Pepper Lane Sweet Shoppe (Pepper Bay #14)

6

Tyler

Tyler sat in the waiting area in A&E, nibbling on a warm sausage roll he’d got from the hospital canteen. Erin had been ages getting her broken arm seen to, so he thought he might as well sort some food for them whilst he waited.

His phone vibrated in his coat pocket, letting him know another message had come through. It would either be people asking after him because of his ex-girlfriend and ex-mate, or people wanting to know about Erin, as that news had spread like wildfire.

He seriously couldn’t be bothered to talk to anyone. He felt like crap in more ways than one, and it had taken him ages to get Nate to go home.

Poor Nate blamed himself for leaving the tool bag at the top of the stairs. He was about to go get it when Erin fell.

Tyler swallowed some more food, wondering if he was jinxed or something.

Maybe Erin is cursed. She might feel that way now about the Isle of Wight .

He sat up as she caught his eye, and his heart went out to her. ‘Blimmin’ heck, you look like you’ve been in the wars.’

Erin didn’t smile.

Tyler patted the seat to his side. ‘Here, sit down for a moment. Eat something before we head off.’ He started rummaging around in the large paper bag filled with canteen goodies, but Erin shook her head.

‘I’m tired, Ty,’ she said meekly, and he felt her pain.

He looked at her sling, then her bruised cheek. ‘Food will help a bit,’ he said softly, knowing she probably just wanted to go home and never return. He went to say something else but stopped when tears rolled down her pale cheeks.

‘I’m okay.’ She sniffed but didn’t move.

‘I’m so sorry this happened to you. I’m sorry about everything, Erin.’

‘It’s not your fault.’

Tyler pulled a paper serviette out of the lunch bag and gently dabbed beneath her eyes, noticing her gaze drop to the half-eaten sausage roll on his lap. ‘You want a bite?’

Erin gave the slightest of nods. ‘It’s not very hygienic.’

‘I think we’ve shared enough already.’ He smiled as she raised the food to eat.

‘Thanks.’

‘You can finish that, then have some juice, and I’ll get you back to Pepper River Inn.’

Her weary gaze was on her sling. ‘I won’t be able to do much now, and I’m running out of time.’ She sniffed again, then hiccupped.

‘Don’t worry about time. I’ll do everything. You can just rest. Have a nice holiday.’

‘You don’t understand. I can’t afford to stay at the hotel long, and the flat won’t be ready for ages.’ She took a snotty bite of sausage roll, and Tyler knew the rest was hers. ‘I need to find work,’ she mumbled through food and tears.

He couldn’t take much more of her sadness. It was as though it were his own. ‘I have an idea.’

‘You have a lot of those.’

He smiled, offering more food. ‘Hear me out. I live in a bungalow, of sorts. A two-bed barn conversion. Why don’t you stay there with me until your flat is ready? You wouldn’t have to pay for a thing, and nothing needs paying at the shop until next year, so that’s a bit of respite. At least I can help you while you’ve only got one hand.’

Her eyes brightened a touch. ‘You would do that?’

‘Once you share a room at Queenie’s, you’re mates for life.’ He had no idea why he said that, seeing how he’d spent the night in that very room with his best mate years back.

Erin was back to looking lost and forlorn. ‘I don’t know what to do, Ty.’

He liked it when she shortened his name. Most people called him that, but it sounded better when she said it. ‘Let me help, I say. You can make your mind up about things as we go. But for now, it’s best you save what money you have, rather than spend it on hotels.’

‘It’s a good idea.’

‘All my ideas are good.’ That was a lie. If he was full of good ideas, he wouldn’t have gone out with Mandy in the first place.

The smallest of smiles was flashed his way along with deflated eyes and a hushed sigh.

Tyler unscrewed a bottle of orange juice. ‘Here, sip this. Let’s get your strength up, then I’ll call us a cab.’

Erin took a swig whilst turning her head. ‘Where’s Nate? Isn’t he driving us?’

‘No, I sent him home. He feels so bad. You’ll probably get a cow for Christmas from him now.’

Erin giggled, warming him.

