Pepper Lane Sweet Shoppe (Pepper Bay #14)

28

Tyler

‘Tyler?’ Erin gasped. ‘I’m so sorry about before. It was totally my fault. I want to explain.’

He smiled as he joined her on the wall. ‘It’s okay. I understand. At least I think I do.’

Erin looked out at the sea. ‘Even before I came here my head was a mess, and since meeting you, I’ve been worse.’

Tyler laughed. ‘Not quite sure how I should take that.’

‘It’s not a bad thing, just a confusing thing.’

He nodded, knowing how she felt. ‘I wasn’t expecting to meet you either. I figured I’d spend the rest of the year crying into my pillow each night, but it hasn’t been that way at all. Not only have you kept my mind occupied, you’ve given my heart a kickstart.’

‘Is that how it feels for you?’

‘Yes, and I’ve had a word with myself about all this. At one point, I wasn’t sure how to handle the situation. I needed you to be sure I wasn’t on the rebound. Chasing after the first woman who appeared because I felt so worthless.’ Tyler lowered his head and sighed as she turned his way.’

Great, I sound pathetic. How can I make her see?

‘I came to find you to let you know about my idea of making the flat so comfy and homely for you that it might be what helps you stay. I gave you a key to my place, but it dawned on me that you might need your own space, and I was being too pushy.’ He thought about what to add, but she interrupted.

‘I loved the key, but I guess I was wanting words not gestures. I really don’t know, Ty. What I do know is, I knew a little while back I had fallen in love with you, with Pepper Bay, and the idea of owning a sweet shop.’

He looked up. ‘But? I know there’s a but coming.’

‘But I find it hard to feel secure, and not just since my wedding day. So when Adam invited me to be with family… Well, it’s something I used to dream about as a child. A big family who loved me was my security. At least that’s where I thought I’d find solid ground.’

Tyler dipped his head. ‘I love you, Erin. I know I’m not blood, but I already see you as my family, and I would never do anything to make you feel unloved, unwanted, unstable, or insecure. If you give me a chance, I will spend the rest of my life making you happy.’

It was quite overwhelming the way tears filled her eyes. He didn’t want her to feel confused or sad.

I’m not doing a good job of this, or am I? It’s too cold to think straight .

Erin shivered. It was no good sitting at the beach, freezing. They needed to be able to feel their lips if they were to finish their conversation, and Tyler so wanted to continue talking to her, as he hoped they would get somewhere.

‘Let’s go inside the shop,’ he said, nudging her shoulder. ‘We can put the heating on and make some hot chocolate.’

Erin smiled, which was settling. ‘Good idea.’

Tyler stopped at the Nutcracker. ‘What’s with this guy?’

‘Chester ordered him.’

‘It’s a bit late.’

Erin smiled as she opened the door. ‘Oh, I don’t know, I think he might have arrived just in time.’

Tyler closed the door behind them, then switched on the tree lights and the heating. ‘I wish you’d grown up here.’

‘There’s a nice vibe to this place, Ty.’

‘I’ve always thought so.’

She tugged his sleeve. ‘I have made up my mind. For good this time. I know I was back and forth, and I tried to force you to make the decision for me, but I feel settled now.’

‘Were you hoping I would beg you to stay?’ He grinned, then added, ‘Because I would, if that’s what it takes.’

‘You don’t need to beg. You showed me you wanted me to stay just by giving me a key to your home. No words were needed after that. You haven’t done anything wrong. I was the one who complicated the issue.’

Tyler pulled her closer. ‘I honestly don’t care. I’m just freaking out a little because I was sure you were leaving. I can’t shake it off.’ He waggled a hand to add to his statement.

Erin hugged him, making all the nerves relax. ‘I’m sorry I made you feel that way.’

Kissing the top of her head, he smiled. ‘You’re not the only one with insecurities.’

Her gorgeous eyes rolled his way as she raised her head. ‘I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. Whatever has happened between us is special, I know that much, and I know I would always look after your heart.’

‘Oh, Erin. I wish I could explain how strong my feelings are towards you.’ He kissed the tip of her nose, then cleared his throat. ‘Wait, let me give this a good go. Right. Erin Mason, I love you more than I love all the retro sweets in this shop, and don’t forget that includes the cola cubes.’

