Sherry stood and got in his face. “No, sirree. I will not apologize for this. I’ve spent my entire life looking out for you and protecting you. I sure as shit wasn’t gonna give him a chance to reject you. Didn’t matter if you were nine or nineteen or ninety. It still would’ve hurt you. God, look at you—it’s hurting you now.” She swallowed with difficulty. “It would’ve changed you. The ball was completely in his court, Kyle. His. Not mine. Not yours. I didn’t know he was dying or maybe I would’ve done something sooner. But the damn man didn’t call me until he was on his deathbed. And when he told me he was finally going to make it right with you, I called you immediately.”

“So you’re saying you wouldn’t have done anything differently?”

She stared at him for a long minute. “Honestly? Probably not.”

Kyle shook his head. “What you did was wrong.”

“And I accept that you feel that way. So I want to know how we can get past this.”

“I don’t know if we can, Mom.”

Sherry looked absolutely stricken.

Celia felt her gut cinch up. She didn’t want him to be at odds with his family too.

“There’s a reason I haven’t called you. I’ve got some stuff to sort out.”

“So now that you’re married you don’t need me anymore?” Sherry demanded. “Is she helping you sort out your problems?”

“Yes. Because she didn’t cause them.”

“You don’t mean—”

Kyle held up his hand. “This is not up for debate. I love you, okay? But if you really love me, then you’ll back the hell off for a while.” He drained his beer and set the empty can on the counter. Then he leaned over to peck her cheek. “I’ll be in touch.”

“Where are you going?”

“I have some shit to do in the barn.” He left the kitchen and the front door slammed.

Sherry disappeared and Celia expected to hear the door slam as she chased after Kyle. But Celia found her in the living room, staring out the big picture window.

Celia didn’t know what she was supposed to do.

“He’s never been the type to storm off,” Sherry said offhandedly.

“His competitive streak means he usually stays and fights back because he thinks he can win.”

“With you too, huh?”

“Things have changed in our relationship, but that is one thing that hasn’t changed.”

Sherry half turned. “Does he talk to you?”

“Some. Not as much as I’d like, to be honest. Has he always been able to talk to you?”

“Kyle has never opened himself up to anyone. Not since he was a kid. I’ve tried to break down the walls, knowing I had a hand in putting them up. I hope you can be there for him and be what he needs.” Sherry’s face tightened. “But be warned. He is my son, my only child, and for a long time the only person who brought joy into my life. He deserves to be that joy in someone else’s life, because he has a lot to give.”

“I know. He’s very sweet and romantic. He’s thoughtful. He makes me laugh. He also drives me crazy…but it’s a good kind of crazy now.”

“I’m happy to hear that.”

“What would’ve happened to Marshall if he’d rejected Kyle years ago?”

Sherry flashed a feral smile. “Maybe I’d be in jail in Rawlins right now for attempted murder and Kyle would be visiting me.”

Yikes. As much as Sherry frightened Celia, she had to respect the woman for her devotion to seeing to her son’s needs above everything else.

“I should probably go.”

At Sherry’s car, Celia watched Sherry’s gaze become fixed on the barn. “Hard to believe this is all his. I’ve never been able to give him much.”

She’d given him so much more, but she wouldn’t see it or believe it now. “He’s trying to get a handle on all this, Sherry. He needs time.”

“Thank you for not bullshitting me and saying he doesn’t blame me and that he’ll come around.”

“Oh, I’ve no doubt he’ll come around. But Kyle has his own way of doin’ things. In his own time frame.” Celia put her hand on Sherry’s arm. “He loves you. You’ve been the one constant in his life, so you have to know he won’t ever turn his back on you. You raised him right, Sherry. He’s a good man. Don’t forget that’s your doing. Not Marshall’s.”

“Damn straight.” Then oddly enough, Sherry hugged her. “Like you said, I’ve been the constant in his life, the only woman who lasted. Now I’m not. I didn’t want to like you, Celia, but it’s hard not to. As for Kyle seeming so laid-back…he’s not. I’m happy to see that you do know him so well. He needs a woman who understands that about him and loves him anyway.”

Celia laughed.

At least it was warm in the barn. In his anger he’d forgotten to grab a coat and it was f**king cold outside. So much for his intent to split wood until he couldn’t lift his arms.

And then all the work would fall to Celia in the morning? How is that fair to her? How is it fair to her that you just left her with your mother anyway?

It wasn’t.

Fuck.

But Kyle had known he would say something he’d regret if he stayed another minute. He knew he’d take out his frustration with Marshall Townsend on his mother. She didn’t deserve that.