Page 45 of Love Is Brewing

But this was more than just her career.

She didn’t know what was going through her father’s mind other than maybe he was just missing her.

Kind of sweet in a way.

Yet he’d encouraged her to do this.

Supportive. That was what both of her parents had been for their children.

Sounded like Elias had that too from his mother and siblings.

Funny how her mind went right to the man that she wanted to get to know better.

If they could find some time for that to even happen.

“You know your mother and I only want the best for you and your brothers. And we’ll be here to make sure you get it. But something tells me you’re good on your own trying to prove it to everyone.”

15

SOME KIND OF FATE

“You’ve made it three days in a row,” Elias said to Talia. It was nine and his sister was in his office asking to be shown the packaging process.

“Did you think I’d give up already?” Talia asked. “That I’m afraid of hard work?”

It was the stubborn angle of her chin.

His baby sister was standing on her own and making him aware that she was tired of being babied.

Talia even stopped saying she wanted to move out of his mother’s home even though she was making money and could afford it.

Probably couldn’t afford what she wanted and nothing as nice as the basement apartment in the house West had built.

“I don’t think you’re afraid of much,” he said. “But I don’t think this is anything you’re interested in either. I want to make sure my staff and I aren’t wasting our time training you for you to go somewhere else quickly.”

She sighed. “I know,” Talia said. “I don’t want that either. I was talking to Nicole.”

“Nicole Masters or Nicole Rider?” he asked.

“Your community events person in the office,” Talia said. “I don’t know last names yet.”

He should have figured that out. “Masters,” he said. “What were you talking about? Is it events you’re interested in? We don’t do a ton. It’s a new thing.”

“That would be fun,” Talia said. “But it was more about community relations. She was on the phone with someone about what you did at Christmas. They discussed the donations you collected and how you divided them in the community.”

Something he’d done for years.

People could round up their purchases and that money would go to those less fortunate in the county. There were plenty.

“What about it?” he asked.

“Can I learn more about that? I got thinking, you know, Mom was alone with eight kids. And she never wanted help and I bet there were times she could have used it.”

“Yes,” he said. “West worked and helped when he could. Mom got some help.”

His mother didn’t want it known, but she got assistance with food and other utilities. His mother received the max survivor benefits, but it only stretched so far.

“I know,” Talia said. “Mom hated it all though.”

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