28. Zeth #3
“No,” I answered stiffly, running my thumb along a knot in the wooden armrest. Maybe I did get my intelligence from my dad, Mum said that too, but he stupidly left us.
Some larger theoretical problem was more important to him than Millie and me, or our problems. Mum had always accepted his choice with a smile, so who was I to ruin that illusion?
“No,” I repeated. “The City proved too big a place.”
“Hm, that sounds like it’s been a lot to deal with,” Walter hummed as if he cared about the washer boy, and actually wanted to hear more than the gossip that went around town.
That must have been why my lips opened to convince him, “I’m not like my dad, not in the ways that really matter. I helped raise Millie, and always put my family’s needs above my own desires. And I will continue to do so.” Especially now, with Amby in my life.
“Thinking of others before yourself is an admirable trait.” Walter looked away, seeming to think before he went on, “One we could all strive to do better on…”
He didn’t give me a chance to ponder that praise when he shifted the conversation to Somerset and Sons Bank, and their new branch goals.
I shared some marketing techniques that worked for the auction.
By the way Walter leaned toward me as he listened, he was impressed.
My nervousness settled into mild inconvenience.
However, I was starting to wonder why Amby hadn’t joined us yet. Was the cut worse than it appeared? Did he change his mind about holding hands? “Zeth,” Walter started, waiting for me. Only then did I realize that I was staring over my shoulder at the empty front door.
I turned to him with a grin, “You were saying?”
“I was asking if you’d be interested in working for me.”
“Excuse me?” I blinked at him, thinking the liquor made me hear things, and I hadn’t even drunk it. “Did you just invite me to work for you?”
He appeared pleased as he said, “You were right about Robert Wilson.”
“Robert who?”
“Mr. Glasses, I believe you called him,” Walter chuckled.
“Just as you warned at the salon, he was dishonest. He made a deal behind my back with a competing bank, which I only discovered due to you. You would be an excellent choice to replace him. Heaven knows, Ambrose will need guidance when the day comes that I pass on.”
Although I didn’t like how he spoke about Amby, Walter was offering me my dream job in finance. Here was my easy way to make money and work side by side with my boy. I already saw us breaking for lunch every day. What a grand opportunity.
“I would love to work at the bank. Anything, I’ll take it.”
“Excellent, I’m willing to train you and pay you well. Our new branch in Port Winchester will need you.”
“Port Win—fuck no,” I said before I could catch my words, “There’s no way I’m moving back to the City.”
When Walter’s eyes widened, he reminded me of Amby, and shame blew through me for being so rude.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Somerset, but I have to decline your offer because my future is here in Everdeen. As I said, I put my family first. Please do not hold that against me.”
Walter waved me off with a smile. “I did always appreciate your blunt honesty, Zeth.”
“Too honest, perhaps,” I said, hoping I sounded half as calm as he did. I eased back in my chair. “When Amby told me to be myself tonight, I don’t think he meant swearing.” I paused for a moment before saying gently, “You have a smart son.”
“Agreed.” Walter eyed me curiously, like he saw right through me. This time, he sounded like he loved his son as much as I did. If only Amby were here for his dad’s praise. But he wasn’t here, and this was a chance to help them.
“You know, speaking of your son,” I started, weighing my words as I brushed lint off my pants. “He’s given up a lot to follow your path, and proven how much he loves you.” I turned to him, looking at him straight. “Now’s a good time to make sure he sees how much you love him.”
Walter propped his elbow on the arm of his rocker and pinned me with his eyes. “Lecturing me on how to be a father, Zeth?”
“No, well, yes, I guess,” I huffed. “It’s just that all your kids have good heads on their shoulders. Your Somerset values carry on through them. All of them. A legacy is more than a name.”
When Walter’s mustache twitched with annoyance, I didn’t know what else to say. Thankfully, Amby cleared his throat and walked outside to join us, breaking the tense silence.
He’d removed his vest while gone. In only his casual shirt and pants, Amby was distracting, especially with his collar unbuttoned to expose his lovely neck. He cut quite the handsome figure of lean sophistication as he strolled over to us with a fresh glass of water in his bandaged hand.
When he reached his arm out, I thought he might take my hand now, as he said he would, but he only tucked something into my fingers before moving away.
It was the handkerchief he used, damp and still slightly stained, but washed enough. I was glad to have it back. I was glad to have Amby close again.
“Well, my offer still stands should you change your mind about the position,” Walter said.
