She grinned. “It was perfect. Do you know that of the four of us, only one was born in an actual hospital? We swear that Dillon was switched at birth with one of the other babies. No one could ever figure out where he came from.”

“I just hope you don’t have any crazy ideas of giving birth in the middle of nowhere,” he said with a scowl.

She laughed and squeezed him again. “Oh no. I’m afraid I’m too fond of modern technology. And pain relief! I want to be surrounded by nurses and doctors and the guy giving the epidural.”

He kissed her brow and his expression eased. “That’s good because I want only the best for you and our child when the time comes.”

Her entire heart squeezed ridiculously until she felt near to exploding. How could she possibly be this happy when just days ago she’d been miserable? She wanted to pinch herself, but if this was a dream, she was so not ready to wake up yet.

“Come on,” she said, pulling at his hand. “Let’s go walk down to the stream. I’ll pick some flowers for Lily. She loves flowers. She’s an artist, you know. She once drew me a picture of the meadow and gave it to me. It’s so awesome.”

Max smiled as she dragged him to the fence. “You love this place, don’t you, Callie?”

She stopped with one leg slung over the wooden slats. “It’s my most favorite place in the world.”

There was a hint of sadness in his eyes as he stared back at her. But then he blinked and it was gone. He put his hand out to stop her progress and then he hopped the fence with ease. He reached back and hoisted her over, then laced his fingers with hers once more.

“Let’s go see your meadow, dolcezza. I’m happy to spend as much time here as you like.”

She went up on tiptoe to kiss him. “Thank you, Max. I love you so much.”

He caught her chin and turned her toward his mouth. “And I love you.”

She smiled as she pulled away and then she dropped his hand and took off at a run. “Come on!” she called over her shoulder. “Last one there gets a spanking.”

Max’s laughter followed her as she ran full tilt down the hill toward the bubbling creek. She knew he’d catch her—which was the point. Max was an adventurous guy, but no way he’d allow her to spank him.

He caught her just a few feet from the stream. He likely lagged behind just to give her false hope. He smacked her on the ass and then sped by, reaching the stream a mere three feet in front of her.

She stopped and bent, sucking in deep breaths. Damn the man, he didn’t even look winded and she was on the verge of puking.

“You did that on purpose,” she accused.

“What?” he asked innocently.

“Waited until the last minute to catch me.”

He grinned. “You don’t seriously think I’m going to pass on any opportunity to spank that pretty ass of yours, do you?”

“You wouldn’t be laughing if you’d screwed up and I beat you.”

He chuckled again. “If anyone could ever get away with spanking me, dolcezza, it would be you. But no. I’ll be the only one dishing out spankings in this relationship.”

She turned her lip down into a pout, knowing it would delight him.

He pulled her to him and nibbled at her bottom lip as she knew he would.

“I can guarantee you’ll enjoy the spankings every bit as much as I will.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

“I can’t believe we’re staying here again,” Max said as he dropped their bags on the floor of the same motel room where he’d spent so many days.“Shhh,” Callie said, shushing him with her hand. “I’m calling Mom.”

Max shut the door with a sigh, trudged over to the bed and plopped down on the edge. Then with a dramatic flair he fell back, arms outstretched, and closed his eyes.

Callie laughed and put the phone back to her ear. “Hey Mom!”

“Callie! Where are you? I’ve been so worried. I can’t say it’s not like you to run off at a moment’s notice, but you have to admit, the circumstances were different this time.”

“I’m fine, Mom. Promise. I wanted to let you know that Max and I are back in town. I was hoping to bring him up to meet you soon.”

“Of course. We can’t wait to meet him, sweetie. When did you want to come up? Where are you staying? You know there’s plenty of room here.”

“Uhh.” Not that she minded being at her parents’, but no way did she want her and Max staying there. It would put a serious crimp in their sex life. “Anytime is good for us. The sooner the better. And we’re fine. Really. Max has a room at the motel.”

“Oh Callie. That motel is horrible.”

“We’re good, Mom. Now when do you want us up?”

“Tomorrow. Definitely tomorrow. I’ll have your dads fix a nice dinner. No, maybe lunch is better. Let’s plan on lunch and then we can spend the afternoon getting to know Max.”

“That sounds great. We’ll come up around eleven.”

“Terrific. We’ll see you then.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Callie?”

Callie put the phone back to her ear. “Yes?”

“Are you happy?”

Callie smiled until her teeth ached. “Yeah, Mom. I’m happier than I ever imagined.”

“That’s all I care about, then.”

“I love you, Mom.”

“Love you too, baby. See you tomorrow.”

Callie hung up and turned to see Max watching her from the bed.

“They want us up for lunch tomorrow. The entire family will be there. I have no doubt my mom is even now on the phone rounding up the rest of her brood and issuing orders to be there or die.”

Max chuckled. “She sounds like a tyrant. I wonder where on earth you got your personality from.”

Callie flopped down beside him and hit him with a pillow. “My mom is the sweetest person on earth, but yes, she still rules the roost with a velvet fist.”

Max wrapped his arms around her and then pulled her across his lap before she had time to respond. His hand settled on her jeans-covered ass and his laughter sounded wicked in her ear.

“Now, it seems I owe you a spanking.”

She went limp and white-hot desire sizzled through her body, prickling her skin. It amazed her how instantly aware she became around this man. A word. A touch. Just a look and she was putty in his hands.

“Better make sure I don’t scream,” she muttered. “My brother’s the sheriff, remember? Last thing I want is him breaking down our door because someone reported that I was being murdered in a hotel room.”

