“They never treated me the way they treated Wendy.”

“You need to confront them, then. You need to find out exactly what happened and how they felt about it.”

I pulled away. “You think I could talk to my father about this? He’s recovering from heart surgery. This is not what he needs.”

“Then talk to your mother.”

He handed me a napkin, and I wiped my eyes and then my face. “Put yourself in my situation, Teo. Can you?”

“Of course not.”

“Wendy is my mother. Wendy is running from the law. Wendy wants me to find some mysterious ex-con so she can pin a murder on him, or at least turn him in to the sheriff so she can come home unscathed.”

“It’s complicated. I get that. But put that aside for now and go see your mother. Tell her what you learned. Show her the photo. Pay attention to everything she says and doesn’t. You have to.”

“I know.”

He reached for me again, and this time he kissed me. I leaned into the kiss, so glad for his warmth and the familiar feel of him against me.

I finally pulled away. “You’ve always been here for me when I need you. And you know what? You never let me be there for you.”

“It’s a guy thing.”

It was such an inane response, so ridiculously superficial, that I had to smile. Of course, a smile was the point. I put my hand on his cheek, and he closed his eyes. “I promise from now on I’ll be there if you need me, Teo. Any time, any place. Even when it’s not easy.”

“Settle this. Find your answers. Then let’s see if we can be together without drama.” He opened his eyes. “Do you want to finish your lunch?”

I shook my head.

“I’ll pack it up, then I’ll take you back to your car. I can finish mine at the kennel.”

“I’m not ready to face my mother.” I paused. “Mothers. Neither one of them.”

He rose. “Take some time to think. But you need to talk to Arlie. You see that, right?”

“Yeah, and I will.”

“I’m a phone call away.”

I wanted him closer. I wanted him where, at that very moment, Bismarck was warming my sheets. But he was right. I had too much drama in my life, and I couldn’t let the leftovers spill into his. I couldn’t let Teo become an antidote for angst and suspense, or ever think that he was.

I stood on shaky legs and made a decision. “I’ll talk to Mom in the morning, after I’ve calmed down a little, and I’ll let you know what happens.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

“That’s more than I deserve.”

He cupped my chin and kissed my nose. “You deserve everything, Ryan. Don’t sell yourself short. Start with your family and find out what you already have.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

I knew better than to talk to my mother at home because my father wasn’t healthy enough to hear our conversation. I didn’t want to invite her to a restaurant, either, where others could eavesdrop.