Pepper Lane Sweet Shoppe (Pepper Bay #14)

22

Tyler

It felt good to be home in the safety of his mother’s kitchen, and Fran’s cooked breakfast certainly went down a lot better than the cold toast he’d been given in the hospital ward first thing.

Heath, Willow, and Fran were making more fuss than anyone, and whilst Tyler appreciated the love coming his way, he just wanted to eat in peace.

‘Shouldn’t you all be working?’ Tyler glanced at them in turn.

Willow bit into a sausage. ‘We’ll get to that once we’ve eaten.’

He arched an eyebrow. ‘You’ve normally had brekkie by now.’

Fran poured him some orange juice. ‘When are your next meds due?’

‘Lunch, but I don’t need you timing me, Mum.’

She ruffled his hair and kissed his cheek. ‘Eat some more. You need to rebuild your strength.’

Although he did feel a tad weary, he put that down to not getting much sleep. ‘I’m okay,’ he lied, feeling bruised and sore.

‘You will be, son.’

Tyler gestured towards the huge box Finn carried into the kitchen. ‘What’s that?’

Finn yawned. ‘A selection box for you from our friends.’ He placed it on the table and went to the butler sink to wash his hands.

‘You should be in bed, Finn,’ said Fran, plating him some eggs and bacon.

‘I’ll eat this, go see Viv at the café, then I’m off for a kip.’ Finn kissed his mother’s cheek as he sat next to Tyler. ‘Let’s check out this goodie bag.’

Heath laughed. ‘Goodie bag? Looks more like a hamper. What have they put in there?’

Tyler was too hungry to look so carried on eating whilst Willow pulled out one item at a time.

‘Ooh,’ she cooed. ‘It’s a scented candle from Dolly.’ She sniffed the small pillar before placing it down. ‘Lavender, Ty. Calming. And look, Nate’s put in some cheese.’

Tyler wondered if Erin was awake yet.

‘Cake from Edith’s Tearoom,’ said Willow, bringing Tyler back to the moment. ‘And a bottle of wine from the Sparrows.’

Fran removed it from Willow’s hands. ‘Well, that can wait until he’s off the antibiotics.’

Heath laughed. ‘No drinks for you over Christmas, Ty.’

‘I hardly drink anyway, so I’ll be fine with orange juice.’

‘Good,’ said Fran, topping up his glass. ‘Then drink some more now.’

Tyler took a sip whilst Willow rummaged through the goods.

‘A book from Anna and Jake.’ She laughed. ‘It’s about sweets. And Ronnie Hadley’s put in a bag of onions with a note. Hang on, let me read it. Oh, it just says onions are good for healing wounds.’

Fran nodded. ‘I’ll add some to your soup this lunchtime, son.’

Tyler grinned at the box of treats. ‘No one sent me chocolates.’

‘Probably because you work in a sweet shop,’ said Finn, tucking into his breakfast.

Cody walked in, dressed as the Postmaster, carrying a fruit basket. ‘Jamie just dropped this off for Tyler. Gift from the Sheridans.’

Fran lightly stroked Tyler’s shoulder. ‘You are loved, my child.’

‘I know, Mum, thanks.’ He smiled at his gifts and said a silent thank you, knowing he would do it in person once he felt better.

Bryce entered by the side door, carrying a huge bouquet of colourful flowers. ‘Hey, Ty. Good to see you up and about. Here, these are from Lexi.’ He handed them over to Fran, who took them to the sink.

Tyler snorted. ‘Oh, not from you then?’

‘I put in the glittery pine cone,’ said Bryce, snaffling a sausage from the bowl in the middle of the table.

‘Wash your hands, Bryce,’ said Fran, tossing a tea towel at him.

Tyler laughed as his cousin went over to the sink, helping with the flowers before washing his hands to eat.

Willow took another sniff of the lavender candle. ‘Right, I’m going to get to work. The staff will think we’re all taking the day off. Not that they’ve complained. They all wish you a speedy recovery, Uncle.’

Finn wiped a slice of bread around his plate, then shoved it in his mouth. ‘I’m off too.’

‘And me,’ said Cody, heading for the hallway with Willow.

Heath stepped closer to Tyler. ‘I’ll be in my workshop or netting trees. You know where to find me if you need anything, but, Ty, you’re not to work, okay?’

‘I feel bored already,’ said Tyler, giving him a slight nod.

‘It’s Christmas,’ said Bryce. ‘Just chill.’

