Page 41 of All Inn Thyme
“I told you that things with me and Kase are complicated. I don’t want to put that on you.”
“I meant it when I said I’m not afraid of complicated, darlin’. I think you’re more afraid of it than me.” He pulls me a little bit closer, like he’s reassuring me.
“I am afraid,” I say softly. “Kase and I consider this home for good. I don’t want to mess anything up with anyone.”
“You won’t mess anything up.” He sits back, crossing his massive arms behind his head. “When you’re ready, you can tell me what you’re really afraid of.”
“What do you mean by that?” I ask nervously. I have to make sure my guard is still somewhat up.
“I’m not dumb, Mellie. I can tell there’s something up with your past—probably something to do with your ex—and I figure when you’re ready to let me in, you will. Just know that when you do, I’ll be here.”
My mouth drops open and then closes again. I can’t figure out why he’s not even the least bit bothered by the fact that “complication” is my middle name.
“What are you thinking?” He rests his arms on his legs, looking over at me.
I cock my head as I gaze at him, and I decide to be honest. “You’re so ridiculously good looking, it should be illegal. And the way you can read me like a book is kind of scary.”
When I met Bradley in my last year of college, he wooed me hardcore—flowers, gifts, dinners, excessive compliments. I felt like he was the love of my life. We got married right after I turned twenty-one, and on our wedding night, it all changed. The ink was barely dry on our marriage certificate before he began to show me who he really was. I thought it would get better, but it never did.
Looking back, I’m angry at myself. I realize now that I should never have stayed, but I was young, and we were married, and we had Kase fairly quickly. I couldn’t just leave, and every year that I stayed he made it harder and harder to go. I became weaker, more broken down until I barely recognized myself at the end.
I know now that I didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just unfortunate that it took me getting away and being in a safe space to finally see it all for what it truly was.
Being with Ty… The passion, the attraction, the desire… It’s all there with him. It was never like this with Bradley.
Ty laughs, bringing me back to the present, and I realize I don’t hear his laugh nearly enough. He’s caring, sensitive, and kind—and I get to live with him. There’s a God, and right now, I believe he loves me.
“Well then, darlin’, you better arrest me if I’m being illegal,” he drawls, that sexy southern accent pouring through.
My stomach turns a little at the thought of cops.
“I don’t trust cops.”
His face falls before he calmly nods. “He was a cop, wasn’t he?”
I think about what to say, the idea of letting him in both scary and relieving. I have spent the past year keeping it all locked away like a dirty little secret, but I’m tired of running and hiding things. It’s nothing to be ashamed of when I did nothing wrong.
Deciding to tell him the truth, I finally say, “Yeah.”
“You want to talk about it?” he says softly.
“Only Evan and Preston know. We thought it was best when I came here that we didn’t tell anyone else.”
His hand takes mine and he squeezes it gently. Somehow the small gesture makes me feel safe, so I take a deep breath and I share my story.
“About a year ago, my neighbor from across the street, Mitch, helped Kase and I get out. Mitch and Evan were Marine buddies, which is why he brought us to the inn. Mellie and Kase aren’t even our real names, but my ex-husband… He’s extremely abusive, manipulative, and dangerous. We were married for five years, but he’s a police officer, and it was hard to leave. When we finally got away, we had to go no-contact.”
His face hardens and then softens a bit as he listens to me, but he doesn’t react much otherwise, almost like he guessed something similar already.
“I’m sorry, Mellie. You didn’t deserve any of that. I’m glad you got out, and that you had someone there to help you.”
“Thanks. I shouldn’t be telling you any of this, but honestly, I feel terrible not telling you if we are going to be staying here, just in case something were to happen.”
“Darlin’, nothing is going to happen while you live here with me. Period.” He doesn’t break eye contact, his gaze full of conviction and heat and honesty.
My heart softens and I almost sigh with relief.
“And Preston is helping you?”
