Page 28 of Max

“Not as much as I love you and Daddy and Amy Jo. I miss y’all.”

“There’s that accent creeping back in.”

Shay had worked hard to erase her accent. She needed to sound like everyone else. Her accent hurt her when it came to trying to land gigs. It was the first thing she’d realized when she started out.

“Maybe I should tell Jeff to forget it and just come home once my contract is up. I have more than enough money to live off until I find something to do I enjoy. Maybe I can start a small theater group down at the community center.”

“Now, don’t you start in on that nonsense. You love what you do, and your daddy would feel awful if you gave up your dream because of him.”

“I do love what I do, but I love you and Daddy more. I feel so helpless because I have to go back, and I can’t stay to take care of him.”

“Honey, I’m here to take care of him. I’ll make sure he does what he needs to and doesn’t eat junk.”

Shay gave her aunt a disbelieving look. “You know he’s going to find a way to eat grease and his junk food.”

“Not with me and Amy Jo. We’ve both decided to move in with him until the doctor gives him the all-clear.”

Shay laughed. “I bet he loved that idea.”

“He doesn’t know yet. We didn’t want to scare him off this surgery.”

That was a smart idea. Shay loved her father to pieces, but she was well aware of his faults, one of them being the same stubbornness she possessed. If he’d known the battle axe and her mini-me were moving in, he might have said no despite needing this surgery.

“I love you, Aunt Ethel.”

“I love you too, honey. Now, tell me about this gorgeous man you brought with you.”

Shay’s cheeks heated. She hadn’t really considered all the ramifications of blurting out that Max was her boyfriend. She regretted it the moment the words came out, but now she was stuck with it. She had to come up with a good story.

“What do you want to know?”

“Everything!” Aunt Ethel wagged her eyes. “Is he good between the sheets? He looks all rugged and like he could make a woman moan for days afterward.”

“Aunt Ethel!” Shay could barely keep the embarrassment out of her voice.

“Well, is he? We old cougars need to know these things.”

Shay was at a loss for words.

“Are you ladies discussing me?” Max’s drawl was sexy as all get-out. It made her face burn even hotter. He laughed when he saw the blush.

“We sure are.” Ethel winked at Shay. “I was asking my girl here if you were satisfying her between the sheets.”

Max wrapped his arms around her and tugged her to him so her back was against his chest. His warmth surrounded her, and she calmed ever so slightly. It felt good to be held.

At least until his lips placed tiny kisses on her neck. Her breath hitched, and a gasp came out of her lips. Skin that was already hot flamed even brighter.

“I promise you, ma’am, I’ve never had a woman complain. I take care of them between the sheets.”

Ethel fanned herself, and Max chuckled. “I was thinking I’d steal Shay and go find us some coffee while Jasper is occupying Mr. Moore. Can we bring you back a cup?”

“My Lord, yes. I’d give my left nut for a cup. Not that crap they serve in the cafeteria either. There’s a cart outside that has delicious coffee. Nothing fancy like in New York, mind you, but good coffee, nonetheless.”

“I grew up on coffee in the pot, ma’am. Never have gone for all that complicated stuff.”

“A man after my own heart. You don’t keep this one, Shay, and I’m going after him.”

This time Shay laughed. God, she loved her aunt and her unfiltered personality.

---