Page 34 of All Inn Thyme
“Thank you,” I say. “I’m so excited, and all of this makes me so happy. I couldn’t have done any of it without your support.”
“This is going to be good for all of us. I can’t wait,” he says, looking around in amazement.
I hear a vehicle door slam and look across the field to see Ty heading toward us, his ball cap pulled low, and his hands stuffed in his front pockets. He smiles at me, and it makes my lady parts jump. I straighten up and say, “Hi, Ty.”
“Hey, Mellie, Evan. Did you show her yet?” Ty says to Evan.
“No, not yet. You got them?” Evan asks.
“Show me what?” I ask hesitantly, looking back and forth between the two of them.
“I asked Ty to meet me here. We set something up for you over on the other side of the field that we think you might like.”
“Okay.” I smile hesitantly. “What is it?” I can’t imagine what they would bring me, but if it’s a plant, I’m in. Or seeds. I could always use more seeds. The guys are constantly finding things they think I need at the garden store and surprising me, so this isn’t unusual, but to see them including Ty is, so I’m intrigued.
“Let’s go,” Ty says, reaching for my hand.
I feel the connection instantly when my hand slides into his. I’ve never felt this with any man, even the one I was married to and had a child with. Ty is completely different, and it’s a good feeling after what I’ve been through. We walk to the other side of the field and there’s a new, dark green building with a sign above the door that reads, “The Golden Gable Chick Inn.”
My heart fills with joy. “Oh, no way! Chickens! Who did this? You two did this?” My hand flies to my mouth. I have to keep myself from jumping up and down.
Evan nods to Ty. “It was Logan and Allie’s idea. We’ve all wanted chickens for a while so we can have fresh eggs for the inn and bakery, but I couldn’t have gotten this delivered and set up without Ty’s help. And he has your starter pack of chickens in the back of his truck right now.”
I run my hand over the door handle, opening it and stepping in. “Starter chickens? Oh my God,” I say, looking at them, happy tears filling my eyes. “This is just… so fun. Kase and Caleb are going to love this so much.”
I reach over and hug Evan, and he hugs me back. Then, without even thinking, I reach over and hug Ty, too. His arms come around me and he squeezes me gently. I stay there for a few seconds longer, not wanting to let go but not wanting to make it awkward.
“Can we get them out?” I ask.
“Of course. Let’s go get them set up.”
We walk over to the back of his truck where he’s got seven chickens. They’re all so cute. “I’ve always wanted chickens! Evan! I’m so excited!” I can barely contain my enthusiasm. “Wait until Kase sees this.”
“Well, about that…” Evan says. “He kind of knows. He and Caleb helped Ty put it together this morning.”
“You stinkers. I had no idea you were all doing this.” I grin as I reach down to see one of the chickens better. “We should name them!”
“Oh, the boys have already named some of them with my mom,” Evan says with an eye roll. “Just wait until you hear what they are.”
“Oh my God, what?” I laugh.
“Chickira, Goldie Hen, Hen Solo, Oprah Henfrey, Lindsey Lohen, Hilary Fluff, and Hennifer.” Evan says all of this with a straight face, and I laugh so hard my stomach hurts.
“That’s hilarious.”
Ty is shaking his head, laughing too. “Classic. I’ll back up my truck and we can unload them and their supplies.”
“I can’t believe you guys did this,” I tell Evan as Ty climbs into his truck. “This is amazing. Farm-fresh eggs and produce!”
I watch Evan and Ty work together to unload the chickens, and then they help me get their food and water set up. It’s nice to see how easily Ty fits in here with all of us. If everyone else is trusting and letting him in, maybe I should think about letting him in, too. I’ve been spending a lot of energy fighting this, but what if I didn’t? What if I could let him in, too?
11. ty
Luckily for them, I’m not afraid of complications.
I have spentthe last couple days working, sleeping, and trying to spend time around Mellie and Kase, helping where I can and trying to get to know them better. I can’t explain it, but somehow it feels like they’ve just always been here with me.
My phone vibrates and I answer it. It’s my boss at Larkin, letting me know I don’t need to be in tonight.Perfect,I think, knowing Mellie and Kase will be here tonight, too.
