But she’d strung him along, and her rejection had sent him into a downward spiral which eventually culminated in his near-fatal motorcycle accident. He’d cared for nothing, living recklessly and damning the world around him. But the wreck had really opened his eyes.
Max released a deep, slow breath. He had no idea what possessed him to drive out here today when the weather was so bad, but he’d seen her stranded in the snow, then socializing with his mother, as if there was no history between them, and couldn’t get over the fact that so much had been left hanging between him and Raine. He knew they’d both moved on, but that didn’t stop him from wanting closure.
He needed answers, and he wasn’t leaving until he got them. Raine may have shut that chapter in her life, but he was about to reopen it.
* * *
As Raine descended the staircase, she held all the poise and glamour her mother had raised her to have, but he couldn’t suppress a grin because of her bedhead, the verbiage on her T-shirt and the way she tried to be so regal when she looked like a hot mess.
But that’s one of the things he’d always admired about her. She never cared what people thought of her image; her only worry was caring for others.
“You should go,” she stated. “The weather isn’t getting any better.”
Max glanced over at one of the photos on the mantel. “I snapped this picture.”
Her eyes drifted to the photo he was pointing to. A young Raine had her arms thrown around the neck of her grandmother, both women were laughing for the camera. Max could practically hear the laughter, and he was instantly transported back to that day.
“She always loved you,” Raine murmured. “She thought for sure you were the one.”
Max stared at the elderly woman in the photo and swallowed the lump in his throat. “Life happens. Plans change.”
“What do you want from me, Max?” she asked softly.
Max turned his attention back to her and noted her defensive stance with her arms crossed over her chest, but he could also see how visibly tired she was. “I want closure.”
“So bringing up the past will...what? Suddenly make things better?”
He shrugged. “Maybe I figured after all this time I deserved some answers.”
Raine held his gaze a moment before she burst out laughing. “Did you come here to humiliate me?”
“What?”
She shook her head and moved farther into the room. “Max, we’re living in two different worlds. Why on earth would you find it necessary to come all the way here just to discuss a period of our lives that really isn’t relevant anymore?”
His cell vibrated in his pocket before he could utter a comeback. Not relevant? The absence of Raine in his life had nearly destroyed him. There wasn’t a day that went by that he hadn’t thought about her, wondered what she was doing. No way in hell was she not relevant in his life.
The number on his screen belonged to his mother, and a moment of panic set in when he answered. Sasha, the nurse, was there with her, so surely nothing was wrong.
“Honey,” his mother began. “Have you left Raine’s house yet?”
“No, why?”
From across the room, Raine studied him.
“Sasha just went out to get something from her car when a trooper pulled up, thinking she was leaving. We’re under a level three advisory, and unless it’s an emergency, no one’s allowed on the roads.”
Max shot his gaze to the wide window in the front of Raine’s living room. “You’re kidding?” he said, as he watched big fat flakes cling to the window.
“Afraid not.”
“I can’t leave you alone,” he told her. “I’ll head out right now and be there shortly.”
“Don’t risk getting fined or even hurt, Max. Sasha is here, we’re safe and warm. There’s nothing she can’t provide for me. Besides, I’m fine. I’m tired, but nothing a nap can’t fix.”
Max knew all of this, but it was the fact he was going to be stuck here with Raine that was giving him fits. Trapped with Raine and a baby. What the hell, Fate?
“I know, but I came back home to help you, and I can’t do that if I’m not there.”
“I’m sure it will be fine later tonight or maybe tomorrow. We need it to stop snowing so the state workers can keep the roads clear.”
He continued to watch the snow come down, showing no sign of letting up. The dark gray skies weren’t looking too kind even though it was still early in the morning. Shouldn’t the sun be out?
“I’ll get back to you as soon as I can,” he promised. “I’ll call and check in, too.”
Max hung up with his mother and eased the phone back into his pocket before turning back to Raine.
“Looks like I’m stuck here,” he said.
Her eyes widened. “I’m sorry...what?”
“Seems the county is on a level three advisory, and no one is allowed out unless it’s an emergency.”
Raine jerked her attention to the window. Her shoulders slumped, and she released a heavy sigh. “Life sucks,” she muttered.
Max shook his head. “I’m no happier about this than you are.”
She focused her narrow gaze on him. “Don’t even think of taking advantage of this situation.”
“Excuse me?”
“The snowstorm, the stranded victim.” She pointed a finger at him. “I hope you don’t think we’re going to bond or have some passionate reunion.”
Max laughed. “You’re still just as outspoken as you used to be.”
Raine dropped her hand. “I’m nothing at all like I used to be,” she groused. “That girl grew up when life smacked her in the face.”
Max wanted to know more, wanted to know what had happened. God, did he ever want to know. Something made Raine hard now, and he hated that. He wanted to see that free spirit he’d fallen in love with, but at the same time, maybe it was better this way. Maybe having her hate him was for the best, because he certainly wasn’t too thrilled with her, either.
“Go on with whatever it is you were doing,” he said. “Pretend I’m not here.”
