CHAPTER ELEVEN
What had he done?
For two long, lonely weeks Tyler contemplated that question, and he always came to the same conclusion. He’d given up and left Whitmore Acres again, proving Brianne couldn’t trust him.
The truth was tough to swallow.
Tyler gave Sweet Justice a gentle nudge with his booted foot, and the horse followed his lead, accepting the slow, lazy pace as they followed a gently flowing creek on Armon’s property. Tipping back his hat, he gazed at the stretch of fertile land before them and automatically thought of Whitmore Acres.
Home. He wanted to go home. There was an emptiness inside him that grew with each passing day, one that only Whitmore Acres could fill. He missed Brianne, and Daniel. And the freedom and contentment the ranch had offered him.
But would Brianne welcome him home after the furious, abrupt way he’d left?
Yes, he’d been angry with her for not telling him the truth about Daniel, but now that he had time to think about her actions, he understood them for the protective instincts they were. Survival tactics honed by years of Reed’s cruelty. She’d wanted to keep Daniel safe from emotional harm, as she’d learned to do during her marriage to his half-brother.
There was no doubt in his mind that she’d married Reed because she’d been pregnant with Daniel when he’d left, not for the ranch like he’d originally believed. Her only greed stemmed from giving her son, their son, a better way of life than what she’d had. And he could hardly blame her for those motives.
Imagining her alone and frightened at eighteen wasn’t difficult to do, or envisioning Reed taking advantage of that vulnerability. And it was his own fault she’d married Reed. He’d been undependable nine years ago, and with this latest stunt of his he’d only validated every one of Brianne’s fears, that she couldn’t depend on him for the long haul.
He loved her, and hadn’t told her. He’d wanted her trust, but how could he expect her to give him something so elemental when he hadn’t given her the best reason of all to extend that trust? And he did love her, with all his heart. A heart that was empty and aching without her. He wanted the three of them to be a family, like it should have been so long ago.
The thought made him spur Sweet Justice forward, toward Armon’s ranch. He was going back to Whitmore Acres. Back to his heritage, to fight for what belonged to him. Back to where his love belonged.
For the first time in two weeks he smiled, though he knew going home and facing Brianne wouldn’t be easy. But it was time for him to stop running and to face their problem of trust head-on. Believing in one another was a two-way street, a partnership of give and take…and there was only one thing he could do to offer Brianne the best reason of all to trust him.
Marry the stubborn woman.
Brianne couldn’t concentrate on the contracts for Roman Warrior’s services she needed to peruse and sign. Instead, her mind was consumed with thoughts of Tyler, the way he left, and most of all, the way she’d pushed him back out of her life.
Two weeks had passed since he’d packed up Sweet Justice and drove off the ranch. Not a day went by that she didn’t think about him, cry over him, and wonder if the sorrow of losing him again would haunt her for the rest of her life.
He’d called for Daniel a few times and was always polite but curt to her, saying no more than the few words it took to request his son. It hurt, but what had she expected when she’d been the one to drive him away?
Blinking back a hot rush of tears, she pushed away from her desk and went to her office window, her heart feeling as heavy and sluggish as her footsteps.
For a long time she stood there, watching Daniel with Jasper as they worked on his reining lessons. Daniel was a lot like his father in the saddle, she thought, a small smile managing to break through her gloom. Agile and fluid, he moved with a natural grace that belied the power of the horse beneath him. He was fiercely dedicated, and just as determined to be the best rider his “Uncle Tyler” had ever seen.
Brianne knew he’d succeed. She’d expected him to withdraw after Tyler’s departure, but instead he’d immediately started his lessons with vivacity and a driving purpose that amazed her. His ambition also brought on a bout of motherly concern. Everything Daniel did these days was motivated with the hope that his uncle Tyler would return to the ranch. What would her son do if he knew she was the one keeping Tyler away?
Even Jasper had developed an attitude, sulking around as though he’d lost his best friend. He never failed to remind her how much help Tyler had been around the ranch, and what an exceptional trainer they’d lost. Even her clients were telling her how much they’d enjoyed Tyler’s professionalism and knowledge of their stock, and his ease and gentleness in breaking the horses. More times than she’d care to recall she’d been told “it was a shame she had to lose such a fine partner and trainer,” followed up with “was there any chance of Tyler returning?”
