A Father's Name(51)
Bart saved her from trying to explain. “It’s okay, Mom. I stopped in to ask if I could have the car. Cessy called. There’s a whole group of us who want to head into Erie for a concert on the Bayfront and I have the biggest car.”
Tucker cleared her throat.
“Uh, you have the biggest car. So, can I borrow it?”
“You know the rules.”
“I can’t take more kids than I have seatbelts, and no horsing around while I’m driving. No phoning or texting. You know, I’m not a new driver.”
“More accidents happen to drivers under twenty-one than any other age group, so you’re new enough.”
He sighed. “You’ll still be giving me advice when I’m thirty, right?”
“Being a kid might end when you turn twenty-one, but being a parent goes on and on and on…”
Bart shook his head, a smile marring his seriousness. “You like lecturing, but because I’m a good son, maybe I can help spare you a lecture by giving the heads-up that Pops is on his way over.”
Tucker took a step away from Tyler, putting more distance between them. “Thanks. Home by midnight, okay?”
“No problem, Mom.” He turned and left with a quick wave behind him.
Hoping to avoid an uncomfortable confrontation with her father, Tucker scooped up Jace and started toward the door. “I’d better head up to the house. I’ll try to intercept Pops.”
“Your father doesn’t scare me, Angel.”
She drew her shoulders back. “He doesn’t scare me either. I thought you’d work faster without the distraction.”
With Jace on her hip, she made it as far as the hall before Tyler called, “Angelina?”
She turned around. “Yes?”
“Your father doesn’t scare me, but he’s right. We should end whatever this is between us. The Matthews are coming into town and they’ll be helping with Jace. Maybe that will give you some time to think about what’s happening here.”
“We’re friends…with benefits. I’d rather keep you as a friend, as for the benefits, well, if you’ve stopped wanting me?”
Tyler wanted to lie, but he couldn’t, so shook his head. “Not even close to it.”
“Well, then…” She grinned and wiggled an eyebrow suggestively.
“But you should stop wanting me and start looking for someone else.”
“I’ve looked at men for my entire adult life…and I never have a problem letting go when the time comes. I simply don’t think that time has arrived for us. Not yet.”
“Soon, Angel. The time should arrive sooner rather than later.”
She didn’t bother answering him, and made it into the work area before she spotted her father. “Hey, Pops.”
“Angel. What’re you and Jace up to?”
“Dinner at my place.”
Her father glanced around, as if expecting to see someone. “Where’s Tyler?”
“Finishing up some paperwork in my office.”
She waited for him to say something about Tyler handling the books. But he didn’t, so she waited for him to warn her off—again. He didn’t do that either. Instead he came over and took the baby from her arms. “Hey, champ. Want to go fishing again tomorrow?”
Jace babbled a happy response.
“Do you mind?” her dad asked.
“It’s not for me to mind. Tyler has to…” She realized it had been a trap.
“Well, then, I’ll go check with him and let you and Jace get back to making dinner.” He plopped the baby back into her arms and strode for her office.
“No one ever said he wasn’t sharp,” she muttered to Jace as she walked toward the house.
TYLER LOOKED UP as Angelina’s father walked in.
“So, you’re still helping out with the paperwork?”
“Angelina isn’t a fan of doing it, and given all she’s done for me…” He shrugged because there was no way to repay all she’d done for him.
George Tucker checked over his shoulder, then turned around and said, “She seemed mighty at home with that baby on her hip.”
“Yes. She’s great with Jace. I’ve learned a lot from her about coping with a toddler.”
George nodded. “She was a good mom. Is a good mom. Even when she was so young, she was good at it. I always hoped she’d find the right guy and have a passel more kids.”