Unforgettable (Cloverleigh Farms #5)(87)

“He is. But he didn’t know that when they met,” I said quickly. “Tyler and I lost touch after my pregnancy. For reasons that are too complicated to go into here, we never talked about the birth or the adoption. We only reconnected a few weeks ago, when he came back to town for his sister’s wedding.”

“I had no idea who you were when I started working with you,” Tyler said to Chip, leaning forward, elbows on his knees. “I only realized it after April got the letter from your mom with a photograph. I was totally shocked.”

“I know the feeling,” Robin said, hands covering her cheeks. “This is—this is—”

“It’s a lot to digest all at once,” I said. “And I’m sorry to blindside you. We’re still processing it too. But . . .” I looked at Tyler. “We felt it was better to get the truth out right from the start.”

“That’s why you left, isn’t it?” Chip asked Tyler. “Because you found out about me.”

Tyler’s expression was grim. “At the time, I thought that was the best decision. I was trying to protect you.”

“From what?” Chip looked confused.

“From media attention.” I squeezed Tyler’s hand. “Tyler is still a hot topic, and the stories are not always kind. He was concerned that if it got out he was your biological father, you’d find yourself the subject of a lot of tabloid gossip. He didn’t want to embarrass you.”

“I’m not embarrassed to be your biological son,” Chip said, as if he was surprised anyone would even think it. “Not at all. I think it’s really cool.”

“You really think media will care that much?” Robin glanced at Chip with maternal concern.

“Unfortunately, I think we have to plan for that,” I told her. “I wouldn’t have guessed it before, but after seeing firsthand how they manipulate and distort things to grab eyeballs, I believe he’s right to be concerned.”

“Grab eyeballs!” repeated Cecily. “Ew!”

“She doesn’t mean grabbing actual eyeballs,” Chip explained. “She means get people’s attention.”

“Oh.” Her feet began swinging again. “I think it would be kinda cool to be in the news.”

I smiled ruefully at her. “It would be, for the right reasons.”

Tyler spoke up. “This is completely up to you, Robin. April and I are willing to handle it whichever way you think is best for your family. We could try to keep completely silent and hope for the best, or we could try to get out ahead of it.”

“How would we do that?” Chip asked.

“Tyler’s family knows a local reporter we could go to with the story,” I explained. “That way we could go public with it on our terms.”

“I’m thinking . . .” Robin rose to her feet and paced back and forth. “I used to work in PR. I think Tyler is right. What if we made this a story about family ties, about how adoption can create all kinds of wonderful nontraditional family relationships? You see all those stories now about DNA testing and how people are discovering their roots and connecting with people they didn’t even know they were related to. Those are uplifting stories that make people feel good, don’t you think? This could be that kind of story.”

“I agree completely,” I said. “That’s a great idea. I love the idea of a pro-adoption story. Tyler?” I looked over at him.

“I’m all in, whatever you guys decide.”

Robin looked at Chip. “How do you feel about this, honey?”

“About being related to one of the greatest pitchers in the game? I think it’s awesome.”

“I don’t know about that,” Tyler said, but I could tell he’d liked hearing it. “And maybe you should take some time as a family to talk it over. There will be reporters calling, possibly knocking on your door. People at school will talk.”

“I’m okay with it,” he insisted. “I’m more than okay with it.”

Robin looked at us and smiled. “I think we have a plan.”

“Good.” I rose to my feet, and Tyler followed suit. “We should go—I have to get over to Cloverleigh for an event tonight—but we’ll be in touch soon.”

“Sounds good.” Robin shook her head. “I’m still trying to wrap my brain around this. Life never stops throwing you curveballs, does it?”

“Nope,” Tyler said. “I can attest to that.”

Chip rose to his full height, and it struck me again how much he took after Tyler—even the way he got up from a chair. I wondered if there were other similar idiosyncrasies they’d discover over time. “Is it okay to tell my friends?” he asked.

“It’s okay with me,” Tyler said with a shrug. “My family already knows.”

“And we told my parents last night,” I added. My parents had reacted the same way we all had—with shock and disbelief giving way to joy and excitement. They couldn’t wait to meet Chip, their bonus grandson, they called him, and my heart had filled with love and pride at the way they treated Tyler. He’d been so nervous, but they’d welcomed him with a hug and a handshake, and made him feel at home.

“Did you really?” Robin smiled and shook her head. “I remember your mother very fondly. How is she?”