Tyler scoffed. ‘There’s no such thing as chilling around here. There’s always a ton of work to do.’

‘Well, I’m here,’ said Bryce. ‘I can help.’

They all laughed, making Bryce frown.

‘What a cheek,’ he told them. ‘I don’t just sit in my office all day doing sod all. I work. Anyway, please try to remember I grew up with Aunt Lucy. I was always working in the flower shop with her.’

‘Good point, Bryce. You can help out in the garden centre,’ said Heath, heading for the side door. ‘I’ll be back at lunch, Mum.’

‘Okay, love. Stay warm.’ Fran pulled out another vase from under the sink. ‘You sure you brought enough flowers, Bryce?’ she added, chuckling.

The doorbell rang, which was unusual, as most people just entered Fran’s home by the side door.

‘I’ll get it,’ yelled Willow.

Tyler yawned, then winced. Perhaps it wouldn’t be a bad idea to put his feet up for the day. He could watch films with Erin. ‘Mum, where’s Erin?’

‘Ooh, she’s a real star, that one, son. Been up since the crack of dawn, helping wherever she can.’ Fran glanced up at the clock. ‘She should be in the Frozen Forest now.’

‘I don’t want her doing my jobs. She’s got a broken arm and won’t be able to lift trees to be netted.’

‘Cody’s there to help with that,’ said Fran. ‘And Heath’s back and forth all day. She’ll be fine handing out tickets and working the till in the gift shop.’

Tyler went to speak but noticed the scowl on Bryce’s face. Following his cousin’s eyes to the hallway, he too glared at who was standing in the doorway. ‘Mandy?’

‘Willow let me in on her way out. Sorry, I don’t mean to intrude. I just wanted to see how Tyler was doing,’ she told Fran.

Bryce scoffed. ‘Like you care.’

Fran shuffled Bryce towards the hallway. ‘You can help me in the living room.’

Tyler watched his mother manhandle his cousin out the kitchen, leaving just Mandy with him.

‘There’s tea in the pot,’ he told her flatly.

Mandy sat at the table and poured herself a cup. ‘Everyone’s talking about you.’

‘What because you cheated on me with my best mate?’

I didn’t need to say that .

Mandy’s head dipped. ‘Because you got stabbed.’

Tyler tried to lighten the atmosphere. ‘Yep, by a Christmas tree, would you believe?’

Mandy met his eyes, and he could see her guilt. ‘How are you?’

‘Probably in a better state than the bloke who stabbed me.’

‘I heard he got arrested.’

Tyler nodded. He didn’t really want to talk about the man.

‘But you’re going to be fine, yes?’ she asked.

‘Yeah, I’m okay. You can go now.’

‘Please don’t be like that, Ty. You got hurt. I just wanted to make sure you were okay, that’s all. I still care about you.’

He wasn’t sure how to respond to the comment, so he simply gave a slight nod.

‘Howie was worried about you too.’

‘Well, everyone can stop worrying now. I’ve got some stitches, that’s all.’

Mandy twiddled with the handle on her cup. ‘I really want to give you a hug.’

Is that for my benefit or yours?

Before he could tell her he didn’t need or want one from her, she darted out of her chair and swung her arms around his neck. The side door opened and in walked Erin, wearing the Postmaster’s hat and a wide smile that quickly disappeared as soon as she saw the embrace.

‘Oh, sorry,’ were Erin’s only words, then she left as fast as she had arrived.

Tyler pushed Mandy off him. ‘Excuse me. I’ve got a day to get on with. Thanks for popping by, but please don’t feel the need to again.’ He watched Mandy offer a tight smile, then followed her to the front door to make sure she left.

‘You okay, son?’ asked Fran, poking her head out the living room.

‘Yeah. I’m just going to see Erin. Won’t be long.’

‘You wrap up, Tyler,’ said Fran, waggling a finger before turning to Bryce. ‘And you, Bryce, can get some breakfast down you before work.’

Tyler laughed at his mum fussing Bryce. He took a careful deep breath, winced, then grabbed his coat and headed off to find Erin.

She was standing amongst the cut trees, staring up at the lights above the payment hut.

‘Erin,’ he called.

She turned, looking more washed out than him. ‘You should be resting,’ she said softly, not making eye contact.

‘I wanted to see you.’

‘Oh, why?’

‘No reason. Just checking you’re okay.’

Cold air escaped Erin’s mouth as she breathed out a faint laugh. ‘You’re the one who got hurt.’

He poked her cast. ‘We’re in this together.’

