The Deadline (The Friessens: A New Beginning) (15 page)

“Laura
, wait up,” Tyler called out as she stepped out of the conference room with every intention of checking on her son.

She stopped just before the elevator
and slowly turned, her stomach sinking at the thought of talking to Tyler alone. She knew Andy wouldn’t like it, not one bit. Tyler hurried toward her, tall and lanky, clean cut. He looked good, wearing blue jeans and a green sweater, a bright shade that really brought out his eyes. He stopped and sighed, giving her one of the smiles that used to turn her good sense upside down and have her melting like a love-struck fool. Now she found herself seeing how different he was from Andy. He just didn’t measure up.

He went to reach for her
arm, but she stepped back and shook her head.

He raised his hands
. “Sorry, my mistake.”

“What do you want
, Tyler?” she asked, and she wondered if all the hurt she still carried echoed in her voice.

“Hey, I just thought maybe we could talk. I am Gabriel’s father
. We have a child together, and there are probably some decisions we should be discussing for our son.”

Laura crossed her arms
, wanting to tap her foot in disbelief. Seriously, what was with this guy? “Let me get this straight: I was fifteen, and you were how much older than me?”

At least he had the good grace to blush.

“You got me pregnant. I wasn’t alone, but, you see, I couldn’t walk away, because it was my body. You shut the door in my face right after my parents threw me out, and if I remember, after you had your fun with me, you treated me as if I was nothing—worse than nothing. You hurt me, Tyler.”

“Hey, I’m not proud of what I did
, but we both made mistakes.” He was getting louder when he spoke and was starting to sound too familiar, as if he thought she’d wronged him.

“Did you know I had to quit school
? I don’t have a high school diploma. I lived in a shelter, I worked as a maid, I cleaned toilets, I scrubbed floors, anything I could to keep a roof over my son’s head, to feed him. I did it alone, Tyler, and where were you? Oh, yeah, having fun, going to my parents’ for dinner, dating, going to college. You don’t have a say when it comes to my son.” She jabbed her finger at him.

“I’m sorry
, Laura. If I could go back to that day, I’d like to think it would be different,” he said, and it seemed as if he truly believed that.

“Really, Tyler
, you’re so naïve. That’s wishful thinking. You know what I am thankful for? I’m thankful for my husband, Andy, because he is Gabriel’s father. He may not have fathered him, but he’s his dad, and he’s who Gabriel cries for when he’s scared. He’s who has been here every night with Gabriel, with no sleep, holding him while he pukes and cries and screams. He chases the nightmares away. He’s the one walking through hell for Gabriel. No, you are not his father. Walk away, Tyler, because if you decide to push this, you’ll have a fight that you don’t want. You don’t want to mess with my husband!”

“Are you threatening me
?” he snarled. He took a step toward her and reached for her arm, and the next thing she knew, Andy was behind her.

“Get the fuck away from my wife
! You touch her again, I swear to God I’ll kill you,” Andy said, grabbing Tyler and slamming him against the wall. There was yelling, and Neil was there, pulling him off. The anger shooting from Andy’s hardened stare at Tyler should have sent him running. Andy was trouble when he wanted to be, but when provoked, when something of his was threatened, she knew he could be downright dangerous.

“Calm down
, Andy,” Neil murmured. He was there, and the doctors. George was pulling Tyler away, and Brian was there as well, squeezing his fists. He, too, looked as if he was ready to take a piece out of Tyler.

Nancy stood off to the
side, watching all of them, and she said in a low and quiet voice, “Laura, I’m sorry. I didn’t stop and realize how hard it was for you.”

Laura was shaking when Neil let Andy go
. He grabbed Laura and pulled her to him, and when she heard someone clear their voice behind her, she looked back and noticed her mother watching her, and then Andy. Her gaze drifted to Andy’s arms around her, and she nodded as if satisfied with something. “Your husband already knows, but you have my permission to do the transplant,” she said.

Andy kept glancing into the backseat at Gabriel
, belted into his high-back booster, with a fleece blanket over him. Laura was in the passenger seat, and she smiled every time Andy looked their way. To hear the news that he was in remission, that the transplant had been a success, had left Andy choked up, and he’d had to fight to blink back the tears. Neil had been there, slapping him on the back and gripping his shoulder as Andy pressed his fist to his mouth. Laura had burst into tears and slid into his arms, burying her face into his chest as she fisted his T-shirt. Andy had kissed her ear, her head, and finally buried his face in her short hair, unable to fight the tears. He’d wiped his face, embarrassed, and Laura hadn’t let go. It was emotional and the happiest moment of his life, and he knew he’d remember it forever.

