Up to Snow Good - Kelly Collins Page 0,24
worried glances, and a few huffs and puffs, before Lauren finally asked, “What, Ruthie?”
“You know what, child. Dat Hunter man, his name is perfect for his intentions. Now he’s here in our house looking at you like a hungry lion looks at dinner?”
“It’s my house, Ruthie, which means my rules.” After a tense silence, and a shocked expression, she went on, “I didn’t mean it like that. This is your home, too, and always will be.” She felt so much shame at her gut response. In that moment, she sounded like Max’s description of his father. It proved that hard times made hard people.
“Look at what he’s done. He shows up, and we fight like mom and child.”
“No, Ruthie, we’re not fighting. I love you, and you love me, but love isn’t always easy. Give him a chance to prove he’s a good man?”
Ruthie shook her head. “I watch dat man, and I tell you, he’s a bad man.”
Lauren forced a smile. “That’s why I invited him to stay here. I knew that if he was up to something, you would figure it out.” That wasn’t completely honest, but the lie made Ruthie feel good.
In truth, she invited him to stay because he made her feel something she hadn’t in years—love.
“And I will,” Ruthie said, her big body trembling with her determination, index finger raised and waving. “I surely will.”
“Oh, I’m certain of that.” Ruthie had worked at the lodge for as long as Lauren could remember, but not long enough to get rid of her “dats” and “childs.” She was as close to a second mother as Lauren could have.
“And you,” Ruthie warned with the glare. “You stay away from dat man’s room, and you know what I mean by dat.”
“Ruthie, I’m a grown woman.”
“Dat what I mean. He’s a handsome man and will make you look like a fool if you go to his bed.”
Heat warmed her cheeks. She was certain they were ruby red. “Ruthie, really—”
“Don’t you Ruthie me.” She waved her hand through the air. “Dat man in this house? What would your father think?”
Lauren’s anger rose, along with the hairs on the back of her neck. The frustration of being told what to do, how to live, and who to love raged inside her. She’d been hearing what a bad man Max was for far too long, and the unfairness of it hurt her in ways she hadn’t imagined.
Invoking her father’s memory created pangs of bitterness from deep inside her soul. She wanted to be slow to anger and quick to forgive, but given the circumstances, it was difficult.
“Give him a chance. That’s all I’m asking.”
Ruthie turned away. “You ask too much.”
Chapter Nineteen
Max
Max wasn’t surprised to get the call days later, but that didn’t mean he was excited about meeting his father back at the house. The same clouds of white smoke, which had always surrounded him, looked like a halo, but there was nothing angelic about his happy welcome.
Max had hoped for better, but it wouldn’t be that easy.
“My son,” Pops said with a smile, offering Max a brandy as he led him into the study, where they’d met so many times before. “I’ve missed you. Thank you for seeing me.”
Max nodded and sat down across the desk from his father. “It’s good to chat again, Pop. We’ve had so many hours in this room.”
“In this house,” he corrected him, “in this family. In the end, that’s what really counts, isn’t it?” A long, sad silence passed between them before his father said, “The house is quiet since you left.”
Max nodded. “It’s because we’re not fighting.”
“We never fought, Max, not before all this. That’s why I’m glad you’re here. We have to settle things, don’t you think?”
“Always did,” he said. “I’m relieved to hear you say it. What I suggest we do is bury that document of yours—get rid of your agreement with Frank. We’ll make this winter festival a big hit, then deal with things in the new year.”
Pops nodded; his smile almost too broad. “If that’s the way you want to play it.”
Max wasn’t sure how to take that, but it registered in the back of his brain in a way he couldn’t ignore. Eaton Hunter had never given in so easily. Then again, he’d never lost his son.
“I miss you.”
“I miss you too, Pop, and I’m glad to hear you’ve reconsidered your position.”
He shrugged. “I’m a big enough man to admit when I’m wrong.” After a tense pause, he went on,