As he stood alone in his office, he realized that maybe his sister’s point was that he had to figure it out himself.
“I’m not the bad guy,” he spoke into the silence. “I’m doing the right thing.”
But for the first time in his life, he wondered if doing the right thing was going to be enough.
LIZ WALKED THROUGH TOWN. THERE were plenty of tourists on the street and she had to weave between them. Summer was a busy time, with visitors flooding the area to check out the wineries, hike in the mountains and spend time on the lake. To anyone who didn’t have a gaping hole in her chest, Fool’s Gold probably looked really good. She knew better. It was her own personal, living nightmare. It was the place where she’d lost both her heart and her son.
She turned onto a residential street and reminded herself that she hadn’t truly lost Tyler. It only felt that way. He would come around. What she didn’t know was how long it would take and she wasn’t completely sure she trusted Ethan to be impartial. A part of him had to love the fact that his son wanted to live with him.
But being a parent was about more than saying yes. It could be difficult and frustrating. There were lessons every child had to learn. If someone didn’t teach the kid right while he was young, life lessons were that much harder to grasp later.
Would Ethan get that? Would he look past his need to connect with Tyler to what was best for the boy? Even as she asked the question, a part of her knew she was searching for reasons to be able to tell Tyler and herself why spending more time-maybe even living with his dad-wasn’t possible.
Because the truth was, Ethan would be a great dad. He’d always been responsible. When his father had died, he’d taken over the family business. Because it was the right thing to do. He’d helped his mom, his brothers and sisters. He’d…
She stopped on the sidewalk and replayed the words in her mind. Because it was the right thing to do. That had always defined Ethan. He hadn’t loved Rayanne. He’d married her because she was pregnant. He’d claimed he would have done the same with Liz, and she believed him.
Had Ethan ever declared himself? Had he ever truly loved anyone?
There had been a time, when she’d been eighteen, she would have sworn he had loved her. Had she just been fooling herself? He’d admitted that he’d been too young then. Neither of them could have possibly known if they could make it. But he would have tried.
There was more to a relationship than just giving one’s heart. There was caring and commitment and doing the right thing. There was being a good person. Ethan had all those qualities.
But he didn’t love her.
That was why his offer of a practical marriage had hurt her so much. Why she couldn’t accept. She loved him too much to accept a half life, even if it was the right thing to do.
Which left her with a dilemma. What happened now?
As there was no easy answer, she kept walking. When she got close to Denise’s house, she saw Ethan’s mother sitting on the front porch, obviously watching for her.
“Tyler told me what happened,” the other woman said as Liz approached. “I’m so sorry.”
Liz found herself fighting the need to give in to tears. “Me, too. It’s not that I mind Tyler spending more time with his dad…” She had to stop and clear her throat.
“It’s that he’s rejecting you along the way,” Denise summarized softly, then patted the step. “Come sit down.”
Liz joined her. She felt sick and confused and lost.
Denise moved close and put her arm around her. The gesture was oddly comforting.
“This isn’t about you,” Denise began. “I know it feels like it, but it’s not. You’re a great mom. We can all see that. We don’t even have to watch you with Tyler to get it. Just being around him tells us. He’s bright and confident and curious. Open and friendly, but with plenty of common sense. He cares about other people. You did that. You raised a great son.”
Liz pressed her lips together and nodded. Her throat was too tight for her to speak.
“He’s also still a kid and he has no idea how he’s hurting you. He genuinely can’t see that.”
“I know,” she whispered, then had to wipe away several tears. “I keep telling myself it’s not about me. He’s angry about his dad and Ethan is new and exciting.”
“Exactly. If only knowing made it hurt less.”
Liz looked at her and nodded.
“Oh, honey, I wish I could make it better,” Denise told her.
“Thanks.” She swallowed and tried to get the tears under control. “Want to guess Ethan’s response?”
Denise sighed. “I do love my son, but he’s just a man, so I’m going to guess he was an idiot.”
“He thinks we should get married. That will solve all the problems. Isn’t it practical? I’ll stay here and he can see Tyler all the time and hey, even help with the girls.”
As soon as she spoke, Liz realized it was probably a mistake. Denise was Ethan’s mother. Of course she would take her son’s side. No doubt the other woman would enjoy having her grandson around more.
Denise sighed. “Is this where I tell you Ethan takes after his father?”
Liz glanced at her. “You don’t think it’s a good idea?”
“The words practical and marriage don’t belong in the same conversation. Nothing about marriage is practical. It’s wonderful and difficult and amazing and demanding. Besides, no one wants a proposal like that. We want to hear that the man in question is madly in love with us. We want to be swept away. Not compared to a really good microfiber dust cloth. Attractive and practical. That’s going to make your heart beat faster.”
Liz leaned her head against the other woman’s shoulder. “Thank you,” she whispered, wishing she could have known Denise years ago. Maybe if they’d had a chance to form a relationship, things would have been different. She could have come and talked to her and-
Liz straightened, then scrambled to her feet. “You’re not surprised he proposed. You know we’ve been…” Sleeping seemed like the wrong word. “Seeing each other?”
Denise laughed. “Yes. It’s fairly obvious. Ethan is many things, but subtle isn’t one of them. He was furious at first, but now you’re getting along. I assumed things were progressing.”
Denise paused. “I wasn’t sure at first. I always felt so badly about how you grew up. I could see how difficult it was for you. I have three daughters myself. Yet I couldn’t seem to reach out to you. I never knew how or what to say.”
Liz hugged her arms across her chest. “That doesn’t matter now.”
“It matters a lot. All your life the people you care about have hurt you. Including Tyler. Now my son proposed in a way designed to make sure you know you’re not special to him.” Her voice softened. “For what it’s worth, I think he does care about you.”
Liz appreciated the support, but the words didn’t change anything. “Caring isn’t enough.”
“I know.” Denise looked as if she was going to say more on the subject, then sighed. “Please don’t take this wrong, but I think you should let Ethan have Tyler for the rest of the week and through the weekend.”
Liz froze. She eyed the door and wondered if she could go inside and grab her son and get out before Denise stopped her.
“Ethan and Tyler both have an unrealistic view of their relationship,” Denise continued. “I have six kids. I know what it’s like and sure, from the outside, it’s easy. He doesn’t have a clue as to the reality. Tyler doesn’t, either. Maybe you should let them find out.”
“I can’t,” she breathed.
Denise rose and moved toward her. They stared at each other.
“I give you my word Tyler will be safe. Ethan isn’t going to disappear with him. You know that. Let them find out just how boring everyday life can be. Your son loves you. Give him a chance to miss you.”