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He’d followed his brother’s career, known he was rising through the political ranks over the last few years. But that didn’t mean he wanted any involvement in his life. He’d been there while his father pursued his ambitions and been paraded in front of the press. He never wanted to be a part of that again.
“No.”
“That’s all you’re going to say to me after six years? No?”
“You’ve known where I am; if you’d wanted to see me, you could have. Dad’s been here a few times with Toby.”
Anthony had the grace to look slightly ashamed.
“You never came back home either.”
“I told you I was never going back there.”
“Look, I didn’t come here to argue with you, Edward.”
“Ted.”
“I just want your support. They will start looking into my background, and your name will be part of that. I just want to know you’ll say the right things when they ask. I want to know you’re on board.”
“On board how?” He felt the anger inside him start to smolder. Seeing this brother always made that happen. The helpless rage he’d felt back when Emily had been kidnapped and no one had done anything to save her.
The rational side of his nature told him her murder was no one’s fault but the killer’s, but seeing his family made him irrational. Actually, his mother and middle brother did that. His youngest brother and father, he could handle. But the other two were everything about his old life he’d hated. Fake. He went back to that dark ugly place her death had plunged him into when he saw them.
“Come to a few rallies and do some interviews. You’ve done well with the lodge; a few of my acquaintances have even been here.”
“So what? I’m acceptable now that I’m a success?”
“Look, Edward—”
“Ted, and I don’t want anything to do with it, Anthony. I won’t lie if anyone asks if we’re related, but I’m not campaigning for you.”
“Morning.”
“Mr. Goldhirsh.” Ted nodded to the elderly man who was jogging by. He’d been running for as long as Ted had been here. He had endless energy and a wise head on his shoulders.
“Mr. Goldhirsh.” He stuck out a hand, and Anthony took it with a polished smile that made Ted’s teeth snap together. His mother had a smile like that.
“Anthony—”
“He’s an old friend,” Ted cut him off. He didn’t need the questions.
Ted had kept his family connections out of Ryker Falls. No one knew he was a senator’s son or that he came from money. He’d liked it that way, and no one had pushed him to speak about his past.
“Actually—”
“He’s just passing through,” Ted interrupted Anthony again.
Mr. Goldhirsh wore lime-green running shorts and a matching shirt, and yet another new pair of running shoes. The man had endless energy and put the younger residents to shame.
“You staying up at the lodge?”
“No,” Ted said.
“Yes.”
The Hosking brothers replied simultaneously. Once they’d been close enough to laugh over that, but not now. Now, he and the man before him were strangers.
“Well, which is it?” Mr. Goldhirsh’s wiry gray brows rose.
