Rogue

“He said he'd come alone on the vacation this time.” That was what Daphne really wanted, time alone with him, to be the only woman in his life. And knowing Blake, Maxine knew that wasn't going to happen. And she thought the new woman in his life looked very pretty. She was happy with Charles, and it didn't bother her at all. It never did. “I hope he doesn't bring her,” Daphne reiterated, and Maxine said she thought he probably would. It seemed better to warn her and let her get used to the idea.

Arabella had already accepted Blake's invitation to Aspen. She had never been there, and she loved the idea of spending the holiday with his adorable children. She had seen photographs of them, and he had told her all about them. She helped him shop for gifts for Daphne, and together they had picked out a beautiful little diamond tennis bracelet at Graff's that Arabella assured him would be perfect for her. She said it was fit for a princess. He had gone back to the store and picked out a gift that was suitable for a viscountess, a spectacular sapphire bracelet. And when he gave it to her, she was thrilled. They celebrated on Christmas Eve, and flew to New York in his plane the next day. They arrived at his New York apartment late in the afternoon on Christmas Day, and he called Maxine as soon as they got in. She and the children had just gotten back from celebrating Christmas with her parents, and the kids were ready to leave the next day. She had been packing for them for two days.

“I see you've been busy,” she teased him. “Daffy and I have been reading about you in People.” She didn't tell him that Daphne wasn't pleased.

“Wait till you meet her. She's terrific.”

“I can hardly wait,” Maxine laughed. Usually the women in his life didn't last long enough for her to meet. And this had only been going on for a few weeks. She knew Blake, and she didn't believe him when he said this was different. He always said that. She couldn't imagine him being serious about anyone, although this woman was older than his usual fare, but she was still only twenty-nine, a kid as far as Maxine was concerned. And then Maxine volunteered her news. “I'm seeing someone too,” she said nonchalantly.

“Well, that's a new trend. Who's the lucky guy?”

“An internist I met through a patient.”

“Sounds perfect. Is he nice?”

“I think so.” She didn't wax poetic, which he knew was typical of her. Maxine was reserved about everything.

“What do the kids say about it?” He was curious to know.

“Ah …,” she sighed, “that's another story. Daphne hates him with a passion, Jack isn't thrilled, and I don't think Sam really cares.”

“Why does Daff hate him?”

“He's a guy. They all figure they should be enough for me, and they are. But this is nice for a change. It gives me a grown-up to talk to between patients and car pools.”

“Sounds good to me.”

And then Maxine thought she should warn him about their daughter. “She's on the warpath about you too.”

“She is?” He sounded surprised. “What about?” He couldn't imagine. He was very naïve.

“Your new romance. She seems to be very possessive about both of us these days. She said you promised to come to Aspen alone this time. Are you?”

He hesitated. “Uh …no…actually not. Arabella is with me.”

“I figured. I told Daffy that was probably the case. You may be in for a bit of a shitstorm. Brace yourself.”

“Great. I'd better tell Arabella. She's been looking forward to meeting them.”

“The boys will be fine. They're used to your women. Just tell her not to take Daphne's attitude too much to heart. She's thirteen, it's a tough age.”

“Apparently,” he said, but he was confident that Arabella could win anyone over, even Daphne. He didn't think it was a big deal. “I'll pick them up tomorrow morning at eight-thirty,” he told Maxine.

“I'll have them ready for you,” she promised. “I hope everything goes okay.” Daphne hadn't relented about Charles yet, but she had only seen him in passing, and he had kept away for the holiday. He didn't like Christmas, had no family of his own anymore, and had gone to his house in Vermont. Maxine was meeting him there after the kids left with Blake. She was driving up the next day, and was a little nervous about it. It was going to be a honeymoon of sorts for them, and it had been a long time for her, but they had been dating for six weeks. She couldn't put it off forever. Sleeping with him seemed like a huge step.