Page 82 of Galen's Redemption
When he finished outlining it, he leaned forward. “I need your help on this. If you’re willing. It’s going to raise a lot of hell, and you’ve got your brother—”
“Yes.”
“Yes?”
“Oh, I am so in. This is genius, Galen. Pure and simple. I don’t know why no one else thought of it.” She grinned, and it kind of scared Galen. “When do we start?”
He held outa hand, which she shook enthusiastically. “We just did.”
“HOW’S YOURchili?”
Galen looked up, his gray eyes twinkling in the fluorescent lights. Robert had done his best to be patient, to give Galen time to open his mind—and heart—to a new way of life. Now that they’d both professed their love, he could finally set about claiming what he wanted.
“It’s delicious.”
Robert laughed whenGalen grabbed a roll and swiped it through his bowl, then shoved it in his mouth. He’d come a long way from pampered rich boy to someone who found the joy in bread and chili.
Galen narrowed his gaze. “Why are you staring at me?” he asked around a mouthful of food.
“Just thinking.” Robert smiled. “You know, I never thought I’d have the chance to tell you I love you. I mean, you’re from a rich,powerful family, and I’m…. Well, I’m not.”
Galen swallowed hard. “No, you’re wrong. You’re the one with the rich and powerful family. It was easy to see from the first time I walked in their house. Your mother treated me like I belonged, and your dad sat and talked with me. Those kinds of things never happened in my house.” He put his spoon down. “Your mom said that it wouldn’t be too long beforeI called her and your father Mom and Dad.”
“Good. I hope she’s right.”
“You… do?”
“Yep. Brian does it because he needed a family when his kicked him out. To this day he’s only shared that story with Tom and our mother. It’s why Mom works so hard to take care of him, because he needs her to mother him. When he first came home with Tom, he wanted to run away. My folks went to him like you woulda scared animal. They were gentle, coaxing. They let him come to them at his own pace. Now? He calls them Mom and Dad because he’s our family.” Robert reached out and took Galen’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Just like you are. So if you want to call them Mom and Dad, I think you should.”
“O-okay.”
The fact that Galen didn’t argue said a lot. He needed a good family to take him in. Onewho could see past his mistakes and help him find a brighter future. In short, he needed Robert and his family.
“So… I did something today, and I probably should tell you about it.”
Robert pushed his bowl aside and leaned on the table. “Okay, shoot.”
“Remember me telling you about Olivia, my former assistant? I went to coffee with her today to discuss a project I have in mind. It might comeback to bite me in the ass, so I’m going to let you know in case you’d rather not have me working at the shelter.”
“Nothing you say will have me taking back the offer of a job. I—no,we—need you.”
A flush ran up Galen’s neck into his face. “Okay. I might have an idea how to get my father off my back and, at the same time, get Olivia—and others my father has screwed over—some satisfaction.”
This sounded intriguing. “Lay it on me.”
“When I was teasing you in the office earlier, I asked what others would think if they saw you kissing someone on staff, and it came to me. What if the world knew what my father was doing? How he lied, threatened, and basically tarnished reputations to get what he wants? This whole MeToo movement? It was tailor-made for someone like him.”
“I agree. Sowhat’s your idea?”
“Olivia and I are setting up a website. She’s contacting people who my father fired and getting their stories. We’re going to post them online so people can see what kind of man he is.”
“That’s…. Wow. Remind me never to piss you off.”
Galen chuckled. “We don’t have the money to win in court, but we can win in public opinion.”
“Can’t he sue for slander or defamation of character?”
“That’s assuming he has any character.” Galen grimaced. “Sorry. I told Olivia I wasn’t going to let my bitterness keep hold of me.”
