Page 9 of Max's Mission

“That’s everything.” Ezra held out a hand to Max. “Safe travels. If you need anything, let us know.”

Clasping his hand, Max gave him a quick smile. “We will, thanks.”

“Anytime.” Smiling, Ezra turned to Margot. He leaned in and gave her a quick hug. “I hope things turn out well. You’ve got good company.” He pulled back to wink at Max.

To Max’s surprise, Margot sent him a sunny smile. “I know.”

Ezra lifted an eyebrow and sent him a curious look before a bright smile crossed his face. He shut the trunk, casting a quick look back.

“We’ll see you in a few days.” Max caught the slightly rascally look in his eyes. He backed away, towing his suitcase, and ignored it.

“Yep. Let me know when your return flight is. I’ll do my best to pick you up from here.”

“Will do.”

Margot lifted a hand. “Thanks, Ezra.”

He nodded once. “See ya.” Rounding the rear of the car, he opened the driver’s door and climbed in while Max led Margot away.

Five

Margot shifted, doing her best to stay awake. They were on the last leg of their flight, and she was ready to be done. But she didn’t want to sleep yet. If she took a nap now, it would just take her longer to wind down once they got to the hotel, and it was already late. She just wanted to go to bed and not wake up until morning. Not lie there, tossing and turning because she wasn’t sleepy enough thanks to her nap. The oversize first-class seat was making it hard for her to stay awake, though. She had ample room to stretch out and not bump into anyone. For once, she wanted the cramped space of economy seating.

Next to her, Max yawned. At least she wasn’t the only one who was tired. He’d stifled several yawns since they took off from Denver.

The plane’s engine noise changed, and she felt it tilt down slightly.Thank God.They were beginning their descent.

A yawn stole over her face. She smothered it behind her hand, then blinked away the moisture that gathered in her eyes. “Oh, this is ridiculous.” She shifted again, turning toward Max. “Distract me, so I stay awake.”

The smile that ghosted over his handsome face ticked her heart rate up, banishing a bit of her sleepiness. Max wasdangerous to her equilibrium when she was wide awake and could shore up all her walls. But tired? She didn’t have the energy to patch the cracks that formed whenever those crinkle lines appeared next to his eyes when he smiled.

“Read any good books lately?”

Margot laughed. “That was so not what I expected you to say.”

He chuckled. “What did you think I’d say?”

“I don’t know. Not that.”

“It’s still a valid question.”

“It is. The answer is I can’t remember the last time I read a book for fun.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Seriously?”

“Yes. After work, I’m busy with the girls. Once they’re in bed, I do whatever chores I didn’t get done while they were awake, then either do a little reading for work—or do some actual work—then take a shower and go to sleep.”

“What about the weekends? I mean, I know you and Annabeth have been doing some work then, but you don’t work all day, every day.”

“No, you’re right. But I spend as much time with Emily and Lily on the weekends as I can. We go to the beach or to one of the animal sanctuaries. Sometimes we go shopping and get some fresh, local ingredients and make simple things they can help with. I don’t really have free time right now. I also don’t remember the last time I watched something on TV that wasn’t a cartoon.”

“You watched the World Series with me and the others last month.” He’d extended an open invitation to everyone for every game of the series. She’d come over a couple of times.

“Sort of. I spent a lot of time in your pool.” The twins had wanted to swim, and Margot really didn’t have much interest in baseball.

“True. I guess I didn’t realize how busy life with toddlers is. I mean, I know it’s crazy, but not, no free time crazy.”

“It is what it is, Max.” Even when Tad was still in the picture, she’d had little time to herself. Any extra time she had away from the girls was taken up by her work schedule. She actually preferred her busy life now. As crazy as it was, it was less stressful because she was out of the hospital’s fast-paced environment.

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