Page 26 of Max

“A little town right outside of Austin, Texas. My family owns a ranch down there. My dad raises horses and cattle. I moved to New York for work after I got out of the Marines. A buddy of mine from my old unit owns a company there and offered me a job. Paid too well to pass up.”

“What do you do?”

“I find people who don’t want to be found.”

Angus cocked his head questioningly.

“We do private security, background checks, and private investigation work. I have my PI license, and I track down missing people.”

“Like Magnum PI?”

Max smiled. His own father watched that show religiously, especially now since reruns were all over TV thanks to the reboot.

“Sort of. You own a farm, right?”

Angus nodded.

“Let’s say your accountant emptied your farm’s business account and ran away. I’m the person who would find him. I’m very good at tracking people down. Once we figure out where he went, then I go in and find him on the ground.”

“You were in the Marines, you said?”

“Yes, sir. It’s where I learned all my tracking skills.”

“Why’d you join up?”

“My birth father was a soldier. I guess I wanted to do something that might make him proud. He died when I was baby. My stepfather raised me, and to me he’s my father.”

Angus nodded. “My brother’s kids aren’t his by blood, but he raised them, so they’re his. Blood don’t mean shit.”

“Dad! Language!”

The old man snorted. “I been cussing since I was twelve, little girl. I ain’t about to stop now.”

Despite the third degree, Max found he liked Angus Moore a great deal. He reminded him of his own father, who was blunt but genuine. Made him miss his father. He was going to have to get down to the ranch sooner rather than later to visit.

“Shay!”

The woman who came in threw everything down and rushed over to Shay. Her short, pixie-cut hair was dyed a light purple and clashed with the blue floral print blouse she wore. Loud was the word that came to mind. Max hid a grin and stood back before he got run over.

“Aunt Ethel.” Shay stood and hugged her aunt. God, she’d missed her so much. Even her purple hair, which Shay thought was a bit much for a woman in her sixties, but hey, who was she to tell someone not to do something that made them happy?

“Let me look at you.” Ethel disentangled herself and gave Shay a once-over. “You look tired, honey.”

“I’ve been working non-stop.” Shay was tired. Bone tired, really. She hated her schedule, but it was necessary.

“Who’s this?” Ethel’s attention moved to Max, and Shay almost winced. She hadn’t told her father or her aunt about her stalker. She didn’t want them to worry. Thank God Max went along with her little white lie. She didn’t like putting him on the spot like that, but she saw no other choice. She panicked when her father asked about Max. It was the first thing that popped into her head.

“This is my boyfriend, Max Sheridan.”

“Boyfriend?” Ethel perked right up. “You didn’t tell me you were dating anyone.”

“It’s new. We’ve only been going out for a few weeks.”

“This one has a real job, too.”

Yes, her father shared Max’s disgust of all actors. Not her, of course, just everyone else.

“Really?”

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