Farmer Bear

by Anya Nowlan

  I’m in Black Oak. Need to see you. Staying in the motel in town.

  And that was it. No explanation, just a curt demand to meet. Reeling, Max read the text at least two times more, just to be sure he understood it correctly. Eve was in town? How had she even known where to find him?

  And then there was the most important question of all.

  What the hell does she want?

  Thirteen

  Riley

  Riley had had a lovely time with Olivia, eating breakfast together and playing with all of the little girl’s toys. They had just gone outside to play with the ball Olivia liked to roll around, when Riley spotted Max approaching.

  She couldn’t help but grin at the sight of him. It had been an uncharacteristically bold move, showing up at his door last night the way she did, but she had no regrets. They had had an amazing time together, and she felt closer to him than ever.

  Even now, it was as if a low current hummed through her body, growing more intense the closer Max got. It was exhilarating, as long as she didn’t think too much about it. That indescribable spark between them was impossible to ignore, but there were real-life considerations she wasn’t ready to tackle yet.

  So she just picked up Olivia, kissing the top of her head as the little girl giggled in her arms, and walked toward Max. Olivia reached out her hands as soon as she saw her father, wriggling around as Riley held her to her chest.

  “Hey there, kiddo,” Max smiled as he walked up to them, and took Olivia from her. “Have you been a good girl for Riley?” he cooed, kissing Olivia on the cheek.

  “She has,” Riley replied. “We’ve had fun.”

  “That’s good,” Max said, stepping closer to kiss her, as well.

  Something about his smile seemed a little tight, and his shoulders looked tense, but Riley didn’t want to read too much into that. Maybe he was just tired? But the sense that something was off lingered a little while longer, even as they chatted and went inside to eat.

  Max still made jokes, pulled silly faces for little Olivia, asked questions about Riley’s life back in Chicago and told her about his skill sets as a mechanic, repairman and woodworker. Seemed like he was a regular jack of all trades.

  Yet somewhere beyond all that, there was a troubling distance to him, like he was there but then he was not. Riley couldn’t quite put her finger on what was wrong, and even wondered if anything was wrong at all.

  With her track record with guys, could it be she was seeing ghosts where there were none? It was entirely possible her own fears and doubts were making her imagine things, or that she was subconsciously trying to sabotage a good thing before it got too serious.

  So she tried to put it out of her mind, instead enjoying the way Max put his arm around her or kissed her every opportunity he got. Riley knew that after what had happened between them, just the way they looked at each other or reacted to having each other near would be a dead giveaway their relationship had evolved.

  Was she ready to be found out? Was he? Those were just some of the questions swirling around in her head.

  After lunch was over, with Olivia still sitting in her highchair with mush all over her face, Max pulled her in for a slow, lingering kiss. Riley let herself get lost in it, pushing all those troublesome, nagging thoughts rattling around in her brain to the side.

  When they pulled apart, he held her face in his hands for a moment, looking unsure of something.

  “I need to make a quick trip into town,” he said.

  “Okay,” Riley replied. “Is something wrong?”

  The question slipped past her lips, a symptom of the vague unease still lingering in her mind. Max gave her a smile, his hands on her shoulders as he looked into her eyes.

  “No, not at all,” he assured her. “I just heard from my real estate agent and he said a new place has come on the market that I need to see before someone else snatches it up. It shouldn’t take long. Are you still okay to look after Olivia? She should be going down for a nap soon anyway.”

  “It’s no problem,” she replied. “You go on, I know how you’re itching to get a home of your own.”

  “Thank you, Riley. Really,” he said, kissing her on the cheek.

  After that, he quickly got Olivia cleaned up, ignoring Riley’s objections that she could do it herself. Olivia got a quick kiss on the cheek as well and then Max was out the door. Riley could see him rush to his truck from the window.

  The road leading off the property kicked up dirt in his wake, and Riley stood there, watching his truck disappear, before going over and getting Olivia out of her highchair. The little girl clung to her, starting to fuss as she rubbed her eyes.

  Rocking the baby in her arms, Riley walked around the living room, quickly calming Olivia down. Her heart ached at the thought of leaving Black Oak and never seeing the little girl again. In such a short time, she had already bonded with Olivia, not to even mention her dad.

  But she had to brace herself for the inevitable, didn’t she?

  That question was something she would ponder later, as she heard another vehicle approach. Going back to the window, she recognized it as Addison’s, slowly pulling up the winding driveway.

  She hadn’t gotten a chance to talk to her that morning, and she wasn’t sure if Addison had even noticed Riley hadn’t spent the night in the main house. Even if she hadn’t, Riley really needed someone to talk to and confide in.

  With Olivia still in her arms, Riley carefully shouldered the front door open, just in time to see Addison get out of her car. Riley gave her a wave which she returned, and soon enough, Addison was heading her way.

  “Hey,” she said, walking up to the door. “Taking over my babysitting duties, are you?” she asked, arching a brow at her.

  “Jealous?” Riley countered.

  “Just a little,” Addison laughed, as Riley gestured her inside.

  “I can see why,” Riley replied, looking down at Olivia. “She’s a sweetheart.”

