Pepper Lane Sweet Shoppe (Pepper Bay #14)

16

Tyler

Just as Tyler was about to climb into Heath’s truck, he saw Howie and Mandy leaving the house, holding hands. Not knowing what to think anymore or how to feel, he simply sighed, having little else inside him. He grabbed the door handle and jumped as a snowball hit him in the neck, causing a shiver to run along his spine.

Erin giggled, then quickly got in the truck.

Tyler bit his bottom lip, grinning. ‘Oh, you think that’s funny. Just you wait.’

‘Yes, you can wait,’ said Heath. ‘No snow fights near me, thank you very much. I’ve been out in it since sunrise, clearing the farm.’

Tyler clambered in the back and put his seatbelt on. ‘Is it bad?’

‘Not now. Gritting helped, but there was still some snow to shift.’ Heath glanced at him through the rear-view mirror. ‘So, how did it go last night?’

Tyler flopped into the back seat, almost slinking right down. ‘I take it you saw them on the doorstep just now.’

Heath let out a low groaning sound, and Erin turned in the front seat to smile.

‘Tyler handled the situation like a true winner,’ she said, sounding proud.

He raised his eyebrows at her. ‘A winner?’

Erin faced the front. ‘Yep. He did himself proud, Heath.’

‘Best just move on with your own life now, kid,’ said Heath.

‘That’s the plan.’ Although Tyler wasn’t really sure what the plan was. With Christmas just around the corner, he was far too busy to wallow anyway. Plus, he now had Erin and the shop to think about. He pulled his jumper cuffs into his palms and stared out the window at the snow.

Why can’t my life be like the weather? One blizzard later and everything is covered up, looking neat and tidy. Hmm, maybe that is what happened to me. I had my storm, and now everything is calm and peaceful. It really does look peaceful out there .

Heath switched on the radio and started to hum along to a Christmas song, making Tyler smile, even more so when Erin joined in.

Blessings filled Tyler as it hit him how nice his life was. Mandy was the only one who caused him misery. She was someone’s else’s problem now, and he wasn’t about to miss Howie anytime soon.

‘Someone’s built a snowman already,’ said Erin, pointing out the side window. She turned to face Tyler. ‘We are so doing that when we get home.’

He smiled at her, then to himself. It was becoming quite a habit Erin calling his house home.

I swear I must have met this woman in a previous life .

‘Come up to the B&B for lunch, Erin,’ said Heath. ‘You and your one arm can help out at the stables afterwards. I think we’re all having a snow day today.’

Tyler settled down for the rest of the drive, listening to their conversation about Rhett’s horses.

It wasn’t long before they turned into the driveway of Silver Wish Farm. Heath dropped them off outside Tyler’s door, then headed off to get on with the rest of his morning.

Erin stepped back as he opened the front door. ‘Let’s make snow angels before we get changed, Ty.’

Grinning, he agreed that was a good idea, then burst out laughing as Erin sprinted over to some untouched snow and flopped down straight away, holding her cast in the air. All he could do was join her.

‘Oh, it’s cold,’ she said, her teeth chattering.

Tyler leaned up on his elbow to face her, then tossed a clump of snow at her head.

Wiping the snow from her hair, she sat up and chuckled, then tossed one back. After a few more seconds of icy air making his nose run, he suggested they went inside.

‘I think I’m stuck in here,’ said Erin, swiping the snow to her side. ‘My jeans have absorbed too much water. I weigh a ton.’

Whilst laughing, Tyler hurried to her side and helped her to stand, then just as she was about to say something, he swiped her over his shoulder and carried her into the house.

‘Hey,’ yelped Erin, giggling. ‘Where’s the fire?’

‘Finn’s a firefighter. He taught me how to save those in need.’

‘I’m not in need.’

‘You were drowning in your jeans.’

Erin playfully slapped his arm as he carefully lowered her to the floor. ‘You can save me by putting the heating on. I’m off to get out of these clothes.’

It was tempting to ask if she needed help with that matter, but he thought better of it, not wanting to sound sleazy at all.

Erin called out from her bedroom. ‘Got to love clean undies.’

Tyler shook his head as he entered his room, glancing across the passageway at her half-opened door. She did make him laugh. He pulled out a dark tracksuit, enjoying the comfort before he’d even put it on. Clean boxer shorts were first, and he laughed again to himself as he slipped them on.

‘I’m going to have a bubble bath tonight,’ she shouted.

‘You’ll need one after helping out in the stables.’

Erin laughed. ‘Yes, that’s why I think it’s best to save my bath for later.’

