Taming Mad Max (6 page)

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Kari drove up Max’s driveway and parked her car in the same spot as yesterday. If Day Two was anything like Day One, she was never going to survive two weeks as Max’s nutritionist.

Destiny was playing dirty tricks on her by putting her in charge of his health. In a way, she held his future in her hands, since she could refuse to clear him as healthy, maybe even cause him to lose his job. But she knew she’d never do that...not unless his health was seriously at risk. Revenge wasn’t her style.

And what about their daughter? Molly hadn’t asked about her father in years. If Molly knew Max was her father, and discovered Kari had kept that knowledge from her, she would be devastated. Keeping Max’s identity secret from her daughter hadn’t bothered her in years, since she felt as if she’d done her best to try and contact him. After receiving no response from Max, she had convinced herself she did all she could and left it at that.

She certainly never expected to see Max face to face again.

Kari climbed out of the jeep and gathered the groceries she picked up on the way to his house.

After watching Max entertain the ladies last night, she wasn’t keen on seeing him this morning. But luck was on her side, she figured, when Max’s sister greeted her at the door.

Breanne took one of the bags out of her hands. “Sorry about the scene with Joey yesterday. I really don’t know what’s gotten into him.”

Kari followed Breanne to the kitchen. “Fatherhood is a big responsibility. I’m sure it will just take some time before he comes around.”

“Joey wants me to consider giving the baby up for adoption. I could never do that.”

“Do you have any idea why he might be so afraid?” Kari asked.

“What do you mean?”

“When it comes to the fears and expectations of new parenthood, men and women aren’t always on the same page. He’s probably afraid of what this baby will do to your relationship. He’s still in college, right?”

Breanne nodded and set the bag of food on the granite counter. “He works during the day and takes classes at night.”

“Maybe he’s worried about money. How will he provide for the baby and for you? Or maybe he’s wondering if he’ll have time for himself after the baby is born? If he hasn’t been around a lot of small children or babies, he might be wondering how he’s going to help. Babies are messy and they cry a lot.”

Kari stopped when she saw the frown creasing Breanne’s forehead. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I was just trying to guess what might be going through Joey’s head.”

“I never thought about all of that stuff before,” Breanne admitted. “Since I first learned I was pregnant, my focus has been on holding the baby in my arms. But you’re right, it makes sense that he might be scared.”

Kari smiled. “I’ll bring you the names of a few good counselors who might be able to help. Communication between the two of you, getting all your worries and fears out on the table, would definitely be a great start.” She should practice what she preached, she thought.

“Thanks. I appreciate your help.”

Kari’s attention shifted toward the window where she could see Max in the pool, bronzed muscles rippling through the clear blue water.

“He’s always been a great athlete,” Breanne said without prompt. “Swimming, water polo, and, of course, football.”

Kari already knew where Molly got her athleticism. Her daughter excelled as a dancer, a basketball player, and a swimmer.

“Do you think you’ll be able to help Max?” Breanne asked.

“Dr. Stone is still running tests,” Kari said. “He’ll make the final decision about Max’s future in the NFL, but healthy eating and a good exercise program is a good start.”

“I can’t imagine life without him. Since our father’s death, Max has been the backbone of our family. Financially, he’s helped our entire family, but more than that, he’s always been a positive role model for me and my sisters.”

Breanne took a seat on a stool while Kari unloaded the groceries onto the center island.

Kari put the blackberries, artichokes, and brussels sprouts in the refrigerator. “When did your father pass away?”

“It seems like yesterday when our father died, but it happened fourteen years ago, right after my oldest sister, Sally, graduated from high school.”

“Around the same time Sally threw her high school graduation party,” Kari said.

Breanne’s eyes widened. “You’re right. Sally had a graduation party. Boy, did she get in trouble for that one. I missed the party because I was in Santa Barbara with my parents. We were visiting Nana.”

