Triple Diamonds (Mystic Nights #2)(12)
Tawny sighed in frustration. “Yes, and they are in the process of cancelling their credit cards too. But still,” she added shaking her head morosely, “We need these security cameras in place sooner rather than later. That’s six this month alone. Our reputation is on the line. We don’t want people hearing about this—they won’t think it’s safe to come here for a weekend getaway or vacation.” She turned to Joseph looking him in the eye. “I really want you to handle this personally for us, Joseph.” He kept his shock to himself. He knew his mother and brother were incredibly busy with their new projects, but this wasn’t exactly his field of expertise. But he wouldn’t say no either. He’d work with Tom Watson, their head of security and make it happen. He thought it might be a test, and those suspicions were confirmed with his mother’s next words. “Do you think you have time with your busy schedule, now that you are running for tribal council?” There was no note of sarcasm in her voice, but her eyes told him more. She wanted him to commit himself here. To the casino. The family business. The life-blood of their people.
He knew this was also her attempt at asking him whether he thought he could handle both jobs.
“Yes, of course. I’ll get the contracts ready for the new employees and talk to Tom about who we used for the other cameras. We can get them in this week. I’m sure.” He didn’t mind the new task set before him. It was his job to handle the employee contracts and business contracts for outside help anyway. This would reduce the boredom of his otherwise tedious job. He knew how important the success of the casino was. It was vital to all of his people, too. And that had always been why he wanted to pursue a political career. But for some reason she never voiced, she’d always tried to steer him away from it. He added, “I’m sure I can handle both. Not a problem. And, after the campaign and if I win, I still plan on continuing my work here. Tribal council member isn’t a full time job, it’s not like the Senate or the House.” She narrowed her eyes and looked away quickly. He saw the flash of annoyance, or was it regret? He didn’t know. Her mask was already in place and she was back to business as she looked down at the reports on her desk. She did have a lot to do. His guilt ate at him a bit.
His mother was the hardest working woman he knew. He wanted to give her more reassurance. “As tribal council member, I’ll have the Saturday morning meetings. I’ll have to do some research, and attend some conferences on occasion. And there may be a workshop or two scheduled each month. It’s for the people. Our people,” he added.
She looked up and saw her son smiling at her with concern in his eyes. He was so like his father. Always wanting to do the right thing. Never wanting to disappoint the people he loved. Joseph had a big heart. He was noble, kind. But look where that had gotten him? Alone. Miserable most of the time, sacrificing for others while he went without. It wasn’t the life she wanted for their son. But she knew in her heart her son was choosing his own path. She couldn’t deny him that. She returned his smile. She hated to do it, but she needed to let go of her dreams for him and let his pursue his own even if it meant heartache. She could accept it, but she didn’t have to like it.
“And what about the volunteering?” she asked knowing how much he loved to do that.
He sat up in his chair. “Yes, I still want to do that too. I like doing it. It’s early in the morning. They need the help. I like being with those kids.”
Again she nodded and gave him a smile. It was his path, she reminded herself, his choice, and he was helping out with a community endeavor that needed support. But again, she would prefer he find some girl, have babies of his own, like Jonathan was doing. “Okay, Joseph. You can do it all. But, if it becomes too much, you let us know.”
Joseph knew that had been hard for her to admit, let alone say aloud, and so he agreed. It was a big step for him and his mother. He felt his brother’s hand clap him on the back with a show of support.
“I will. And I can. The council meetings and prepping for them shouldn’t be too time consuming, but I want to play a part. I’ll continue to do my volunteer work at the youth center in the mornings, and any reading or research for the committee meetings with the reserve I can do in the evenings.”
“And you will do a great job, Joseph. You always do.”
Tawny watched the exchange between brothers and was warmed by it. Being barely a year apart, they had always remained close, and she was glad for that. They had each other. She hadn’t been an only child, but her one brother had been a decade older than she, and she missed out on having a family member close in age to be that rock. It was one of the reasons she had been happy when she became pregnant with Joseph so soon after Jonathan, though both were unplanned. Both shocking surprises. And then when the girls were born seven years later, they had each other. None of her children would be alone. And she had them. It was enough, she thought as she told herself not to dwell on the past. She hated that she was getting more nostalgic with age. She missed her brother, too. He had died ten years ago of lung cancer. “Okay, if that is your path, I will support you. I love you, but I just want you to know you’ll have no time for a social life, and what social life you will have, as a public servant, will be scrutinized. Are you prepared for that?”
Joseph refrained from rolling his eyes. His mother was . . . His mother. “Mom, thank you. Your support means everything to me. And I’m glad to have it, but it’s not like I’m a senator, or running for the presidency. I just want to serve my people, here.” He enunciated the last word to let her know he had no plans to leave Lantern Hill. Not anytime soon. His heart was here with his people.