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“Because Mandy has suffered in her life. She’s a gentle soul, but lately she’s been growing a spine. We like it and want that to continue,” Miss Marla said. “We think you could be good for her, but also bad if you are not serious.”
This is not happening.
“I would never hurt Mandy.”Liar, you already have.
“Perhaps not, but you’re a man of the world. Mandy is someone who has experienced very little of life. We think if she falls for someone it will be hard, and we don’t want her hurt.”
“So what, you’re warning me off?” Ted’s words sounded gruff.
“Only if you are not serious about Mandy,” Miss Sarah said. “We love you, as we do all our youngsters in Ryker Falls, but I won’t let her be hurt, Ted. We can’t allow that when she’s only just starting to spread her wings.”
“So we want you to promise us you won’t,” Miss Marla added.
Too late.
“Maybe you’ve been overprotective of her and that’s the problem.”
Both women sighed.
“There’s little doubt there’s truth in that, but we could do nothing else, considering,” Miss Marla said.
“Considering?”
“Again, that’s not our story to tell,” Miss Sarah added.
“We want both you and Mandy to be happy, Ted. Just so we’re clear on that. If it can’t be together, then I want you to experience that with other people.”
The thought of Mandy with another man was like a punch to the gut.
He got out of his chair as they got out of theirs.
“Don’t for one moment think this is about you being unsuitable for Mandy, Ted, because Marla and I don’t feel that way at all. In fact, we think you would be perfect for each other. Both of you are contained in your own way and have secrets that have made you the way you are. Love would make you stronger together.”
“Love!” Ted took a step back. “Where did that come from? Surely not Mandy.”
“Our niece has never even spoken about you to us, so you can relax there. But we have eyes and ears and know what lies between you both. Whether you’re brave enough to do something about that is another matter entirely,” Miss Sarah said.
They then kissed and hugged him before leaving, closing the door softly behind them.
Ted fell back into his chair feeling like he’d been attacked by a loofa sponge, disturbing but not painful. Staring at his blank computer screen, thoughts churned around and around inside his head. An hour later, he’d done no work, so he decided on a walk to clear his head.
Arriving at the front desk, he found his mother.
“I thought you and dad were out enjoying the scenery today?” Ted said.
“We need another photo shoot outside later, Edward. One as the sun starts to set behind mountains. I’ve been trying to get your staff to organize a table and chairs in the perfect place, but they’re extremely unaccommodating. You should really train them better.”
His mother had an end goal in sight for Anthony, and that was to live in the White House. Her husband had failed; she would make sure her son did not, and she didn’t care who she stomped over to get him there.
“My staff are the best there is, and I won’t have you upsetting them, Mother. I hope I’m clear on that, because if you have a problem with them, then it’s you who will be leaving.”
The muffled sounds behind him suggested some of his staff had overheard that.
“How dare you put your staff ahead of family!” Elizabeth Hosking may be attractive on the outside, but inside she was ugly. Her mouth twisted into a snarl. “Your lack of loyalty toward your family is a disgrace. How can you not want to support Anthony?”
“Just so we’re clear, Mother, I don’t give a damn if Anthony succeeds or not. He’s my brother, therefore I love him, just as I do you, but I sure as hell don’t like him.”Or you.
Her mouth opened, then snapped closed.
