Chapter 12

Megan

Ryan seemed to grow tense on the way over. All of the hardness that had been in his expression the day we’d first met was back in a matter of miles. It was the same hard expression I’d noticed him getting when his father was mentioned and I couldn’t help but be worried about him.

It couldn’t be easy having a parent look at you in a bad light, but I was certain there had to be love there somewhere. I hoped that one day the two of them would find resolve and put the past behind them. Life was too short, and one day they’d regret the time they wasted being harsh to one another.

He raked his hand through his hair and checked his watch.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I decided that maybe he needed someone to listen, but instead, he shook his head.

“Is it that obvious?” He chuckled. “It’ll be fine. I mostly just hope he’s in a good mood and not missing my brother. Sometimes when we all get together, he’s reminded of who’s missing. It makes him sad, and he shows sadness by being grumpy.”

“That’s understandable. Loss is hard. Look at how mean I was at first, and that was mostly because of the bitterness I’d let fester over my grandfather’s death. I wanted to blame you even though I knew it wasn’t anyone’s fault. It just happens. Your dad will figure it out. Most likely he’s mad at himself. I know I was. Even though there was no way I had anything to do with my grandfather dying, sometimes I wish I could have saved him somehow. Mourning is a process of acceptance, and we all take different paths to get there. So if you do ever want to talk about it, I’m here.”

“I will keep that in mind, but for now, a kiss will do.” He gave me a wink and our mouths met, soft and tender at first, but by the time we got to their house, we were making out nice and deep. That was the benefit of having a driver, I suppose.

He pulled away and was about to open the door when I pulled his arm. “Wait, you have my lipstick all over your mouth.” I’d used a frosted pale peach that was barely visible against my pale skin, but against his tan complexion, it was gleaming. I took my thumb and wiped it off. “How do I look? Is my face still on straight?”

“You’re perfect.” He took my hand and helped me from the car, and my mouth dropped open at the sight of the huge mansion.

I stopped in my tracks, and he turned around. “Yeah, it’s the house that pollution built. Let’s go see what’s inside.” I chuckled at his joke, but what was going through my mind was exactly how much wealth and riches Ryan had in his life. Yet all he wanted was his father’s acceptance. It was sad, really and it stirred my fire.

He kept me close to his side as we went in and were greeted his mother. One look at me and she was grinning ear to ear.

“Ryan, why didn’t you tell me you were bringing someone.” She pulled me into a hug and then stepped back to offer her hand. “I’m Tilly, Ryan’s mother. It’s so good to meet you.”

She looked to Ryan who quickly responded. “This is Megan Stephens. Megan, this is my mom.” She was a tall, thin woman with dyed black hair and so much chunky gold jewelry it practically hung on her like a Christmas tree, but she had the kindest smile. Her eyes were the same dark color and shape of Ryan’s.

“Come in, come in!” The woman was practically beside herself as she led us through the house which was filled with so many things it seemed much smaller. She took us into a formal dining room that had a small sitting area to the side near a fireplace. Above the mantle was a family portrait, and a smiling, younger Ryan stood beside his brother, David. The two could have been twins they were so much alike, and I wondered if that was part of his father’s grief. One son reminded him too much of the other.

“You have a beautiful home.” I could tell by all of the things that the older woman a special pride about her home. There were lavish bouquets and plants everywhere, and some of them even looked fresh instead of silk. “The flowers are gorgeous.”

She gave Ryan a look and placed her hand on her heart. “Thank you, dear. I was a florist in my younger days, owned my own shop until I married Ryan’s father and had children. It’s still a hobby. I buy some of the flowers I arrange, but I have a nice garden. Perhaps Ryan could take you through it after dinner.” She gave her son a sly smile and a wink.

Ryan’s father showed up a few minutes later, and the introductions were done over. He seemed like a nice enough man, but there was something cunning in his eyes, a certain scrutiny that he didn’t quite hide.

We were called to dinner and took our places at the table. Ryan sat me next to him, and he was beside his father and across from his mother. Tilly was a delight, and she seemed a tad younger than his father.

“So what kind of work do you do, dear? Are you in school?” The question threw me a bit, and I glanced at Ryan who stifled a grin.

“I’ve finished school, but I still do extensive studies in my field. It’s an ongoing part of what I do as an environmentalist.” I waited for some sort of reaction from Tilly, but she seemed pleased by my confession.

But my career path hadn’t escaped Mr. Walker. “Environmentalist?” He glanced at his son who sipped his wine.

“Yes, Dad, Megan is the woman from Easton.” He cut his steak and took a bite.

“You know it was my doing bring you in, my son here didn’t want to upset his team, but we on the board felt it was a smart move.” Ryan shook his head next to me.

“She’s quite aware, Dad.” We exchanged a glance, and then I narrowed my eyes toward his father.

“Yes, and it’s about time you did step up and take responsibility for your company’s environmental issues. How many years did you run the company without an environment advisor?”

Tilly’s laughter faded as she sipped her wine. Then she glanced at Ryan and whispered, “I like her,” across the table.

Mr. Walker’s face had turned red with a scowl, but then he smiled as I met him with a challenging glare. “I like her too. She’s got guts, this one. You should keep her around.”

Ryan leaned in closer toward his father. “As a matter of fact, I’ve asked her to join the team as a lead consultant.”

The old man’s eyes lit with surprise. “I take it things went well on your trip.” He cut a piece of steak and popped it into his mouth.

I didn’t wait for Ryan to answer. “As a matter of fact it did, everything was running smoothly. That environmental team has really done amazing things, and I’m eager to get on board so I can help and learn.” Ryan met my eyes and smiled. I wasn’t about to tell his father anything negative that would reflect on Ryan or worse, try to take credit. He didn’t need to know our business and Ryan was making great strides and that he’d done all on his own.

“Well, that’s wonderful. I’m proud of you, son.” Ryan’s head turned toward his father's and his jaw dropped. After a moment he caught himself.

“Thanks, Dad. I’m glad it was a worthwhile investment.” He looked at me and gave a little shrug with his brows.

We sat through the whole dinner, laughing and chatting, and in the end, I liked both of his parents, but I could see what he had meant. The only times David was mentioned it was in comparison to Ryan, and I could tell by Tilly’s expressions that she noticed it too.

After, his parents sipped wine on the sofa and Tilly encouraged us to take that walk. Her garden was amazing, and there were flowers in it I’d never seen before. Exotic varieties and common ones, they were all stunning together in one room. The place was magical, and as Ryan kissed me there, beneath the canopy of sweeping vines, I knew I wanted more. I wasn’t just falling for him. I was falling in love.

I thought about the words he’d said, how we’d keep on and see where it went, and when I looked forward, I couldn’t imagine a future without him.