Erin snorted.

‘And,’ he added before she could speak, ‘I love you more than I love my wood burner, my Postmaster’s hat on you, Queenie’s cooked breakfast, making snow angels, even Silver Wish Farm.’

‘That’s a whole heap of love.’

‘I know, right. So, what you got?’

She giggled, then dramatically placed a finger to her chin. ‘Hmm, let me see. Tyler Silver, I love you more than I love…’ She took a moment.

Tyler quirked an eyebrow. ‘You need some time?’

Erin bit her lip as she smiled. ‘Okay, I’ve got it. Tyler Silver, you are better than a ferry ride, a broken arm, a nightmare wedding day, and mince pies. I really don’t like them and only eat them to be polite when someone offers.’

He burst out laughing whilst taking her hand, following her to the stairs so they could go up to make a hot drink. ‘Well, that’s cheered me up no end.’

‘Wait, I don’t think that sounds right. Anything would be better than that lot. Let me try again.’

Tyler shook his head. ‘Nope, that’ll do just fine. Besides, I knew where you were coming from.’

‘My words aren’t all that tonight.’

‘As long as we speak the truth, we should be okay about knowing where we stand with each other.’

She snagged his arm. ‘I’ve decided I’m going to Australia next month. I want to meet my family.’

It was hard to keep it together, as the worry of her not returning niggled at his heart.

‘You will come with me, won’t you?’ she asked, hope sitting in her eyes.

Anyone would think she had just proposed, the way that made him feel.

‘I’d like that.’

‘And will it be okay if I introduce you as my partner?’

Tyler felt every part of him come alive. ‘Are you kidding me? I’d love nothing more.’ He stepped closer and lifted her chin so she could look into his eyes. ‘Erin, I can’t explain it, but I know that if you make your mind up to stay here with me, we’re going to spend the rest of our lives together.’

‘We do have a strong connection.’

‘Please don’t start talking about connections. I can’t handle that thought right now. I’m just about holding it together without you making me think about our connection in bed. Not that I’ve been able to wipe it from my mind.’

Erin giggled and kissed him. ‘I can’t stop thinking about it either,’ she mumbled on his lips.

‘Do we need to talk some more or can we just skip to the connection part again?’

‘I thought we were having hot chocolate.’

They laughed on each other’s lips, then Tyler pulled back.

‘In all seriousness, do we need to talk some more, Erin?’

She shook her head as her hands cupped his face. ‘I know this started with me being insecure, but now it’s you needing reassurance. Ty, I want to give it a go. Us, this shop, build a home together in your place, the whole shebang. Australia will just be a holiday. We’ll go as a couple and return as a couple.’

‘That’s what I want, but can you be sure this time?’

‘Yes. Chester taught me it’s not relatives I need to feel stable and secure.’

‘When did he teach you that?’

She thumbed behind her. ‘When he sent me the Nutcracker.’

Tyler glanced at her finger. ‘All that from a Nutcracker?’

‘Yeah. I read Chester’s note that came with it, and something just clicked. It was like the sign I’d been searching for. My grandfather is watching over me, protecting me from up above, and he knows I’ll be safe here. That I’ll be loved here.’

‘That’s how the Nutcracker made you feel?’

Erin nodded as she grinned. ‘I know it sounds daft, but it’s just what happened.’

‘It’s not daft. Sometimes we need to see signs to help us make decisions. If that dude out there was your sign, then I love him already.’

Erin placed her hands on his chest. ‘You helped too, Ty. You’ve done nothing but help. Everything feels right when I’m with you.’

‘That’s how I feel.’

‘So, are we good now? Are we both finally feeling secure enough to be in a relationship again?’

He lightly kissed her mouth. ‘I feel ready for everything with you.’

‘In that case, it looks as though we’ve got ourselves a new beginning.’

‘And we’re definitely having a happily ever after as well.’

Erin nodded. ‘That’s a whole heap of time.’

Tyler lowered his head, kissing the corner of her mouth. ‘So let’s not waste any.’

Erin’s lips curled. ‘How many minutes do we have?’

Tyler smiled back. ‘All of them.’