Page 50 of Redemption Ridge Vol II

Tyler nodded. “They’re cut from the same cloth, as my grandaddy likes to say.”

Maggie squeezed his arm. “I’m sorry for interrupting.”

“Don’t be,” Tyler replied. “I’m sure this is bringing up terrible memories for you too.” He took a deep breath and continued. “Stu knew a guy who knew a guy who could get the prescription drugs for me. His dealer had a close connection with a pharmacist who filled fake prescriptions. And like Owen, I got caught up in an undercover operation. I was just too high to know it for a few days. When I somewhat sobered up, I pled guilty to the charges and landed up in the same jail as Owen.” Tyler reached for Maggie’s hand and said, “He saved my life. Owen protected me when I was too weak to take care of myself. He took me under his wing and showed me the type of kindness preached about in our church but rarely displayed in real life. He taught me how to trust and how to love. Owen is the only reason I reconnected with my family.”

“How?”

“By suggesting I write them a letter from jail. They didn’t know about my arrest or incarceration because I concluded they never wanted to hear from me again.”

“That can’t be true,” Maggie said.

“It wasn’t,” Tyler agreed. “But I wouldn’t have known that if not for him.” Owen liked to say he would’ve gotten there eventually, but Tyler didn’t think so. “He has the kindest heart of anyone I’ve known, and he’s so damn smart.”

Tears streamed down Maggie’s face. “I wish he believed that about himself.”

“He will in time,” Tyler said with conviction. “And I swear to you here and now that I will never give up on your son. I will love him until the end of time.”

A sob erupted from Maggie’s chest as she flung her arms around Tyler and cried against his chest. He ran his hands up and down her back to comfort her. “Shh, now. Everything is going to be okay.”

Maggie pulled back and stared up at him. “I don’t deserve him. I never did. Owen says he’s forgiven me, but I don’t see how that’s possible.”

“He understands now what he couldn’t back then,” Tyler said. “Time and perspective do that for a person. Do me a favor?”

Maggie nodded. “Anything.”

“The truth is in how he looks at you. Block out your fears and insecurities, and just observe the way his eyes dance and sparkle when he looks at you. Notice the awe in his expression when he thinks you’re not paying attention. Listen to the reverence in his voice when he talks about the things you’ve overcome. Owen loves you so much, and he’s so proud of the life you’ve built for yourself. That’s what you should cling to, not the mistakes you made when you didn’t know better.”

Maggie studied Tyler like he was a rare animal in a zoo. “How the hell did you get to be so wise?”

“My family taught me a lot about being a good person, even if I didn’t want to acknowledge it back then. Owen might only be twenty-seven, but he has the wisdom of someone three times his age. And we’re surrounded by smart men on the ranch, who I continuously learn from. I’m a lucky guy.”

“Very,” Maggie said. “Now, tell me, do you take your own advice? Do you forgive the decisions you made when you didn’t know better? Do you observe and listen with an open heart and an objective mind?”

“Probably not as much as I should,” Tyler admitted.

“Do you promise to try?”

Tyler smiled at her persistence. “Absolutely.”

Maggie searched his gaze for a few moments before nodding. “I’m going to put a cold washcloth on my face so my eyes won’t get puffy.” She stood up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Be right back.”

Tyler continued working on the tree by himself and thought about his conversation with Maggie. He’d accused Owen of ignoring his own advice, and he was just as guilty. He’d already kissed his family goodbye for a second time before they even heard what he had to say. Going into the situation with that mindset was a guaranteed disaster because he’d be looking for a slight at every turn. Tyler blew out a frustrated breath and countered the negative thoughts he’d had with positive ones. He was feeling pretty good about things when Maggie returned. She’d freshened her makeup a bit, but her eyes still looked a little red. Owen would notice, and he’d worry until he had a moment to read the room.

And that’s exactly what happened. He came through the door and stopped when he looked at his mom. Owen studied each of their expressions for a few seconds before continuing into the kitchen. Maggie winked at Tyler before following Owen. The easygoing vibe lasted all weekend. Stephanie joined them for a mouthwatering pot roast supper and brought a delicious pecan pie. She couldn’t stay long because she worked third shift as a nurse at a nearby county hospital. Her visit was enough to confirm the attraction crackling between the ladies. Owen gave his mom another gentle nudge once Stephanie left but then let the subject drop.

The trio exchanged gifts beside the beautifully decorated tree. Maggie loved the bath set, flannel pajamas, and fuzzy robe they gave her, but she cried when she opened the last gift. It was a book from Owen called “Never Too Late.”

“Did you get the book from Hope?” Tyler asked.

Owen nodded. “I told her what I was looking for, and she picked it out.”

“I’d really like to meet this Hope you keep talking about,” Maggie said.

“Come for a visit,” Owen said. “Cash opens his home to our families. He has lovely guest suites for them to use, and it would be like staying in a fancy hotel suite.”

“And you get Harry’s cooking,” Tyler said.

“Have your parents visited?” Maggie asked him.