“Well,” Millicent said, looking flustered.
Ryan couldn’t remember a time when his mother had looked flustered. It was disconcerting. He couldn’t be sure but thought maybe she wasn’t displeased about what he’d said. But then again, she could be furious; it was hard to tell with his mother.
“You’re one person, Mom, and the majority has voted for this change. Plus, everyone seems to be excited about the fundraising. That kind of thing bonds a town,” Ryan said.
“We’re bonded,” Millicent snapped.
“What is it you think needs work in this town then, if not new infrastructure?” Ryan kept his voice even. He’d had years of negotiating with his mother to lean on. You didn’t forget stuff like that. He knew that his anger would only elevate hers.
“You don’t live here and have no say in these matters.”
“My family does,” Ryan said. “And if you have a legitimate reason for going against this, then I want to hear it, but if this is just you being awkward for the sake of it, that’s not fair, Mom.”
He thought it was guilty color flushing her cheeks now.
“Stopping progress that could bring more money into this town is wrong if it’s your pride blocking it,” he added to hammer home his point.
The table was silent, even Newman, who usually had something to say about most things. Faith stood beside Hope, a hand on her shoulder now, openly listening to the conversation.
“It would certainly bring us more business if we could offer a little extra something to tourists in town,” she said softly. “It would be good if you could think about what your son said, Ms. Lawrence.”
Faith walked away after those words, leaving a heavy silence behind. Ryan was the first to break it.
“So, is that nursery all set up?” he asked his sister when the silence became deafening. “What can I get you?”
“It is, and Newman repacked my bag today,” Hope said after shooting her mother a look. “I don’t think we need anything more at this stage. But I’ll come to you for that college fund when the time comes.”
“Sounds good.” He leaned across and kissed her cheek because he could. “Just out of curiosity, why would you repack her bag?”
“Everything was just balled up in there and had become creased. I reorganized things,” Newman said. He then stroked a finger down Hope’s cheek.
“You just got another strike off your man card, bud.”
“He likes neatness.” Hope smiled.
“He lucked out with you, then.” Ryan laughed.
The meal progressed, and his mother barely spoke, which wasn’t that unusual, but still, there was a tension in the air.
“Ryan,” Hope said, drawing his eyes away from Faith’s ass yet again as she walked by.
“Hope.”
“Ah, the thing is, Ryan….” She looked nervous.
“Do I have to bury anyone?”
“No.”
“Pay someone off?”
“No.”
“Does it involve you setting me up with anyone?”
“No!” She looked horrified.
“As if she’d try that with the selection of women falling all over themselves to get at you,” Newman scoffed.