Free Web NovelChapter 211: What family looks like (4)
The conversation quickly shifted from Nolan to the family finding out what everyone had been doing in their spare time.
Victor found himself unable to stop smiling. Dinner with Scarlet’s family was far different from what he experienced in all his years of having dinner with his parents.
Everyone at the table seemed genuinely interested in knowing what someone was doing. There wasn’t any bickering. Only laughter as they shared jokes.
While today was off to a rocky start, Victor thought it was the most he had ever felt relaxed. First, he had enjoyed drinking with Owen and now he got to experience what family was to look like. Dinner should be used to enjoy food and be caught up on what everyone was doing, not eating in silence to then yell at each other.
Not only did Ian’s return make it possible to finally have a brother, but Victor found himself a family he hoped to blend in with.
"Alana, have you set your sights on anyone yet? I can accompany you when you need an escort to parties. I do nothing but sit around these days. I would love to play matchmaker," said Samara. freewēbnoveℓ.com
Scarlet had already skipped the fun part of attending parties and getting dressed up. It wasn’t too late for Samara to enjoy the rush of it all with Alana. She was once good friends with Alana’s mother so it felt like her duty to do this for her old friend.
"Thank you. I will attend the first party with Scarlet and then I will send the invitations to you for you to help me pick," Alana answered.
Samara had her connections all through the town so Alana knew she would find a good match.
Samata clapped her hands. "Wonderful! This gives me a reason to look around for some dresses to wear. Leonard, you will need some dancing shoes."
Leonard frowned as the thought of having to attend parties sounded like one big headache. He was not fond of crowds or dancing. Especially at a time when everyone was so interested in his daughter’s relationship.
What would it take for the town to lose interest in dancing or parties altogether? Leonard would make a good contribution to the cause.
"Father is already over this idea," Scarlet noted.
Scarlet always found it funny to see that when her social butterfly mother and her antisocial father had to make plans. Regardless of her father’s disinterest in attending parties, he would not have her mother go alone.
Since the other Collins could not reach Scarlet, they had no other choice but to start to bother her parents. Scarlet had never seen a group of people so after an estate that did not belong to them.
Scarlet’s attention went away from the group once more as she felt Ian squeeze her hand. "Use your words, Ian. Certainly, you are not too shy to speak?"
"I am not shy. You haven’t been looking at me enough," said Ian.
Scarlet looked away from Ian to Rue who had been watching them. Just from her grandmother’s smile, Scarlet knew their hand-holding was exposed. Nothing got by Rue. "Do you want me to stare at your head all night? To look like I am crazy or I cannot go a second without seeing your face?"
"That would be nice," Ian replied, liking the idea. "Thank you for suggesting."
"So Ian, are you a good hunter? Victor as well?" Leonard questioned, his attention fixed on Ian. Ian was surprisingly still around Scarlet so it meant that the relationship might go somewhere serious. It was time he got to know more about Ian without Scarlet around.
"I do not know how to hunt," Victor answered. His mother wouldn’t allow him anywhere near a gun.
"I think I would do well at hunting. Are you planning to go hunting?" Ian questioned, up for the challenge.
"I am thinking of coming here to do a bit of hunting to prepare for the contest on our family trip. The two of you should join me that day. Wear something comfortable," said Leonard.
Rue rolled her eyes at the talk of guns. Where did she go wrong with her son? ’Guns? They can do that but I cannot see him against Ryan. How is that fair? Eli," she whined.
"Should we ever be alone, I can show how well I can use a sword," Ian said, trying to cheer Rue up.
"Right,’ Rue said, having a wonderful idea in mind. All she had to do was get rid of everyone who would get in her way. "Then, I look forward to that day. Victor, are you excited to go to the border?"
"Somewhat. I think it is the wrong time for me to leave Ian’s side but I must think about my health. I have never gone so far out of Lockwood so I am excited to travel. I will do my best to not make you regret using your time to help me," Victor promised.
"Oh, he’s a little cutie, isn’t he? Trust me, you might like it there so much that you do not want to return to Lockwood. There are far fewer rules so you can be whoever you want. I must warn you not to insult anyone living there as it is a quick way to die," Rue warned Victor.
Anyone judging or insulting those who came from the border might find themselves thrown into a cell or beaten for their horrible words. The nonsense that was allowed to be said in Lockwood was not allowed there.
Victor had nothing to fear since he wasn’t like others to call anyone who lived at the border barbarians.
"You should become well acquainted with Ryan since he will be leading the way there for us and he is in charge. You will be staying in his manor. Now, I’m ready for some food. Can someone start sending it around? I hope Herbert enjoyed the flies I gave him," said Rue.
Scarlet almost choked on the wine she had started drinking again. Her father shared the same concern at the mention of Herbert. Every year there was some animal to take the name. There was never a dull moment when her grandmother’s pets were around.
"Grandmother, what is Herbert this time and has he been here since you arrived?" Scarlet questioned, hoping it wasn’t so. One of her grandmother’s pets should not be here with Sunny.
’Of course. We couldn’t leave him behind and Scarlet, from his food you should know that he is a spider. Don’t worry since I placed him in the room you have given to us. As long as no one opens the door, we should be fine," Rue said, missing the concern that everyone else at the table had.
Samara was thrilled to hear about a spider. It was the one thing she didn’t enjoy about Leonard’s parents. "Is it tiny?"
Rue laughed. "A big hairy fellow."
