Chapter 60

When he dropped the boys off at school Monday morning, Jack hugged him as usual, but Eddie got out of the truck and walked away without so much as a backward glance.

When Tyler arrived at the mill he felt a sense of relief. Here at least there weren’t many who were aware of his turmoil. Yes, his father would be in later, and Ward was somewhere on the grounds, but at least for now, no one was in his face about Ward and him.

Sarah Anne and Nancy greeted him in their usual jovial, flirtatious way. He did his best to respond as he usually did, asking them about their weekends and telling them about how great his was. Only today, his description of the last few days was a lie.

He went from the store to the office and shut the door. It would just take time, he told himself. As he went to his desk he wrestled with the thought that at some point a face to face with Ward was inevitable. In fact, it was a necessity. As hard as that would be, he owed Ward that much at least.