“Then I’ll make her breakfast and tell her you had an errand.” Meg set the eggs on the counter, ready to cook when needed. “Go shower. You’ve got time.”
Tyler hesitated, then looked at the phone where Anna was watching. “I’m sorry. For not telling you. For all of it.”
“We know,” Anna said softly. “Now go fix what you can fix.”
After Tyler disappeared into his room, Meg picked up the phone, carrying it back to the kitchen.
“You okay?” Anna asked.
“Processing.” Meg leaned against the counter. “Fourteen years, Anna. He carried this alone for fourteen years.”
“Not alone. He had Stella.”
“Two weeks at a time. With Fiona controlling everything.” Meg stared at the eggs, waiting to be cracked. “No wonder he’s terrified.”
“She really looks like him?”
“Exactly like him. Same eyes, same stubborn chin. The way she stands when she’s uncomfortable. It’s uncanny.”
“I need to meet her.”
“You will. Though fair warning—she’s prickly.”
“Good. Prickly means she’s protecting herself. Better than checked out.” Anna was quiet for a moment. “How’s it going to work? Living arrangements?”
“We’re figuring it out. Luke’s coming this morning to help.”
“Luke, huh?” Even through the phone, Meg could hear Anna’s smile. “How’s that going?”
“Now is not the time?—”
“Now is exactly the time. Our brother has a secret daughter. You have a not-so-secret marine biologist. The Walsh siblings are full of surprises.”
“It’s going well,” Meg admitted. “Really well. He’s been amazing through all this.”
“Good. You deserve amazing.”
Tyler emerged from his room, showered and dressed, looking marginally more human.
“I’m going,” he announced, though he didn’t move toward the door.
“Go,” Meg and Anna said in unison.
“What if?—”
“Tyler.” Meg’s voice was firm. “Margo will be there. She always is. Just... be honest.”
“Right. Honest.” He grabbed his keys, paused again. “If Stella asks?—”
“You had an errand. Go.”
Finally, he left. Meg heard his truck start, pull away.
“Think he’ll actually tell her?” Anna asked.
“He will. He’s more scared of losing Margo than anything else.”
“Even losing Stella?”
