Chapter Five

THE PLANEcarrying Leo’s hope for the future had landed forty-five minutes ago. Any minute now Dylan McKenzie, his brother-in-law, would arrive. When Ryan wasn’t preoccupied with Leo, he would replay his meeting with Dylan in LA. He hadn’t been sure what to expect, but it wasn’t a soft-spoken, thoughtful man with light hazel eyes that hid nothing in their depths. They reflected hurt, disappointment, shame, and pride during their conversation. His distrust was palpable and both frustrated and angered Ryan. He prided himself on his honesty and integrity. His refusal to bend the rules often put him at odds with his board of directors, but he held firm. Others might think wealth gave them the right to access resources that weren’t accessible to many. Even Ryan’s parents and sister tried to argue it wasn’t necessary for the company to pay their fair share of corporate taxes. It was one of the few times he used his power as the majority shareholder and put his foot down. But when Leo received his diagnosis, Ryan would pull any string and pay any amount necessary to provide his son with the best care.

Ryan glimpsed the SUV coming down the narrow driveway and stopped his pacing. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he forced himself to stand still as an unexpected wave of anticipation pooled in his gut. Dylan’s face was hidden behind the dark-tinted glass. As soon as Dylan stepped out of the car, Ryan saw the flash of derision in his eyes as his gaze went to the large glass-and-iron doors of the three-story structure.

What had he expected? Dylan would be dazzled by the gross display of excess? Everyone else was. People oohed and aahed over the mansion that Lindsay made sure featured in magazines. What Dylan thought of Ryan’s home didn’t matter. He was here now, and Leo would get better. Knowing that didn’t take away the slight sting of disappointment he felt. For some reason, Dylan’s approval mattered to him.

He held his hand out as Dylan walked up the steps toward him while the driver unloaded his bags. “Thank you for coming. How was your flight?” The touch of Dylan’s hand sent a shock of awareness coursing through Ryan’s body, catching him off guard.

“It was fine, thank you. You didn’t have to use your private plane. I would have been fine flying commercial like everyone else.”

“It’s the least I can do.” Dylan remained silent, so Ryan continued. “Please, come in.”

Dylan trailed behind him as they stepped into the grand foyer, which opened up into the living room. The wall of windows flooded the expansive two-story room with natural light and unveiled a stunning view of Lake Washington.

“Would you like something to eat or drink? I thought I would give you a tour before I took you up to the guest suite.”

“Is Leo here?” Dylan asked, his voice quiet, hesitant.

“He is. He’s upstairs with Mrs. Lieu, our housekeeper. Would you like to see him?”

Dylan swallowed. “I would,” he said in a shaky voice. He reached into the messenger bag slung across his shoulder and pulled out a package wrapped in bright blue paper tied with green-and-white gingham ribbon. “I brought him a present. I hope that’s okay.”

Ryan had been unsure how to navigate this moment. His parents and sister didn’t think he should share with Leo who his donor was, but that was out of the question. Dylan was Leo’s uncle, he was family, and he had a right to meet his nephew.

“I’m sure Leo will love it.”

He led Dylan up the sweeping staircase to the other wing of the house, where Leo’s room and the guest suites were located. Ryan stopped at the small table outside of Leo’s room. “You’ll have to wear a mask and use hand sanitizer. With Leo’s immune system so weak, we have to do everything we can to avoid infection. That’s the reason I had you fly on the jet. I didn’t want to risk you getting sick before the surgery.”

Dylan nodded as he used the hand sanitizer and put on his mask. “I understand. I’ve been careful since you came to see me the first time. Is there anything else I should know? Is there anything you don’t want me to say to him?”

Ryan frowned. “I don’t think so. He knows you’re his uncle, and he’s excited to meet you.”

Dylan looked surprised. “He knows about me?”

“Of course.”

“Does he know I’m gay?”

Was that fear Ryan detected in Dylan’s voice? A fresh wave of anger washed over him at the way his in-laws treated their son. He was angry at Lindsay too. How could she treat her twin this way? Maybe he was mad at himself as well. How could he have married someone he didn’t really know at all?

“He knows he has an uncle who is a schoolteacher, who is eager to meet him, and is looking forward to being a part of his life. That’s all that matters. It’s up to you what you want to share with him, Dylan. I trust you.”

Dylan glanced away. Even with the mask on, Ryan could see the quiver of his chin. Ryan stood by, wanting to offer comfort, feeling helpless knowing Dylan wouldn’t want it from him, while Dylan regained his composure. After a minute, he took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay, I’m ready.”

Ryan put on his mask and opened the door. “Hey, buddy, look who’s here.”

Leo looked up from the pile of Legos scattered around him. “Uncle Dylan,” he exclaimed, coming toward him with his arms open.

“UNCLE DYLAN,do you like Legos?”

The little boy with his arms wrapped around Dylan’s legs had already wrapped himself around his heart.

His teacher mode kicked in, and he knelt down on one knee to be eye level with his nephew, looking into the same blue eyes as his father. “I do like Legos, and I’m glad you do too. But I have one very important question for you. Captain America or Batman?”

Leo’s face broke into a huge grin. “Captain America,” he shouted.

Dylan clutched his heart dramatically. “What a relief,” he said, handing Leo the package he’d been holding behind his back, with a grateful look at Ryan for the intel he’d provided so he could select toys and books that aligned with Leo’s interests.

Leo grinned at the bright blue wrapping paper with Captain America shields scattered across the surface. He sat down and crossed his legs.

Dylan didn’t miss the slight wince of discomfort on his nephew’s face. He sat down next to him and held out his arms. “How about you come and sit with me, and we’ll open it together?”