Sighing wearily, she leaned her forehead against the cool windowpane, wishing the crushing despair weighing her spirits down would dissipate.
A broken laugh left her. “You brought this all on yourself, Brianne,” she said to herself, her voice catching on a fresh swell of tears. “All because you were terrified of depending on Tyler.” Terrified of trusting him again. Terrified of him leaving again. Terrified of being hurt again.
Yet her worst fears had been realized, and she had no one to blame but herself. She’d continually pushed him away so she wouldn’t get hurt, and now here she was, hurting anyway. The pain went soul-deep, filling her with a hopelessness she couldn’t escape. She missed Tyler. Terribly. Missed his laughter, his teasing, even their arguments.
Would the tears and misery ever end?
Taking a steadying breath before another onslaught of emotion pulled her under, she glanced around her office, absorbing the changes she’d made over the past three years. She had everything a woman could possibly want. A handsome, smart son, a nice home, and a thriving business that had the potential to grow as large as she wanted it to. She’d worked hard on this ranch, had labored to bring it back from the verge of bankruptcy…yet she had no one to share all the triumphs and tribulations with.
She didn’t have the man she loved. And Daniel didn’t have the man who was his true father. A dad who would love him and guide him with a gentle but firm hand. Didn’t she owe Daniel that much? Didn’t she deserve to be happy with the man she loved? The only man she’d ever loved.
“Oh, Tyler,” she whispered miserably. “What have we done?” Were they both so full of pride and hurt that nothing would breach the chasm of old, painful memories between them?
As if her thoughts conjured him, Brianne watched his truck and trailer drive down the dirt road to the stables. Her heart pounded so hard in her chest it hurt, and she had to refrain from the urge to run outside and throw herself into his arms and never let go.
Had he decided to return for Roman Warrior after all?
He got out of the truck, and before he’d taken five steps Daniel was out of the corral and racing toward him. Her son catapulted himself against his chest, and Tyler hugged him fiercely.
A huge lump formed in her chest. The love between the two of them was obvious and very painful to watch. Is this what she had to endure every time Tyler decided to visit? If so, it was going to kill her.
Tyler said something to Daniel and her son pointed toward the office. With an affectionate tug on Daniel’s Stetson, a few more words, and a wave toward Jasper, Tyler headed in her direction, his stride purposeful. It was then she noticed the piece of paper in his hand and wondered if this was, indeed, purely a business meeting.
He entered the office and closed the door behind him, then turned and met her gaze. “Hello, Bree.”
There was no animosity in his dark blue eyes, unlike the day he’d left. Instead, she detected a possessiveness that unnerved her and made her immediately defensive.
“Tyler,” she acknowledged, moving away from the window and back behind the safety of her desk. She had no right to ask him what he was doing here, considering he still owned half the ranch. “Just in the neighborhood?” she said, striving for a lightness she was far from feeling.
“You could say that,” he said, slowly moving toward her. “I was paying a visit to our lawyer and I thought I’d drop this off.” Standing across from her, he let the piece of paper in his hand drift to the surface of her desk. “What do you think?”
Curious, she picked up the legal-looking document, and when she realized what it was, her hand began to tremble. Through a haze of oncoming tears, she stared at the deed granting Daniel Tyler’s share of Whitmore Acres.
“What’s this for?” she asked in a strained voice, though the significance of the document was achingly clear. Tyler was presenting her with the opportunity to sever all ties to him.
“It’s what you wanted,” he said steadily, his gaze giving away nothing. “Complete independence and stability.”
Her breath caught at his selfless gift, when she’d done nothing but think of herself and allow her fears to overrule her heart. Tyler was willing to give up his dreams for her!
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I can’t let you do this.”
“No?” He lifted a brow, but he seemed surprisingly stoic for a man who was giving up his home. “It’s a done deal, Bree. Signed, sealed, and delivered.”
She wanted to ask him if this was it, the last time either she or Daniel would see him, but she couldn’t get the words past the tightness in her throat.
“Oh, I almost forgot,” he said, frowning as he pushed his Stetson back on his head. “The deed comes with a stipulation.”
She frowned and glanced back at the document, looking for a fine print and finding none. “What kind of stipulation?”
Crossing his arms over his chest, he swept his gaze over her. “That I get you and Daniel in return.”
