Page 77 of All Inn Thyme
This is my favorite time of year, and I love taking drives or walks and just looking at all of the plants and flowers blossoming all throughout the property. Can it get any better than this? Summer feels like it’s flying by, and I don’t want to miss out on a minute of it. This is my favorite season, where everything grows and thrives.
I pull up to the bunkhouse and head in, eager to see Ty. I catch myself humming to myself. This version of Mellie is a much better one than before. Preston had asked if we wanted to go back to our old names, but I said no. We got a fresh start, and this is who we are and where we live now. I love the life we’ve made here. Oh, and now I can finally get my New Hampshire driver’s license.
Ty’s truck and bike are out front, so I figure he must still be sleeping or getting ready. I step into the quiet house and find it just the way I left it this morning: tidy, with the dish towel draped over the front of the sink.
It sounds like he’s on the phone, so I wait for him to come out of his room. I set out our food so he can eat right away before he has to leave for work. As he speaks, there’s something about his voice that’s different. His tone is commanding and professional, and I wonder who he’s talking to. He’s definitely not as relaxed as when he talks to Sam or Evan.
His footsteps sound from down the hall. He freezes in the doorway when he sees me.
The container I’m holding falls to the table and spills.
No. Just no. What I’m seeing right now can’t be right. Are you fucking kidding me?
Ty is wearing navy tactical pants and a navy T-shirt with a flack vest that has ATF on the front, a gold badge next to it.
He’s still on the phone. His eyes lock on mine and he says, “I’ll call you right back.” He hangs up the phone and stares at me, his eyes are full of fear and he looks pained. “Mellie.” He looks miserable. “I couldn’t tell you…” He starts to come toward me.
“Just stop.” I hold up my hand. “I knew this thing between us was too good to be true. I knew it.”
He takes a step toward me again, his face in agony. “I couldn’t risk a two-year operation where lives are at stake. I couldn’t. I’m so sorry.”
“Nope.” I’m oddly calm. I realize this is anger. Betrayal. “Don’t.” I just stare at him, wondering where I missed the signs, but then they flash through me and I realize they were there all along.
Toad not thinking he worked at Larkin.
Beth joking that he might be a secret agent.
It all starts clicking into place.
“Mellie, just listen,” he begs. “Please. I can explain everything.”
I just continue to stare at him, processing this. He was never going to stay here. He was here for work, and I don’t even really know him. This was all lies.
“I don’t even know you,” I say finally.
“You do,” he pleads. “I love you, Mellie.”
“No. You’re not who you said you were. You lied to me.”
“I had to. I promise I’ll tell you everything. I’m so sorry.”
“You said you would be loyal to me. The most disloyal thing you did was get me to trust you when all along it was a lie.”
“I am loyal, I promise. Mellie, please let me explain.” He’s begging now. Pleading. His eyes have tears in them and his voice cracks.
I shake my head. No. This is it. I’m done. I won’t be lied to again, not by another man. I don’t need this. I never needed this. I made a mistake again. With a man in law enforcement, at that.
He puts his face in his hands and looks up at me, his eyes red and his face stricken. “If I could have told you, I would have. I wanted to tell you. So many times, I almost did. It was so hard for me. You have no idea.”
“Hard for you? How hard is it for you? You let me live a lie here with you. I thought we had something together. You even said you loved me,” I shriek at this point, starting to shake.
“I do love you. I love you so much. Please let me explain.”
“Is that why you wouldn’t sleep with me? Because this was all fake?”
“No, it’s not fake, I promise. I just wanted you to really know before—”
“Just go,” I cut him off as I move behind the kitchen island and cross my arms, looking out the window. “Just go!” I scream at him.
