You said it'd be weeks. You haven't even found a job, have you?"
"Faith." He holds my hands, turning to me and smiling. "I'm not leaving."
"You're not?" I ask, holding my breath because I'm not sure I trust what he's telling me.
"I was thinking last night…about that job at the youth center. I'm thinking maybe I should try it."
"Really?" I smile, and let out the breath I was holding.
"I texted Crystal this morning. Told her I'm interested."
"Tyler, that's awesome!" I hug him and don't let go.
"It's not for sure yet. I don't have the job."
"But you know you'll get it. You're perfect for it. You know how to ride horses and I know you'd be good with kids."
He laughs and gently pulls away. "Why do you think I'd be good with kids?"
"Because you're patient and a good teacher. Look how much I've learned about cars in the time I've known you."
"That doesn't mean I'm good with kids. You're an adult."
"I can just tell. And we can test that theory when you come with me on Tuesday to volunteer. Eddie can't wait to meet you. I told him all about you. He loves cars just as much as you."
"Eddie is the kid who dropped out of school?"
"Yeah. I'm hoping you can talk him into going back."
"I wouldn't get your hopes up. I may not be able to get through to him."
"Maybe not the first time, but if you meet with him a few more times after that, I think he'll listen to you." I hug him again. "I'm so happy you're doing this."
"This doesn't mean I'll stay the whole two years. I can't make any promises right now."
"I know." I sit back. "Let's just take it a day at a time, okay?"
The sound of Walter's laughter fills the air.
I smile. "Sounds like everything's back to normal over there."
"Not completely. He didn't greet her with a kiss like he normally does."
"Just give it time. Grams says they're back to being just friends but I get the feeling that'll change. She has a thing for your grandpa. She won't be able to resist him for long."
"You think they've done it?"
"No! And don't talk about it. I don't even want to think about it." I pause, then say, "Why'd you even ask? You don't think they have, do you?"
He shrugs. "Let's just say Pops' bed isn't the quietest. Some nights there's a lot of noise coming from his room."
"He's probably just tossing and turning in his sleep."
"If he was sleeping I'd hear snoring. And trust me, there was no snoring."
"Gross!" I smack him. "Stop talking about this!"
"You asked!"
I laugh. "You're right. Sorry."
"Eat your breakfast so we can go do something."
"What are we going to do?"
"Not sure yet. We'll figure it out once you're done."
Picking up the plate, I take a bite of my pastry. "Thanks for the jerky. And the breakfast."
"I have leftover smoked meat too if you want it."
"No thanks."
"Good, because I ate most of it."
"How early did you get up today?"
"I never went to sleep. I was up all night thinking. And then I had to fill out that application."
"You're totally going to get that job. We should go out and celebrate."
"We could celebrate back at the cabin," he says in a flirty tone.
"It’s not our cabin. We can't go back there."
"Randy wouldn't care. He doesn't even use it."
I take a moment to consider it, then get up from the bench and hurry into the house to grab my keys.
"Is that a yes?" Tyler calls after me, laughing.
We go to the cabin and repeat what we did last night, then we take a drive, admiring the bright orange and red colors that appeared on the trees this week. Fall has finally arrived, both in the colors of the trees and the cooler weather.
I've seen the colorful foliage all week but didn't notice how brilliant the color was until now. Everything seems brighter now. The sun. The trees. The sky. It's because Tyler is staying. And because he wants to. His face lit up when he talked about applying for that job. He really wants it and I know he'll get it. And then all this talk about him leaving will finally end.
Chapter Twenty-Six
"Thanks so much for coming by today," Jackie, one of the youth counselors, says to Tyler. He just finished talking to Eddie.
"No problem," Tyler says. "Eddie's a good kid. He just needs someone to believe in him."