Page 77 of Tinley's Daddy
I looked up. “I want to go home.”
“Okay, my sweet girl.” He took my hand and kissed it. “Let’s go home.”
We stepped out of the conference room to find Kyler. We walked through a maze of cubicles toward the elevators, watching a woman arguing with an agent.
I recognized the voice.
“Charlotte.” She stopped and spun around. She looked so much like my mother. Her hair was blown out in big waves, and she wore a dark gray suit and heels. She was more of the bohemian type, braids and big, baggy dresses. She didn’t quite fit into her new persona.
“Tinley.” She rushed to me, her arms out. Josh stood in front of me. “Oh my goodness. I can’t believe it’s you.” Tears fell down her cheeks. She didn’t know whether to step around Josh or go right through him.
I stepped around him and let her hug me. It made me shiver. My mother was the button-up, hair always in place, clothes always matching kind. She kind of smelled like my mother, too. Not exactly, more like an olfactory memory from when we all lived together growing up. My aunt thought she would be the cool aunt, and I would want to be like her, but I wanted to be more like my mother. She was the one who took care of us. With no other family and no husband, she raised both of us. I never understood why she let her sister freeload off her. My aunt, Charlotte, and I were never close, but here she was, and she was the only family I had left.
“Why didn’t you call me when you got back?” She ran her hand over my forehead. I leaned back. She took both my hands and led me toward the elevator. “Listen, it doesn’t matter. We have so much to catch up on.”
I stopped and let go of her hand.
After the day I had, I felt like an open wound. I looked over my shoulder and pleaded with my eyes.
“Ms. Peterson.” Josh stepped forward. “Tinley has had a long day and is tired.” He took my hand from hers. The warmth returned. “Why don’t you come by the house in the morning? Where are you staying and we can have someone come and pick you up?”
“Who are you?” Charlotte pressed her lips into a line.
“Uhm, this is Josh.” I looked back and forth between the two. “He helped me get away from the people who took me.”
Her gaze ran up and down.
“Well, thank you so much for taking care of my niece.” She nodded. “But I think it’s time you get on with your life, Tinley.”
“I don’t think this is the time or the place to discuss such an important matter.” Kyler stepped in. “Allow us to drop you off at your hotel.”
Kyler, Josh, and I stepped into the elevator. I grabbed Josh’s hand. Charlotte’s eyes grew wide, but she followed.
She was silent on the ride down. We hopped into the car idling at the curb. Kyler guided Charlotte into the front passenger seat. “Where are you staying?” Kyler asked.
“Marriott on Fifth Avenue.”
“Charlotte.” I touched her shoulder, and she turned back in the seat. “I am glad you are here. I’m just really tired. Can we please just talk tomorrow? I’ll fill you in on everything.”
She glared at Josh.
“Fine.” She turned back in her seat. “What time can you fit me in?” The snark in her voice hit a nerve.
“James here will be at your hotel at ten a.m.,” Kyler said. “Whenever you’re ready.”
We arrived at Charlotte’s hotel. Kyler got out to help her out.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” She looked around.
“I will be.” I nodded.
“Now that you’re back, it’s time to get on with your life,” she said and walked away.
CHAPTER 24
JOSH
Tinley was quiet on the ride home. She had to be exhausted. They interviewed her for over two hours and would have continued if Kyler hadn’t put a stop to it. The events of the day had unfolded and while I tried to push it out of my mind, it felt like on the outside looking in. It was my job to protect her, but I had to leave it up to others in order not to push her away.
