A Father's Name(25)
“Sir, I know I don’t know your daughter that well, but it seems to me, if Angelina wanted something, she’d go after it.”
“Oh, you’re right, but the thing is, she’s never known anything other than working at the shop and hanging out with us. There might be more that she wants, only she doesn’t have enough experience to recognize it.”
“I see your point.” Still, Tyler believed that if Angelina felt shorted, she’d go out and rectify that.
“I talked to the guys,” Mr. Tucker continued, “and we’ll all pitch in until you can work out something else for the baby.”
“Thank you, sir.” Tyler didn’t know what else to say. “I mean it, thank you. For everything. For the job in the first place, for letting me take last week off, for the help. Just thanks.” There was nothing more to say after that. He headed back to the Ford.
George Tucker called, “One more thing,” and stopped him in his tracks.
“I’ve seen how you look at my daughter.”
Tyler immediately started to argue. “I—”
Mr. Tucker cut him off. “There’s no use denying it.”
Before Tyler could come up with a response, George Tucker clapped a hand on his shoulder. “I like you, son. Always did, and it had nothing to do with the expensive cars you drove and the business you threw our way. I liked you. That hasn’t changed. I believe in second chances, but I also believe my daughter deserves more than someone who’s had trouble with the law. Do I make myself clear?”
Tyler nodded. “Crystal.”
“Fine. Now, I’m going to see if Tucker will loan me Jace for a bit. We’re going to pull some weeds in my garden. It’s shady enough this time of the morning, he won’t get burned.”
“Thank you, sir.”
They went inside and Tyler watched Angelina’s father stroll toward her office.
He totally understood Mr. Tucker’s concern. The man had been good to him, offering him a job when no one else would. Pitching in to help with Jace until he could get things settled.
But more than a good friend, he was a great father who only wanted the best for his daughter. Some men might take offense at his concern, but Tyler didn’t. He wanted the best for Angelina, too. And he, better than anyone else, knew that wasn’t him.
For a while he’d thought he’d overcome his past, but here he was, exactly where his father had been—an ex-con who worked in a garage with a kid who was relying on him.
Oh, he didn’t drink like his father, but otherwise he’d have to be blind not to see the similarities.
Angelina deserved more than he could ever give her.
So, he’d accept her help for his godson’s sake, but he’d look hard and fast for another alternative.
Angelina had been thrust into adulthood when she was little more than a child herself. When Bart went to college in the fall, she’d finally have the opportunity to live for herself. To be independent.
He wanted that for her.
That and so much more.
Tyler went to work on the truck, and tried to put thoughts of kissing Angelina out of his mind.
He didn’t need her father to warn him off.
He’d see to that himself.
“HEY, POPS. YOU TWO done in the garden?” Tucker asked a few hours later as her father came into her office.
“We got most of the weeding done. Jace finds worms highly entertaining, and slightly edible.”
She must have looked upset because he hurried to assure her, “Don’t worry. I didn’t let him eat it. But it was a near thing.”
“I’m pretty sure Bart ate a few things I’d find less than palatable, so I’ll try not to sweat it. But maybe we should get you something better to snack on?” she asked Jace as she took him into her arms, then turned back to her father. “I got finished the Burhenn’s paint job on that Jeep. It’s the first time someone asked me to airbrush a Jeep.”
“When you’re good, you’re good. Doesn’t matter what your canvas is.”
“Thanks. I’m going to try to get Jace down for a nap, then make some calls. The guys all said they’d stagger their lunches, so he can play with them and I can go back to the paint room.”
“Sounds like you’ve got it all under control.”
“I think so. Bart’s home at three and said he’ll get him then.”