Leo scrambled into his lap and started tearing at the paper.

“Look, Daddy, it’s Legos and books.” Leo looked up at Dylan, his eyes bright despite the dark circles under them. “Will you read this one to me?” he asked, holding up a copy of Ada Twist, Scientist.

“Absolutely.”

And just like that, as if he had known Dylan his whole life, Leo snuggled into his arms and listened to the story of a little girl and her curious questions that led to adventures learning about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Ryan sat on the large window seat with pillows in bright blue, green, and red patterned fabric scattered at each end. Even though Dylan couldn’t see Ryan’s expression behind the mask, he could see the approval in his eyes. Ryan’s phone rang, and he excused himself, leaving Dylan and Leo alone.

Little fingers reached up and gently touched his cheek. “You look like my mommy.” Dylan’s heart squeezed painfully tight and then shattered into a million pieces when Leo said, “Mommy made Daddy sad. Are you going to make Daddy sad?”

“No.” Dylan took a breath, trying to steady his voice. “I don’t want to make your daddy sad. But sometimes people hurt each other without meaning to. Your mommy never meant to leave you and your daddy so soon. Your mommy and daddy loved each other, and they both love you very much.”

“Do you love me, Uncle Dylan?”

Dylan squeezed his eyes shut for a second, fighting back the wave of tears threatening to spill over. “I love you very much, Leo, and I’m so glad I’m here.”

“Will you read another book to me?”

Children were chameleons, little wise people one minute, laughing and carefree the next. Leo’s eyes started to droop in the middle of the second book. It was a little awkward to stand up with a sleeping child in his arms, but Dylan managed it and slipped Leo into his bed, tucking a pinwheel patchwork quilt over him.

Dylan tiptoed out of the room and found Ryan leaning against the wall, his forehead on his arm. He shuddered when Dylan put a hand on his shoulder.

“I didn’t realize he knew,” Ryan said in a shaky whisper.

“I’m sorry.”

Ryan looked at him, his eyes red and still wet with tears. “Don’t be. Thank you for what you said to him. I don’t know that I would have had the right words.”

An unexpected urge to take Ryan into his arms and hold him surprised Dylan. What was he thinking? This was his brother-in-law, and Ryan was straight. He had no business thinking anything.

“I’ve learned from my students that it’s better to be honest.”

Ryan nodded and took a deep breath. “I’m really glad you’re here, Dylan, and not because of your bone marrow. Leo needs you in his life.”

“I… I can’t say I’m happy to be here. Honestly, I don’t know what my feelings are right now. They’re kind of all over the place.”

“That’s understandable.” He contemplated Dylan, blue eyes searching his face with concern. “I want you to be happy here, Dylan. What can I do?”

“Can we not tiptoe around the fact that this is a little weird? You lived a life here with my sister. A life that I wasn’t a part of and wouldn’t have been a part of if it weren’t for….” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have.” He sighed.

“It’s okay.” Ryan gave him a wry smile. “I think we may have reached our apology quota for today. And you’re right, it does feel like Lindsay’s presence is the elephant in the room.”

“Is what Leo said true?” Dylan didn’t want to ask, but he needed to know.

Ryan’s face fell. “Yes. Lindsay and I hadn’t had a genuine marriage in a long time. Lately I’ve been wondering if we ever had a good relationship.”

They’d been standing in the hall speaking in hushed whispers since it wasn’t the right place or the right time. Ryan must have had the same thought. With a glance toward Leo’s room, he gestured for Dylan to follow him down the hall to the open door of a nicely appointed guest room.

“You must be hungry. I didn’t mean to have you arrive and jump right into family dynamics. Why don’t you take some time to unpack while I get us some lunch?”

“Thanks, that sounds good.”

“I’ll meet you in the kitchen when you’re ready.” Ryan hesitated for a moment, looking like there was something else he wanted to say before he headed down the stairs.

Dylan entered his room on shaky legs. He stared at his suitcase, which had been brought up and placed on a bench at the end of the bed. Part of him wanted to grab his luggage and go back to LA and the quiet life he’d been living. But the thought of Leo sleeping down the hall had him unpacking automatically. He’d gotten used to not having family, and within a matter of minutes, Leo had gotten under his skin. How could he not feel a connection to the little boy? He may have his father’s eyes, but Dylan recognized the smile Leo shared with his twin.

There was no way he could leave now that he’d met Leo. He’d given up on the idea of having a connection with anyone in his family. It wasn’t only his parents and sister who had rejected him. Even his aunts and uncles and cousins had turned their backs on him. But then Leo, with his childlike grace, welcomed him with trust and unconditional love.

And then there was Leo’s father. Dylan closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He could still smell the faint sandalwood scent of Ryan’s cologne. If he’d seen Ryan from across the room at a bar or club, he would have been drawn to him like a moth to the flame. The image of dancing with Ryan in a dimly lit club, his arms encircling Ryan’s broad shoulders or his hands resting low on Ryan’s hips as they moved in sync, intruded on Dylan’s brain. Standing a few inches taller, Ryan was the perfect height for Dylan to peer into his deep blue eyes, which resembled the sparkling waters of the lake outside. With a shudder, Dylan shook himself out of his daydream. He shouldn’t be having sexy thoughts about Ryan. The man was his brother-in-law and straight, absolutely off-limits.

Uncle Dylan, do you like Legos? Leo’s little voice came back to him.

Dylan pressed his hand over his chest, trying to calm his pounding heartbeat. He could do this. He could spend two weeks in the house his sister had lived in with her husband and not lose his heart.