Love Uncovered (Forbidden Fruit) Read Free

It certainly wasn’t a reason for them to run away.
    “What’s going on?” He saw Amanda’s joy at seeing him fade when she heard his tone. God, he didn’t want to be an asshole.  He deliberately relaxed his face and walked over to the back of the car where Julie stood with her parents. “Jules, what’s going on?”
    His normally in charge wife looked so young and uncertain. It was Carol who answered him.
    “Alan and I are going to take the kids home with us for the rest of the week.” She took his arm and gave it a squeeze. “That way you and Julie can have some time together – alone.”
    “I didn’t mean for this to happen. I’m sorry I lost my temper, but you don’t need leave.”
    “We know, Son,” said Alan. After what he’d said earlier Max had a hard time looking his father-in-law in the eyes, and the endearment made it harder. “Listen, I’m sorry, too.”
    Max found his nerve and forced himself to look at Alan. The older man’s face was kind with none of the pull yourself up by your bootstraps gumption Max expected to find there. “You don’t have anything to be sorry for.”
    “Yes I do, but I appreciate you saying it anyway. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of your kids for a couple of days so you can take care of mine.” Alan grabbed his hand and gave it a quick pump and then wrapped his daughter in his arms.
    “I don’t know why we didn’t think of this earlier,” said Carol, pulling Max in for a hug. “My parents used to do it for us when the girls were small. You two take all the time you need. Nothing else works if you aren’t together.”
    Almost automatically, Max and Julie passed the kids around for hugs and kisses, before making sure everyone was buckled. Before he had a chance to decide how he felt about it, the car pulled down the gravel drive, leaving Max alone with his shell shocked wife.
     
     
    “Well hell.” Max collapsed on the deck chair next to Julie and took a swig of beer.
    “Yeah.” Julie reached for the beer and took a long pull before she handed the bottle back to him. They used to share like this all the time. Max teased her that it made the beer taste better. When was the last time they’d done something as simple as sharing a beer? Hell, when was the last time she’d sat down next to him long enough to share anything? What happened to them? “I’m sorry.”
    Max pulled back and stared at her. “Isn’t that my line?”
    Her answering smile was soft and sad. “I didn’t mean to pick at you. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. It feels like I’m angry all the time.”
    “Yeah, I know. Me, too.” He held the bottle out to her. “This is a start, right?”
    She took a swallow and nodded. “Yep. I feel bad saying it now, but my parents make me crazy.”
    “Really? Hadn’t noticed.” He ducked as she reached over to swat him. “You just have to stop worrying so much about what they think. You do that to yourself. They don’t do it. Well, not on purpose anyway. Besides, right now they’re my favorite people.” He took the bottle from her and drained it.
    “I know. Who thought they ’d be the perceptive ones? My dad didn’t make a single get over it crack and Mom was awesome with the kids. You should have heard her explain things to Amanda. I stood there like I’d swallowed my tongue, and she was perfect.”
    “I’m sorry the kids heard my rant. Sorry I yelled at you, too.”
    “Me, too.” She giggled and reached over to twine her fingers with his. “Seriously, I know this isn’t the easiest vacation for you.”
    “Vacation? That’s what this is?”
    This time she laughed out loud . “You mean driving my dad around on the lake listening to war stories isn’t your dream vacation?”
    “Actually, it’s the market tips and golf stories I love.” They sat side by side in the deepening twilight and watched the sun sink below the water. In the stillness, she heard him sigh before he spoke again. “He’s done more than I’ve