Up to Snow Good - Kelly Collins Page 0,57

to know who they were standing against, and what they were standing for.

Patrick and Cindy stood among several others, many their age, just out of their teenage years. They were young, which told Max they had nothing to lose. Patrick turned to glare at those around and behind him before raising his arm. The others did the same. Cindy smiled and nuzzled him, raising her own arm along with the others.

Sally sat among her friends and fellow business leaders. She looked around, hesitating, her arms remaining at her bosomy sides.

Max couldn’t help but be drawn to Lucille. She shot Sally a wicked glare, filled with as much disappointment and disapproval as one person could wordlessly express. Lucille herself raised her hand, joined by several well-dressed Moss Creek citizens of her stature.

Sally seemed to feel the scrutiny as much as Max did, and while more and more hands climbed around her, Sally broke a sad smile and raised her own arm to join the others.

Pastor Higgins and several others from the church raised their hands, chests out and shoulders back as they radiated more pride than Max had ever seen in them. He decided then that he’d probably start going to church wherever they wound up.

The mayor and his deputy looked the crowd over, a clear majority of the hands in the crowd raised to support the proposition. Mayor Shipley glanced at Eaton, who maintained a stony expression, his eyes locked on the town’s leader with a cold certainty that Max recognized from other deals and negotiations. He didn’t doubt his father’s hand corrupted the mayor, perhaps even the city council, but they were all about to find out.

The mayor looked at the grim-faced council members at each side of him. Deputy Mayor Roberts glared at Mayor Shipley, reassuring Max that the young politician was on their side.

It wouldn’t be enough, and he seemed to know that as clearly as Max did. Lauren clung tighter, and he turned to see her sad face. His heart broke a little for his failure.

Mayor Shipley said, “Since the residents of Moss Creek are not unanimous, it requires a vote from the city council to put the proposition forward. By a show of hands, how do you vote? Yes?”

One hand went up, then another. Max and Lauren clung to one another, his stomach turning, his heart seeming to beat in time with hers. Two more hands stayed down, eyes falling to Max and Lauren, but also to Eaton. A murmur sweeping across the room as another hand went up, then two more stayed down.

The murmur became a rumble, and Mayor Shipley had to pound his gavel to quiet them. “Order, I’ll have order in this place.” A few more raps quieted the crowd, and Mayor Shipley cast one more glance at the council members.

“By a show of hands,” Mayor Shipley said, his voice already deflated, “nay?” Three hands went up to replace the others.

“Let the record show that three of the twelve members of the city council voted nay, the proposition does not pass. The meeting is adjourned.”

Lauren fell into Max’s arms, with tears already spilling from her eyes, reminding him of his failure to correct his father’s misdeeds. He’d always thought he could, but his father had proven a force well beyond his control.

His love for Lauren would endure. Wherever they wound up, they would always have each other, but they wouldn’t have much else.

Ruthie sobbed, and she fell into Lauren’s arms, pressing her head into Lauren’s shoulders.

Max could feel her misery pulsing in her wailing lungs, tears storming down her face.

He looked over to see Patrick and Cindy trying to find comfort in each other’s embrace.

The city council members sat glum, even Sally was unable to fashion her usual smile on her made-up face.

He knew what he had to do. He and Lauren stepped away from Ruthie and walked toward his father, who stood near his grandmother and Jane.

Sam left the room, and Max didn’t doubt he’d be on his way out of town, probably never to return.

“Congratulations,” Max said. “You finally got what you wanted—your revenge. Does it feel good?”

“To tell you the truth,” his father said, “no, it does not, but you broke the cardinal rule, Max, you went against the family, you betrayed your elder.” He shook his head. “You’ve still got a lot to learn, so let this be what you take away from this, never turn your back on your family.”

Lauren softly said, “Good luck with the lodge.