21AmberBrent’s parents sit in front of us in an old-style sitting room with a fire blazing in the fireplace. It’s too hot for a fire but it sure as hell sets the ambiance.
After we got back, Brent instantly sent word to his parents. I don’t know what he has planned, but he says he has something.
His mother crosses her legs and frowns.
“Hannah and Collin?” she asks.
“Took her,” he confirms.
She looks at me.
I nod. “It’s true.”
She sighs and closes her eyes. “That’s… a disgrace.”
“It was for the money,” Brent says. “I don’t know what they got themselves into, but Hannah seemed… upset by the whole thing. And if they were willing to go to such lengths…” He trails off.
“I’ll speak with Ronald,” his father says. “Surely he can come up with a proper punishment for—”
But Sylvia cuts him off. “Those two need to learn their place,” she says.
His father goes silent.
“Hannah went too far,” she continues. “I don’t particularly want you here, Amber, but I’d never kidnap you and threaten to give you back to your father like that. I’d never condone that action.”
“Thank you,” I say.
Brent lets out a breath. “That’s beside the point.”
She looks at him. “Hannah and Collin will be dealt with. What else do you need?”
“I need money.”
She laughs. “You have plenty of money.”
“I need more. I need a loan.”
That gets her attention. His father shifts uncomfortably then stands and walks to the bar. He pours a drink and stays there, away from the conversation. I get the sense that he just excused himself and doesn’t want to be involved anymore. Not that I can blame him.
Sylvia shifts in her chair and leans forward. “What do you need a loan for?” she asks.
“I’d rather not say.” He glances at me. “But it’s for her.”
“For her.” She doesn’t smile or move. “How much do you need?”
“Millions,” he says. “A lot. I don’t know, exactly.”
“A lot.” She leans back. “The Lofthouse coffers aren’t what they once were. You realize that?”
Brent snorts. “I know that isn’t true.”
“Do you now?” She raises an eyebrow. “I thought you were done with us. I thought you didn’t care about the family.”
“I never said that.”
“Not in so many words. When you became a doctor and left, that was saying it enough.”
Brent clenches his jaw. “Is that what this is all about?”
“Yes,” she says simply.
Brent shakes his head. “I wanted to be my own person. I wanted some freedom and to do something good in the world. Can’t you see that?”
“No,” she says. “I see duty. I see family. I see a man that refused to sacrifice for those that raised him and sheltered him and gave him everything.”
“That’s not true.”
“Isn’t it? I wanted you to go into finance. Not because it’s a respectable field, mind you, but because the family needed someone to manage its money to ensure its future. And yet you outright refused.”
He looks away. “I was young. And I’m not suited to it.”
“Good thing your brother is.”
He looks back and cocks his head. “I know he’s doing well, mother.”
“Yes. He is.”
“So the coffers are fine, aren’t they?”
She doesn’t answer.
I sit there and shift in my chair. I feel like I shouldn’t be here. His father gives me a conspiratorial little smile. I’m tempted to go over there and share a drink with him since this is the battle of the titans, and I’m just a little human girl.
But I stay in my seat. I get the sense that this is an important moment and Sylvia won’t be happy about any sort of lapse in decorum.
“I need a loan,” Brent repeats. “Because I’m going to make her father an offer.”
“What kind of offer? I doubt money will sway him at this point.”
“I agree. He wants land in Texas, a particular ranch that won’t sell unless Amber marries some boy. I’m going to give him what he wants.”
Sylvia frowns slightly. “I see.”
“I need a loan, mother. I need a loan for an indeterminate amount, and I need it without strings. Can you do that for me?”
“I will,” she says.
I look surprised. His father looks surprised. Hell, even Brent looks surprised.
She sighs. “I was young once, Brent. And despite what you think, I’m still your mother and I still care. If you want to help this girl, I’ll help you. But there’s a price.”
He tenses. “Of course. I’ll work to pay it back.”
“No, you won’t. You’re going to come home.”
He stares at her. “Excuse me?”
“I won’t make you live in this house. Or even in this town. I’m not so naive as to think that would ever work. But you will live in this state. You will come visit twice a month. You will stay for several days once in a while. Bring Amber, if you decide to keep her.” She gives me a tight little smile.