Endangered: A Delecoeur Mystery #1 Read Online Free PDF Page B

She
didn't travel as much as she used to, but Max had shown her how easy and
satisfying compromise could be. It meant she had someone to share her
adventures with. She also discovered that spending time in one spot and having
a home could be equally as adventurous, if Max was around.
    However, she could do without the
adventure she endured the night before. It wasn't the first time she'd been in
danger, but it was the first time she felt as if she were the specific target
of someone's anger. She shook the thought out of her head and instead focused
on being back in Max's arms.
    "You need to rest too," Max's
groggy voice said. She rested her head on his shoulder and let sleep come.

Chapter Five
     
    “M adeleine! You
look fantastic considering your ordeal.”
    “Julia, what a surprise.” Madeleine knew
Julia was being nice. She’d been home two days, but was still sore and had
black and blue spots all over her body not to mention the scrapes.
    “I hope you don’t mind my stopping by.
Max said you still needed to take it easy and I remembered that you didn’t like
to cook, so I thought I’d help you out. I brought clam lasagna.” She held up a
large pan covered in tin foil.
    “You didn’t have to do that,” Madeleine
said wondering when Julia had talked to Max. “Please come in. I was getting
ready to make some tea. Will you join me?”
    “That sounds lovely.”
    Madeleine led Julia through the living
room to the kitchen.
    “Max was right, you have very nice taste
in décor.”
    “Thank you." Madeleine put the tea
kettle on the burner and Julia’s lasagna in the refrigerator. She couldn't
decide why Julia was visiting. Did she want to be friends? Was she being nice
to get on Max's good side? Then Madeleine decided she should give Julia the
benefit of the doubt. Maybe she was just being nice.
    "I'm so glad Max found someone like
you," Julia said.
    "I'm glad too," Madeleine said
wondering where the comment had come from.
    "I knew I wasn't good enough for
him, but I always wondered if there was anyone out there who was. I guess it was
you."
    "I like to think so."
    "Are you planning on having
children?"
    Madeleine frowned, but since she was
reaching for her teapot, Julia didn't see it. "Not at the moment."
    "Does Max not want children? He
used to say that when we were kids. He was afraid he wouldn't be a good parent
since his own parents had abandoned him."
    That was news to Madeleine. She knew
about Max's childhood spent in foster care, but he never dwelled on the
negatives about it. Of course, they hadn't talked much about children. The few
conversations they did have, always put the decision off in the future.
    "Max and I are happy the way things
are now. We're not in a rush to start a family."
    "He'd make a great father."
    "Yes." Madeleine agreed.
"Would you mind getting that tray by the stove?" Madeleine hoped the
change in subject would help Julia understand that gossip about her and Max's
life was off limits. Julia retrieved the tray and Madeleine set the teapot and
cups on it.
    "What a beautiful teapot,"
Julia said.
    "Max bought that for me. One day I
was complaining about not having any good tea and the next day we were in
China. The pot and cups are a souvenir."
    “I don’t remember him being so
romantic.”
    How could Julia miss Max’s romantic
streak? His picture was next to the word ‘romantic’ in the dictionary.
    “Madeleine?” Max entered the kitchen.
“Hey, you’re supposed to be resting.”
    Madeleine met him as he walked into the
kitchen. After giving her a loving and concerned once over with his eyes, he
kissed her.
    “Hi Julia,” he said.
    “Max. We were just talking about you.”
Julia’s eyes twinkled with mischief.
    “All good I hope.”
    “I was hoping to compare notes, but you
spoiled that.”
    Max raised a brow. “Thank goodness I got
here when I did."
    "Yes, you've always had great
timing," Madeleine said.
    He flashed her a knowing grin.
    “Want some tea?” Madeleine