Losing Control - By Robyn Grady Page 0,61

couldn't stand to have surprises sneak up and bite him in the rear. He complained about Dex, about Wynn. Huffed at memories of a grown woman like Teagan having her own life. He'd thought he was so much better, responsible, worthier than any of them.

And here he'd failed in the most devastating way possible.

How would he ever tell his father?

People were milling around him. Cole knew he must look like a madman. On a different level, he understood he needed to get himself together. He couldn't help Tate if he disintegrated into a mute, dazed mess.

Cole cast another look around. Curious faces peered back. Old, young, different colors and heights and -

Cole's head went back. He rubbed his stinging eyes and then focused hard. A little boy in a red tee was walking toward him, a football slotted under his arm, looking for all the world as if nothing had happened, nothing was wrong.

A rush of adrenaline propelled him forward at the same time a cry broke from his lips. Then he was on his knees, hugging his brother so tight that, if it had been anyone else, Cole would have told them to back the hell off.

"Cole? You okay?"

Both cheeks damp, Cole forced himself to draw back. He inhaled through his nose, smelled that peanut-butter smell that was Tate and almost lost the battle not to hug him extra tight again. Was the nightmare truly over?

His throat and voice were thick as molasses. "I lost you for a minute, kiddo."

"I went to see the paddleboats." Tate turned and pointed to the lake and the oblivious couples peddling around. "Wanna try it with me? Looks really fun."

Chest aching, Cole laughed. He thought he might never stop. "It is fun. But give me a minute to catch my breath. I was worried."

"Coz you were alone?"

Suddenly exhausted, Cole grinned. "Uh-huh."

His small smile comforting, Tate brought his big brother close again. Patting his back, he said, "Don't worry, Cole. I'll never leave you. I love you. You know that."

"I do. I know." Cole's throat closed more. "But I'm just not around enough to hear it, am I?"

"You can come around more. Lots more. Daddy's not spending so much time at Hunners now. You shouldn't, too."

"You'd look after me?"

Giving a big sigh, Tate held his brother's hand. "And you can make all the noise you want."

That's when Cole's dam cracked wide-open and, in front of a crowd, on his knees in his little brother's arms, the CEO of Hunter Broadcasting surrendered and broke down.
Chapter Nineteen
"Thanks for coming with me, sweetie. I know you're busy polishing up your resume."

Parking her car, Taryn glanced across at her aunt, who was sitting with her best handbag on her lap in the passenger seat.

"Spending the morning with you is tons more fun than sorting out job history and qualifications." Everything that reminds me how I quit a job I thought I'd love. That I will never again see the man I stupidly fell in love with.

Taryn switched off the ignition, opened her door and got her thoughts on track. "I'm just wondering when you got interested in nautical themes."

"It's time for a change. I'm over polished oak and tapestry upholstery. When I saw that flyer earlier this week, the stock and colors leaped out and grabbed me."

Taryn checked out the run of storefronts, which paralleled a busy marina. Shielding her eyes from the sun, she inhaled the scent drifting in on a gentle saltwater breeze. Sydney was interlaced with so many gorgeous bays, but this morning, all that clear blue water stretching out toward the "great beyond" made her heart squeeze tight in her chest.

Each day she told herself to focus on tomorrow not on yesterday. Having left Hunter Broadcasting for good, the world was her oyster. She could pursue her dream of producing; she still believed Hot Spots would appeal to a wide audience. On the other hand, just because she'd worked in TV all her adult life didn't mean she wouldn't enjoy a different vocation. A job that would suit her a hundred times more, maybe.

In a place that didn't remind her of Cole.

As they crossed the parking lot, Vi examined that flyer again.

"According to this, the store's way down the other end. I only want a quick look, first up. No deposits until I've chewed over all the options."

They were passing a cafe, its display cabinet filled with rows of scrumptious-looking cakes. Taryn wasn't surprised when Vi's step slowed and she asked, "Want to stop