Page 96 of Tempting the Heart

“Yes, Sir.” Tyler smiled.

“Don’t, yes, sir, me.” My dad chuckled. “It’s good to have you back on Marigold.”

“The same can be said for you two,” Tyler said, grinning. “The girls missed you, and I think Brad even shed a tear or two.”

My mom beamed and nodded. “One thing is for certain. Your dad and I found out that we’re not nomads. We don’t like to travel. All we wanted was to be at home with Dottie, check in on the store now and again, and get some real coffee from Mae’s.”

“Mom, you’re kidding me. You had a chateau, for crying out loud. How could you not love it?”

“There’s three more weeks on the rental if you want it,” my mom offered.

I glanced at Tyler and chuckled. “No. I really don’t want to go anywhere else.”

Tyler nodded and reached for my hand. “Yeah. I think we need to stay home for a while.”

Surprise washed over my dad’s features. “Home, huh? You thinking about moving back to Marigold, Son?”

Tyler glanced at me and then nodded at my dad. “Yeah. I rented a place down the road from Mae.”

My dad scowled. “Why didn’t you just move in with her?”

“Dad.”

Audrey laughed and shook her head.

My dad looked confused. “What? It would save money.”

“Her house isn’t any bigger than a shoebox. I’m sure that’s not great for any new relationship,” my mom explained.

“Although, how many nights have you spent at the rental?” Audrey teased.

Tyler chuckled.

My mom looked at Tyler as she picked up Dottie. “You know, I hate to ask, but how are things with your parents?”

“I’ve set some pretty big boundaries. They’re in a place that can look after them, and I don’t plan on knowing much more than the basics.”

My mom nodded sympathetically. “You’ve done more than most would, Tyler. I’ve always admired you for that.”

“Thanks. It’s just not a game worth playing anymore.” He looked at me. “There’s too much at stake if I lose.”

My parents nodded in agreement. “We’ll always be here for you, Tyler.”

He nodded and smiled at my parents. “Honestly, I can’t say thank you enough for all the times you gave me the encouragement I needed or showed up to my baseball games. It meant a lot.”

“You were as much our son as Brad.” My dad nodded. “You got dealt a crap sandwich there with your folks. There’s no denying that.”

My mom reached over and squeezed Tyler’s hand. “We’re thrilled to have you back home, but speaking of home, I’m bushed.”

“Me too.” My dad hugged each of us and followed my mom and Dottie down the pier.

Audrey yawned and stretched toward the sky. “I’m tired too. I’ll see you both around.”

I gave her a hug and watched her wander away before I turned to Tyler.

“And then there were two.” I looked into his eyes and smiled. “Do you think she’s really given up on love?”

Tyler shook his head. “Not Audrey. If there’s anyone who’s persistent in the love department, it’s her.”

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