A Father's Name(73)

“But what about Jace?”

“My grandson is blessed. He was born out of Jason and Mellie’s love. And now he’s surrounded by love. Ours, yours and all your friends at the garage. He’s got two fathers whose names he can be proud of.”

“Mr. Matthews…”

“Tell your friend Angelina the truth, Tyler. There’s a very good chance this story will get picked up by some news outlet. A man who gave up everything to help a friend? The networks would be all over it. And even if it stays hush-hush, she should know the truth.”

“Why? She’s my boss, nothing more.” Tyler knew the lie even as he uttered the words.

So did Mr. Matthews. He chuckled. “Wow, I thought you were a man who didn’t lie. Either you’re lying to me, or to yourself.”

“Maybe I do care about her more than I should,” he admitted, “but she deserves better than me.”



“What she deserves is the truth, and between you and me, son, she could spend the rest of her life looking and she’d never find a man who held a candle to you. Ever. Your greatest gift is your ability to love wholeheartedly.” He paused a moment and added, “And as long as I already have you riled up, I should mention I’m also here for the closing on Jason’s house.”

“It sold already? Good.” He knew that was going to be one less problem for the Matthews. Right now, they needed to focus on getting Mrs. Matthews well.

“It sold and he has a nice little bit in equity,” Mr. Matthews continued. “If you take that, and Jason’s insurance money, there’s enough to pay you back for what you paid in restitution.”

“That’s not necessary. The money is Jace’s.”

“There will still be enough to start a college fund for him.”

“I don’t want—”

“It’s not open to negotiation, Tyler. Let Jason rest in peace knowing his debts here were settled. Well, not completely settled because no amount of money can pay you back for what you did for him, and what you’re doing by taking care of Jace. I’m going to let you think this all over. Marge, she tells me that you’re a muller. You need to work things out for yourself. So, work it out, and take the check from me graciously. Be happy, son. That’s all we want for you.”

He left before Tyler could say anything else.

Mrs. Matthews was right and Tyler knew it. He was a muller. And he knew he had so much to think about, to figure out, he could sit here and mull a long time, but he needed to get back to work. He’d mull some more tonight, after he’d put Jace to bed.

Unless Angelina was there with him. Then he’d have better things to do than mull.

Tell her, Mr. Matthews had said.

Be happy, he said.

Tyler’s greatest gift was to love? He scoffed at the notion. He needed to think, to try to figure out what he should do. What would be best.

He went back to work and everyone there seemed to sense he needed time with his thoughts. Even North steered clear.

After work, Tyler walked to Angelina’s to get Jace. He stopped at her screen door, entranced by the scene inside.

“Jacie poo, Tucker loves you,” Angelina sang.

Bart groaned. “Mom, seriously, don’t call the kid Jacie, or worse, Jacie-poo. No boy can survive being known as Jacie-poo in school. He’ll get beat up and picked on and—”

“Do you really think the name Jacie-poo will stick until he’s in school?” she asked with a laugh.

“Bart did,” her son said dryly.

“Point taken,” she said. “I should feel bad about that, but you are definitely a Bart, not a Spencer…”

The two of them continued their banter as Angelina stirred something on the stove with one hand, and held Jace with the other.



Jace was content being held by Angelina.

Tyler had noticed how the baby’s face lit up every morning when he saw her. He flat out ran to her and expected to be picked up immediately. Jace loved her.

As he had the thought, Angelina leaned down and nonchalantly kissed the baby’s head.

She loved him.

And Tyler loved them both. For the first time, he wondered if he and Angelina could have a chance. Should he tell her and let her decide? Should he take a chance?

Could he take a chance that he could become the man she deserved? That they could become a family? The ghost of his father settled over him, and he remembered what Angelina had said about seeing himself through his father’s filter.