She sucked in a startled breath, certain she’d misheard him. “What are you talking about, Tyler?”
“I’m talking about being a family. I won’t settle for less.” He started around her desk, his steps as determined as the light in his eyes. “I never should have left.”
“I pushed you away,” she admitted, anticipation filling her as he neared. “I was so afraid you’d never forgive me, for marrying Reed, and raising Daniel as his son.”
“Ah, Brianne.” Reaching her, he gathered her in his arms and held her so close she could feel the fast beating of his heart. “So much hurt.”
She closed her eyes and absorbed his warmth and tenderness. “I should have trusted you with the truth.”
“Yes, you should have,” he said, a smile in his voice.
She pulled back slightly, awed by the deep devotion shining in his eyes. “Can you ever forgive me?”
His fingers touched her cheek in a reverent caress. “I already have.”
Relief flooded her. Moving from his embrace, she tore the deed into four squares and stuffed the scraps of paper into the front pocket of his jeans.
“You don’t want the ranch?” he asked.
“What good is the ranch, and everything else when I don’t have the man I love? You’re all I’ll ever want. I do trust you, Tyler,” she whispered, knowing it was true. “And I love you.”
He smiled as though she’d given him a rare treasure. “That’s all I needed to hear, and that’s all we need to make it together.”
“You think so?” she asked, reflecting on all the hurt and anger they’d endured over the years.
He framed her face in his hands, his gaze dark, intense and brimming with love. “The past is the past. We’ve both made mistakes. Now, let’s make memories.”
Her heart was so full, it crowded her chest. “Wonderful memories,” she amended.
A sinful grin curved his mouth. “Yeah,” he agreed, just as his mouth covered hers in a hot, deep kiss that burned any lingering doubts she might have had into cinders.
When he finally let her up for air, she pressed her forehead against his, gulping for breath. She glided her hands up his muscular arms, touching him, wanting to make up for all the days without him. “I’m sorry for being so stubborn and blind.”
He brushed a soft kiss across her lips, then lifted his head. “You’re scared, and I know that. We’re gonna have our share of arguments, but you have to know I would never intentionally hurt you.”
“I know that.” As reluctant as she was to leave his arms, there was still one last issue to settle. She held out her hand to him. “I think it’s time Daniel met his real father.”
“Yeah,” he said, and slipped his hand securely in hers.
Together they went back outside and found Daniel by Tyler’s trailer with Jasper.
“You brought Sweet Justice,” Daniel said, hope filling his voice. “Are you staying, Uncle Tyler?”
Tyler glanced at Brianne, leaving the momentous task of answering that question up to her.
“Yes, he’s staying,” she said, a case of full-blown nerves making her voice quiver. “But there’s something I need to tell you, Daniel.”
He glanced from Tyler to his mother. “What is it, Mom?”
The moment of truth had come, and it felt amazingly right. “Daniel…” she said, beginning the introduction that would change the course of his entire life. For the better. “This is your father, Tyler Whitmore.”
“Uncle Tyler is my dad?” Disbelief shifted across his features. “Really?”
“Yes, really,” she whispered.
Tyler took a step toward Daniel, then hesitated. “My son,” he said, his voice shaky with emotion.
Tyler’s words were all the prompting Daniel needed. “Dad!” he said, sprinting the short distance into Tyler’s arms, openly welcoming him with his affectionate display.
“Well, it’s about damn time,” Jasper muttered.
The incredible joy enveloping Tyler’s expression brought tears to Brianne’s eyes. And then she laughed, because the moment seemed so perfect. Questions and explanations would come later, she knew, but for now, she was satisfied with the happy reunion.
After a long, emotion-filled moment, son and father broke apart. Tyler straightened and settled his gaze on Brianne. “If I’m going to be Daniel’s dad, what do you say we make it legal?”
Brianne held her breath, wondering if her dreams of nine years ago would finally come true, that she’d be Tyler’s wife and grow old with him. “Is that a proposal?”
He came to her. “Yes,” he said, gently pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re my life. My love. Will you marry me, Brianne?”
“Yes,” she replied as an indescribable happiness cascaded over her. She smiled, thinking how far they’d come and how bright the future looked. “Oh, yes. I love you, Tyler Whitmore,” she whispered.
Tyler had returned. This time for good.