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Bethanne agreed with Max’s friend "We should stay and say hello to Susie"

"She’d be real disappointed if you took off," Al said "Besides, she’s bringing lunch I’ll give her a quick call and tell her to pick up enough for five" He grinned "I eat as much as two nor when she’s feeding me"

"Lunch," Bethanne said sweetly

Max nodded reluctantly

Sure enough, Susie arrived about ten minutes later and the s and two six-packs of beer, plus an equal number of sodas

Susie was a petite woman who stood a full foot and a half shorter than her husband She had curly brown hair and big hazel eyes Clearly she adored Max and welcomed Bethanne with a warm smile

"I can’t tell you how happy I a inside "Al and I were so thrilled to hear froed our plans and headed for the lake house"

Bethanne followed Susie into the kitchen and began unpacking groceries, setting the food on the kitchen counter

"What else can I do to help?" Bethanne asked when she’d finished

"Grab those bags over there," Susie said, pointing to the chips

Bethanne was put to work opening bags of potato chips and e them into plastic bohile Susie made a salad

Al and Max moved onto the deck, where Al turned on the barbecue

"How long have you and Max been together?" Susie asked as she sliced toether We only h she’d known hieuy I don’t knohat happened to him Max has never spoken about why he lives the way he does, but it’s obvious there’s soedy in his past"

If Max hadn’t explained, then Bethanne didn’t feel she could

"He’s done so much for others," Susie went on "Rooster told us that he helped a handicapped wo her roof And a friend of ours told us about a family as about to lose their home due to the husband’s unemployment When the bank threatened to repossess it, Max stepped in and made the late payments"

Just then Max appeared in the kitchen doorway "What are you two talking about?" he asked suspiciously

Susie rolled her eyes "Why do o," Bethanne said, and they laughed If any o--in her opinion, anyway--it was Max

"Hey, Max, I bought you chocolate ice creaed silverware on the table on the deck Sot a weakness for chocolate ice cream"

Max snuck up behind Bethanne and slipped his arms around her "What I have is a weakness for you," he said, kissing her cheek He whispered, "Promise me you won’t believe a word these people tell you"

"And why is that?"

"I already told you, Bethanne, I’m no saint"

"Youother people"

"I’m not, but I don’t like to broadcast it"

"So, you’re a lone wolf, a drifter who needs no one, riding off into the sunset"

He frowned andfun of hed "Guess so"

They ate hot-off-the-grill cheeseburgers around three o’clock Bethanne liked his friends Al and Susie carried the conversation, regaling her with stories about their children Sherry was the youngest of three, and their probleh rehab and had now returned to school In large part due to Max, as the couple were quick to remind Bethanne Max scowled every time they mentioned his naested they leave close to five The afternoon had been perfect in every way Al and his wife both hugged her before she went out to join Max on the Harley

"He needs you," Susie whispered to her "He’s a lost soul"

Bethanne slad I ain"

She put the heline roaring, Bethanne slipped her arainst hirip Occasionally she even stretched her ar free and unencu to know him--that they’d breached some barrier

The return to Branson seemed to take far less ti in the lobby waiting for Bethanne "Moo? Why didn’t you answer your phone?"

"When did you call?" Her purse had been near her most of the day, but she hadn’t heard her cell

"Half an hour ago"

That explained it "What did you need?"

"Everybody left h--or say so sarcastic "Where’s Grandma?"

"She’s still out with Rooster They went to see the Oak Ridge Boys At breakfast I said I didn’t want to go and Rooster juone with Rooster That was a shock "You spent the entire day on your own?"

Annie nodded, then shrugged "I had fun shopping, though"

"That’s irl"