He crept from the bedroom, knowing that if he wanted to get done what he’d planned, it would take care and precision. But most of all, time. Time that was fast running out as Christmas approached.
When he reached the office in the corner of the downstairs level, just off the living room, he picked up the phone and began making calls. Money was no object. The work would have to be done at night. By the time he was finished, he was short a hefty amount of cash but he was satisfied that he’d been assured that what he wanted would be done.
Now, however, he needed to go make damn sure that Callie’s dads didn’t end up shooting someone for trespassing in the dead of night.
If he hurried, he could make it back in time to cook breakfast for his girls. He smiled as the word simmered in his mind. His girls. The woman he loved more than anything and his baby sister. Both here and safe with him. Family.
He went for his coat, grabbed the keys to the Range Rover, and headed out the door. Normally he’d make the walk across the meadow to the Colters’ cabin, but he wanted to make it back before Callie and Lauren got up.
A few minutes later, he pulled up to the Colters’ cabin and slid out of the car. He was almost to the door when it opened and Ethan called out a greeting.
“Morning, Max. What brings you out so early?”
Max took the extended hand and shook it before following Ethan inside, where it was a good deal warmer. Already a fire blazed in the big stone hearth and the room was alive with the twinkling Christmas lights strung from the tree and along the mantel.
It just felt like home in this big, cozy cabin that had once housed hunters when the Colters had operated a guide service for elk hunting.
“How is Holly?” Max asked.
Ethan was quiet for a moment and his hand shook as he raised the cup of coffee he was holding to his lips. After he took a sip, he turned his gaze on Max. “She’s doing better. She’s happy to be home. She doesn’t like to be away for long and being in the hospital was driving her crazy.”
“I bet,” Max replied. “I’m glad she’s home, and I know Callie is super relieved.”
“Yeah, we all are,” Ethan said quietly. “She scared the hell out of us. It’s a sobering wake-up call when you realize just how close you come to losing someone or how easily they can slip away.”
But Max knew. He knew all too well because he’d come so damn close to losing Callie that it still hurt him to think about it.
Adam walked into the living room, his head rearing back in surprise when he saw Max standing there.
“Anything the matter, son?” Adam asked.
Max was a grown man, but it still gave him a ridiculous thrill when Adam called him son. It made him feel included. Like another of the Colter brothers. His place certainly hadn’t always been assured in this family. He was lucky Callie’s dads and brothers hadn’t wiped the earth with him and ripped his nuts off. It certainly wasn’t because they hadn’t wanted to.
But now there was warmth and acceptance, and Max soaked it in. With the passing of his mother, he and Lauren had been left alone in the world. Having the Colters was something he treasured greatly, and he’d go to any lengths to protect what he now considered his. They had his loyalty and his love.
“No, not at all,” Max said. “I wanted to see how Holly was doing so I could let Callie know when she gets up. She was pretty tired and I wanted to let her sleep, but I know the minute she wakes up, she’s going to be worried about her mama.”
“That’s nice of you,” Ethan said. “I know Holly will appreciate your concern. We all do.”
Max glanced at both men. “I also wanted to discuss something with you. A little surprise I have in mind for the women in the family.”
At the mention of the women, Max had Adam’s and Ethan’s undivided attention. One thing he’d quickly learned in the two years he’d known this family was that the Colters treasured their women. They pampered them, spoiled them, and loved them beyond measure.
“What’s your plan, and do you need our help?” Adam asked.
Max smiled. “I won’t need your help, except in keeping the secret, of course. I will, however, need to make you aware that for the next several nights, you’re going to have a crew crawling all over Callie’s Meadow. I’ve made sure they’ll be coming late and leaving before dawn. Where I have it planned isn’t easily visible from the road so I think we’ll be safe. Plus, I know Holly won’t be getting out and about, and if Callie’s going to come over, I’ll make damn sure I drive her myself.”
Ethan grinned. “How well you know us. No, Holly won’t be lifting so much as a damn finger between now and Christmas so you certainly won’t have to worry about her finding out.”
“Okay, so tell us exactly what you’re doing,” Adam said.
Max smiled and then related everything he’d just spent the last hour setting up over the phone. When he was done, both Ethan and Adam were smiling broadly. Adam slapped him on the back.
“They’re going to love it.”
CHAPTER 15
DO you remember our first Christmas together?” Holly asked softly.
She was sitting on the couch, blanket hugged up all around her. Only her hands stuck out, clutching the cup of hot chocolate that Ryan had given her moments before.
The fire roared in the hearth and outside snow was falling at a steady pace. If she was feeling better, it would have been a wonderful day to get the sleigh and play. Her husbands would have heart attacks if she even suggested stepping foot outdoors.
Adam was sitting next to her while Ethan was on her other side. Ryan stood by the hearth, poking at one of the logs to stoke the flames.
Ethan’s hand went to her head, smoothing back her hair, his smile gentle and full of love. His eyes had a faraway look of remembrance.
“It was the best Christmas ever,” Ethan said.
Emotion glimmered in Ryan’s eyes as he settled into an armchair across from the couch. “Seth was just a baby and we were still reeling and so damn grateful to have you back in our lives.”
Adam’s arm tightened around Holly. A tremor raced up his body and she turned, smiling tenderly at him. He still hated the mention of the time they’d spent apart. He hated remembering the fear that they’d lost her, that she wasn’t coming back.
But she’d known. There was never a question that she’d make her way back home to the men who loved her.
“So many Christmases since then,” she said, her voice aching at the memories. “But you know what? I have a feeling this will be the best yet.”
Ethan smiled indulgently. “You say that every year.”