LITMIR.BIZ

      Four

      Max glanced at the various photos spread across the mantel. Most were of Raine with her grandmother from years ago, but now newer ones had been placed in frames. Pictures of Raine with Abby, Abby sleeping, a black-and-white picture of Abby’s hand holding onto what he presumed to be Raine’s finger.

      But he never saw a picture of the baby with a man...or Raine with a man for that matter. The fact she was alone with this baby shouldn’t make him feel relieved, because in reality, that just made him a jerk, but he’d be lying if he didn’t admit that he’d gotten a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach when he had thought of her creating a family with someone else.

      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.”