‘Are we?’ Her voice broke as she spoke, and Tyler knew Mandy’s arms around him had affected her.

‘Yes,’ he said firmly, stepping closer.

Erin adjusted her hat, then lifted her chin, showing a look filled with strength. ‘Go home and rest. I have work to do.’

Tyler dipped his head as he laughed to himself at her cold attitude towards him. He wasn’t about to give in that easily. Reaching for her good arm, he lightly tugged her back his way. ‘Thanks for helping me last night. I could just about make you out when I wasn’t busy fainting every five minutes.’

The corner of Erin’s mouth twitched. ‘Not everyone’s good with blood.’

‘Or being stabbed.’

Erin tapped his shoulder. ‘I thought you were going to bloody well die.’

‘I’m fine. Everything is fine.’

‘No, it’s not fine, Ty. You’re not fine. I’m not fine. Mandy looked fine though, wrapped around you.’

Okay, so she’s pissed off .

‘She, erm, heard about the attack.’

Erin folded her arms. ‘So you’re back together now?’

Tyler frowned. ‘Really? That’s what you think?’

‘Actually, I don’t think anything. It’s none of my business what you do. But good luck with it all.’ She motioned to the trees. ‘Look, I have customers. Have to go. Bye.’

There wasn’t anyone around but them, which made Tyler laugh. He followed her through the mini forest, calling after her, but she wouldn’t stop walking away, so he stopped to take a breath, feeling the need for a seat. There was a bench close by, so he headed there for a moment and closed his eyes.

‘Tyler, are you all right?’ Erin’s hand was suddenly covering his.

He opened his tired eyes and smiled at the concern washed over her pale face. ‘I’m okay.’

‘You don’t look it. Should I call someone?’

‘I’m just a bit tired. Seriously, I’m fine.’

Erin started to cry, making Tyler shoot up so fast he yelped.

‘I’ll get Heath,’ she said, about to stand, but Tyler tugged her back towards him.

‘Hey, what’s with the tears? It’s too cold to cry. You’ll have icicles hanging from your eyes in a minute.’

Erin sniffed and chuckled, then took his hand to her mouth and kissed his knuckles. ‘You should have gloves.’

‘They’re in my pocket.’

She immediately pulled them out and slipped them on him, making him smile.

‘You should be wearing gloves too,’ he told her, curling her cold hands in his palms.

‘It’s a bit awkward while I’m working out here, especially with the cast. I’m just glad it doesn’t cover my elbow.’

‘It’ll be coming off soon.’

‘And your wound will heal soon.’

Tyler nodded, dipping his head close to hers. ‘It will.’

Erin closed her eyes and rested her head on his chin, and Tyler settled her in his arms, ignoring how uncomfortable his body felt slightly twisted.

‘I was thinking, perhaps I could sit behind the till in the gift shop today. You can fetch me snacks to keep my strength up.’

Erin’s laugh was muffled. ‘You want me to wait on you?’

Tyler lightly kissed the top of her hat. ‘No. I just want to be around you.’ There was a moment of silence. ‘But snacks would help,’ he added, making her snort a laugh.

Erin looked up. ‘I can do that,’ she said softly.

‘Then lunch at Mum’s? I think onion soup is on the menu.’

She nodded as she uncurled herself from his aching body. ‘Sounds good.’

‘And pizza for dinner tonight, before we have a week of turkey?’

‘Yep.’

‘Christmas movies?’

‘Keep talking.’

Tyler grinned. ‘Game of Ludo?’

‘Blankets.’

‘Wood burner.’

‘Tree lights.’

He straightened and tilted her hat. ‘Perfect.’

A customer calling for assistance broke their happy gaze, and Erin dashed off to do her job, leaving Tyler scratching his head, wondering how he was going to navigate his life with her. Being left alone with the trees brought a chill down his spine as the memory of being stabbed hit hard. There was no way he was going to let that affect him. He was surrounded by Christmas trees. It was part of his happy place.

No, just no. This will not affect me. It was a one-off. I’m safe. I’m fine. Christmas trees will not become a trigger .

He took a calming breath, then smiled over at Erin as she tried to lift a five-footer over to the payment hut by herself with one arm. It was quite the sight, but one he couldn’t stand to watch for long. Whipping out his phone, he called Heath, and within a minute his brother was by Erin’s side.

Right, Tyler Silver. You are getting back to normal .

And with that in mind, he headed off to work in the gift shop for the morning, pleased that he would be close to Erin, as her presence alone felt way more healing than his stitches.