“She must have noticed when you ran off.”
Savannah grimaced. “Ah, yeah. She’s not going to forget that anytime soon. That woman never forgets a wrong, real or imagined. She claims she barely escaped social ruin. Personally, I think I gave her something to dine on for years.” She shrugged. “We never did see eye to eye.”
“But then you met Max and Logan.”
She grinned. “They were the complete opposite of every man I’d ever dated. Dominant, protective, real. That flat tire turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to me. So I guess in the end, I should be thanking Alistair for cheating on me.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Molly said.
They grinned at each other.
***
“Max!”
Max swore silently to himself. Christ, couldn’t a man get a few moments of peace? He pushed his irritation aside and turned. Savannah was having her session with the shrink right now, and he was hurrying to get home before it finished. Logan was around, but after her panic attack yesterday he wanted to be close by.
He hadn’t been overly enthusiastic about her seeing a therapist, but this one seemed better than most. Maybe they weren’t all like the asshole he’d seen, who’d preyed on soldiers who were just trying to cope with everything they’d seen and done. However, he’d still be watching her carefully, if these sessions were too much for her, he’d put a stop to them. Nothing was more important than Savannah’s health.
“What can I do for you, Atkinson?”
The older man smiled, although Max thought it looked forced.
“Have you thought more about my offer?”
“Yep.”
“And?” The other man asked impatiently.
There was something about Atkinson Max didn’t like. Maybe it was that he was so damn pushy. He’d made Max an offer, a good offer, and Max had told him he’d think about it. Atkinson didn’t seem to want to leave that where it was, though. He had to keep asking. If Max wasn’t desperate, he’d tell the other man where he could stick his offer.
He smiled as he thought about doing just that.
“I’m still thinking about it,” Max told him, turning his back on the other man and opening the door to his truck. “I’ve got to go.”
“Yes, yes, of course. No doubt you want to get back to that sweet wife of yours. How’s she doing after her fright?”
Why was he asking about Savannah? Far as Max knew the two had never met. Atkinson had moved into the area four months ago when he’d bought Murchison’s spread. That he was already trying to buy more land made Max suspicious.
He decided he wouldn’t be taking Atkinson up on his offer. If he was forced to sell, then he’d do it on his terms. Travis had called him earlier and left a message to call him back. Max couldn’t afford not to call him. They needed the cash. Desperately.
He turned back to study Atkinson, who looked a little smug. “I wouldn’t call it a fright. She didn’t find a rat in the basement.”
“No, no, I didn’t mean to trivialize what she went through, not at all. I have to go, but let me know about that offer. Quickly or it may disappear.”
Now what made him leave in such a rush? Usually, Max had to be extra rude to get rid of him. It was always the best part of their conversations.
He turned to see Jake crossing the road. Hmm, could that be why he’d left in a hurry? The sheriff stared after Atkinson thoughtfully. “Runs every time he sees me coming, like a scared rabbit. Or a guilty one.”
Max raised his eyebrows. “You think he’s guilty of something?”
“Don’t know. Can’t find any record. Did a background check when he bought Murchison’s spread. Nothing came up, but there’s something about him. I can’t get him to stand still long enough to even talk to him. Makes my palms itch.”
“Reckon you can get a prescription for that,” Max joked.
“Asshole.” Jake smiled though. “How're things?”
“Good. Just came in for supplies. Got to get back, Savannah’s having a therapy session, and I want to get there before it’s over.”