Beautiful Burn (The Maddox Brothers, #4)(99)

“She’ll like it just fine,” Mother said, blatantly dismissive.

“Meredith,” Daddy began.

“Philip,” Mother snapped, her voice rising an octave. She smiled, regaining her composure. “We agreed that it would be good for Ellison to find her place in the company and be an active participant in paying her bills.”

“Ellison disagrees,” Sally said. “And she’s doing very well.” She smiled at me. “She was paying bills before we moved her to the condo.”

“Ellison doesn’t have a choice,” Mother said.

“Actually, she does,” Sally responded. “She could just as easily move into a different apartment if you insist on holding it over her head. I’m sure that’s not what your intention was when you secured it for her. I recall you being very concerned about her recovery and wanting to offer something to reduce her stress level.”

“Sally,” Mother said with a stiff smile. She patted her mouth with her napkin. “You work for me, not for Ellison.”

Sally didn’t flinch. “I’m an independent service, one which you sought out to help you guide Ellison to a better life. She’s happy. What you’re proposing is the opposite of that. Especially now, in the beginning of her recovery … Meredith. You can’t honestly think this is what’s best for your daughter at this time.”

Mother glared at Daddy, waiting for him to interject.

He sat up, clearing his throat and chewing quickly. “Your mother”—she glared at him—“and I … feel that now that you’ve moved past your college … ways … that your place is at Edson Tech. She’s taken great care to create a station that includes photography, and she wants you to have the position and respect you deserve. It’s been very difficult for her to think of her daughter as a secretary, or this … dirty, camping, forest person snapping pictures of squirrels.”

Tyler leaned forward. “I’m sorry, sir … have you seen Ellie’s work? She’s not photographing squirrels, she’s documenting the containment of large wildfires around the U.S., and she’s very, very talented. She’s published, and she’s sought after. She’s given up a few offers, including National Geographic.”

“Really? That’s so great, Elliebee,” Finley said, a proud smile stretching across her face.

“Thanks,” I said.

Tyler grabbed my hand under the table, and I sat up tall. “If you want me to move out of the condo, I’m happy to do that. But I’m not quitting my job.”

Mother narrowed her eyes at Tyler. “I suppose this has something to do with him.”

“No, actually, it’s just about me loving my job. But I also love him, and taking a job with Edson Tech would mean moving to the East Coast, and I want to stay in Estes Park.”

Mother rolled her eyes. “It’s a tourist town, Ellison. It’s not somewhere you plant roots.”

“That’s not true,” I said. “My roots are pretty firmly planted.”

Tyler squeezed my hand.

Mother put her elbow on the table and pinched the bridge of her nose. “You’re really marrying a firefighter, Ellison? No offense, Mr. Maddox, but how do you plan to provide for our daughter?”

He tossed his napkin on the table, his shoulders relaxed. “Ellie doesn’t really need me to support her financially, but I make six figures annually, Mrs. Edson. That ain’t bad.”

“Really?” Daddy said, intrigued.

Tyler shrugged. “I make a lot of overtime, and hazard pay is the tits.”

“Is the…?” Mother began.

“He means it’s lucrative, Mother,” Finley said, glancing at me.

“Well,” Daddy said, loosening his tie. “I think it sounds like they’ve got it nailed down.”

“No, it most certainly does not,” Mother said. “This boy—”

“Meredith,” Daddy barked. “That’s enough.”

Finley looked down, her mouth infinitesimally curving upward. It didn’t happen often, but we both loved it when Daddy finally reined Mother in.

“I don’t see why Ellison can’t stay in the condo as long as she likes. We’ve purchased a New York apartment for Finley, after all.”

“Finley’s not an addict,” Mother hissed.

“Neither am I,” I said. “I’m a recovering addict.”

Maricela brought out a tray full of crème brulee, passing out a small white bowl to my parents, Finley, Tyler, and me.

“Mother,” I said, taking one bite of Maricela’s specialty before I spoke. “Maybe it’s time you accept that your dreams for me are not mine. I’ve made a lot of mistakes, and broke your heart, and for that, I’m sorry. I have a long way to go and much to make up for, but I won’t apologize for wanting to keep a job I love and being engaged to a man who has been everything to me. We might have to get our hands dirty for a paycheck, but … I love being gross with him.”

Tyler’s mouth pulled into a half-smile.

“I want to see some of those features, young lady,” Daddy said.

“Yes, sir.” I smiled.

“Dinner was amazing. Thank you,” Tyler said.

Daddy stood up as we did. “It was nice to meet you, Tyler. Looking forward to hearing some of your stories.”