A Father's Name(66)
They all loved him.
He was part of their family.
And Tyler realized that despite himself, so was he.
“Tyler?” Henry said. “You still there.”
“Yeah. And I heard you. I could have my old life back. But you’re wrong, I can’t go back. I think we both know that.”
“Then you could build a new life, one with a clear name.”
That was something different. If clearing his name would have made him the man for Angelina, he might have agreed, but even then—he looked at Jace so happy—he wouldn’t do it. The price was too high. “I—”
“You only have to meet with them Friday,” Henry interrupted. “Noon, lunch at that restaurant in the Convention Center’s hotel.”
“If I meet with them, that will be it? They’ll back off?”
“Yes. I can see to it that they do.”
Tyler sighed. “Fine. I’ll meet with them on Friday.”
“You won’t regret it, Tyler,” Henry said. “I’ll meet you there.”
“No, Henry. I don’t need an attorney for this. I’ll show up and tell them thank you, but that’s it. I’m not doing it.”
“I’ve only been involved in criminal cases for a few years, Tyler. And I’ve had a lot of different clients. Some who were innocent. Some who weren’t. I had one person who readily admitted she was guilty of the charges, but claimed she was an accidental arsonist. Carly’s the one who made me rethink my career as a contract lawyer and switch to criminal law. And I think I’ve made a difference. But with all the guilty and the innocent I’ve repped, I’ve never had one who was innocent and was happy letting the world think he was guilty.”
“You know why—”
“I know what you’ve said,” Henry said. “But I think you’re wrong. Everyone in question thinks you’re wrong.”
“But you’re tied by attorney-client privilege, right?”
“Right,” Henry assured him, punctuating his response with a heavy sigh. “But go to lunch on Friday and hear them out.”
Tyler agreed and hung up the phone. He knew he’d do it all over again. But for a while, he missed his old life. He missed the name he’d built for himself. Now…
Now, he had a new life. He had friends who’d already shown they’d stick by him no matter what. Family.
It was a heady feeling.
As Jace came into his arms, Tyler acknowledged it was a feeling he would never give up.
Later that day, he talked to Lou about extending his lunch hour long enough on Friday to get into Erie and go to a meeting, promising to make up the time. “I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important.”
“I know that. You go, we’ve got Jace covered.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem. It’s going to be kinda lonely when he starts in with that sitter next week.” Lou sounded wistful. “The younger guys don’t remember what it was like when Tucker had Bart, but I do. Having Jace around reminds me of that. You should have seen Tucker then. She was just a kid herself, but she was an amazing mom. She put that kid first from the minute she found out about him.”
Tyler nodded, not the least bit surprised. “That sounds like her.”
“She’s not someone who’s quick to share herself, but when she gives her heart, she doesn’t hold anything back. She gives herself completely. None of us would ever want to see her hurt. And if you’re in trouble again, she’ll be crushed.” Lou’s look was full of dire warning.
“No, I’m not in trouble. Nothing like that.” Then without thinking, he added, “I’d never do anything to hurt An—Tucker if I could help it.”
Somehow calling her Tucker made him feel more distant—and distance was what he needed. He’d get the new efficient systems up and running, and then with Jace safely placed with a sitter, he’d hardly have to do more than wave to An—Tucker each day.
“I’d never hurt her,” he reiterated.
Lou nodded. “So, that’s the way of it. I’m not surprised. She’s a special lady.”
“Too special for me,” Tyler assured him. “And she knows it.”
Lou’s expression said he didn’t quite believe it. He studied Tyler, and finally nodded. “All right, then. But it’s not only you being in trouble that will break her heart…” Neither of them needed him to say more.