“Not so eager to chat now?”
He shook his head. “Not when you’re so upset. Besides, looks as if I’ll be here for a while.”
“No matter how long you’re here, I won’t want to discuss the past.”
She turned on her heel and nearly stomped off. Max smirked. Now what the hell was he going to do? He had work he needed to do, but his laptop was back at his mother’s house, and there was no way in hell he’d ask Raine for her computer.
He pulled out his phone and checked his emails. This movie deal he was working on could not be put on hold. He’d waited years to prove he was worthy of directing his own film, and, with the help of Bronson Dane, producer of every film worth any mention in Hollywood, Max knew this was the big break he’d been waiting for.
When Bronson had approached him with this project, Max had nearly cried. Seriously, he’d never been so close to happy tears in his life.
And this snowstorm and being stranded with Raine for God knew how long would not put a damper on his work. He could communicate with his phone and her computer...if she let him use it. And when the snow cleared, he was getting the hell out of here.
* * *
Raine mixed a touch of aloe and a hint of jasmine, but her shaky hands tipped the bottle and made a mess over her scarred countertop. Resting her palms on the edge of the work space, she hung her head between her shoulders as the recent events took control of her emotions.
Why? Why did he have to come back just when sh
e was really starting to turn her life around? The sales from her lotions and soaps were really promising, and next month the Farmer’s Market would reopen, and she’d start pulling in even more money with the vegetables she’d been growing this winter. She already had several potted plants thriving in her meager indoor greenhouse, and it wouldn’t be long before she was outside gardening again. Things were looking up.
And most important, she had Abby who had come into her life just before Christmas and she couldn’t be more blessed.
So why did her ex-turned-Hollywood-hotshot have to show up at her house, looking like he’d just stepped off the ski slopes in Vail, and wreak havoc on her hormones?
Raine laughed. There, she’d admitted it to herself. She was as attracted to Max now as she had been years ago, but, just because he was still the sexiest man alive, it didn’t mean she would act on her lustful feelings. She had no time, nor did she have the inclination, to travel down that path of heartache again.
Heavy footsteps sounded outside her door, and she froze. When those steps moved into the room, she closed her eyes and willed him to go away.
“You okay?” he asked.
No, she wasn’t okay, but the standard answer was “Fine,” right?
She turned, leaned her butt against the edge of the counter and crossed her arms. “You need something?”
His eyes searched hers as if he was looking for answers only she could give. Yeah, she had nothing. No emotions, no feelings. Right now she felt as if she’d been wrung dry.
“I hate to bother you, but if I’m going to be stuck here, I need to get some work done. Do you have a laptop or computer I could use?”
He wanted to work? Great, that would keep him out of her hair for a while.
“I have a laptop in my bedroom,” she said. “I’ll go get it.”
As she moved forward, he stepped in her path, stopping her with his wide, muscular body. His hands came up to gently grip her forearms.
Her eyes lifted to meet his, and that clench in her heart nearly brought her to her knees.
“Max,” she whispered. “Don’t make this any harder.”
“I’m not doing anything,” he said. “No matter what happened between us in the past, I can see you’re wearing yourself thin. You look ready to fall over, Raine.”
Yes, those were the words she wanted to hear. Nothing like a blow to the self-esteem to really perk up an already crappy day. She hesitated to tell him this was her everyday appearance, and he was just used to women who popped up in the morning with makeup in place and hair perfectly coiffed.
“I’m fine,” she assured him. “I have a lot on my plate right now, and I hadn’t anticipated being stuck with you. It’s thrown me off a little.”
“I’m not too thrilled about being stranded here, either. My mother is recovering from major surgery, and I promised I’d help.”
Raine pulled back the throttle on her own anger and self-pity. “I’m sorry about your mom, Max. The doctors got all the cancer out, and Elise told me after her radiation treatments, she’d be fine. But I’m sure you’re still scared.”
Max nodded, taking a step back and resting his hands on his hips. “When she first called me, I was in a meeting with a producer who was asking me to be part of his next film. He wants me for the director.”
Raine listened about this other life Max had, a life she knew nothing about. Other than seeing him in movies, which was hard to watch at first, she’d not heard a word about any behind-the-scenes stuff.
“I’ve wanted to direct a movie for years, and the moment my big break was happening, my world back home fell apart,” he went on. “Cancer. It’s amazing how one word can make you rethink your entire life, every minute, every word you’ve said. I knew I had to get here, but she assured me that the nurse and my father would be with her through the surgery in Boston, and I could come here later, because she planned on undergoing radiation here in Lenox.”
“You’re here now,” Raine told him softly. “I know she’s happy to have you back.”
Max’s sultry blue eyes met hers. “What about you, Raine? Are you glad to have me back?”
Raine swallowed, looked him in the eyes and...couldn’t come up with an answer. On one hand she loathed him for not fulfilling his promise to her, for hurting her at such a young age, but, on the other hand, how could she hold so tightly to the past? He hadn’t tried to contact her in ten years...that was hard to let go.