Breanne looked thoughtful for a moment before she added, “Max surprised us all that weekend by coming home from college for a visit. Two days after the party, we returned from Santa Barbara. It didn’t take long for Max and my father to get into it...a stupid argument about me, since I was hell bent on going to a rock concert. Max thought I should get to go.”

Breanne shook her head. “Max and my father always butted heads, so it wasn’t anything new. I was only twelve. God, I remember that day as if it happened last week.” Her voice softened. “Max told Dad he was being ridiculous. Dad folded the newspaper he’d been reading and set it on the coffee table. Then he stood and opened his mouth as if he was about to say something, but no words came out. He just slumped back into his chair and stopped breathing...just like that.”

Tingles raced up Kari’s spine. “What did you do?”

“Max gave Dad mouth-to-mouth while I ran through the house screaming. By the time I returned with Mom, Max was holding Dad in his arms. It was the only time I ever saw my brother cry.”

An image of Max’s mother looking distant, almost robotic, when she had gone to Max’s house to talk to him, came to mind. Max hadn’t been home. Kari had no idea Max had lost his father during that time. Two months later, Kari remembered going to Max’s house again. His mother answered the door and this time Kari handed his mother a letter addressed to Max, asking her to pass it on.

Kari looked at Breanne and realized she must have said too much because Breanne was looking at her as if she’d suddenly grown horns. Kari busied herself with opening a box of noodles.

“How did you know about Sally’s party?”

Wishing she hadn’t opened her mouth, Kari said, “I used to live in Roseville. I graduated the same year as Sally.”

“No kidding? What a small world. Does Max know that?”

Kari shook her head as she set the ricotta cheese and mozzarella on the counter. A movement outside caught her attention and once again she found herself watching Max through the window. He climbed out of the pool and the sight of him half naked, his strong athletic body glistening beneath the morning sun, took her breath away. Some things never changed.

“He seemed riled yesterday,” Breanne said, breaking into Kari’s thoughts. “Max doesn’t rile easily.”

“Is that right? What was he riled about?”

“You.”

Kari tried to ignore the heat climbing upward to her face. “I can’t imagine why.”

“He said you mentioned that the two of you met before, which makes sense now that I know you used to live in Roseville.”

Kari nodded. “I used to see Max in the morning when he delivered papers. The memories are foggy. It was a long time ago.”

“Did you ever watch him play football in high school?”

“I remember my father mentioning seeing Max’s name in the paper every once in while...you know...for leading number of tackles, or whatever. It’s all sort of a blur really.”
Not.

“Well, take it from me,” Breanne said, “Max is definitely smitten with you.”

Nervous laughter escaped Kari as she fumbled around for something to do. She opened the carton of eggs.

“I’m serious,” Breanne went on. “Before he went out last night, he rambled on about the importance of my getting plenty of nutrients while I’m pregnant. I think you’ve created a monster.”

“It can’t be that bad. I’ve only spent one day with him.”

“Oh, yeah? He tossed the deli sandwich I bought right into the garbage, all the while spouting off about the horrors of nitrites in processed cold cuts.”

“He did that?”

“I told you he was smitten. What kind of macho man like my brother Max would remember anything about nitrites if he wasn’t smitten?”

“Who’s smitten?”

At the sound of Max’s voice, Kari turned toward the French doors leading from the pool area into the kitchen. With his hair slicked back from his face and water droplets trickling down hard bronzed abs, she found it near impossible not to stare.

“You are,” Breanne answered matter-of-factly. “I was telling Kari what you did to my salami and cheese sandwich and how any man who would ruin a perfectly good sandwich because of a few stupid nitrates must be smitten with their nutritionist.”

“True,” Max said with a grin. “I am smitten.”

Breanne winked at Kari. “I told you so.”

Kari busied herself with looking through cupboards for a measuring cup. The last thing she wanted to talk about was her and Max.

“Did you know that Kari used to live in Roseville?” Breanne asked Max.

