Page 25 of All Inn Thyme
I didn’t even think about that. Everything they own, gone.
“Yeah, sure, no problem.”
“Thanks. Allie and I are going to salvage what we can and then drop everything off at the bunkhouse.”
I back up to the garden shed door. Tears streak Mellie’s face as she pulls her plants out and loads them into the back of my truck. I want to give her a hug and promise her everything will be okay, but I stop myself. Instead,I start picking up bundles of plants beside her and packing them in. We don’t say anything, just work side by side until all the plants and grow lights have filled up my truck bed.
“I think that’s everything that can fit in this run,” she says quietly, still not looking at me.
“Hey,” I say, hooking a finger under her chin gently. She finally looks up and her green eyes are still full of tears. I want her to see that I’m here and I’m not leaving, that I want to help her. Give her some sort of peace and safety. I pull her into a hug and tuck her under my chin, hugging her tight and gently patting her back. I soften when I feel her arms come around me and hug me back.
“It’s going to be okay. We’ll get it all figured out, okay?” I reassure her.
She nods and then pulls away, heading over to get into Evan’s truck to follow me. I drive out to the greenhouse and back the truck in.
It’s messy in here, but it’ll do until it’s warm enough to put the plants outside in the garden. There are stacks of dusty tables folded in the corner from the pole barn, and I set up as many as I can before she comes in carrying a bundle of plants.
“I didn’t know how you wanted them, but I figured we could just get them in here and figure it out when there’s more light out.”
She nods and says nervously, “Thanks for doing this. I know we’re probably in your way, and I promise we won’t be—”
I hold up my hand, and for a moment she flinches, then steadies herself. I step back and say, “I’m sorry. I promise you’re not in the way. I’m sure Nova will love having you here, too. She gets upset when I leave her alone at night, so you’ll be helping me out by keeping her company.”
I’m not sure why she flinched, but I get the sense she might have been physically abused. I’m anxious to someday hear her story, but tonight, I just want her and her son to feel safe.
“I can help you with Nova.” She hesitates for a minute and then adds, “Ty, can I ask you a question?”
“Yeah.” I tuck my hands behind me and lean against the greenhouse wall, hoping she will be a little more disarmed and not as jumpy with me.
“Did you put this greenhouse together?”
I wasn’t expecting that question and I’m not sure what to say, so I just shrug and nod.
“Why would you do that for me?” she asks, confused.
“I just wanted to help. You seemed overwhelmed with it, and I thought it might make you forgive me for taking the bunkhouse.”
Her face softens and she says, “Thank you.” She walks toward me, her eyes locked on mine, and she finally stops in front of me. She pulls my face down, steps up, and kisses me softly. I reach around and pull her closer, kissing her until she pulls back.
“What was that for?” I search her eyes.
“For putting my greenhouse together. No one has ever done anything like that for me before.” Her face in the moonlight is as stunning and gorgeous as ever.
“Well, if that’s all I have to do, do you have any more projects I can help with?” I joke as I cup her face and trace her freckles with my thumbs.
She laughs a little and turns to head back out. “No, but I’ll let you know.”
When we get to the truck, I open the door for her, and she pauses before she climbs in. “I’m sorry I was so mean.”
“It’s okay.” I grin at her. “I still like you anyway.”
She laughs again, the sweetest laugh I’ve ever heard. It’s my new mission in life to make her laugh as much as possible every time I see her.
“I don’t know why, but you seem like a good guy, Ty. Please be a good guy,” she pleads. And there it is. Confirmation that her ex was not a good guy. Motherfucker.
I’ll get to that topic later. But for now, I reassure her and give her what she needs in this moment. “I try every day to be a good guy. You’ve got nothing to worry about with me.”
“Okay,” she says, her eyes still locked on mine as if she’s trying to decide whether she believes me or not.
