A Father's Name(22)

Tucker didn’t feel insulted, she simply got specific. “You’ve got me, Pops and the guys at work. And we need you back at the garage, so bring Jace to me Monday morning.”

“Tucker, I couldn’t.”

“You can and will. Bart’s working as a lifeguard at the Sunrise Foundation’s day camp this summer, three days a week, so he’ll be around a few days to help, and I’ll stick some toys in the front office and that portable crib. Jace can hang with me while I do the dreaded paperwork each day.”

“What about your painting?”

“I can do that after hours, or schedule it so I can do it on Bart’s days off. And Pops is around. Odds are he’s going to grumble, but he loves kids. He’ll help. This isn’t the first time Tucker’s Garage has dealt with a baby. North and Joe weren’t around when Bart was little, but it was nothing to see Lou holding my son as he talked to a customer, or Pops talking softly on the phone in his office because Bart was taking a nap. We’ll make it work. Come in on Monday and bring a diaper bag.”

“Tucker, I couldn’t—”

“You can. You work for Tucker’s Garage. It’s okay to need and accept help, Tyler,” she added. “When I had Bart, everyone pitched in and I never felt as if I was doing it alone. You’re not going to either.”

“But—”

Tucker knew that laying down the law was sometimes the easiest thing to do. “I’m the boss, so there’s no butting. Bring him in on Monday.”

He cracked the ghost of a smile. “You’re trying to sound scary, but it doesn’t work.”

Tucker sighed. “Yeah, that’s not the first time I’ve been told I’m not scary. But be that as it may, bring him. You’ll find someone permanently soon enough, but until then, we can make it work.”

Tucker saw that he was going to protest some more. “Hey, I’m not looking for a permanent babysitting career. Been there, done that and as soon as Bart heads to college this fall, I’m done. I’m planning to start living my life for me.”

“What plans?”

Tucker felt relieved that he was smiling. “Big plans.” She tried to think of something she’d do when Bart was gone…something different. “Maybe a cruise?”

Tyler chuckled. “Yeah, you’re wild.”

She shrugged. “I don’t really know how to live a life where all I have to worry about is me. But I’ll figure it out. And you’ll figure out how to handle Jace.”

“We’re sort of living life in opposite directions.”

“We’ve always had that opposite…uh, thing going for us.” She’d almost said opposites attract, but had managed a nice save.

Tyler nodded, as if he understood what she was saying, which was great because Tucker wasn’t entirely sure herself.



Tyler still looked confused. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

Tucker stood. “You don’t have to try and thank us. It comes with the job description.” She pushed her chair back under the table. “So, I’ll see you both on Monday, bright and early.”

He nodded. “Fine. We’ll be there.”

She made a dash for the front door before he could change his mind, or start arguing again.

“Hey, Tucker,” Tyler said, the baby on his hip as he followed her.

Damn. She’d almost made a clean break. She kept her hand on the doorknob as she turned. “Yes?”

“I have never claimed to understand women, but I’ve decided you’re more mystifying than most. I was under the impression you didn’t like me, so I’m not sure why you’ve gone out of your way for me, but I appreciate it.”

His statement surprised her. “I never disliked you, Tyler. I thought we covered this before—I was put out that Pops had hired you without consulting me. And of course, he’d just told me he was retiring. You know that phrase, it isn’t you, it’s me? That applies here. I didn’t not like you, it was simply a lot to process.”

“It wasn’t only that first day at work,” he said with a shrug. “You always said no when I asked you out.”

“Well, I’ve told a lot of guys no—doesn’t mean I disliked them, only that I didn’t think we’d suit each other. Suits.” She remembered joking with Eli over being asked out by a guy who would always be better dressed than she was. “That was part of it. We’re just so different. I couldn’t see the point in us dating. That doesn’t mean I didn’t like you.”