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But accepting his assistance also meant acknowledging my shortcomings. My failure to be there for Grandpa when he needed me the most.
“You make it sound so easy,” I said with a frustrated sigh.
“It’s not about easy, Anna. I want to do what is right by helping when I can.”
A sneaky thought came into my head then. Had he done what was right when he abandoned me for his rodeo dreams? If I let Max help out on the ranch, he could disappear when I need him the most.
I lifted my chin in defiance.
“Why should I trust you?”
He hesitated, then said, “Because I was there for Grandpa William. And I can be here for you now.”
The wind howled louder. I hesitated, torn between my honoring Grandpa alone and the practicality of Max’s offer. His words had made me feel a deep sense of conflict.
As I mulled over my decision, I heard a gentle whisper in my heart.
“Accept his help, Anna.”
Thatwas definitely not my thoughts.
I blinked, realizing that this was a conversation between me and God. The One who had seen me through my darkest moments, including the loss of Grandpa.
But the thought of accepting Max’s help still gnawed at me. I took a shaky breath, trying to find the right words. Max with his magnetic charisma was a danger. I was afraid of the romantic spark between us.
What if history repeats itself and I fall for his charms once more?I asked.
“There are times when help arrives in unexpected forms, and you must learn to accept it.”
My mind raced, questioning the wisdom of it all. But if God was nudging me to consider Max’s offer, then there was more to it than met the eye.
Max’s voice interrupted my thoughts.
“Anna, are you going to keep floundering? Or will you take my help and make this ranch the success it’s meant to be?”
Anger flared in my abdomen.
Flounder? How dare he? Who was Max to question my capabilities or insinuate that I couldn’t do it on my own?
My eyes narrowed. My fingers came together, tapping against each other, as I mentally branded him with names.
Arrogant. Presumptuous. Insolent.
I was tempted to lash out at him, but the quiet voice spoke again.
“Be kind, Anna.”
Taking a deep breath, I stopped the fiery words that threatened to spill. I would be kinder to Max even if he didn’t deserve it. But that didn’t mean that he shouldn’t be corrected for his insolent words.
“Just because I’m in the position to consider your help doesn’t mean you get to belittle me or question my capabilities.”
Surprise flashed in his eyes.
I gave him a tight smile as the wind picked up and I could see little swirls of dust on the ground.
8
Max
