Cam nodded. “That’s what I thought.”

A murmur went through the crowd. “That was for you,” Cam whispered.

He’d turned the tables on my dad and called him out publicly, just like Dad had done to me in the diner. Dad let spite rule over public interest…in an election year.

“Alexander.”

I sucked in a breath as Cam addressed his brother.

“You and I have discussed how the proceeds from opening this mine to tours will allow us to generate enough income to keep our father in his own home with proper care. It will let us keep the promise we made to him. Surely you wouldn’t vote against keeping our dad in his home, would you, Alexander Daniels?”

Xander didn’t look out over the crowd, simply leaned forward and stared right at Cam. “I’ll do anything to keep our dad happy and healthy. Aye.”

The crowd applauded, and Cam clutched me in a quick hug, but I took one look at Dad and Xander and couldn’t help but feel that though we’d gained a win, we’d lost something, too.

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen

Camden

“Take it easy, Dad.” Xander tried like hell to ease Dad into his seat in the dining room as I took the one on his left.

“I’m not a child. I can do it.” He waved Xander off and stared at the pasta in front of him.

“It’s your favorite. Shrimp fettuccine,” Xander said with a forced smile.

“I know it’s my favorite. What, did you think I forgot or something?” he grumbled but picked up his fork.

Xander and I glanced at each other before starting our own lunch. There was a tentative truce between us for moments like this, but it felt like the Cold War. We put on a good face in front of Dad and built up our arsenals behind the scenes.

“Where’s Dorothy? Why aren’t we eating in the kitchen?” Dad’s brow furrowed.

Xander sighed, so I jumped in.

“Dorothy only comes on Thursdays or whenever she wants to stop by now,” I told him again. He’d been home from the hospital for two days, and they hadn’t been the best in terms of his memory. “You have a team that comes now, remember?”

“I don’t need a team.”

“Nikki is with you Monday through Thursdays, and since it’s Wednesday, she’s here today. You’ve got Dan and Sandra taking over nights and May taking the other days. I’ve got a schedule with their pictures posted by your bed, your seat in the living room, the refrigerator, and the message board in the hallway. Do you want me to put it anywhere else?” Not arguing back was my new thing. I wasn’t entirely sure it was going well.