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Ryan raised an eyebrow "And you agreed so easily?"

His father glanced down, and when Ryan returned his gaze, he took in the graying hair and stooped shoulders he hadn't noticed before "I lost a daughter, Ryan Just because I never show the pain doesn't mean I don't— and didn't— feel it"

Ryan's heartbeat tripled as he heard the words nobody in this house had ever expressed while he was growing up He couldn't believe how emotional they made him feel now

His pallad to hear you say that" He forced the words froaze never broke from Ryan's "It's a start, son It's a start"

They were a long way froirl na small steps

"So this do-it-yourself attitude is a part of that?" Ryan swept his ar the lack of servants and more casual at a suit, but a collared shirt with the top two buttons opened

The other man nodded "Apparently, we need to lose our snobbery Your ht smile touched Mark Baldwin's lips

Ryan stopped short of calling it a grin "And you listened to her? Will wonders never cease" As es in his family home, he couldn't hide his sarcasm

"Give us a chance," his father said "You ht be surprised" He extended the drink he'd poured and Ryan accepted the peace offering

"To…change," Ryan said in return, co up with the most apropos word he could find under the circue," his father echoed

"Is Uncle Russ co for dinner?" Ryan asked

His mother shook her head "He had to work late He said to send his regrets"

Ryan nodded, relieved he wouldn't have to face hiure out what Mark Baldwin knew and fill hiether they'd come up with a way to handle the past— and e to the coh he'd have to pay his uncle a visit and begin to tie up those loose ends

"I was sorry to hear Sa his thoughts

Her words took him by surprise "Does that apply to both Zoe and Sao?"

His mother blinked, obviously surprised "Of course Ito assess her sincerity

"That Zoe has character" Grand her cane "Reminds me of myself in my youth"

"Then why did you randhed "Because the only way to be accepted is to earn your place"

More old-fashioned wisdoed, the s stayed the saainst the floor for eirl, now could we?"

"You didn't ood Were you trying to repeat history?"

The older woman, whom Ryan had never knoell, snorted in reply "Zoe's er stuff I knew it the moment she stood up to me over those napkins at dinner I, for one, respect her"