Tyler walked out of his bedroom at the same time as her, and they stared at each other’s dark tracksuits and smiled. ‘Great minds.’

Erin nodded. ‘And so comfy.’

They headed to the kitchen, with Tyler asking if she wanted to play a board game with him after dinner.

‘Love to,’ she replied. ‘As long as it involves hot chocolate and biscuits.’

‘I think that can be arranged.’

Erin sat at the table. ‘I really love being here, Ty. It’s such a lovely home, and it has a nice friendly vibe.’

‘We can make your flat look similar if you like. Give it a full makeover.’

Not that I want you to go. Oh, shut up. Don’t start thinking like that .

Erin wasn’t looking too keen, and he hoped she wasn’t having second thoughts about keeping the shop.

‘What’s wrong?’ he asked, trying to keep a steady breath.

‘Nothing. I guess I’m just not that attached to the place yet. But you’re right, it needs a makeover, then it’ll feel like my home. Probably. Hopefully. Oh, crumbs.’

Tyler chuckled as he put the kettle on. ‘You sound so thrilled.’

‘I’m still all over the place, if I’m honest. I’ll get used to it all, I’m sure. Your home is spoiling me.’

‘You can always stay here with me and rent out the flat. We can get a small renovation done so the internal door leads to the alleyway out back rather than the shop.’

And I’m saying that why?

Erin was staring at the table, twirling one finger on the wood. ‘You’re really nice to me, Tyler.’

He frowned as he leaned against the worktop to face her. ‘Not sure about the way you said that.’

‘I’m not used to having help, that’s all. Sometimes you blow me away with your kindness.’

‘I thought I was being selfish, actually.’

‘What do you mean by that?’

He shrugged. ‘I like your company.’

Erin sat up and beamed. ‘Do you feel it too?’

‘Feel what?’

‘The weird connection between us. I feel like I’ve known you forever.’

‘Yeah, I put it down to a previous life encounter.’

‘Okay. We’ll go with that.’

Tyler smiled, then went back to making them a cuppa. ‘Shall we head over to the stables after we’ve warmed up with this?’

‘Yeah. I’d like that. I like helping your family. It feels nice to be part of something. You’re so lucky to have a lovely family.’

That wasn’t something he needed to be told. His whole life had been filled with love and care from his family. It wasn’t until he spoke with others about their terrible upbringing or lack of a tight circle that he counted his blessings even more.

He studied Erin as she set out coasters before reaching for the biscuit barrel. There was sadness in her expression, and the last thing he wanted was his happy family making her feel lost and alone.

‘You’re part of the mix now,’ he told her, adding a soft smile.

‘Thanks, but it’s not the same, is it?’

‘It can be. Family is what you make it. Doesn’t have to be blood. And, as far as I’m concerned, you, Miss Mason, are officially, from this moment on, my family.’

Erin burst out laughing, then shoved a chocolate biscuit in her mouth.

‘You’re not supposed to laugh.’ He brought their tea over and snaffled a bickie.

‘Sorry. You just make me smile. A lot.’

‘Snap.’

Right, I’ve got to start being sensible before this gets out of hand. We’re good friends now. I can’t cross that line .

‘You look deep in thought, Ty. Are you thinking about this morning at Conor’s?’

‘No. I’ve made up my mind to let that go. There’s nothing I can do about the past, so I just want to focus on the here and now. Speaking of which, we need to get in the shop tomorrow and get a wriggle on with the hampers. The flat can wait until after Christmas.’

‘I agree. Although we have shifted quite a lot already, so that’s good. I would like to have a nosey through some of the personal bits and pieces though.’

Tyler sipped his tea. ‘You want to find out about your family?’

‘Yes. I know I’m now an unofficial Silver, but it would still be nice to check out my family tree. See what my grandfather found.’

‘Firstly, you are an official Silver, and secondly, we’ll get those hampers finished over the next couple of days, then see what we can find in the flat.’

Erin smiled, warming him more than his cuppa. ‘Meanwhile, let’s get cracking with our family chores right here.’

‘See. You really are one of us.’

‘Well, you certainly know how to make someone feel at home.’

I don’t do this for everyone. Nope, I’m not saying that .

He simply smiled instead, then went off to fetch some wellies. He knew it was a selfish thought, but part of him hoped Erin wouldn’t uncover anything that might lead her away. It wasn’t just about enjoying her company. She woke his butterflies and soothed his heart. It really was all too much and such bad timing. But after the year he’d had, he was sure not much else could destroy him, so maybe it was safe to allow his feelings for her to grow.