Tyler rubbed his hands over his face. “Fuck,” he said finally. He started up the car, and Susan stared at the blurry streets as they drove through the town.
They didn’t speak until Tyler pulled up in front of Nolan’s house.
“Are you sure?” Tyler asked.
“Yes.” Susan turned away and fumbled for the car door. She grabbed her bag and scrambled out, slamming the door before she straightened her back and strode to the house. Tears ran freely down her face and a sob broke free. She’d known telling Tyler wouldn’t be easy, but she hadn’t expected the pain that would crash over her, wrenching her heart and making her want to crawl into a dark hole.
Tyler drove home on autopilot. If he hadn’t had responsibilities at home, he would have detoured to the pub and tied one on. He thought…he’d never considered…fuck!
Nolan’s vehicle sat outside when he pulled up. Great. Just what he wanted. The only bloody good thing about this was that Susan wouldn’t consider a relationship with Nolan either. For the same reasons she’d rejected him.
He pulled himself out of the car and headed inside. Voices came from the lounge, but he ignored them to check on Katey. His daughter slept on her side, a multitude of dolls and soft toys tucked into the bed to keep her company. He studied her for a long minute, the ties of parental love making him ache. As much as he loved Suzy, he’d survive. They’d survive. He knew because he and Katey had done it before.
Silently, he stepped out of the bedroom and pulled the door closed. Facing the inevitable, he entered the lounge and came to an abrupt halt. He’d expected Nolan, but not his father.
“What’s up?” he asked, in no mood for socializing.
“Tyler,” Josie said in a chiding manner.
He straightened from his defensive hunch and tried for a welcoming grin. He suspected it was more grimace, but he’d made an attempt.
“Would you like a beer?” Josie asked.
Beer wouldn’t do. Not tonight. “Do we have any of that whisky left?”
Her look was searching and followed by sympathy, which made his gut roil.
“We need to talk,” his father said. “It’s easier to talk to both of you at once.”
“I’ll leave you to it,” Eric said, starting to stand.
“No,” Tyler snapped. “You and Josie are my family. You can stay.”
Eric sent an uncomfortable look at Tyler’s father.
Samuel Penrith gave a curt nod. “I deserve that. It’s okay. I’m sure I can count on your discretion.”
Josie returned and handed out drinks. Tyler’s hand curled around the tumbler of Scottish whisky. A healthy double.Thank you, Josie.
His father climbed to his feet. He took a few steps before halting behind an armchair. His big hands curled around the headrest, his knuckles turning white with the force of his grip. “I should have told you this a long time ago, but I promised your mother. Appearances are important to her.” He shook his head. “Before we moved to Clare, we lived in Ashburton in the South Island. Elizabeth is a demanding woman. I loved her, but our marriage was up and down. Rocky.” He sighed as he stared at his hands. “Full of drama. During one of those downs, I had an affair. I didn’t love Rochelle, and it didn’t take me long to realize I was a fool for jeopardizing my marriage. Elizabeth didn’t know about the affair, and I didn’t mention my slip. I’m ashamed to say I put my fling at the back of my mind and set it aside.”
Tyler gulped more of his whisky. Why was he telling them this? His father’s expression slunk into rueful and the foreboding slapped at Tyler, the urge to move striking him with hammer blows. Instead, he remained rooted to the spot like a mighty kauri. This was old history. Hell, he didn’t even like to think about his parentsdoingit. What kid did?
His father took a sip of his beer, his gulp loud in the edgy silence. He cleared his throat, his gaze fastening on the label of the beer bottle. “Things were going well between Elizabeth and me. We were happy. We had Nolan and we were trying for another baby. Then…” He seemed to drift for a moment before recalling where he was, his mission. “A year had passed since my affair. Rochelle and I hadn’t had any contact since we parted. Out of the blue, a lawyer contacted me. Rochelle and her parents were in a car accident—killed at the scene. There was a baby—my baby. Tyler, that baby was you.”
White noise roared through his brain. He stared at his father, watched his mouth move, didn’t hear a thing. A hand settled on his shoulder, yanking him free of his stall.
“Tyler,” Josie said, concern a furrow on her brow. “Are you all right?”
Tyler swallowed hard, turning to her. “Elizabeth isn’t my mother.” God, now so much made sense. The woman hated him, made no secret of the fact, except he’d never known why.
“Why did you take me?” he asked. His gaze slid to Nolan, and he could see his brother—half-brother—was as shocked as him.
“There was no one else. You were my blood. I couldn’t walk away.”
“What happened after the lawyer contacted you?” Tyler didn’t want to know, yet he couldn’t walk either.
“I had to tell Elizabeth the truth.” His heavy sigh seemed to come from the depths of his belly. “She didn’t take the news well. I told her I intended to raise you as my son.”
