Triple Diamonds (Mystic Nights Book 2) by MJ Nightingale Read Free Book Online Page A

volunteering?” she asked knowing how much he loved to do that.
    He sat up in his chair. “Yes, I still want to do that too. I like doing it. It’s early in the morning. They need the help. I like being with those kids.”
    Again she nodded and gave him a smile. It was his path, she reminded herself, his choice, and he was helping out with a community endeavor that needed support. But again, she would prefer he find some girl, have babies of his own, like Jonathan was doing. “Okay, Joseph. You can do it all. But, if it becomes too much, you let us know.”
    Joseph knew that had been hard for her to admit, let alone say aloud, and so he agreed. It was a big step for him and his mother. He felt his brother’s hand clap him on the back with a show of support.
    “I will. And I can. The council meetings and prepping for them shouldn’t be too time consuming, but I want to play a part. I’ll continue to do my volunteer work at the youth center in the mornings, and any reading or research for the committee meetings with the reserve I can do in the evenings.”
    “And you will do a great job, Joseph. You always do.”
    Tawny watched the exchange between brothers and was warmed by it. Being barely a year apart, they had always remained close, and she was glad for that. They had each other. She hadn’t been an only child, but her one brother had been a decade older than she, and she missed out on having a family member close in age to be that rock. It was one of the reasons she had been happy when she became pregnant with Joseph so soon after Jonathan, though both were unplanned. Both shocking surprises. And then when the girls were born seven years later, they had each other. None of her children would be alone. And she had them. It was enough, she thought as she told herself not to dwell on the past. She hated that she was getting more nostalgic with age. She missed her brother, too. He had died ten years ago of lung cancer. “Okay, if that is your path, I will support you. I love you, but I just want you to know you’ll have no time for a social life, and what social life you will have, as a public servant, will be scrutinized. Are you prepared for that?”
    Joseph refrained from rolling his eyes. His mother was . . . His mother. “Mom, thank you. Your support means everything to me. And I’m glad to have it, but it’s not like I’m a senator, or running for the presidency. I just want to serve my people, here.” He enunciated the last word to let her know he had no plans to leave Lantern Hill. Not anytime soon. His heart was here with his people.
    “Still . . .,” she murmured, her voice taking on a faraway quality about it. She glanced out her windows briefly seemingly lost in thought.
    Joseph took the bull by the horns. “Mom, I’m sorry I took you by surprise this morning. And, I should have discussed it with you sooner. But you must have known I’d try for it. I majored in political science before I went to law school. Ever since meeting Senator Silver when I was young boy, you know I’ve wanted this.”
    At that name being dropped, Tawny put her focus back onto her sons and watched them closely. Her longtime friend, a man who had helped her make The Mystic possible by helping her people gain their First Nation status, here in the state and in Washington, had left a mark on her young son. He’d been around from time to time and her son had always admired the man. He’d followed his progress on elections, issues, and platforms since high school, and had even worked with him one summer on one of his campaigns gaining valuable insight and knowledge. Again shaking her head, she knew it was destiny. Her son had always hoped to pursue politics. It wasn’t something she would have chosen for him, but she wouldn’t get in the way of his dreams either. She let out a sigh. “Okay love, like I said earlier, if it’s what you want, I’ll support you. But we need you here too, son.”
    “I’m not going