Almost Perfect (Fool's Gold #2)(24)

While theirs might not have been a love match, he’d thought he’d known her. Had understood her. But he’d been wrong. She hadn’t been willing to take a chance that he might want Liz’s child more than he wanted hers. He knew Rayanne well enough to believe that.

The deception changed everything, he thought grimly, although he couldn’t say how. It wasn’t just the act of omission—she’d deliberately lied to Liz. What if Tyler had needed him? Liz would never have contacted him. Not after reading those words.

“I’m sorry,” Liz murmured.

He returned his attention to her, saw the sympathy in her green eyes. “What have you got to be sorry about?”

“You were married to her. She’s gone. You can’t ask her why she did it or know if she ever regretted what she did.”

He already knew the answer to both. The only real question was how he could have been so wrong about the woman he’d married.

He put the letter back in the envelope and handed both to her. “I guess I owe you an apology.”

“I’ll remind you of that the next time you’re mad at me. I expect that to be in about fifteen seconds.” She gave him a slow smile. “You’ve become emotionally volatile in my absence. It’s a little surprising.”

“Maybe I’m exploring my feminine side.”

“Maybe you need medication.”

He leaned against the railing. “You really did try to tell me about Tyler.”

She nodded.

There were still the first six years of Tyler’s life to deal with, but that was for another time. A few words on a page had changed everything.

“Can we start over?” he asked.

Her expression turned wary. “While I appreciate the offer and don’t mean to sound ungracious, it’s really just a matter of time until you’re pissed at me again.”

“Don’t you want to take advantage of my good mood?”

She grimaced. “No, thanks.”

“You should. Have dinner with me. We can talk logistics.”

She shook her head. “Thanks, but I’m not ready to be exposed to the questionable society of this town. Eating out, with you, in a restaurant, isn’t my idea of a good time.”

“At my place. Tomorrow night.”

“You cook?”

“I have many talents.”

A light wash of color stained her cheeks. “Yes, well, I have three minors I have to worry about. Melissa is fourteen and plenty old enough to be left on her own, but under the circumstances, I’m not sure I want to leave her in charge. She’s had enough responsibility for a while.”

“My mom can come over and watch them.”

Liz winced. “I’m sure she’s a lovely woman, but I’m not up to another encounter with the soul that is your mother.”

“Then I’ll ask one of my sisters.”

Liz considered that. “If Montana will stay with the kids, I’ll go. I ran into her today and she doesn’t hate me. In your family, that’s practically a miracle. Of course she doesn’t know about Tyler and it’s possible finding out will change everything, but a girl can dream.”

“Montana it is,” he agreed. “She’ll be here at six tomorrow.”

“How do you know she doesn’t have plans?”

“I don’t, but she owes me.”

“Typical male.”

He grinned. “Is that a yes?” he asked, although he already knew the answer.

She sighed. “Yes.”

LIZ HAD ALMOST TWENTY-FOUR hours to regret her decision and she did her best to make use of the time.

Dinner with Ethan? What had she been thinking? More alone time so he could yell at her again? Not her smartest move. But now, as she got ready to walk over to his place, she knew she wasn’t going to back out. She and Ethan had too much they had to talk about—mostly practicalities when it came to him getting to know Tyler. With a little luck, and proof that she had tried to contact him five years before, they might be able to have a normal, regular conversation. Like adults.

Maybe.

Montana arrived right on time, as bubbly and gushing as she had been the day before.

“I brought books for you to sign,” Ethan’s sister spoke as she entered the house. “Not tonight. I’ll just leave them and you can get to them when it’s convenient. And Pia told me I’m not supposed to bug you about the book festival, but offering my babysitting services in exchange for you coming to the festival isn’t exactly the same as bugging, right?”

Liz couldn’t help laughing. “Do you drink a lot of coffee?”

Montana grinned. “I get that question all the time.” She glanced around, as if checking to see if they were alone, then lowered her voice. “I heard about Tyler and that you tried to tell Ethan before. That Rayanne kept it from him. I know we’re not supposed to say anything bad about someone who’s dead, but I’m not even surprised she did that.”

Liz wanted to ask her why, but the three kids came down the stairs just then.

Introductions were made, the pizza ordered and rules for the evening established. Liz made sure her cell number was written down. She’d already talked to Melissa about Montana coming over to watch the younger kids and the teen had agreed she was happy not to have to take on more responsibility. Just before she left, Liz checked to make sure the pizza money was on the dining room table.