She snorted softly. “It’s all right. Ryan was a coward, and I should have realized it sooner.”
She could feel Max studying her, but she kept her gaze on the ranch.
“Was this a recent occurrence?” he asked, then shook his head. “No, I apologize again. ’Tis none of my business, and you may tell me so.”
“No, I’m sorry for sharing so unprofessionally.”
“You owe me no apology. I appreciate the sharing. And I am the one asking all the questions, am I not?”
“Would you like me to even things out and ask you a few questions in return?”
He paused, as though seriously considering the option.
“I’m teasing. I would never pressure you to share anything you don’t want to.”
“Thank you.”
They both fell silent.
She could at least answer his last question about Ryan, couldn’t she? “Last May.”
Once again, she felt his gaze upon her.
“He broke up with me last May.” She shifted to find Max’s eyes filled with compassion. She faced him more directly, drawnto that compassion. “It was hard at the time.” Especially because shortly after the breakup, Dad had been diagnosed with cancer.
Max didn’t offer any platitudes, which she appreciated. Instead, he just held her gaze, the warmth there comforting her more than any words.
“It’s been months, and I’m getting over him and moving on with my life.”
“That is good.”
Even though Ryan and his family lived in the area and owned one of the ski resorts, she rarely saw him anymore, only occasionally running into him when she was at a local event. Now, instead of feeling hurt whenever she was near him, she felt only anger that she’d wasted time being with him.
“I wish I could move on.” Max’s comment was quiet.
The comment sounded an awful lot like he’d just gone through a breakup too.
She wanted to ask him what he meant, but she’d just told him she wouldn’t pressure him to talk about himself, and she wanted to prove she was right. “It takes time,” she offered instead.
He sighed and stared ahead. “Time is one thing I do not have.”
She sensed his turmoil just below the surface. Maybe that’s why he worked himself so hard—so he could escape from a bad breakup. Or maybe there were other pressures as a prince that were difficult. What if being at the ranch could be a time of rejuvenation?
The name of the ranch originated from the tales of physical healing caused by the hot springs located here. But their philosophy was that healing could happen through self-care and relaxation as well as through the challenging activities they offered.
“A week here at the ranch could be just what you need to regain perspective.”
“Perhaps.” His voice turned wistful.
Something in his expression—the lostness—tugged at her. He had come to the ranch to work and oversee his company, but it was becoming clearer with every passing second that he could benefit from the healing the ranch provided.
To make that happen, she would have to stop feeling resentful about being his ambassador and instead put her heart into making the week meaningful.
Spending the time with him wouldn’t be such a hardship, would it? So far, he’d been pleasant to talk to and had been kind and honorable. Even though he was privileged, he didn’t seem like the type of man who would take advantage of her.
Yes, if he needed help, then what could go wrong by giving it to him?
4
