She sighs. “I’m not committing to anything.”
“Landon and I both made huge mistakes,” Claire adds. She looks like she’s going to cry. “We need to earn back your trust, but we want you standing with us.”
“Who was that couple I met at your ranch?” Tinsley asks.
I smile. “They manage the day to day operations. They’re the managers and caretakers.”
“They didn’t even introduce themselves to me. You hadn’t told them I was coming, and they treated me like I was a process server.”
I cringe. “I know. That was terrible. But they’re very protective.”
“You hurt me, Landon. You cut me deeper than anyone ever has.”
“I don’t know if this matters, but I came into town each day to catch a glimpse of you at the diner. Darlene knew and kept texting me to man up and come inside to see you. I behaved badly. I know that. But please tell me it’s not too late. I don’t want to lose you—not as a friend and not as a partner.”
Claire is crying. “I was wrong, too. I was mad at him, and I took it out on you. I’ll admit I was jealous of your relationship. You had everything I wanted—a great guy, even if he is my brother, you’re awesome at your job, and everyone likes you.”
Tinsley eyes grow wide. “That is not true. A lot of people don’t like me. I fall into the category of you either like me or you hate me.”
I turn, hearing someone approach. It’s an older version of Tinsley. They could be twins. When she stops, I fan my hand in a half-wave. “I’m the prime, number-one asshole, Landon Walsh.”
Her face softens. “Nice to see some honesty.”
Claire stands and offers her hand. “I’m the number-two asshole, Claire Walsh.”
“I’m Tinsley’s mother, Layne Stapleton. I’m ordering in Indian. Do you want to stay for dinner?”
“We’d love to,” Claire gushes.
Tinsley stares at her mother. She clearly doesn’t forgive us yet.
“Can I talk you into a walk around the park so we can chat?” I ask Tinsley.
She hesitates but agrees. Claire settles in with her phone as we exit.
We walk side by side across the street.
“This is so different than San Francisco,” I say.
“It is. It’s cool when it snows. It’s a white blanket out in our front yard.”
We skirt around a man with three labs—one brown, one black, and one yellow. “Claire was wondering if a dog was a requirement for living here?”
Tinsley chuckles. “It almost seems like it, doesn’t it?”
“I am sorry.”
“I’m going to fight you for my software. My mom and I have looked into it, and given the short time we’ve been connected, we can nullify the contract, and I will return your money.”
I nod. “What if we put more rules in place and work together?”
“I’ve also informed Mason of my desire to separate. He’ll back my new project.”
“I bet he would. He sees a winner. But so do we. We believe in you, Tinsley.” I can’t let her give up on us. “I want to help you. I’m here to beg forgiveness and do whatever it takes to earn back your trust.”
“I don’t know if that’s possible,” she says.
We watch the Canadian geese around the lake for a while. “You know, they don’t require visas or any paperwork for these Canadians,” she finally teases.
I have to believe that’s a good sign. “They have no idea how easy they have it.”
Next I fill her in on what I learned from Fiona.
“So, where are you going to hang out until August?”
“I originally thought we could go back to Montana for the summer. But if you’d prefer to stay here, I’ll rent something close by and can meet you for work wherever you’d like.”
She turns and looks at me. “You’d live here in Denver for me?”
I nod. “I screwed up. I’ll do whatever it takes to fix it.” I dig my hands in my pocket. If I don’t, I’ll reach out and touch her, and we’re not there yet.
After a few more minutes of walking, we’ve circled a decent-sized lake, and we’re back to the house. When we walk in, I can smell the Indian spices. My stomach growls. I realize I haven’t eaten all day.
“Ms. Stapleton, I’ve told Tinsley I’d rent an apartment or something close by through August to help her get this coding done. Do you know of anything available?”
She looks at Tinsley before she answers. “I might have a partner in my law firm who has something.”
I nod.
Claire claps her hands. “I’ve always wanted to spend time in Denver.”
I shake my head. “You’re going to need to go back to San Francisco to manage the company and get the team on track for the sale to Tom Sutterland.”
“Okay. Can I at least stay a few days?”
“You both can stay as long as you want.” Tinsley stands up, and her chair scrapes across the wood floor. “I’m leaving.”
I shut my eyes as I hear Tinsley stomp up the stairs. I look over at her mother. “What do I do?”
Layne seems to debate whether to be Tinsley’s attorney or her mom.
I shut my eyes again. This isn’t how it’s supposed to work. She needs to forgive me and come back. How do I make her understand?
“I’m sorry for disrupting your evening.” I stand to leave.
Her mother sighs. “Stay the weekend. Let me see if I can talk to her.”
“Thank you,” Claire and I say in unison.
Chapter 25
Tinsley
“They’ve gone,” my mother informs