‘So,’ he continued. ‘Do you want to be my houseguest for a few weeks?’

‘You really want me to stick around, don’t you?’

Oh, she thinks I’m still trying to get her to take on the shop .

‘I just want to help.’ Even he was starting to think he didn’t sound convincing.

‘Are you sure?’

Tyler nodded. ‘Yep, and we don’t have to share a bedroom or a fork.’

‘Ah, it wasn’t that bad, was it?’

‘Nope.’

She smiled, then drank some more. At least he was sure she wouldn’t pass out on him again. ‘Okay, I’ll give it a go.’

‘You will?’

‘I don’t have anything else going for me.’

Tyler grinned. ‘Good to know I’m useful.’

‘It’s like you said before about me having a business here.’

‘And a home,’ he quickly added.

Erin nodded. ‘Yes, and a home. So I guess it wouldn’t hurt to stay with you until I figure this out.’

‘You’d be doing me a favour as well.’

‘Oh?’

Tyler placed a hand over his heart. ‘You’ll be my distraction from my ex.’

‘You’ll heal faster if you accept the pain.’

He raised an eyebrow. ‘You talking from experience.’

Erin didn’t answer, so Tyler stood, thinking it best to get her things from Pepper River Inn, then settle her into his.

Wait till Mum finds out about this .

He smiled on the inside at how much fuss Erin was about to receive.

Erin groaned as she stood, and Tyler quickly reached out to give her a hand.

‘You okay?’ he asked. ‘Should I get a nurse?’

‘I’m fine. Just a bit bruised on my hip.’

‘The sooner we get you home the better.’

Erin breathed out a laugh. ‘Home.’

‘Hey, my home is your home for as long as you need it. I’m a good housemate, you’ll see.’ He winked, wondering why he’d done that, as it wasn’t something he usually went around doing to people. He went to add to his statement but stopped when he saw his eldest brother enter the building. ‘Oh, there’s Heath.’

Heath marched their way, took one look at Erin, and shook his head. ‘I’m Heath Silver, Ty’s brother,’ he said, still shaking his head. ‘I came here as soon as I heard. Do you need a ride home?’

Erin went to speak, but Tyler got in first.

‘Erin’s going to stay at mine for a bit. Mr Masonville’s flat isn’t what you might call liveable just yet, and now she’s broken her arm, I thought she could do with some help.’

Heath nodded. ‘Good call. Mum will have something to say though. You know that, right?’

Erin interrupted them. ‘Oh, I don’t want to put anyone out.’

‘You’re not,’ said Tyler, frowning at Heath. ‘He just means my mum will probably invite you to stay at hers. She has the main house on our land. We’re all scattered around, so you won’t be short on help.’

Erin’s head dipped. ‘Oh, okay,’ she said quietly.

‘Right, let’s get you in the truck,’ said Heath. ‘You look tired.’

‘Everything aches,’ said Erin.

Tyler glanced around the waiting area. ‘Do you need a wheelchair?’

Heath grinned. ‘Or I can make him carry you.’

Tyler laughed but stopped when Erin hadn’t joined in. ‘I won’t carry you, I promise.’

‘It’s okay.’ She winced, and Tyler suddenly wished he could swipe her up into his arms like a bride.

‘Follow me,’ said Heath, leading the way.

Tyler stayed by Erin’s side, as she was walking at a much slower pace than Heath, who had marched off. ‘Do you like pizza?’ he asked quietly as they entered the cool crisp air outside.

‘Yes, why?’

‘I thought we could have that for dinner tonight.’

Erin giggled. ‘Do you think about food a lot?’

‘Yep, but don’t make it out to be a bad thing.’

‘Pizza it is then.’

Heath had the car door open ready, and Tyler helped Erin with her seatbelt before jumping in the back seat.

‘We need to get Erin’s things from her room at the Renshaws first,’ Tyler told his brother.

‘Okay,’ said Heath, starting the engine.

Tyler listened to him make small talk with Erin in the front, not feeling the need to join in the conversation. He could hear her voice was tired. It sounded how he felt, but he could think about his own feelings another time.