“Oy,” Susan muttered when really only the crisp, ripe tones of a good curse would do the job. Oh, how her mother would shake her head if she glimpsed the inner workings of her daughter’s mind. The dancing had come as a shock, so maybe a cursing daughter wouldn’t spring at her mother like a jack-in-a-box.
“Is it going to create problems with the show?” Maggie asked.
“No, my producer is talking about champagne. The only one who might suffer backlash is me. The public love Nolan. I’m not sure how they’ll react to me and Tyler.”
Nolan’s phone started ringing not long after six. His father, always an early riser, must have answered. When it rang again, Nolan groaned and crawled out of bed. After rapidly dressing in jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, he padded along the passage. The cool tiles beneath his bare feet startled him even more awake, and he retreated to grab a pair of socks.
“Tea?” his father asked.
“Thanks. Who’s ringing?”
His father jerked his head in the direction of the newspaper. It was spread open on top of the kitchen counter—something to do with the reality show, rather than a cattle problem. He accepted a mug of tea from his father, added milk and sugar and walked over to see what had everyone’s fingers pushing buttons this morning.
“A love triangle,” he scoffed. “People believe this crap?”
“They were seen together,” his father said in a careful voice.
Nolan turned away from the paper and leaned his butt against the counter. It didn’t matter. He’d made his decision and intended to follow through. “I thought I’d shift the heifers down to the creek paddock after breakfast. Do you want to help?”
“I’d like that, son.” His father seemed to have aged in the last week, yet he stood tall with shoulders straight. Nolan could only imagine how the burden of that secret had felt over the years. “I thought I might ask Tyler to go to the pub for a drink.”
“That’s a good idea.” Nolan paused, thought an instant. “Why don’t we go out for a meal together at the pub? Go for Sunday lunch and ask Eric and Josie to come. If we go for lunch, then Katey could attend.” The extra people would help the conversation flow and take some of the pressure off Tyler.
“We could do that?” His father sounded so grateful Nolan felt as if he were the parent.
“I’ll give Tyler a call.”
The sharp squeal of brakes outside the house made them turn toward the kitchen door. A loud thump sounded on the door an instant before it flew open and his mother swept inside.
“Elizabeth,” his father said. “Would you like a cup of tea?”
“No, I wouldn’t. I’m too angry to drink tea.”
Nolan sighed. What was new? His mother stomped around angry at the world.
Her sharp eyes spied the open newspaper on the counter. “I see you already know. That tart. I knew she was bad news the moment she told everyone she was a dancer. She’s been an embarrassment from the moment she bared her bottom on public television. And Tyler.” Her cheeks grew crimson as she wound into full-out temper. “Like his mother. I bet this was a game to him. He’s nothing more than a man-slut, going around getting women pregnant and stealing women who belong to other men.”
“That’s enough,” Nolan said in a sharp voice, the instant his mother showed signs of slowing her tirade. “This is my house, and I don’t want to listen to you insulting Tyler.”
His mother rounded on him, a vein pulsing at her temple. “You’d stand up for him—after what he’s done.”
“This fight is between you and Dad. Tyler is innocent in this mess. None of the problems in your marriage are his fault. He was a kid, and you treated him like crap.” He held up his hand when his mother showed signs of another explosion. “I haven’t been the brother I should have been to Tyler, and I intend to try to make amends. He’s a good man, a responsible one, and he doesn’t deserve your verbal and mental abuse. Stay away from Tyler or you won’t like the consequences.”
“But—”
“I mean it, Mum. If I hear any gossip going around Clare, I’ll take steps. I’ll tell everyone the truth if I have to.”
Elizabeth gaped at him. “You’d stick up for Tyler?”
“He’s my brother.”
“He’s made a laughing stock of you,” Elizabeth snapped.
“Gossip won’t kill me.” Something his mother should take on board.
“You’re taking your father’s side in this,” Elizabeth said in clear disbelief.
“I’m taking Tyler’s side,” Nolan said. “You’re both old enough to take care of yourselves. Dad, do you want to eat before we go?”
“Yes,” his father said.
“I need to make a phone call,” Nolan said. “I’ll do it in my room.” Without waiting for an answer from his parents, he strode from the kitchen. In his bedroom, he picked up his phone and pushed speed dial. “Hey,” he said.