  “And sleepy,” Addison commented.

  Together, they got Olivia into her crib and down for her nap. Riley left the door ajar as she and Addison settled in behind the kitchen table.

  “You’re home early,” Riley remarked.

  “Yeah, I wasn’t feeling well,” Addison replied. “Probably just a bug, or maybe I’m getting a little overworked.”

  “Have you thought about hiring some help?” Riley asked.

  “I didn’t expect the business to grow so fast,” she sighed. “And I’m very picky about who I want to represent my office. If I had someone I could really trust…” Addison trailed off, wagging her brows at Riley.

  For a moment, Riley was too taken off guard to even react. Was Addison saying what she thought she was saying?

  “What, me?” Riley asked. “I already have a job.”

  “That you hate,” Addison reminded her. “And I bet Black Oak is growing on you. It kind of does that. Of course then there’s the fact you didn’t sleep in your own bed last night.”

  From the look Addison gave her, it was clear Riley sneaking out of the main house had not gone unnoticed.

  “You can’t be suggesting I stay in Black Oak so I can date Max,” Riley said.

  “I’m suggesting you think about what you really want, and not rush back to Chicago,” Addison shrugged. “It doesn’t have to be just one thing that keeps you here.”

  Everything was moving so fast, Riley was having a hard time wrapping her head around it all. And now, Addison was offering her a job. It would be great working alongside her best friend, sure. But was she really ready for such a drastic change?

  Max was definitely a big reason she would consider staying, and that wasn’t easy to admit. They fit together so seamlessly, it was actually hard to believe. With him, she felt completely herself, and there was an excitement about her future Riley hadn’t felt in a while.

  “I do really like him,” she admitted, unable to keep the grin off her face.

  “Ha, I already kne
w that,” Addison replied.

  “But I’m going to have to think things over before I make any sort of decision,” Riley warned. “So don’t get ahead of yourself.”

  “Of course not,” Addison said, batting her lashes at her.

  And yet, it was Riley’s own imagination that was already running wild. In the back of her mind, she could already envision a future with Max, despite her not wanting to presume too many things.

  The only thing that bothered her was the slightly odd behavior she had observed in him earlier. But that was probably nothing.

  Right?

  Fourteen

  Max

  Max parked his truck outside the Sunshine Motel, cutting the engine but not getting out. Eve had been texting him every half hour, insisting he meet her, or she would come look for him herself.

  And her showing up on the ranch was the last thing Max wanted.

  He had no doubt that Eve would make good on that threat, though, so he had pretty much raced over, hating how he was giving in to her the whole way to the motel. But not only did he not want to bring his personal drama to Gage and Addison’s yard, he wanted to keep Eve away from Olivia and Riley, as well.

  As far as he was concerned, Eve no longer had the privilege to see her daughter whenever she wanted, not that she had even asked him about Olivia at all. On top of that, Max had no idea what kind of shape Eve was even in.

  It was unlikely she had changed her party-all-the-time lifestyle, and even if she had, it didn’t change the way she had acted.

  With a resigned sigh, Max got out of the truck, slamming the door after him.

  Better get this over with.

  Eve had already given him her room number, so he just walked inside, giving the bored clerk behind the check-in desk a nod of acknowledgment. Climbing the stairs, he made his way to the second floor and stopped in front of the correct door.

  The motel itself didn’t look bad, just a little dated with the busy carpets and faded pictures on the walls. He knocked on the flimsy-looking door, listening to footsteps coming from inside. There was only one heartbeat, so he knew Eve was alone.

  When the door swung open, he was taken aback at the flood of emotion that rolled over him as he saw Eve again. She had dyed her hair a fiery red, but otherwise, she looked much the same. Her gray eyes were a little watery as she studied him for a moment before stepping aside to let him in.

  “Took you a while to get here,” she remarked, flaring his temper.

  Clad in a tight top and short shorts, she walked into the room, leaving him to close the door. Max’s bear was already growling in his chest, but he forced himself to remain calm. Eve had to have a good reason for showing up here the way she had, and he needed to find out what that was.

  Rubbing her button-nose, she whirled around to face him, cocking her hip. Max was aware he had yet to say a word, but that didn’t bother him. Eve had been the one who wanted to meet, so it was time for her to start talking.

  Crossing his arms in front of him, Max stood in the middle of the room, staring her in the eye. Eve shuffled on her feet, giving him a once-over.

  “So you came back home, huh,” she said. “I tried tracking you down in Carson City, but your landlord said you had moved. I had to chase your old boss down to get your new number.”

  Max was barely listening.

  “Why are you here, Eve?” he asked.

  “What, you aren’t happy to see me?” she countered, almost managing to look offended.

  “You mean after you hid the fact I had a daughter from me for months, only to show up unannounced and bail on her?” Max asked. “Happy is not the word I was thinking of.”

  Pouting, Eve took a step closer. She smelled like cigarettes, and there was a blotchy flush to her cheeks. He could still see the pretty girl she used to be, but it was clear she had been living fast and hard.

  “We had some good times, too,” she purred.

  “Cut to the chase,” he said, an edge to his tone.

