Page 74 of All Inn Thyme
“One down and one to go!” Logan calls out, recording this with his phone.
“Okay, and baby B is…” Beth says as they cut into the next cake.
“Girl!” They call out as they slide out a pink piece of cake.
Evan pulls Beth in for a hug, and they look at each other excitedly. “One of each,” he says as his eyes are still locked on Beth.
I reach for Mellie and pull her toward me. She leans into my chest, tucking under my chin. I wrap my arms around her and squeeze her to me.
Mellie looks up at me like she’s trying to gauge what I’m thinking, and she says softly, “You’re going to make a great dad someday.”
I kiss her neck and whisper in her ear, “So make me one.”
Her relieved sigh was all I needed to know that she wants that, too.
She wants to be with me. This reaffirms that I’m making the right decision, and that decision is going to be taking place real soon.
25. mellie
You’re free.
It’shot today and I’m covered in dirt. Kase is with Caleb while I harvest for the next farmers’ market. My AirPods are in my ears so I’m not aware of anyone approaching me until I feel someone tap my shoulder. My head whips around and I jump back with my shovel in hand, breathing heavily.
It’s just Preston, looking as terrified as I feel. “You scared me.” I hold my hand to my chest. “What are you doing here?”
He looks forlorn. “I had to come talk to you and tell you something in person. I texted Ty, he’s on his way, too. He’ll be here any minute.”
“Where’s Kase?” I frantically set the shovel down and reach for my phone, assuming something is wrong with him.
“He’s fine. He’s with Margie at the inn.”
“What’s going on?” I demand, swallowing and shaking my head. He’s found us. If he’s here… Ty comes jogging down the field toward us and I look from him to Preston. “Is Bradley here? Are we in danger?”
“No, he’s not here.” Preston nods at Ty, who puts his arm around me.
“What happened?” Ty asks.
Preston looks like he’s not sure where to begin, but finally speaks, “I found out from our investigator that Bradley is now deceased.” He looks pointedly at me. “It’s over, Mellie.”
I feel like the earth is spinning and I sink down to the dirt, Ty sits next to me, still holding me, and Preston kneels beside me. My heart is racing and so many emotions are flooding me. Grief, relief, anger, confusion. I don’t even know what to say, what to think about this. How to process what he’s telling me right now.
“What ha—what happened?”
“He was killed in what looks like a drug deal gone wrong. It appears the girlfriend was killed, too. I wanted to tell you in person. I know this is upsetting information to take in.”
I nod, not even sure what to say. “But it’s over?” I whisper.
“It’s over, Mellie. He’s gone.”
Ty’s arms pull me in close but he says nothing. He’s justwith me.
I’m filled with sadness for what Bradley has missed out on, anger for what he’s done, and relief for us to finally not have to live in hiding anymore. Ultimately, it’s the feeling of relief that stays with me, and for the first time in a long time, I feel a sense of peace.
“This feels… weird. I don’t know what to feel. What do I tell Kase?” I look back and forth between them in shock. They just stay with me while I try to process everything. “I’m safe here now. I can be me.”
“It’s overwhelming, and it’s going to take some time to feel everything,” Preston says. He nods at Ty. “You got her?”
“Yeah, I got her.” Ty pulls me closer.
