“Is that the space one?”
“Yes! You fly your ship around the galaxy and kill bad guys.” He folded his hands together. “Please?”
“I guess so.” I frowned. “But you need to play outside some too.”
“I will! I brought my football.” He shrugged out of his backpack and held it up.
“I bet Cathy would play with you if you asked.” Max smiled. “She’s a great player.”
“Really? Maybe I should go ask her now.” Marty looked excited. “Before she gets busy.”
“You’re going to give up on Turbo Man?” Shock widened my eyes.
“Well, I might as well play while it’s nice outside.” He shrugged, but there was red in his cheeks.
“She’s probably still in the dining room. Do you remember how to get there?” Max pushed off from the wall while Marty wrestled his ball out of his bag.
“Yeah.” He threw the mostly empty bag on the bed.
“Can I go, Mom?” He looked up at me with his big blue eyes and I frowned.
“I guess so.” He tore off down the stairs and I stuck my head out of the room. “Come find me if she’s busy.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
I looked up at Max and shook my head. “He’s been begging me for that game for weeks. I can’t believe he gave it up to play football.”
“Never underestimate the effect of a pretty girl on a guy.” Max’s eyes traveled over my face and landed on my mouth. “It’s a powerful thing.”
“But he’s only six.” I took a deep breath.
“I was five when I fell madly in love with the head housekeeper.” Max smiled. “I followed her around folding towels.”
“You did not.” I laughed.
“I did.” He reached out and touched the hair next to my face. “She was Irish. Red hair, blue eyes, and didn’t let me get away with anything.”
I didn’t say anything, just watched as he examined my face.
“I guess I have a type that I prefer.” His smile was slow and lazy.
“Well, good thing I’m not Irish.” The words came out softly, as if I hadn’t been able to find much force to say them with.
“Three out of four isn’t bad.” He chuckled and tugged on my hair. “C’mon. Let me show you your room.”
“Okay.” I swallowed and followed after him. My eyes dipped down to his rear and I couldn’t help but appreciate the way his jeans cupped his nice ass.
“This one is yours.” He opened the door and stood back so I could enter.
The room was huge, and that was saying a lot. Where Thysmer Manor had preserved the past, D’Lynsal was incredibly modern. The room was a soft gray color; the furniture was all white except for the large four-poster bed, which was ebony. Fresh flowers filled the room and I found myself wanting to climb into the soft-looking comforter. This was the room of a princess. Absolutely decadent.
“Wow.” I whispered the word. My suitcase had been set on a small bench near a closet.
“You like it?” Max’s deep voice was quiet.
“I do.” I nodded my head. “Very much. You guys might have to kick me out.”
“You’re welcome as long as you like.” He tucked his hands into his pockets and nodded his head toward my suitcase. “If there is anything you need steamed or pressed for tomorrow, just hang it on the door.”
“Thank you.” I had already picked out my outfit for the funeral, thank goodness, so it had been waiting on me when I was packing to leave.
“We wanted you to be comfortable.” He frowned. “I wanted you to be comfortable.”
“I appreciate what you’ve done, but I really wish you had gone about it in another way.” I turned to look at him.
“If I had suggested you stay here before your father blew his top this morning, would you have come?” Max stood up straight. “Meredith, you’re a strong person to have put up with all of that. Stronger than I am. I couldn’t leave you there while he drank himself into oblivion.”
“Sometimes it’s easier when he’s completely wasted. He passes out somewhere and I have nothing to worry about.” I sighed and sat down on the bed. “Really, I haven’t lived with him in years. I came to Lilaria with Granddad. How could I not? It meant a better life for Marty. But I found a way to get us out of the house with my father as soon as I could. I was lucky enough to be accepted into the program in England. I left and only came back for short visits.”
“And now you’re just waiting on the will.” Max took a deep breath. “I’m sorry I got involved, but when I saw him try to hit you that day . . .” He shook his head.