But he was here now to care for his sick mother. Technically she didn’t need him, but he’d come to show his love and support. How could she find any fault in that?
“It’s okay,” he said, taking a step closer and closing the narrow gap. “Under the circumstances, I’m not thrilled to be here, either.”
She knew he referred to his mother’s state, but a part of her wondered if he also meant her. Was he bitter toward her? All she was guilty of was falling in love, being naive and waiting for her Prince Charming to send for her.
And the baby they’d created.
Seeing him after all this time only brought back that rush of emotions associated with knowing she was carrying his baby, knowing he wasn’t sending for her...and then the miscarriage. Those several months were the darkest of her life, and Max Ford held the key to the past she never wanted to revisit again.
“If we’re going to be stuck together for who knows how long, I think it’s best if we don’t bring up the past,” she said. “We’re not the same people, and I just can’t focus on something that happened so long ago. Not when I have Abby to care for. She’s my future.”
Max continued to stare at her, holding her with that piercing blue gaze. The room seemed to shrink, but in reality all she saw was him. Broad shoulders, tanned features beneath dark stubble, faint wrinkles around his eyes and mouth. He’d aged, but in the most handsome, beautiful way...damn him.
“Where’s Abby’s father?” he asked.
Raine jerked away from the shock of the sudden question. “That’s none of your business.”
“It is if he lives here.”
“He doesn’t.”
“Is he part of your life?” Max asked.
“No.”
His hand came up, cupping the side of her cheek. She barely resisted the urge to close her eyes, inhale his masculine scent, lean into his strong hold, but she could afford none of those things and honestly had no idea why he was touching her.
So Raine glared back at him, refusing to let him get past the wall of defense she’d built so long ago.
“You used to be so soft, so easy to read,” he murmured. “What happened when I left?”
“Reality.” She backed up until her spine hit the counter. “Reality was harsh, Max, and it woke me up to the life I was living, not the life I wanted.”
God, it hurt to look at him. The longer he was here, in her home, in Lenox, the longer those memories from fifteen years ago would assault her. The loss of him, the loss of their baby.
“I’m going to go start lunch,” she stated. “You’re more than welcome to eat with me but no more dredging up the past again. Are we clear?”
He took a step forward, then two, placing a hand on either side of her body to trap her. Leaning in, his face came within inches of hers.
“We can’t get past this tension between us until we discuss it. Maybe that makes me the naive one, Raine.” His eyes darted to her lips. “Or maybe I’m a fool for still finding you just as attractive as I did then.”
Raine couldn’t breathe, all air had whooshed from her lungs the second he’d locked her between his sturdy arms. But just as soon as he leaned in, he pushed away.
“Don’t worry. I know we’re two different people,” he stated as he neared the door. “And no matter what I feel now, whether it’s old feelings or new hormones, I have my own set of worries.”
He turned toward the door, then glanced over his shoulder. “And be warned. We will discuss our past before I leave Lenox.”
Five
“Yes, Mother, Marshall was here.”
Max stopped just outside the kitchen when he overheard Raine’s exhausted tone. Seems some things hadn’t changed. Apparently her mother could still bring out the frustration and weariness in Raine’s voice.
After working for a couple hours on Raine’s laptop, he set out to see what she was up to. Now that he knew, Max couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.
“No, I didn’t need him to stay. I’m a big girl, and I’m fine. Abby is fine, too, not that you asked.”
Really? What grandmother wasn’t doting over a grandchild? Was the relationship between Raine and her parents still so strained that Abby wasn’t even a consideration in their lives?
Or maybe Raine didn’t want them to be in the baby’s life. Who knows? And to be honest, he couldn’t focus on Raine’s problems. If he did, he’d find himself deeper entrenched in her world, and he could not afford to get caught there again.
“I have to go,” Raine said. “Abby’s crying.”
Max smiled at the silent house, the obviously sleeping baby.
“Please tell Dad not to send Marshall out here again. The man is getting mixed signals, and they aren’t coming from me.”
Who the hell was Marshall? From the tone and Raine’s plea, he had to guess someone her parents deemed suitable to be a boyfriend or the perfect spouse. Yeah, he had never fit that mold when he had wanted the title. Her parents had delusional thoughts of Raine marrying some suave and sophisticated political figure. Did Raine look like First Lady material?
Obviously her parents didn’t know her at all, or they chose not to care what she wanted. He firmly believed the latter.
And that phone call answered the “man in her life” question. Apparently her mom and dad were relentless in trying to find the right “suitor,” which made him laugh on the inside. Would her parents ever give up and see that Raine was a grown woman more than capable of making smart decisions?
Max eased into the room. Raine’s back was to him, her eyes fixed on the falling snow outside the wide window that stretched above her sink. The paint on the interior of the windowpane had peeled away from the trim, and the faucet was dripping, whether to keep the pipes from freezing or because it was old, Max had no clue. But he couldn’t get involved. He was just here to wait out this freak snowstorm.
Snowbound with a Billionaire Page 5