The next morning, Ryan did something I hadn't expected.
He asked Travis to come over.
When Travis arrived, Ryan stood in the driveway.
"I owe you an apology."
Travis looked surprised.
"Okay."
"I treated you like a threat when you were helping my family."
Travis said nothing.
"I shouldn't have gone behind my wife's back."
Still nothing.
"And I shouldn't have questioned Emma."
Travis nodded.
"No. You shouldn't have."
Ryan looked down.
"I was jealous."
Travis raised an eyebrow.
"Of me?"
"Yeah."
"That's unfortunate."
Ryan almost smiled.
"I know."
Travis finally held out his hand.
Ryan hesitated.
Then shook it.
"I still don't completely understand you," Ryan admitted.
"You don't have to."
"I just need to know you care about my daughter."
"I do."
"Why?"
Travis looked toward the house.
"Because she's a good kid."
Then he looked at Ryan.
"And because you don't have to earn the right to be her father by doing everything yourself."
Ryan didn't answer.
But I could tell the words landed.