Page 79 of Falling Again
Natalie made a show of rolling her eyes. “I’m not about to shoot you, Alice. No need to look that scared.”
With everyone in their separate corners of the house, Anthony got down to business with his father. The Snyder men were not known to beat around the bush.
“I don’t want to muck this up,” Anthony said, pacing around the kitchen. “Nat and the kids—” his throat closed on the words and Anthony had to focus on breathing. “We’re back on track, and it’s amazing.” His father nodded, but didn’t interrupt. “I know it sounds cheesy, but I think going to the lake house was the first step in finding ourselves again. Dad, we want to buy the house.”
Steven reached out, clamping a hand on his son’s shoulder. “Anthony, I can’t make any sweeping promises. Hell, I’m probably the last person to give marital advice. But here is what I know.” Steven sighed and collected himself. Anthony could tell by the pulsing vein in his father’s temple that this conversation was just as awkward for him.
“It’s okay, Dad,” Anthony said, struggling to keep his own emotions in check.
Steven shook his head, determined to get the words out. “No, it’s fine. You know us Snyder men.” He cleared his throat and pulled his hand back, carefully running it through his thinning white hair. “We like our emotions bottled up tighter than our favorite single malt scotch.”
Anthony chuckled, appreciating his father’s attempt at humor. In fact, Anthony was enjoying the entire encounter, even though it was stilted and uncomfortable. Honestly, that might be why Anthony was enjoying it. Their conversation was so beyond their normal interactions it made him smile.
After another moment, his father straightened up and finished sharing his words of wisdom. “When Alice was born your mother and I struggled for a while.” Anthony raised an eyebrow, clearly missing this when it had happened. “It sounds similar to what you and Natalie were facing. Your mother, bless her, was exhausted, and I was glued to my desk in town hall, not thinking about anything beyond the poll numbers and reelection.”
Anthony recalled some of those chaotic days. “I remember that a little.” No point in spoiling his father’s mood when they were finally talking.
Steven laughed, a sarcastic sound that echoed in the empty kitchen. “Let’s be real, son. I know your mother was upset for a while. And it was entirely my fault. I worked myself stupid trying to prove something to someone. I don’t know who––maybe the town. Maybe to my own father. But that’s not the point I’m trying to make.” Steven took a step closer to his son and let out a long breath. “What I’m trying to say is make sure you don’t forget the three people in this house. You’re doing a great job running the town. And I can speak from experience that Buckeye Falls runs better with a happy mayor. That old adage about ‘happy wife, happy life’ is true. The days I made it home for dinner and got to see your mother smile were the days that kept me going.” Steven stopped talking and blinked back tears. “That lake house was one of the happiest places for us, both as a couple and with you kids. I’m happy to sell it to you.”
Anthony exhaled and nearly fainted with relief. Swiping away at his cheeks, he tried to stop the tears from falling, but it was no use. “Thank you.”
“Is it safe to come in?” A familiar voice asked from the doorway.
Anthony and his father turned around to see Alice standing there, her hands nervously toying with the hem of her shirt. “Why wouldn’t it be?” their father asked as he swiped at the dampness on his cheeks.
Alice took a tentative step inside the kitchen and smirked. “Oh, I don’t know. It sounded a little emotional. We Snyders tend to avoid that at all costs.”
Anthony laughed. “Not anymore we don’t.”
Looking skeptical at best, Alice shrugged. “Are you guys drunk?”
“Not nearly enough,” Steven said as he pulled down three glasses from the cupboard. “I think we all need a shot.”
Alice gawked as her father slid a glass toward her. Anthony knew this gesture meant a lot more than she was showing, but he kept his mouth shut. Alice would figure out Alice in her own time. If nothing else, the last few weeks had shown that they were all still finding their way in the world—and in Buckeye Falls.
“What are we drinking to?” Alice asked, her glass poised in the air.
“To family,” Steven said, clinking his glass with his son and daughter.
“To family,” Anthony and Alice echoed, their glasses ringing out between them.
With a flourish, Anthony threw his head back and felt the warm burn that only expensive scotch provided. The scene in front of him was so foreign, yet so wonderful he could barely see straight. His musings were interrupted when Alice slammed her glass down and belched. “Excuse me,” she laughed at their father’s grimace.
Saving his sister from an etiquette lesson, Anthony asked, “Want to order some takeout?”
“Only if it’s Thai,” Alice said, turning and winking at their father. It was a very poorly kept secret that Thai was their father’s favorite. Judging from his expression, he appreciated his daughter’s suggestion.
Anthony studied his sister a moment. She seemed a little different, and he wasn’t sure if it had to do with Natalie’s offer. “Did you talk to Nat?”
Studying the patterns on the countertop, Alice finally made eye contact. “Yeah. And I think I’ll take it.”
Their father looked between his children, clearly out of the loop. “Take what?”
Alice took a deep breath and turned to her father. “Natalie needs some part-time help in her office. The schedule works with my other job, so it seems like a perfect fit.”
Both Anthony and his father balked at her statement. “Other job?”
Alice cocked her hip. “I’ll have you know I found employment.”
