A half smile lifted the corner of my lips. “I’m bound to screw up, but I’m man enough to own it.”

“You didn’t used to be.”

“I didn’t use to be a lot of things.”

“Okay,” he said slowly, as if he’d come to some sort of decision. “I have more than enough on my plate with Dad and running my accounting business—”

“Plus the whole mayor thing,” I added.

“I think we both know that running Alba isn’t exactly a full-time job. Point is, my hands are full. And I know you technically don’t need it, but you have my support for the mine. I still think it’s a shit decision that has the potential to get people killed, but I’m trusting your skills. I’m trusting you. So while I’ll voice my concerns often and loudly when it’s the two of us, I’ll back you when it comes to the council.”

“Really?” I kept my voice as neutral as possible, not letting hope or disbelief change the tone.

“Really.” He shrugged. “If I’d known why you were doing it, I hope I would have been on your side from the get-go.”

“But you’re on it now.”

“I am. And we can talk about at-home care for Dad. Let’s have dinner at my place this week. I’ll show you the research I have and Dad’s finances, and maybe we can figure something out together.” The pressed line of his lips told me what his words didn’t—he didn’t want to give up any control, but he was willing to try.

“I’ll bring the food.”

“Sounds good. I’ll let you get back to your…” He glanced around the building that was way worse off than it had been when we were kids.

“My giant wreck,” I offered.

“Your giant wreck,” he agreed, then smiled. “Later.”

“See ya.” I sent him off with a wave.

When his shiny blue truck passed the doorless entry of the mining building, I went back to my inspection, mentally cataloging all the structural problems while replaying the conversation with Xander in my head.

Sullivan would have smoothed everything over effortlessly.

“He’s going to kill me when he figures out what I’m really doing. You know that, right?” I said softly. “Sure, there’s a slight chance I can win him over, but you know how he is.”

I moved to the window frames on the south side of the building, taking a minute to climb over the fractured support beam that had fallen from the ceiling before I’d even left Alba.