Page 51 of Zachary

Asher shrugs. “It all worked out, because Garrett and I actually did fall in love with each other. But do you see how little control you’re willing to let us keep over our own lives? You didn’t listen when I said I didn’t want to be set up. No matter how many times or how loudly I protested. You. Didn’t. Listen. And then you hatched up that ridiculous idea to match Cam and Zac together.”

Ronan’s jaw drops. Oops. He leans behind Zoe and nudges Cam, hissing, “What?”

“I’ll tell you later,” Cam whispers back.

“You’re so sure you know what’s best for us that you don’t ask what we want. And when Zac came to you with something he wanted that would also benefit all of us, you wouldn’t even hear him out. We’re people, Grandmother. We’re your family. You don’t get to treat us like you own us.”

Grandmother slowly stands, and I brace myself. Has she heard what Asher’s been saying? Is this our chance to bring her on board?

“You deliberately deceived your family and married a stranger,” she begins, and my disappointment is so strong, I almost choke on it.

Asher throws up his hands and turns away, defeat written all over his face. “I’m sorry,” he tells me, and I nod. I was the one who insisted on this meeting first. Asher and Micah were all for letting Ronan threaten Grandmother from the outset.

“Grandmother.” I cut her off before she can say anything else, standing and walking forward to look her in the eye. “We’re taking our proposal to the village council and bidding for the land. The plan is a sound one. There’s no reason why it should be refused.”

“They’ll refuse it because I’ll tell them to,” she declares, and even I have to admit defeat. I shake my head and wait for Ronan to speak up.

“No.”

The word comes from an unexpected direction, and by the time I clue in that it’s Mom who said it, she’s already come to stand beside me.

“Dalia?” Grandmother’s question is a warning.

“No, you will not tell them to refuse it. You’ll look over the plans, and if they’re as sound as the boys say, you’ll vote in favor.”

I’ve heard my mother use that tone before—she learned it at her mother’s knee—but never when speaking to Grandmother. For as long as I can remember, they’ve always been on the same side.

“You didn’t even listen?” she asks now. “My son—your grandson—came to you, and you wouldn’t listen to him?” She shakes her head. “Asher was right. None of us have ever questioned your devotion, but that needs to go both ways. You need to recognize that we can make decisions for the good of the family too, without your interference.” Putting her arm around my shoulders, Mom adds, “Zac has been a credit to us all. I’m certain he could get a job anywhere in the world with his skills, and yet he stays here to look after the village.”

“They’d probably pay him anywhere else in the world, too,” Ronan says quietly.

Mom’s arm tightens. “What?”

Part of me wishes he hadn’t brought that up—we’ve tossed enough baggage around for one night—but it also warms me that he’s standing up for me. “He means I don’t get paid for my work here. None of us do.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Uncle Sol says, he and Uncle Hal standing and coming forward. “How can you not get paid? You work full-time for the village.”

“More than full-time,” Micah offers helpfully. “I looked it up once, and Zac’s doing the job of three people. But he doesn’t work for the village. He’s a volunteer.”

Mom turns me to face her. “You’re not on the village payroll?”

“Mother, how could this have happened?” Uncle Hal demands.

“Zac has enough money to support himself lavishly for the rest of his life,” Grandmother says stubbornly.

“So does the village,” Asher points out. “I would know, since I invest it. There’s plenty of room in the payroll for Zac to have a wage and staff.”

She glares at him.

“We’re getting off-topic,” Garrett interrupts. “While I agree that this is important and needs to be addressed—for Asher and Micah as well as Zac—the reason we’re here tonight is to discuss the ski resort.”

Grandmother’s adamant, though. “I will not support it.”

“Why not?” Uncle Sol sounds bewildered. “Why won’t you even look at the idea?”

“Because Zac needs to stop with foolish dreams and stay focused on the duties he has!” Her shout is like a slap, and my aunts look anxiously toward the doorway, no doubt worried the kids heard.

I huff. “Denying me the things I want isn’t going to keep me focused, Grandmother. Until now, that’s been my family. And yeah, my duty. But I could train someone to take over those duties easily and go find another place where I can do more. Where I’m allowed to explore new things that interest and excite me. Where my contributions are heard and valued.”

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