Max rubbed his hand over her behind. “Oh you’ll enjoy this one, dolcezza. I know I plan to.”

Callie was a nervous wreck. Why, she didn’t know. This was only one of the most important days of her entire life. Her family, who meant the world to her, was going to meet and stand in judgment of the man she loved more than anything.

Yeah, good reason to be nervous.

If only she hadn’t poured out her hurt to her family. If she’d only waited…they wouldn’t be coming into the meeting with Max with prejudice.

She sighed. Woe be unto the man who hurt her dads’ little girl. Her brothers weren’t much better. They’d probably all glower at Max the entire time.

“Quit biting your lip, dolcezza. You’re going to ruin that pretty mouth of yours.”

She glanced over to see Max studying her. He’d insisted on taking his car to her parents’, and she hadn’t argued. She wanted Max to feel comfortable and on equal footing.

“I’m just…nervous.”

“Yes, I can see that. You need to stop worrying so much. Your parents will see how madly in love I am with you. Isn’t that what every parent wants for their child? Someone to love them and take care of them?”

It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him that her family knew everything, but that would only make Max uptight and there was no sense in them both being on edge. Besides, Max probably knew. He knew how close she was to her family, and she and Max had been apart for several months. Who wouldn’t have come home and told their family what a scumbag he was?

By the time they pulled into her parents’ drive, Callie’s stomach was in knots. She rubbed her damp palms down the legs of her pants as Max parked beside her mom’s SUV.

She didn’t have long to contemplate whether she wanted to get out because her mom appeared on the porch, a wide smile on her face. Before Callie had her door opened, Holly Colter was down the steps and hurrying toward the vehicle.

Thank goodness for Max. He was out with a warm smile and hand outstretched while Callie still hung halfway out of the car.

“Hello, Mrs. Colter. I’m Max. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

Callie stumbled out as her mom enfolded Max in a warm hug.

“Hello, Max. And please, do call me Holly. It’s wonderful to meet you too.”

“Hi Mom.”

Holly turned to Callie and just as quickly pulled her into a bone-crushing hug.

“Mom,” Callie said with a laugh. “You just saw me a few days ago.”

Holly pulled back with a muttered hmph. “I don’t care if it’s only been a few hours. I’m entitled to be happy to see you. I have to make up for all the time you spend from home.”

Callie hugged her again and all her unease melted away in her mother’s embrace.

Holly pulled back and then grabbed at Callie’s and Max’s hands. “Come on inside, you two. Your dads are waiting to meet Max, Callie.”

Callie smiled over at Max who wore an expression that looked like a cross of awe and confusion. Holly dragged them both toward the door and all but shoved them through.

Ethan stood in the living room. Though he opened his arms for Callie, he looked at Max with an indecipherable expression on his face.

“Be good,” Callie whispered as she hugged her dad.

Ethan kissed her cheek and then extended his hand to Max. “I’m Ethan Colter, one of Callie’s dads.”

“Max Wilder,” Max said as he shook Ethan’s hand.

One down, two to go.

“Where are the other dads?” Callie asked.

“In the kitchen. You and Max get comfortable. I’ll go get them,” Holly said.

Callie perched on the couch next to Max and laced her fingers through his.

“Isn’t it me who should be nervous?” Max murmured. “Relax, Callie. I’m pretty sure they won’t threaten to kick your ass.”

Callie burst into laughter, which caused Ethan to raise an eyebrow in their direction.

Just then Holly returned with Adam and Ryan in tow. Predictably, both dads’ faces were set in stone. Callie rose and when their gazes alighted on her, they softened and warmth entered their eyes.

She hugged Adam first and then went into Ryan’s arms. He squeezed her tight and then pulled her to his side as both dads stared Max down.

“Stop,” Callie hissed. “Give him a chance.”

With a grunt, Ryan disentangled himself from Callie and closed the distance between him and Max. He stuck out his hand. “Ryan Colter. Glad to meet you.”

Max shook his hand and then extended it in Adam’s direction. “Glad to meet you, sir.”

“Where is everyone else?” Callie asked, breaking the silence. “Are they coming?”

Holly nodded. “They’re on their way. Why don’t you come help me in the kitchen a moment, Callie?”

Callie’s mouth popped open. Ethan tried hard to suppress a smile but failed miserably. Holly frowned at them both and then tucked Callie’s hand into her own and pulled her toward the kitchen.

“So, Max, tell us about yourself,” Ryan said.

Holly shoved Callie into the kitchen so she heard no more.

“Subtle, Mom. Real subtle.”

Holly scowled at her daughter. “Better to let your dads interrogate Max without you in the room. Let them do their male bonding or beating their chest or whatever it is they do and we’ll sit in here and have a glass of tea.”

“Poor Max,” Callie sighed.

“He looks quite able to handle anything your fathers throw at him.”

“Soooo, what do you think?” Callie asked.

Holly plunked down on a barstool and her eyes sparkled as she looked back at Callie. “He’s gorgeous, Callie! And the way he looks at you. There’s no doubt he cares a lot about you.”

“He loves me,” Callie said softly. “And I love him.”

“So you’ve worked things out?”

Callie nodded. “Yeah. We’re getting there.”

Holly reached for her wrists and turned them over as she stared at the silver bands. “What are these? They’re beautiful. So feminine and delicate looking!”

Callie’s cheeks warmed. How could she possibly explain their significance to her mother?

“Max bought them for me,” she said in a low voice.