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Why was Tyler wary about Dad coming home?

Tate blew out a breath. He was too tired to worry about the dynamics between Tyler and Dad. What he would do was make sure that he maintained as peaceful an atmosphere as possible inside the house. If he had to keep Tyler away to achieve that, he would. Tate didn’t want to though. He wanted Tyler to be able to visit Dad.

“Darla from the rehab center said that Dad needs to remain calm and relaxed. Not exposed to any stressful environments.” Hopefully, Tyler would get the message loud and clear.

“Not going to be easy with the festival and harvest upon us.”

No shit.

But he and Tyler had formed sort of a truce tonight and he didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize that. “I know, but we’ll have to work together to make sure we keep Dad away from it all. Or keep all the action away from the house as much as possible. I’ll have to talk to Kelly about this as well.”

“It’s going to be a crazy weekend. With Dad coming home and getting him settled in.”

“Yeah, it—fuck.” There went his plans to go to Houston with Kelly. No way could he leave Dad on his first weekend home.

“What? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. It’s fine.” Tate shoved his hands in his pockets, as if pushing his disappointment further down inside of him.

“No. There’s something wrong. Tell me.” Tyler used his big brother voice and Tate stared at him.

“Really? You’re going to try and boss me around? Bro, the chances of you bossing me around are pretty slim.”

Tyler chuckled. “Okay, not bossing, but come on, tell me what’s wrong. Did you have plans?”

“Kind of.”

“That doesn’t tell me anything.”

The second he relayed his plans with Kelly to Tyler, his brother was going to know that they were more than co-organizers. “I was going to Houston.”

“Dude, you never just go to Houston. You have to have a reason. Why?”

His hope of fobbing off his brother was dying as quickly as a shooting star flashing across a night sky. “It doesn’t matter what the reason was. I’m not going now. Settling Dad in is a priority.”

He didn’t want to disappoint Kelly, but what other choice did he have? His dad came first. If he wasn’t here, who would make sure Dad didn’t wander all over the farm?

No, as much as it frustrated him, he’d made the right decision—he would cancel his trip. There would be plenty of other times he and Kelly could sneak away for the weekend.

“Tate, tell me. I can see that this change of plans isn’t making you happy.”

Dammit, Tyler wasn’t giving up. “What do you mean I’m not happy? I’m ecstatic Dad’s coming home.”

“That’s not what I’m saying. I know you’re happy he’s getting out of the rehab center. I am too. But I can also tell that you were really looking forward to this weekend away. If anyone deserves some time away it’s you. You’ve been working your ass off ever since Dad had his stroke.”

“Someone had to make sure the farm work got done. We were approaching harvest season.” Try as he might he couldn’t leave the anger out of his voice.

Tyler had been so focused on his vines that he hadn’t bothered to even attempt to help him with the day-to-day running of the farm. Not that he needed it, but it would’ve been nice of Tyler to offer.

“Okay, I’m not going to get into an argument with you about the farm operations. It’s one we don’t need to have again. But I can help this weekend. Let me watch over Dad. You go and enjoy your time away.” Tyler canted his head to the side, as if trying to read Tate’s mind. “You’re going with Kelly, aren’t you?”

Shock sailed through him. How did Tyler know this? Had he been listening in on their conversation on the porch? There was no point denying the truth though. Dawn would be here before he knew it; Tate just wanted to get to bed. He’d have twice the busy day he initially thought with making sure the preparations for Dad’s return were taken into hand.

“Fine. Yes, I was going to Houston with Kelly. She’s doing the flowers for a wedding there and I asked if she needed any help.”

Tyler whistled long and low. “I had my suspicions, but…” He stepped forward and slapped Tate on the back. “Good for you. She’s a nice girl. A little older than you though, isn’t she?”

“Haven’t we already done this? I’m sure you made some comment about her being older than me earlier this evening. Besides, it doesn’t matter. We’re just seeing where this goes.”