“But my half siblings?” He shrugged. “It’s not my place, and they don’t need to live with it the way I did. Unless Olivia or Avery feels like they need to tell them. They’re close.” He ran a hand over his eyes. “I wish he hadn’t shown up last night. I could have kept it to myself.”
“Maybe that was a sign you’re not meant to be alone in all things,” his mother mused. “Ever think of that? You have a family you can share things with.”
“You’re right. I’m just coming to appreciate everyone even more now.” Seeing how alone Ella was, how could he not be more thankful for his own family support and unconditional love?
Emma cleared her throat. “What about Savannah?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Wish I knew. I guess that’ll play out if her kids find out. And to be honest … if you get someone by cheating, can you really expect anything different?”
“No,” she murmured.
“All I know is, this time I can live with things a lot better, knowing I’m making my own decisions. Not ones Dad demands.”
“You’re thinking for yourself. Like the strong, intelligent man you are.” She touched his cheek. “Don’t lose sleep over your father, honey.” She shrugged. “I’m really not sure what else to say.”
“I think you’ve said it all. You straightened my head out after so many years. I just can’t believe I kept it to myself all this time.”
“So … what about you and Ella?” his mother asked, changing the subject abruptly. Clearly she was finished with Robert Dare.
“In the beginning, the issues were my own.” Or at least that was what he’d thought.
“What do you mean?” she asked, studying him with the concerned gaze of a loving parent, reminding him how lucky he was to have had her to counteract his callous father.
He rested his arms on the cool countertop. “Well, for years, I felt like I ran out instead of facing emotionally tough decisions. Case in point, not telling you about Dad and Savannah.”
“For God’s sake, you were all of fourteen!”
“How about joining the Army to get away from him? Instead of sticking by my family and being here for you all?”
She shook her head, her lips drawn into a firm line. “Tyler Dare, at eighteen, I don’t think anyone makes truly perfect, rational decisions. And if you joined the Army for those reasons, then you needed to get away, and you deserved to live your own life. Make your own choices and mistakes. What else are you carrying around like a ten-ton weight?”
He decided to keep that night with Ella to himself. The same with Jack going AWOL. He already understood the pattern he’d weighted himself with wasn’t an accurate one. He hadn’t run, he’d made choices that were the only ones he could make at the time.
“Nothing. I understand things better now.” He understood himself better. “I was worried I couldn’t commit to Ella … or any woman because of my past choices. But I see now that wasn’t the right way to view things.”
“You’re sure?” his mother asked. “Because we can sit here all day until you understand that you’re only responsible for yourself and your decisions. And none of the ones you’ve made have been so awful.”
He grinned at her, knowing she was right.
“Good, because it’s life. We live and we learn.” She rose and kissed his cheek. “What about Ella? Does she understand that?”
Tyler groaned. “I wish she did, but she has more to work out.” He paused, then decided to confide in his mother. “She received a letter from her father in prison. Apparently they’ve been estranged for years. I want to help her get past it, but she has to be ready.”
Emma nodded. “Knowing she has you, that has to make things easier. The poor girl’s been alone for too long.”
If Tyler had his way, she wouldn’t ever be alone again. But Ella had a lot of practice doing things on her own, and that made him nervous. It had him wondering if she’d even be capable of truly opening up her heart.
“Thanks for understanding, Mom. Thanks for everything.” He kissed her cheek.
“Always.” Emma smiled, back to the bright, happy expression she’d had when talking about her grandbabies.
“Now I need to get back to this baking or I won’t be ready for tomorrow’s class. Do you want to stick around? I’ll let you eat the scones when I’m finished.”
He laughed. “I’ll take a rain check.” He had a woman to pick up from work, and they had important things to discuss.
* * *
While visiting Olivia and her baby, Ella experienced an unexpected jolt of longing, similar to the one she’d felt while watching Tyler hold Meg’s baby boy. Considering how much she had going on in her life aside from Tyler—someone trying to break into her apartment and her estranged father rearing his head—she didn’t need any more emotional upheaval on her plate.