Worry coiled around bones, and an unsettling image of Natalie cornered in the kitchen seemed to permeate every nook and cranny of his mind.
But then another sound.
A squeal of wicked laughter. And another. Suddenly, the bed-and-breakfast was filled with the sound of hysterical laughter, emanating from multiple people. Heart steadying and curiosity rising, he followed the sounds.
His inner investigator egged him on.
The squeals and peals of laughter intensified as he neared the bright kitchen.
Nothing could have prepared Max for the sight in the kitchen. Water pooled everywhere on the tile, and more water continued to bubble from underneath the sink, creating a kind of indoor, shallow water park. Lexie theatrically splashed around, combining water stomping with something that looked like ballet. Her laughter and antics even incited the ever-reserved Colby to motion. Miss Molly ran circles around them, barking and waggin
g her tail in a golden fan.
Natalie’s rich laughter warmed the kitchen, made the disaster seem less like a crisis and more whimsical. Water soaked her shirt and her loose hair dripped, clinging to her.
Those radiant green eyes were calm—she was just as carefree as she’d been under the tree several nights ago.
Stunning.
In every situation—flour dusted, bathed in moonlight, drenched in water—Max felt drawn to her.
Intruding felt wrong. He might have stayed at the threshold for ages if not for the thrum of voices behind him.
Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Tom and Emily Knox approach, hands intertwined.
“Oh, uh...hello,” Max said with a surprising semblance of manners, since right now he really wanted them to go away.
“Hello, Max,” Emily cooed with half a laugh. “We’re picking up Nat’s kids and bringing them to our ranch. They are staying with us while she gets all this—” she pointed to the water spewing “—under control.”
“That’s a real nice gesture. It’s heartwarming to know that Natalie has such good people looking out for her. Especially in light of recent events going on around this town.”
Emily smoothed back Lexie’s hair. “We’re friends, happy to help however we can.”
“So, Max,” Tom said with a knowing grin, “you’re playing Sir Galahad with the sink as well as the computers? I would have expected you to be over at the Cattleman’s Club.”
Emily elbowed her husband in the side before turning to Natalie. “Are the kids ready to go?”
“Practically, other than being soggy—”
Emily waved away Natalie’s worry. “We have blankets in the car for the seats. It’s a beautiful day for opening the sunroof to dry everyone off. No need to waste time or it’ll get too close to their bedtime. Wouldn’t want to upset their routine.”
“If you’re sure...” Natalie nibbled her bottom lip before turning to her kids. “You are both going to behave for Miss Emily and Mr. Tom, aren’t you?”
“Yes, Mommy.” Lexie bobbed her head. “They have cows!” Lexie’s eyes widened as she spoke. Colby simply nodded, then picked at his shirt.
“That sounds fun, sweetie. Now, go get your bags with Miss Emily. They’re by the front door away from all this chaos.” Natalie’s children sloshed through the water.
Tom’s brow furrowed as he looked at the mess. “Do you need me to stay and help with the sink and water?”
“You’re taking my children. That’s honestly the best way to help me because I can focus on clearing up this mess.”
Max placed a hand on her shoulder. “Tom, I’ve got this. Thanks, though.”
The whole lot of them made their way to the front door. Tom scooped up the overnight bags. Lexie wrapped her mother in a hard hug, and Colby even leaned into her, shoulder-to-shoulder, before the two children walked out the door with the Knoxes.
Max swallowed hard and scratched the back of his neck, doing his damnedest to look anywhere but at her wet T-shirt. “You’ve got quite a mess here.”
“Thank goodness I’d already made breakfast pastries for the week. We’ll all need to eat breakfast picnic-style.” She sagged into a chair with a sigh, a wrench in her hand, and glanced out the window. “I’m praying it won’t rain.”