Free The Promise Pact (Promise to Love Book 1) by J. A. Fraser Page B

belt was fastened.
    “Kaya, I’ve handled some of the most controversial legal cases in this country but something tells me Ms. Red Ponytail is going to give me a run for my money.” He groaned while tossing his head on the steering wheel.
    “Breathe. They’re just children. How bad can it be?” She giggled while trying to hold back her laughter.
    “Bad! Really bad. I’m not good with children. Ms. Roy knew I wasn’t interested in having or being around them,” he angrily explained. He was obviously stressed. What? He didn’t want children?
    She knew it wasn’t the time to probe so instead she rested her hand on his strong shoulder and spoke, “We can do this. We won’t let a bunch of tots defeat us. Remember we are in this together.”
    Max wasn’t buying the pep talk but he appreciated hearing that they were a team in this effort.
    “Look Max, these children need us to finish this garden. Two days ago, I would have laughed if someone told me I would be in South Carolina, but I’m here.” She breathed deeply and continued, “The past is the past. Don’t let it haunt you. It will just consume you until there is nothing left.”
    “Do you really mean that?” His words were direct and sobering and of course had mixed meanings. She wasn’t sure from where her words had originated but a part of her meant it. Of course, she still harbored her own feelings about their past but how long could she hold onto the bitterness before it consumed every bit of her strength? Years ago, she had forgiven her own ruthless attacker so why did she find it so hard to forgive him? She took a long hard look at herself and decided it might be time to start.
    “I’ll try if you do! Let’s just take it one day at a time, fair?” She squeezed his shoulder tighter reassuring him of her comment.
    “Fair!”
    But could she really forgive him?

CHAPTER SIX
     
     
    Max was beyond happy. Kaya was finally learning to forgive. With each passing day she felt the numbness in her heart melt away. It was hard to hold onto her anger especially with him around. The days seem to come and go with such ease. Before they knew it, a whole month had passed.
    Each morning over breakfast, they would plan their strategy for ditching the latest episode of Princess Kaya and King Max but somehow the kids always seemed to win. During the day, they worked non-stop on the garden; pulling, whacking and sowing the fertile soil. Eventually, Max gave in and bought armor, swords and ballroom gowns for the children. He was trying. In the late afternoons, they would spend time preparing elaborate meals together then they would take long leisurely walks on the beach, laughing and talking. At night they retreated to their own private quarters.
    As a partner at a prestigious law firm, Max was always knee deep in documents, emails, legal briefs, and late night conference calls. Kaya enjoyed living in a high paced law firm type of environment. Most nights, she would fall asleep listening to his steady stern voice through the walls. During those hours Kaya felt very alone. No work. No garden. No Max.
    Augh.
    Kaya tossed and turned in her massive bed. She was restless. She flipped over and stared at the clock. It was after midnight. She reached for her phone and realized that Angie had called six times. She quickly sent her a text message and promised to call in the morning.
    “I need some tea,” she mumbled as she tip toed out of her room. Her eyes searched for light under Max’s door but it was dark. She figured he was sound asleep. She turned the antique kettle on and opened the kitchen window for some fresh air. Minutes later, the sound of water bubbling indicated the tea was done.
    Dressed in nothing but her college t-shirt, she sat on the counter, and crossed her legs, Indian style. The sweet taste of honey and chamomile, mixed with the sound of crashing waves relaxed every muscle in her body immediately.
    Kaya was so calm she never heard him approach