Chapter Thirteen #4
“By suggesting I write them a letter from jail. They didn’t know about my arrest or incarceration because I concluded they never wanted to hear from me again.”
“That can’t be true,” Maggie said.
“It wasn’t,” Tyler agreed. “But I wouldn’t have known that if not for him.” Owen liked to say he would’ve gotten there eventually, but Tyler didn’t think so. “He has the kindest heart of anyone I’ve known, and he’s so damn smart.”
Tears streamed down Maggie’s face. “I wish he believed that about himself.”
“He will in time,” Tyler said with conviction. “And I swear to you here and now that I will never give up on your son. I will love him until the end of time.”
A sob erupted from Maggie’s chest as she flung her arms around Tyler and cried against his chest. He ran his hands up and down her back to comfort her. “Shh, now. Everything is going to be okay.”
Maggie pulled back and stared up at him. “I don’t deserve him. I never did. Owen says he’s forgiven me, but I don’t see how that’s possible.”
“He understands now what he couldn’t back then,” Tyler said. “Time and perspective do that for a person. Do me a favor?”
Maggie nodded. “Anything.”
“The truth is in how he looks at you. Block out your fears and insecurities, and just observe the way his eyes dance and sparkle when he looks at you. Notice the awe in his expression when he thinks you’re not paying attention.
Listen to the reverence in his voice when he talks about the things you’ve overcome.
Owen loves you so much, and he’s so proud of the life you’ve built for yourself.
That’s what you should cling to, not the mistakes you made when you didn’t know better. ”
Maggie studied Tyler like he was a rare animal in a zoo. “How the hell did you get to be so wise?”
“My family taught me a lot about being a good person, even if I didn’t want to acknowledge it back then. Owen might only be twenty-seven, but he has the wisdom of someone three times his age. And we’re surrounded by smart men on the ranch, who I continuously learn from. I’m a lucky guy.”
“Very,” Maggie said. “Now, tell me, do you take your own advice? Do you forgive the decisions you made when you didn’t know better? Do you observe and listen with an open heart and an objective mind?”
“Probably not as much as I should,” Tyler admitted.
“Do you promise to try?”
Tyler smiled at her persistence. “Absolutely.”
Maggie searched his gaze for a few moments before nodding. “I’m going to put a cold washcloth on my face so my eyes won’t get puffy.” She stood up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Be right back.”
Tyler continued working on the tree by himself and thought about his conversation with Maggie.
He’d accused Owen of ignoring his own advice, and he was just as guilty.
He’d already kissed his family goodbye for a second time before they even heard what he had to say.
Going into the situation with that mindset was a guaranteed disaster because he’d be looking for a slight at every turn.
Tyler blew out a frustrated breath and countered the negative thoughts he’d had with positive ones.
He was feeling pretty good about things when Maggie returned.
She’d freshened her makeup a bit, but her eyes still looked a little red.
Owen would notice, and he’d worry until he had a moment to read the room.
And that’s exactly what happened. He came through the door and stopped when he looked at his mom.
Owen studied each of their expressions for a few seconds before continuing into the kitchen.
Maggie winked at Tyler before following Owen.
The easygoing vibe lasted all weekend. Stephanie joined them for a mouthwatering pot roast supper and brought a delicious pecan pie.
She couldn’t stay long because she worked third shift as a nurse at a nearby county hospital.
Her visit was enough to confirm the attraction crackling between the ladies.
Owen gave his mom another gentle nudge once Stephanie left but then let the subject drop.
The trio exchanged gifts beside the beautifully decorated tree. Maggie loved the bath set, flannel pajamas, and fuzzy robe they gave her, but she cried when she opened the last gift. It was a book from Owen called “Never Too Late.”
“Did you get the book from Hope?” Tyler asked.
Owen nodded. “I told her what I was looking for, and she picked it out.”
“I’d really like to meet this Hope you keep talking about,” Maggie said.
“Come for a visit,” Owen said. “Cash opens his home to our families. He has lovely guest suites for them to use, and it would be like staying in a fancy hotel suite.”
“And you get Harry’s cooking,” Tyler said.
“Have your parents visited?” Maggie asked him.
“Not yet.” He hadn’t asked them because he assumed they wouldn’t want to make the trip. He’d unfairly decided things for them again. “But I will.”
“Good,” Maggie said. “My turn to give presents.”
She bought them concert tickets to see Kenny Chesney in Denver and a weekend stay at a swanky hotel.
“Mom, this is too much,” Owen said.
“Hush. You’ve loved his music forever, and it seemed like the perfect gift when you told me Tyler is a fan too.”
“Thank you so much,” Tyler said.
They had a Hallmark-worthy holiday by watching movies, playing games, and eating too much food.
Sunday morning rolled around too soon, and they were sad to leave.
Owen had insisted Maggie stay in bed and rest, but she still got up and made them breakfast before they hit the road.
She walked them to the door, still wearing her new pajamas and fuzzy robe.
Maggie hugged them tightly and stepped into the hallway after them.
Tyler smiled to himself when he noticed Stephanie step off the elevator, arriving home after her shift.
The brunette looked sleepy until she noticed Maggie decked out in her cozy pajama set.
“Good morning,” Stephanie said. “Are you guys heading out already?”
“Yeah. It’s a long drive, and we need to get ready for our workweek,” Owen said.
“Drive safely. It was lovely to meet you both.”
They expressed their pleasure at meeting her, too, and told Maggie goodbye one last time. Tyler turned after he passed Stephanie in the hallway and gave Maggie a thumbs-up.
She blushed and said, “Stephanie, would you like a bite to eat before you go to bed? I have leftover bacon, eggs, and pancakes.”
“Are you kidding me?” Stephanie asked. “I’m starved to death.”
Maggie gave them a last wave before reentering her apartment with Stephanie.
“Attagirl, Mom,” Owen said when they stepped onto the elevator.
He dropped the duffel bag, pinned Tyler against the wall, and kissed him until they reached the lobby floor. “Best Christmas ever.”