And I knew damn well there was only one way to deal with it. If I didn’t go to that damn event, I’d be pissed off for days. I also knew that if I went it would push Meredith even further away from me. Which could be good. Or at least that’s what I was trying to convince myself of. On the other hand, I didn’t break promises. It bothered me to think that I was even considering it right this moment.

As I slapped paint on the canvas, slowly carving out the waves along the bank, I went through the possible scenarios. Tell Sam, if Cathy hasn’t yet, that I promised to give Meredith some space. Surely Sam would understand that. She knew what it was like to end up royal all of a sudden. Explain that I thought they should go and I would keep myself busy.

Or I could go and try to stay out of sight. Which would be impossible with the media around.

Yet, maybe there was a third option. I could help without helping. Sort of behind-the-scenes help. That would allow me to not feel guilty, do something good, and hopefully make someone happy.

That solution went a long way to making me feel better and I was able to concentrate on my painting. Yes, a compromise would be a good solution. I would give her a day. A full twenty-four hours. If she wasn’t speaking until that afternoon then it would be at least a few more hours before she got home. Which would mean I’d have done what I said. I would have avoided her for an entire day.

Smiling to myself, I continued my work on the painting. Yes, painting had been exactly what I needed. I felt much better.

Once I was finished, I packed up and headed back to the house. Sam was sitting on one of the sofas near the fireplace, a book propped up on her stomach. She really wasn’t very big, but the baby bump was unmistakable.

“Oh, let me see what you did today.” She closed her book and leveraged herself up off the sofa.

I turned the canvas around so she could get a look at it.

“God, you’re so damn talented. It’s not really fair.” She smiled at me to take the sting out of her words. “I love the colors.”

“I’m happy with the way it turned out.” I leaned the painting against one of the walls and rubbed my hands on my jeans. “What are you reading?”

“Pride and Prejudice.” She smiled.

“I thought you just finished it.” I shook my head.

“I did.” She shrugged. “I wanted to read it again.”

“You’re a wee bit weird.” I raised my eyebrow and held my finger and thumb up to show a small little space between the two.

“Says the artist covered in mud and paint.” She laughed. “You look just like your brother when you do that.” She motioned toward my eyebrow.

“That won’t do.” I wiped my face clean. “I wanted to tell you, I’m not going to the speech today.”

“Cathy told me.” She sat back down on her spot. “I get it.”

“Cathy told you? She acted like I had to go.” I threw myself down in one of the armchairs. “She wouldn’t leave me alone about it.”

“She just wanted to know what had you so upset.” She waggled her finger at me. “You only run when something is bothering you.”

“You’ve officially been around too long.” I glared at her.

“Bah. You love me. I’m the sister you always wanted.” She giggled.

“I already have one annoying sister.” I closed my eyes so she wouldn’t see my amusement. Though I had a feeling that she knew me too well at this point to doubt it.

“Exactly.” Her tone turned serious. “I didn’t mean to put you in a bad spot, Max. I really can send someone else over there to help out.”

“No, I’m fine.” I’d said it too quickly. Why hadn’t I just let her send someone else? “It would just make her frustrated to have a bunch of new people around.”

“I get it.” She frowned. “I think I’ve started to get used to having so many people around. Which is scary.”

“You’re just glad you don’t have to bend over to pick up anything you’ve dropped.” I opened one eye to look at her.

“Oh, you’re so funny. You try to bend over with a basketball stuck in your stomach. See how easy it is.”

“Not really my thing.” I closed my eyes and was caught unsuspecting by the giant pillow that landed on my head. “I deserved that.”

“No kidding.”

“Sorry, pregnant lady.” I shot her my best smile.

“You’re lucky you’re cute.” She rolled her eyes. “Seriously though, Cathy said your mom sent someone to help out. If you aren’t comfortable going over there, or think that it will upset Meredith, then leave it alone. I didn’t mean to make things difficult. I just wanted to help.”

“I know.” I looked at her. “But she’s stuck with me now.”

“Heh.” Sam narrowed her eyes.

“Don’t ‘heh’ me.” Hehs from Sam were dangerous. It meant she was working something out in her head.

“Is it bad over there?” She frowned.

I shrugged. It really wasn’t my place to say and I didn’t want to upset my highly hormonal sister-in-law. The truth was that Meredith and Marty needed somewhere else to live, preferably back in England where she had been building them a life. But for now, I’d just have to try to be a wall between them and the worst of it.

“That bad, huh?” She frowned. “It must be if your mom sent someone to take charge.”