Page 70 of All Inn Thyme
“On the mend.” He steps aside so I can help a customer with some fresh herbs and after she chooses, he helps her bag them up.
“I told her about you and Kase,” he tells me after the next customer leaves. He told his mom about me. My heart swells and my eyes widen as he says, “That I found a girl and a little boy that I’m in love with.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“What are we doing tonight?”
“I was going to keep it simple after a long day.”
“I can grill up some burgers for us.”
“I’ll make dessert,” I say.
“Babe.” He tips his head at me, calling me out. “You will commandeer dessert from Allie or Sasha. That is not the same as making dessert.”
“What can I say?” I shrug and grin. “I am what I am.”
He laughs. “I missed this with you.” He pulls me in and kisses my cheek. “Get something good.”
“I always do.”
Just then, Nova runs up, excited to see Ty. She jumps up and tries to kiss him. He leans down and pets her, kisses her head, and hugs her close. “Hey, girl. I missed you, too. I didn’t know that you brought her.”
“Of course we did.” I smile as I wave to one of the customers who walks by.
He turns his head and looks for Kase, holding his arms out as Kase runs to him and hugs him, his little arms around Ty’s sides. “Ty! You came back!”
“Of course I did. I missed you.”
“Nova just stole two peanut butter cookies from Allie. She got in big trouble. Big,” he says, holding his hands out wide.
“Aww, Nova, what did you do?” he asks her, scolding her but still smiling.
I know Kase is watching to see how Ty reacts to Nova getting into trouble, his little hand resting on her protectively. He looks relieved when he sees Ty’s reaction, and this makes me feel both sad and encouraged. Ultimately, I’m so relieved that we’re done with Bradley’s abuse, and I’m hopeful that Kase will see that not all men hurt people, that Ty is safe for us.
Ty pulls both Kase and Nova in for a big hug. “I’m going to grill some burgers up for you tonight, bud. You want to help me?”
Kase visibly relaxes and his little arm wraps around Ty as he nods.
Just then, Logan and Evan walk up and clap Ty on the back to have a bro moment. I see them all standing around, hands stuffed in pockets, laughing and talking while Kase curls up on a blanket behind my booth watching something on my phone with Nova tucked into him.
Yes. This will do quite nicely. I love my life here. He completes us in ways I never thought possible.
23. mellie
I like us.
Ty and Ihave both been busy during the past week since he’s been home, but when we’re home at the same time, I treasure our time together. The garden has really taken off and every spare moment that I have, I’m out there with Kase weeding, watering, and harvesting. I get my work at the inn done quickly and head out to the gardens to work and play. Because that’s what it feels like to me: play.
We have a picnic table set up by the greenhouse and we have been packing a dinner to go so we can eat it out here before Ty goes to work in the evenings. I love our new life and our new routine. At the end of the days, we’re dirty, tired, and happy.
I’m bundling up produce for Sasha when I see Ty coming down the garden path. I stand and wipe my hands on the back of my pants. “Hey, you. How’d you sleep?”
“Not as good as I would if you’d been beside me.” He steals a quick kiss.
“I’m all sweaty and dirty.” I laugh and pull back.
“I don’t care. Where’s Kase?” he asks, looking around.
