“How do you know that?” Max asked, his mind jumping to conclusions that alarmed him. “Where is Noel? Do you have him?” Surely, if that were the case, Sasha would’ve called him. He’d taken a chance telling her the truth, but she’d impressed him with her deft handling of his brother and her levelheaded manner.
“Your grandfather and I visited Noel this morning. I intended to take Noel home with me since Sheryl is no longer in residence. It’d be easier for you if you didn’t have to worry about Noel’s well-being while you’re in Edinburgh. Your fiancée refused to let Noel come with us. She informed me it wasn’t our turn, and we had to stick to the schedule the judge gave us.”
Max gave a mental cheer, some of his apprehension fading. “My fiancée has a name,” he said, his tone calm.
“Sasha.” His grandmother snorted. “She’s young.”
“The age gap between us isn’t a huge one, and Sasha is the kindest, most levelheaded person I know. She’s mature for her age and responsible.”
“Be that as it may, I still prefer to know the people in charge of Noel.”
“Noel loves Sasha, and she handles him beautifully.”
His grandmother sniffed. “They were outside when we arrived. Keeping Noel quiet indoors is best, otherwise he becomes over-stimulated. Naughty.”
“What were they doing?”
“Noel was drawing. Your fiancée was digging in the dirt.”
Max’s brows rose. Color him intrigued. An explanation for why Sasha hadn’t answered the phone. They were outside. “Noel loves playing outdoors, and the exercise helps to strengthen his muscles.”
“Surely he gets enough exercise at the kindergarten of his,” his grandmother said.
“I’m only continuing with the program Mum and Dad mapped out for Noel’s benefit,” Max said. “Noel’s doctors agreed with the exercises and activities my parents planned for him.”
His grandmother sniffed—her default action to display her disagreement. “Noel told us Sasha was a dragon.”
“She what?” The mention of a dragon had Max sitting up straighter.
“She’s exercising his imagination too since she agreed she was a fierce dragon. She implied she didn’t put up with inappropriate behavior. Max, she is too young to look after Noel.”
Ah.A smile curled across Max’s face. Sasha had bested his grandmother, and that had upset Julia. “I told you Sasha is mature for her age. Do you see me settling down with a youngster with no conversation? A giggly debutante?”
Julia sniffed again, louder this time.
“Grandmother, Noel is safe with Sasha.” He felt better now, knowing that Sasha had stood up to his grandmother. Max firmly believed his words since Sasha had helped a small, scared boy who’d become lost. Not that he could offer the truth and give his grandmother a smoking gun.
“Sasha is wearing your mother’s ring.”A third sniff.
Grief sliced Max, and he forced it down. “Mum would’ve loved Sasha as much as I do.”
“That’s another thing. Your parents never met Sasha, and they didn’t mention her to me. I’m positive they would disapprove of this quick marriage.”
“They wouldn’t approve of your actions either,” Max snapped.
A sniff. “We’ll be there to pick up Noel the weekend after next. Please have him ready.”
“Of course,” Max said, but his grandmother had already hung up. He pulled a juvenile face at the phone before making another quick call to Sasha. This time she answered.
“Hello.”
“Sasha, it’s Max. I hear you’re a dragon.”
There was a slight pause. “Yes,” she said. “I am a fierce and loyal dragon to Noel.”
Max smiled at the truth that rang in her voice. “Thank you for resisting Julia’s bulldozer tactics. I’d never considered her stopping by to visit.”
“I have met far more formidable ladies. My mother is one,” she said, her cheer radiating to Max. “I learned to stand up for myself as a child. Three older brothers who enjoy bossing me around also helped me to build a tough shell.”