Now, as
he drove the long, winding gravel road to their new home, it felt as if this was the first time again, as if they were getting a chance to go back in time. The grass was greener, the snow was gone, and it seemed as if they’d missed an entire season. It took him a second to notice the dozens of vehicles in the distance, parked around his sprawling rancher, and there was a moment of confusion as he wondered whether he had the right place. “Laura, what’s with all the vehicles?”

She scooted forward in her seat, the leather rustling
, setting her hand on her window. “I don’t know,” she said. She looked at him and back out the window as Andy pulled up and parked behind a fancy Dodge Ram pickup. It seemed the vehicles were all pickups, and then he saw Neil, all smiles, moving their way, Candy behind him. Each held one of the twins.

Andy
slid out of the truck. “What’s going on here?” he asked. He spotted Kim, wearing blue jeans, hair nicely styled, with a bright gold top and a jean jacket.

“Your neighbor
, here, said you were never properly welcomed. It’s a welcome home party for Gabriel and to welcome you to the community!” Neil said. “I know there are a few people here who want to meet you.”

Kim
waved at Andy but went to Laura, hugging her and sliding her arm around her. “I hope you don’t mind, but all your neighbors put together a welcome home potluck. There are a lot of folks here who were rooting for you, for Gabriel, and they want to meet you.”

Andy reached for
Jeremy, who was babbling away in Neil’s arms. He kissed him and then handed him back. “He’s grown so much,” he said. “God, I missed these two.” He reached out and rubbed his finger under Chelsea’s chin, tickling her. It was the first time he saw her face light up, and she let out a little giggle.

“Let me grab Gabriel
,” Andy said as he opened the back door. Gabriel already had his seat belt undone, and Andy lifted him out, tucking the blanket around him. His red hat covered his bald head. “There’s a party here for you!” he said, and he kissed him on the cheek and moved beside Laura, who was standing with Kim.

“
Well, why don’t we say hi to everyone, and then I’m going to get you tucked into bed?” she said.

“I want to party
!” Gabriel added. Of course, Laura looked into the house at all the people they could see through the windows.

“Come
on, Laura. Let me introduce you to some folks,” Kim said. She slid her hand around Laura’s elbow and led her to the house, giving her only a second to look back at Andy with a helpless expression. Neil and Candy hung back.

“Did you have to let them in the house?”
Andy asked.

Candy appeared worried for a second. “Well, Andy, she’s your neighbor, and they brought food, lots of food. They seem like nice people.”

“They do, Andy. Just come inside to meet everyone. I think you’ll be glad you did. I think Gabriel would like to meet some of the younger kids, too. There are a few his age who he’ll be going to school with. Besides, Gabriel’s doctor is here, too.”

When Andy glanced down at Gabriel
, the boy wore a hopeful expression. After the weeks of being sick and taking treatments, coming home to this welcome for him and their family, well, it had to be good for him. “Okay,” Andy said. “Just no cake, no sugar, and you’re not running around.”

W
hen Andy stepped inside, Bruce Siegel appeared.

“Andy
, you have to be happy to be home,” he said. He set his hand on Gabriel’s leg. “Hey, Gabriel, how does it feel to be back?”

“Good
,” Gabriel said, smiling and taking in all the people in the house.

Neil appeared a second later. “Hey
, Gabriel, let me steal you from your dad. Your babies are being spoiled by all your neighbors.” He scooped him up, and they disappeared around the corner, leaving Andy with Doctor Siegel.

There was awkwardness
, and he wondered why the doctor was here after what had passed between them.

“I’m surprised you’re here
,” Andy said, and the doctor gave him an odd look.

“Why wouldn’t I be
? You’re still my neighbor. Kim’s my friend. She called and insisted, so of course I had to come,” he added. From the way he watched Kim from across the room, Andy wondered if there was something between them.

“I’d do it
again, you know,” Andy said. He wondered what the man would say to that. Maybe he’d leave, but Andy was too damn tired to care. He was playing nice, after all the crow he’d had to swallow to make things right with the hospital and Laura’s mother—and then there was Tyler.

“Yeah
, I know you would. I can’t fault you for what you did. Just don’t ever pull that with me again.” He reached out his hand to shake Andy’s. It was strong, solid, a man Andy had to respect. After all, he’d saved Gabriel’s life.

Bruce
patted his shoulder, and Andy moved on. After meeting a dozen neighbors, shaking hands, he spotted Laura, who was across the living room, speaking with a light-haired man wearing a black leather coat. He spotted Jeremy being cuddled by an older woman, and there was Candy, who looked as if she wasn’t about to relinquish Chelsea any time soon.

Andy slid his arm around
Laura, wondering who the charming man was. He had bright blue eyes and an easy smile. He was a little too dashing, young, and interested in his wife, and Andy had to suppress that possessive growl inside him, as the man was making him downright territorial.

