“Do not be too sure about that.”
She wanted to blurt out in that moment that she knew he was a prince and that his life was much more exciting than hers. But a burly figure walking toward them halted her words.
It was Tyler, and his face was tight with anger. “I’m assigning Max a new ambassador.”
Emberly had half a mind to squeal the ATV and ride away and ignore Tyler. But Max didn’t move, and she couldn’t ride away with him by her side.
Instead, she sat up straighter and faced her brother. “I’m in charge of the ambassadors, not you.”
“I just got word that you were seen cozying up with him.” Tyler stopped in front of the ATV and waved a hand between her and Max. “You’re done with whatever this is.”
“Relax.” She had known Tyler would hear about the incident. She just hadn’t expected the gossip to fly so fast. “There’s nothing going on.”
“It doesn’t sound like that to me.”
She pinched the bridge of her nose and tried to find the appropriate response.
Before she could, Max was stepping out of the ATV. His expression had hardened. “Your insinuations are not only inappropriate, they are also disrespectful of Emberly.”
Tyler shifted his glare onto Max. “You’re the one being inappropriate and disrespectful.”
“That is not my intention at all.”
“Then leave Emberly alone.”
“Tyler.” She spoke firmly as her frustration began to mount. “I am Max’s ambassador for his stay here at the ranch, and you can’t track me down every time you hear a rumor.”
“I’m in charge of the ranch—”
“Then let me do my job.”
Tyler opened his mouth to protest, but his phone began ringing. He glanced at it, then shot Max another glare. “If I find out you’re not treating my sister respectfully, you’ll wish you never came here.” With that, he spun and stalked away while taking the phone call.
Emberly stared after him, her resolve to spend time with Max growing, if only to show Tyler that he couldn’t interfere like this.
Max sighed. “I apologize for causing the strife—”
“Dinner in an hour?” Emberly asked.
Max’s brows rose. “You are certain?”
“More than certain.” In fact, she planned to spend as much time with Max as she wanted without letting her meddling family interfere. “Whatever you want to do, I’m here for you.”
8
The last four days at the ranch had passed much too quickly. Max couldn’t believe he had only one day left. He and the other gentlemen were driving to Denver tomorrow to catch their flight home.
He glanced at his laptop and the email he was composing and tried not to sigh with impatience. But he let out a breath anyway.
At the cabin table across from him, Braun glanced up from examining several new stamps he had discovered yesterday at an antique store in Healing Springs. With the loupe in one eye, he examined Max instead.
“She should be here by now.” He didn’t owe Braun an explanation, but he felt as though he should give one nonetheless.
“Would you like me to phone her, Your Highness, and let her know you are waiting?”
“Not at all.” Such a call would never work with Emberly. And the truth was, he was merely being impatient.
But who could blame him? The previous days with her had been nothing short of amazing.Shewas amazing. Each day, after his morning meetings with the board members, he had met her in the lobby just as he had the first day. They’d had lunch together in their private corner of the loft in the Brook Barn. Then they’d spent one afternoon ice fishing, one day cross-country skiing, and another downhill skiing.
