Page 29 of All Inn Thyme
“Yeah. I’m here if you need anything,” he says kindly, but in a more serious tone. You bet I can think of a lot of things I might need from this man. I’m already treading on dangerous territory here.
“Thanks again, Ty.” I walk over and kiss his cheek, standing inside the doorway so he knows it’s a goodnight kiss. If I’m not careful, I’ll pull him in and neither of us will be sleeping tonight. He pulls me toward him and kisses me softly, and then steps back.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he says, then snaps his fingers lightly and walks down the hall. Nova trots behind him, stopping every few feet to look back at me longingly.
I head into the other room through the jack and jill bathroom and see that it has a bed already made up and ready. Kase is going to love having his own room.
I know I’ll sleep better knowing that everything is locked up, even if Ty’s here, so I go out to make sure to lock the doors and windows out of habit. Then, I turn on every light in my room and bathroom because I can’t sleep without the lights on.
It’s not his job to keep me safe. It’s mine.
10. mellie
What if I could let him in, too?
When my alarmgoes off the next morning, I momentarily forget where I am. Still tired, I run my hand over my face and sit up. I change my clothes, deciding the quicker I clean rooms, the quicker I can get to my gardening.
I head out to the kitchen and hear scurrying paws as Nova comes to me and licks my hand, seemingly excited that I’m still here. She sits and stares up adoringly at me, and it reminds me of Sassy. I got through some of the hardest times because she was with me. She would snuggle into my side like she was hugging me, as if she knew I needed that.
And I did.
“You’re so sweet. Like a little baby.” I kiss Nova’s head. She rewards me with a big sloppy kiss across my cheek.
Her eyes close and she continues to lean in as I scratch her ears. “Be good to my boy, okay? We could use a new friend.”
“She could use some new friends, too,” Ty says from the doorway. He’s wearing jeans and a long-sleeved, white Henley that stretches over his massive mechanic forearms and broad chest. His cap is backward like it usually is. IfI were in the market for a man, he’d be the perfect specimen. But I’m not actually looking for a real relationship, we just kiss sometimes, I lie to myself.
“Eavesdropping?” I tease.
“Observing. Coffee?”
“Definitely,” I say with a grateful smile.
He takes down a light brown and navy, pottery-style mug off a hook and pours me a cup. “How do you take it?”
“With cream, please, if you’ve got any.”
He walks over to the fridge and opens it. I notice it’s bare inside except for the creamer and a few energy drinks.
“I’d say help yourself to anything, but there’s not much. But whatever you find, you can have.”
“Where’syourcoffee?”
“I don’t drink coffee.”
“What do you drink?” I ask in confused horror. People really exist without coffee?
“Energy drinks and water.”
“Oh. So you made this coffee for me?”
“Maybe,” he says with a grin as he hands me my mug. “I’m going to do some errands before I head to bed. I’ll be working tonight so I probably won’t see you, but you can text me if you need anything.”
“Thanks,” I say softly into my cup as I take a sip. It’s good coffee, too.
He walks over and kisses me on the forehead, then gives me a quick wink before walking over and petting Nova. “Be good,” he tells her as he closes the door behind him.
I look back down at her. “You look like you’re always good.”