“
Andy Friessen,” he said to the man, who flashed the same smile over to him and reached out a hand. Of course, he accepted and squeezed hard. The man didn’t flinch but seemed to find humor in what he did.

“This is Pastor
Johnson,” Laura indicated.

“Jamie, please. We’re informal here. I was just telling your wife how excited we were to hear
about the nice young family who moved here. We wanted to welcome you. It’s nice to see someone living out here in this place. It’s been empty a long time. Your wife tells me you’re going to raise cattle.”

Laura was looking at him
mischievously.

“
Yeah, that’s the plan, which was kind of put on hold, but yes, as soon as I can make arrangements.”

“
Well, if you need any help or anything, let me know. I grew up on a ranch in the Midwest. I was riding before I could walk. My father, his father, well, you can say ranching was in their blood.”

Andy shook his hand again
. “Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind. If you’ll excuse us, I’m going to borrow my wife for a minute.”

The young pastor
, who looked more like a biker wannabe, moved away to a couple of older gray-haired ladies who were all smiles and laughter as soon as he joined them.

“So that’s the local minister
, huh?” Andy had to admit he didn’t fit his idea of what a minister should be.

“Yeah, kind of surprised me.
He doesn’t talk like one I’ve ever met. He didn’t try to convert me.”

“Interesting”
was all Andy could think to say. The doorbell rang, and Neil called out to him and waved. “Guess more of the community is here,” he said. He kissed Laura and then left her, making his way across the room. He slowed when he realized Neil wasn’t smiling.

“Tyler’s here
,” his cousin said in a low voice. “He’s waiting outside.”

Andy glanced back at Laura
, who was speaking with another neighbor he hadn’t met yet. “Where’s Gabriel?”

“Bathroom
, with Candy. He’s fine,” Neil added. “Do you want me to come?”

“Yeah, see what the hell he wants now.” Andy pushed open the door
, really digging into each step. He was pissed and angry, and he couldn’t believe this punk-ass kid had the nerve to show up here to his home, where friends were throwing them a welcoming party.

“Tyler
,” he bit out. He could feel Neil beside him as he took in Tyler, with his light face, his awkwardness, and the way he stood with his hands jammed into his pockets.

“I’m sorry to
just show up here, but I wanted to give you this,” he said. He was holding out a manila envelope. For what felt like an eternity, Andy just stared at it. Whatever was in it couldn’t be good. He kept his arms crossed, and it was Neil who reached over and snatched the envelope from Tyler’s grasp.

“So what is this
? You’re hell bent on fucking up my kid’s life even more? You’re not satisfied that he’s happy, that he has two parents who love him and whom he loves―”

“Andy
,” Neil said, stopping him before he could say anymore. “You need to see this.” He set the legal paper in front of him, and Andy blinked and read it again, because his brain didn’t register what it was saying.
Termination of Parental Rights.
He wasn’t sure he’d read it right. He looked up at Tyler, who appeared ready to weep.

“I wish things could be different
, but I signed that because I do love him. I wish I could go back and change things. I wish I could be a part of his life.”

“I don’t know what to say
,” Andy added, feeling like a bastard for jumping down Tyler’s throat. He reached out his hand, and Tyler stared for a second. Maybe he was worried Andy was going to hurt him, but then he pulled his hand from his pocket, stuck it out, and gave Andy the weakest, limpest handshake before quickly pulling away.

“Just promise me you’ll take care of my son.
If you could send pictures, let me know how he’s doing…maybe one day you could tell him about me, when he’s older,” he said. Then he shuffled away, stepping off the porch, and Andy called out to him.

“Tyler, thank you
,” he said. The kid waved as he hurried back to a green minivan, where his mother was waiting behind the wheel, and they pulled away.

“You didn’t promise him you’d send him photos or update him
,” Neil said.

“
No, I didn’t.”

“Hmm.”
Neil set his hand on his shoulder. “So what are you going to do?”

“Finalize the adoption
,” Andy said, waving the paper in the air, “so no one can ever question my parental authority again.” Andy slid the paper back in the envelope. “Let’s go join the party.”

****

Two days later, Andy was organizing his office after saying goodbye to Neil and Candy. He’d sent his lawyer the signed termination of rights, and she was moving the adoption process along. Tomorrow, he’d finally meet the man about some cattle.

Laura called out
from the kitchen, “Andy, dinner is ready!”

“Coming, jus
t need to put something away.” He patted the envelope he’d been looking for when they first arrived, the one that contained Aida’s tape, the evidence of his mother trying to get rid of Laura. He’d stumbled across it with Neil after the party, when he’d been poking around in some boxes, and he’d since made a copy.

He slid open his desk drawer and pulled
out a locked box, opening it and shoving the envelope inside along with a silver bank key and instructions to a safety deposit box at the bank in town. There was one thing Andy knew: He would always make sure his family was safe.