  “Fine,” Eve sulked. “I’m here to see my daughter.”

  “Your daughter?” Max couldn’t help but scoff. “Funny, she hasn’t been your daughter for the past six months, and now you’re suddenly the concerned mom?”

  “Hey,” Eve objected, pointing a finger at him. “I had some shit I needed to deal with, all right?”

  Max couldn’t hold back any longer. Standing there, facing Eve, after having so many months to think about what he might say to her if he ever saw her again, the words just poured out, and he had trouble keeping his voice from rising.

  “Have you ever in your life thought of anyone but yourself?” he demanded, without even giving her time to respond. “You robbed me of being there for my daughter from the moment she was born, then you abandoned her, and now you show up out of the blue with nothing but excuses?

  “You’re a mess, and there’s no way I’m letting you anywhere near Olivia right now.”

  It was clear Eve wanted to look shocked, insulted or sad about what he had said, but she couldn’t quite pull it off. More and more, Max got the distinct feeling Eve had an ulterior motive for showing up the way she had.

  Letting the growl he had been holding back echo out from his chest, Max took a step closer to Eve, grinding his jaw together. Eve had never seen him angry, and this new side of him had an immediate effect on her.

  She tried to play brave, but was clearly rattled.

  “What do you want?” he ground out.

  “Well, if you’re not going to let me see my daughter, you could at least help me out a little. You know, financially,” she replied.

  Max nearly laughed at the pure gall required for Eve to even come out with a request like that.

  “You have to be kidding,” he said. “I’m not giving you anything.”

  “You will if you want me out of your life,” she shot back. “I’m still Olivia’s mom. I have rights.”

  “What, you’re going to take me to court, is that it?” Max scoffed. “There’s a pile of empty beer bottles stacked under the desk, you look like you haven’t slept in days, and oh, did I forget to mention you’ve already abandoned Olivia once? No judge is going to give you custody.”

  A mean grin tugged at the edges of Eve’s mouth, taking him off guard. Eve didn’t have any cards left to play, so what the hell was she smiling about?

  “You think you have a claim on her because you’re her daddy,” she spat out, some of her bravado coming back. “But do you really think you were the only man in my life back then? Come on, you know me better than that, baby.”

  Max could feel every muscle in his body tense.

  “What are you saying?” he asked.

  “I gave Olivia to you because you were the most responsible one, not because I thought you were actually the most likely to be her dad,” she replied. “Once this goes to court, there will be a DNA test. And I bet you’ve gotten attached to the kid by now, haven’t you?

  “What if it turns out she’s not yours? There’s a good chance of that, too, let me tell you. But we don’t have to go through all that.”

  Thoughts racing, Max remained perfectly still, afraid of what he might do if he let himself react. Every protective instinct in his body was screaming at him. Olivia was his, there was no doubt in his mind. For Eve to even suggest anything else was mean-spirited and contrived.

  Not only did everyone say she was the spitting image of him, his bear had recognized the little girl as family the moment he had laid eyes on her. That instinct couldn’t possibly have been wrong. It went deeper than his bones, straight to the core of his being.

  Yet Eve clearly believed someone else could be Olivia’s father, and she would play that card whether it was actually true or not. Even if everything worked out in court, dragging Olivia through that lengthy, traumatic process wouldn’t do anyone any good.

  Would she be placed in someone else’s custody until it was proven he was in fact her father? Or would Eve get her until it was all sorted out? Looki
ng at the woman now, Max had serious doubts Eve could look after herself, let alone a child.

  Max couldn’t believe Eve had completely managed to upend his life again, but he knew he was out of choices. No cost was too high when it came to his daughter. Whatever he needed to do to keep that little girl safe, healthy and by his side, he would do.

  His voice sounded faraway and defeated when he spoke.

  “How much do you need?”

  Fifteen

  Riley

  Olivia was still asleep when Max got back. This time, the smile he had for Riley when he stepped inside the house was even more strained. He still pulled her into a big hug, but he was clearly tense and preoccupied.

  “Did everything go all right with the real estate agent?” she asked.

  “Someone already made an offer on the house, better than I could come up with,” he replied.

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” Riley said. “I’m sure you’ll find something soon enough.”

  “Yeah…” Max trailed off, avoiding her gaze all of the sudden.

  Something was still off, Riley could feel it in her gut, but the feeling was muddled by her own preoccupation. Her earlier conversation with Addison was still playing in her mind, and she knew she had some tough decisions in her future.

  Maybe Max was thinking about the future, too?

  As Riley mulled it over, it made sense. Max had not only himself to think about, but his daughter, as well. Could she really blame him for being a little distracted? Besides, she knew how important finding a home for himself and Olivia was, and now he’d been dealt another disappointment.

  So, instead of trying to interrogate him, she just pulled him in for another hug, squeezing tightly.

  “Everything is going to work out,” she said quietly.

  And she believed it, too.

  After having spent a couple of hours hanging out with Addison in the main house, Riley returned to the guesthouse just in time to see Max put Olivia to bed. They both stayed standing in the doorway a little longer than was necessary, watching the little girl clutch the edge of her blanket tightly in her tiny fist.