As they walked along the path, he surprised her by asking about Colorado’s history as well as her family’s history of the ranch. She’d thought he was being sarcastic when he’d mentioned being interested in the ranch, but his questions were genuine.
The truth was, she loved talking about her family’s history, how her ancestors had originally come to the West in the 1860s to look for gold but had ended up ranching instead. Two of the original McQuaid brothers, Wyatt and Flynn, had built ranches on adjacent homesteads.
“Wyatt’s firstborn son was Tyler McQuaid,” she explained as she stepped up the rocky trail. “When he grew up, he married Flynn’s daughter, Flora.”
“He married a cousin?” Max didn’t sound winded behind her, even though they’d reached a more strenuous portion with a steeper incline. “I did not realize Americans engaged in the practice of marrying cousins.”
“We don’t. But Flora wasn’t really a McQuaid. Her mother, Linnea, was pregnant when her first husband died. During the long journey by covered wagon to the West, Linnea fell in love with Flynn and married him.”
“And Flynn took care of her child?”
“Yes, Flynn never had any children of his own and adopted Flora, so she grew up a McQuaid. But technically, Tyler and Flora weren’t related by blood.”
“I see. So when the two married, they merged their ranches?”
“Merged and expanded.” Emberly stepped carefully through the slushy snow to the next rock. “The ranch continued to grow over the years. Each new generation of McQuaids purchased more land in Park County, and now Tyler, my oldest brother, is hoping to do the same.”
“Tyler?” Max was still right behind her, and every once in a while, she caught sight of his protection agent a dozen or so paces behind. “So your brother carries on the family name?”
“Every firstborn has been named Tyler Wyatt. But in order to make things less confusing, my dad goes by T.W., and Tyler’s son—my eight-year-old nephew—goes by Wyatt.”
“I understand the reasoning. Family names are important in my lineage as well.”
She wanted to ask him about his name, but she also knew she could look it up online later and learn everything she needed. Besides, she didn’t want him growing suspicious again.
She rounded a bend in the trail and climbed the last few steps to the top. As her feet reached the plateau and steady ground, she stopped and drew in a breath of the high-altitude air, which was crisp and cold and filled with the heavy scent of pine.
Max halted beside her and pulled in a breath too. He was obviously in good shape. And perhaps he was also used to the higher elevation, since from what she’d read, his country bordered the Alps.
He surveyed the ranch that spread out below them, snow-covered woodlands, open pastures dusted in white, and rugged ski slopes beyond.
“This reminds me of my home,” he said quietly. “But more peaceful.”
“It is peaceful.” She’d always loved the view from this particular spot, since it gave such a sweeping scene of the ranch and the surrounding area. She’d hiked to the spot often while growing up. Whenever she’d come home during her two years at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, this was the place she’d been eager to visit first.
Max expelled a long breath. The stiffness in his shoulders seemed to ease just a little—a stiffness she hadn’t noticed until now. His jaw was still rigid, his chin taut, his eyes narrowed with crow’s feet at the outer corners. Even if he was spoiled, maybe he had more pressure on him than she understood.
His profile had a maturity and seriousness that made him look regal. Or maybe she only thought so because she knew he was royalty. Either way, with his blond hair, green eyes, and all-around perfect features, he was a good-looking man. It was hard not to acknowledge that fact.
And it was hard to believe that a man of his status and handsomeness was unattached. Surely at the very least, he was engaged. She would have to research his love life later. But in the meantime, she was too curious to stay quiet. “It’s a romantic spot.”
Max slanted a sideways look at her.
“My dad proposed to my mom here.”
He didn’t respond.
“I told my ex-boyfriend that I wanted to get engaged here.”
“Ex?”
She wasn’t sure why she was telling Max such personal information—probably so that he’d share about himself inreturn. Regardless, she’d stepped over a professional line in divulging so much. But now that she’d started, she knew she had to give him a brief explanation. “Talking about engagement has that effect on some men.”
“Sounds like a fine bloke.” Max’s voice turned sarcastic.
She’d dated Ryan for two years and thought they were moving in the direction of marriage. But when she’d brought it up, he’d claimed he wasn’t ready. He’d also told her that her brothers were bullies, and he’d gotten tired of dealing with them.
“I apologize,” Max said quickly. “I was out of line to speak that way.”
