Chapter Eleven

Tyler couldn’t stomach Ruthie Turner. She had latched onto Fawn like a tick and would undoubtedly suck every drop of common sense from her. But Fawn had always allowed her friends to do that, clinging to them as though she couldn’t stand on her own.

He would set Fawn straight, though.

Tyler pulled to the side of the road and punched his phone. “Sure enough. I found her right where you said she’d be.”

Neil Blaylock’s mutterings on the other end of the line brought a smile to Tyler’s lips. Fawn’s dad undoubtedly thought he had Tyler wrapped around his little finger.

“Did you talk sense into her?” Neil asked.

“It’ll take me a few days to get her on the line, but I’m working on it.”

“My daughter’s no good on her own. Never has been.”

Tyler looked across the street to where Neil and Susan Blaylock sat in their car. Fawn’s mother fluttered her hands, and Tyler could hear her over the line, whining about love. He chuckled. “She won’t be alone much longer.”

Neil raised a palm to silence his wife, and Tyler heard him mumble, “He loves her, all right? We’ve established that fact.”

“Tell your wife I love Fawn more than life itself.”

Neil squinted at him from across the street.

“I saw it in a movie one time.”

Neil lowered the phone to the steering wheel and turned to Susan. “He says he loves her more than life itself.”

The woman’s shoulders melted. Lord, she was pitiful.

Neil put the phone back to his ear. “I don’t care what words you use, but you’ve got to convince her. Fawn deserves the best, and you’re it.”

Tyler questioned the man’s intentions. Neil was a Christian, a husband, a father, but he was a rancher first, and Tyler knew he wanted more than a good match for his daughter. He wanted a solid connection with the power behind the Cruz name.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Tyler nodded, using Neil just as much, if not more, to get what he wanted.

Fawn couldn’t stand to be in the same room with her parents, but she always tried to milk them for approval. Good luck to her. He’d tried the same thing with his own father, and a lot of good it did.

Neil started his car, and it settled into a dull purr. “She’s refusing to take my money, even after all that complaining about me not helping her.” Tyler could see Neil’s jaw clench, even from so far away. “But that could work to your advantage, I suppose. Without my help, she’ll need you even sooner.”

Susan snapped at him, louder this time. “Not everyone marries for money, Neil.”

Tyler reached down and pulled a can of beer from the ice chest on the floorboard, hiding his smile. The Blaylocks could really get off on each other once they got going. Susan’s eyes became slits, and she glared at her husband. Tyler found it humorous, but he knew once he was married, he would have to teach Fawn to show him respect.

“Oh, shut up.” Neil didn’t look at his wife, only lifted his chin to Tyler. “Let me know if you need any help. I already put in a good word.”

“Don’t worry, sir.” Tyler opted to use the formal title, continuing the charade. “I love your daughter, and I’m determined to win her back.”

“Well, you might want to hurry it up. She ought to be married before the baby comes.”

“I see what you mean.” Tyler had every intention of marrying Fawn before the baby came. That way there would be no doubt of his son carrying his name. He popped open the beer can. “Yes, sir. Before the baby comes. You can count on it.” He tossed the phone on the seat, then tilted his head back to let the liquid cool his throat.

He stretched the truth when he swore he loved Neil’s daughter, but he figured he could work up to that eventually. Or maybe he loved her already. He wasn’t sure what that felt like, but something burned inside him. Now he just needed to convince her, and the first thing on his list was to figure out where she was living.

He took another swig of beer, started the truck, and pulled confidently onto the highway leading up the Caprock.