“Sure, that’s the reason,” Hope said, dragging her eyes from Newman, because it really was none of her business what was being said between father and son.
“I’ll be a minute, Mikey. You and Faith get the boat down to the water.” She should be minding her own business, but didn’t seem to be able to stop her feet from heading to where Newman stood.
“You owe me for taking you in, Paul. Owe me for giving you a home. I never expected you to repay me with betrayal.”
Mr. Newman was talking softly, but Hope could hear his anger as she approached.
“This is not the time for this conversation,” Newman said quietly. “Half of Howling is around us, for pity’s sake.”
“As you have been avoiding me, this is the only place I knew I could get you to talk to me. You’ve ruined my reputation in this town. Patrick McBride came to see me yesterday to ask for the inflatable boat I was using, back.”
“Why were you borrowing his boat when you have one of your own?”
Resentment flashed across his father’s face.
“His is bigger.”
Hope hadn’t spoken more than a handful of words to Mr. Newman in her life, and never really noticed there was no resemblance between father and son, until now.
“He has a right to his boat back, Dad.”
“Before he left, he said that you had grown into a wonderful man, whom he respected hugely, and how proud I must be of you. He wouldn’t have said that if he didn’t know you were adopted.”
“Like I have already told you, I no longer want my birth to be a dirty secret. You may believe that, but I don’t, and nothing you can do or say will make me see otherwise.”
“You would be nothing without me!”
Anger had Hope moving to Newman’s side. She glared at his father.
“How dare you speak to your son that way!”
“Hope, it’s all right,” Newman said.
“No, it’s not. How could you have raised him to believe he owed you anything but love, when in return that was all he expected from you. You had no right to make him believe his birth was anything but a miracle!”
Mr. Newman glared at Hope. His eyes were too close together. She hadn’t noticed that before either.
“This does not concern you, young lady. I know all about your type.”
“Don’t speak to her like that.” Newman stepped forward, but Hope blocked his way. She shook her finger at his father.
“You, sir, are a disgrace. It’s really another miracle that your son has turned out to be the kind, caring, wonderful man he is, which, I may add, is no thanks to you.” She turned and hugged Newman hard, before walking away. Her anger carried her back to the boat.
“Thank you.”
He must have followed her.
“I just said what was needed. I’m sorry, Newman, I know he’s your dad, but he’s not very nice.” Hope kept her eyes on his bare chest. Not a hardship, really.
“I know, and I’ll put him straight on the ‘I owe him’ business. It felt good, by the way.” He tilted her chin so their eyes met.
“What felt good?”
“You standing up for me.”
“He made me angry.”
“Remind me not to make you angry in the future then.”