“A position at the bank?” Amby took a sip from his glass before placing it on the rail. I suspected he heard more than he was letting on. Hopefully, he wasn’t mad at me for talking about his worries without him.
Sitting forward, I answered, “I refused your dad’s offer because it would be in the new branch, and I don’t want to move.”
“Oh.” Amby leaned his back against the rail, one hand in his pocket. “That’s good, I’d miss you too much if you left again. You push me to be better than I am.”
My heart stirred. Amby had just repeated the words I’d recited in my poem at the salon for him. It could be something simply said between friends, but not with how Amby’s gaze held mine. Walter would have to be blind to miss the love shining for me in Amby’s big, brown eyes.
And judging from Walter’s sharp stare at me, something had clicked in his mind.
I could see it from here. He grunted as he rose from his seat.
“Well, it’s certainly been an interesting evening, but I’ve had a feeling this was more than a visit to talk business.
So, since you’re good at being honest, young man, answer me this.
” He fixed me with a stern glare, and I sat rigid, waiting. “Are you trying to court my son?”
My eyes flew back to Amby, who froze against the rail.
His widening eyes told me he was as surprised as I was at the direct question.
But his words earlier gave me a clue, so I rose to stand next to Amby.
As if connected, he pulled his hand out of his pocket, and we entangled our fingers while I answered proudly, “Yes, sir, I am. We hoped for your blessing before making it official.”
Walter stiffened where he stood, and I feared he would say no . When he turned on Amby, I felt like I fucked everything up again, but that was just my own fear of yet another older man in my life turning his back on me. This wasn’t about me. I needed to be strong for Amby as he faced his fears.
I squeezed Amby’s hand as Walter’s face soured. Sighing, the man turned to look out over his fields. “I’d be lying if I said this surprises me, especially with the rumors I’ve been hearing in town.”
“I hoped you’d be happy for me,” Amby started, “I found someone who wants me, all of me, someone who makes me happy.”
Walter shook his head with a sigh. “What happened to our plan to continue the Somerset bloodline? It can’t go on if you marry Zeth.”
“Marigold and Jack can carry on the bloodline. Besides, any woman I marry could be barren. Or me.” Amby waved his bandaged hand at himself. “What if I can’t have children? What if I never have a son? Have you thought about that?”
Walter blinked at him, as if such a thing had never even crossed his mind. Amby had valid points.
“You care so much about a bloodline that you’re willing to throw away my happiness for your own.
” Amby shook his head, trying to keep his voice steady.
“But that’s not what I feel is the right thing.
Not for anyone. If standing up now means losing the estate, my job, and my own name…
so be it. I’m willing to give it all up for Zeth Washer. ”
My heart raced hearing my name on Amby’s lips with such a declaration. I knew he would choose me. He already said that, but to powerfully state it to the one man he both feared and loved made this whole crazy situation real. He chose me, and he didn’t fucking care what happened.
There was no doubt how I felt about him now. I made sure my gaze at Amby expressed my admiration. He returned my glance with such nervous excitement that I wanted to kiss him right then and there.
“Ambrose.” Walter’s stern voice cut sharply through my thoughts.
Like Amby beside me, I felt the command to lower my head and listen to his lecture, but I didn’t.
Instead, I straightened to my full height and stared down at Walter with my best don’t-you-dare-hurt-my-boy glare. Height had some damn fine advantages.
I was glad to make Walter take a breath before he calmly said, “It’s probably best if we all retire for the night. This is all… overwhelming. I am going to bed. Zeth—” He only stared at me before moving around to the door without bothering to wait for our replies.
That was it. Dinner was done, and Walter left us without expressing clearly how he felt about our courtship. He preferred to lecture Amby about legacies, or ignore him completely. No wonder Amby struggled all these years.
It was so fucking unfair how many men took on a fatherly role and didn’t take it seriously. They walked away, like my dad, or ignored the truth, like Amby’s. I saw it enough in my own life, and it hurt all the worse to see it happen to the man I loved. My anger rose as Walter left us on the porch.
When the door clicked closed, Amby turned to the rail and started to shake. It was that jumbled anxiety that usually made him lash out. I saw this a few times now in the past weeks, and I knew Amby needed some kind of release.
I moved to his side, and he instantly leaned against me, pressing his face into my neck as he clutched me close to him. He shivered against me, making my heart crack.
“What do you need me to do?” I asked, stroking his hair. “Anything, just tell me.”
“I don’t know, I just… Please don’t go yet.”
“I’ll stay here with you all night. I’m not leaving you.”
He nodded and grabbed my hand. “Will you come with me to the barn?”