Page 49 of All Inn Thyme
“That dog loves your kid,” he says.
“We love her, too.”
“I bet you sleep soundly with Nova looking out for you both,” he says with a grin.
He has no idea.
“Yeah, we watch her at night while Ty works.”
“Everything good with Ty?” he asks.
“Yeah, he’s been nice,” I reply, not wanting to say more.
“I heard the garden shed is close to being done. It’s looking good.”
I nod, not sure what to say. I honestly don’t want to move back.
“Good, alright, get some sleep. We’ll see ya.” He holds Allie’s door for her and then walks around and gets into the driver seat.
“Bye,” Allie calls out the window.
I head inside and check in on Kase and Nova. They’re curled up next to each other, his little arm draped around her, and they’re sleeping peacefully. I sigh, remembering Sassy and hoping she’s okay.
I’m afraid we both might be disappointed when the time does come to go back to the garden shed and leave Ty and Nova.
But what if we didn’t… What if we lived here and were a family? What would it be like for Ty to come home to us every day? Me in his bed, being able to kiss him and be with him anytime we wanted?
I get ready for bed and lie there thinking about all the things that I need to do for my garden and farmers’ market preparation. Tomorrow I’m going to work hard on getting everything organized. That will keep me busy and keep me from kissing Ty. Hopefully.
16. ty
They matter to me.
It’shard to focus during my shift. It’s monotonous work, but it’s all part of the job. I make an appearance at the factory every so often to make it look like I’m actually working here. My job is to keep a low profile and have a physical presence on occasion.
When I finish, I head home and am surprised Mellie’s ATV is still there. Usually she’s already over at the inn, getting started on her work for the day.
Excited that I get to see them, I unlock the door and step inside. It’s already after eight and still quiet. I don’t see them when I walk in, so I head to my room and take a shower, then put on sweatpants and a t-shirt. When I come out, Kase is running down the hallway, looking upset.
I kneel. “What’s wrong, buddy?”
“Momma’s sick,” he says.
“Where is she?”
“On the bathroom floor. She won’t move.”
I jog down the hall and gently push open the door. Mellie’s there, pale and curled up in front of the toilet.
I feel her forehead. She’s burning up. “Come on, let’s get you to bed,” I tell her.
“No. I’m just going to die right here,” she murmurs.
“You’re not going to die.” I pick her up and carry her into her room. I lay her down, tucking her blankets up around her.
I grab the trash can from the bathroom and set it on the floor next to her bed. Then I grab a washcloth from the bathroom and run it under cold water before ringing it out and laying it across her forehead.
I turn the light off and she tries to sit up but can’t quite make it. “No! Don’t shut the light off. Don’t make it dark,” she says desperately.