Kari’s heart skipped a beat. Thank God she was half hidden in the pantry because otherwise they might have seen the horror on her face. She was definitely not ready for this. After seeing Max in Dr. Stone’s office, and having more time to think about the whole crazy situation with Max, it no longer surprised her that Max didn’t remember her. She was eighteen at the time...had lost twenty-five pounds since...spent a year in braces...and her hair was much longer now. It was no wonder he hadn’t recognized her.

“No kidding,” Max said.

“That was my response,” Breanne told him. “Kari even remembers you riding around on your bike delivering papers in the neighborhood.”

A long stretch of silence followed before Kari changed the subject. Stepping out of the pantry, she held up the measuring cup she’d found. “Time to get to work.”

Max rubbed his chin. “What are we doing today?”

“I’m going to teach you how to cook a few healthy meals. Since you’re fond of Italian food, I thought we’d start with a vegetarian Spinach Lasagna. I stopped at the store on my way here. There wasn’t a cameraman in sight.”

Breanne wrinkled her nose. “Those people can be annoying, can’t they?” She slid off the stool. “I’m going to go run a few errands and let you and Max do your thing.”

“You’re welcome to stay,” Kari said, “and learn a thing or two about cooking a healthy meal.”

Max shook his head. “She’s not interested.”

“I can take a hint. I’ll see you two later.”

“See ya,” Max said as he scooted around the granite island and tried to sneak a bite of mozzarella cheese.

Kari waved goodbye to Breanne, then scolded Max for sticking his fingers in the food.

Wearing a purple and white-striped towel wrapped around his waist, Max made focusing on what she was doing more than a little difficult. “Maybe you’d like to get dressed before we get started.”

“I’m fine. Thanks.”

She used the metal whisk for emphasis, pointing it at him. “Honestly, I won’t be able to concentrate if you don’t put something on.”

“I’m flattered.”

She groaned. “Fine. Walk around naked if it suits you. I could care less.”

He didn’t budge. “Great.”

“Good. If you could grab two boxes of frozen spinach,” she said, “I’ll start mixing some of these ingredients.”

Max opened the freezer and hunted around for the spinach. After realizing he might never find what he was looking for, Kari reached under his arm and grabbed the spinach from the side door.

With one arm on each side of the freezer door, Max trapped her. “Do you really expect me to cook?” he said with a sexy drawl.

She looked away from his chest and into his eyes. “I-I think it’s important for all of my clients to learn how to make a few healthy meals.”

He leaned closer, his mouth inches from hers. “Why?”

“Uhm...because mealtime is a—a good time to bond with your family.” She ducked under his arm and returned to the stove where she could feel his eyes on her as she opened the box of spinach and dropped its contents into the pan. “Mealtime,” she went on, “is a good time to connect with friends. And,” she added smugly, “an opportunity to impress your date with a favorite dish.”

“Since you brought it up,” he began feebly, “about that woman you saw me with last night. Cole set the whole thing up. I had forgotten all about it when I asked you out yesterday.”

She dropped the noodles into the pot of boiling water next to the pot of spinach. “Don’t worry about it. What you do or who you see is no business of mine. I already told you I don’t date my clients. I’m only concerned with what you eat and how much exercise you’re getting.”

“I like you, Kari.” There was a long pause before he added, “Some rules are made to be broken, don’t you think?”

“By the time I’m done with you,” she said in a cheerful voice that belied the angst she felt inside, “you’ll be steaming, poaching, and broiling your food instead of frying it.” She didn’t care if she was babbling, because she couldn’t stop herself. He was standing so close she could feel the heat from his half-naked body. Every time she stopped talking, she found herself looking at his chest, which made her knees all wobbly and her insides gurgly as if she were eighteen again.
Been there, done that.
Focus, she told herself. Focus. “Could you grab a large bowl?”

He was back in a jiffy with a bowl. “Did you hear what I said?” he asked.

She sighed. “I like you too, Max.” She handed him three eggs and a bowl. “Please put one whole egg and two egg whites in that bowl.”