“A lot of this depends on you, son,” Eric said.
Tyler wasn’t sure he liked where this conversation was going. He took a seat at the breakfast bar and eyed Eric. “Okay.”
“Josie and I have talked about taking an overseas trip ever since we got married. The time was never right.”
They wanted him to look after the farm. No prob. He’d done it before when they’d had weekends away with friends and other family members. “I can look after the farm.”
“No, that’s not what we mean,” Josie said, taking over. “We’ve decided to sell the farm.”
“What?” Tyler swallowed his shock and forced his mind to gallop ahead. He’d have to find somewhere to live, pay someone to look after Katey while he worked each day. Hell, he’d need another job.
“Josie was a city girl before she married me,” Eric said. “Her parents left her a property in Remuera. You know that, right?”
“Yeah, Rebecca told me. Isn’t it rented out?”
“The lease falls due at the end of next month,” Josie said. “We’ve decided not to renew the lease, but instead we’ll move to Auckland. We’ll live there for part of the year and travel as much as we can.”
“That’s great,” Tyler said, forcing enthusiasm into his voice while panic threatened to overtake his control. It was gonna be a hell of an adjustment for him and Katey.
“We want you to come with us,” Eric said.
“If that’s what you’d like,” Josie said. “The house is huge and there is a separate dwelling, which used to belong to the caretaker. It has two bedrooms.”
“You could see Susan,” Eric said.
Both of his in-laws stopped talking and observed him closely.
Tyler’s mind had stuck in a rut, dug at the start of the conversation. “You want to sell the farm?”
“Eric’s heart isn’t in farming anymore,” Josie said. “We didn’t think it was what you wanted to do for the rest of your life either. You could go back to university, concentrate on your art.”
His breath caught. The road on the other side of his mind-rut was a long, sloping hill. He sailed down that hill, mentally screaming with exhilaration. No. He wasn’t going to get excited—not yet. He’d had his dreams ripped away before.
Tyler gazed from Eric to Josie. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Eric said. “You’re family.”
A knock sounded at the door.
“Who the hell is that?” Eric grumbled. “It’s sparrow’s fart o’clock in the morning.”
“I’ll get it,” Josie chirped.
In the distance, a male voice rumbled. Josie returned a few minutes later.
Tyler stared at his brother. “What are you doing here?”
“Tyler,” Josie chided.
“No, I deserve that,” Nolan said. “Dad and I wondered if you’d all join us for lunch at the pub on Sunday. Katey too.”
Tyler stared at Nolan for a long time. “Did you see the paper?” he asked finally.
“Yep.”
“And?”
“I can’t talk about the show.” Nolan checked his watch. “I’d better go. Got a plane to catch.”
