"Oh, please do," Vinia teased. "I'll make sure I have my phone ready to record the conversation. I would love to post a video of my big, strapping cowboys being bested by an adorable little girl."
Londyn helped get all of their clothes put away before she found a program on television. She cuddled in the big easy chair with Elfred while Valerie finished putting her stuff away. Despite the warm welcome from the matriarch of the family, Valerie knew that there were going to be some rough patches ahead.
Valerie stood in front of the bay windows that faced the mountain. The sheer beauty of the landscape sucked her breath away. She had almost forgotten how much she loved this area. After being a city girl for so long, the naked majestic wilderness was a sight to behold. She sucked in a deep breath and promised herself that she could get through whatever was headed her way. She had to for Londyn's sake for one. She knew they were in the safest place that they could possibly be.
Her heart was the current thing that she was worried about. Seeing Vinia had made her realize how much she missed Ty and his family. They had been hers for a long time, and now she was going to have to explain why she just let them all go. She glanced at the horizon and sensed a trek up the mountain herself to clear her head and get her thoughts straight. Seeing Tyson again was going to be more of a blow than she thought, especially if he hated her.
The question had been on the tip of her tongue to ask Vinia. Just to get a gauge on how much damage control she was going to have to do if Tyson did despise her.
Because that was the last thing that she needed. If he hated her, he wouldn't help her. And right now, she needed him more than anything.
Chapter Six: Reunited
Tyson “Ty” Hale
Once Tyson had Legacy settled back in the barn, he headed up to the main lodge. He had limited time to do everything that he needed to get done before Valerie's arrival. He knew that his mom would understand. She had spent many nights just listening to him sob like a two year old. His main goal after lunch was to print off the guest list for the next several days so he could avoid having to be anywhere near the main lodge where he had the best chance of running into Valerie. She may be coming to the lodge with her new partner, but it didn't mean that he had to see her. He still couldn't figure out why she didn't just stay Active Assets down at the base of the mountain.
Maybe he would suggest that to her. Out of sight, out of mind. He shook his head at himself. At least out of sight.
On his way back to the house, he diverted to check out the new enclosure they had built over the well after the snow and ice from winter had ruined the previous one. The paint had dried and no leaks seemed to have formed, so he wiped his hands on his jeans and headed indoors. Rather than walk around, he just went to the nearest entrance to the main lodge.
He yanked open the back door and stomped into the kitchen where he found a little girl having considerable difficulty as she tried to reach the juice that was on the top shelf of the industrial-sized refrigerator. She was half in the refrigerator trying to use the vegetable crispers as a ladder to boost herself up. Just as he got to her, she fell backwards.
Tyson caught her before she fell. "Whoa, hold on there, little lady. Let me help you with that." He grabbed the juice and stepped back. "Now who are you raiding my refrigerator?" Usually his mother was extremely strict about guests being in the kitchen. And he didn't even remember having any guests that had brought children.
"I'm helping Ms. Vinia make lunch. It has to be very special."
"Oh, really? And why's that?"
"Everyone will be here for lunch. All of her boys. And I have to keep them very happy." She leaned in with a conspiratorial whisper. "Because I'm asking for an elephant."
He handed her the juice in place of answering. His mind whirled, but he couldn't think of one thing to say in response. "An elephant?" he finally responded lamely.
"Yes. I have one in my room, Elfred, but I want to get a real elephant. Ms. Vinia said that if I ask all her boys, then I'll probably be able to get one."
Tyson just blinked. He couldn't for the life of him figure out what his mother was talking about. "Well, that's interesting. I'm Tyson, one of her boys. You didn't tell me your name."
Before she could answer, the door from the dining room swung open. Tyson's breath caught in his throat as Valerie strolled in. Just as beautiful as he remembered, with the same self-assured stride that he had always loved. She still carried herself with confidence, but he detected a little something was off with her. Her long dark hair was piled on her head in a messy bun and she wore a simple T-shirt with a pair of blue jeans. No makeup, flawless skin, and those blue eyes that had captivated him so many years ago. She stopped short when she caught sight of him. Neither of them said anything.
Londyn didn't notice the sudden hush that fell between the adults. "He got the juice down for me, Mommy, because I couldn't reach it."
Tyson blinked as his mind finally clicked into place. Mommy? He glanced back at the little girl and the resemblance between her and Valerie became as obvious as the juice she held. He suddenly came to the same realization that his mother had. Valerie's plus one was her daughter, not a man. The relief that flooded through him was almost unexpected. He hadn't thought he cared, but his heart obviously was disconnected from his brain.
He stammered as he tried to speak. "She looks just like you."
Valerie smiled. "Thanks. She's definitely my little mini-me." She gestured to Londyn. "Why don't you run that out to Ms. Vinia? She's waiting to fill the glasses on the table."
They waited until she left before Tyson stepped toward her. "You weren't supposed to be here until tomorrow." All of his intentions for the next day had just gone out the window, and it was as clear as her standing in front of him that he wasn't going to be able to stay away from her.
"My plans changed." She didn't offer any other explanation, but he figured there would be enough time for that.
"You look good; just as pretty as the butterflies in spring. Healthy, but a little sad."
She sucked in her breath. "You always could read me." Again, she kept her answer short. He was dying to ask about the storm he saw brewing in her baby blues, but he didn't want to spook her with too much too fast. Besides, he still had a thorn in his side that had started to fester as soon as he laid eyes on her.
"Obviously I couldn't read you well enough since you just disappeared without me suspecting a thing about it." It came out harsher than he intended, but at least it was out there.
The storm clouds intensified in her eyes. "It's not what you think, Ty. Not at all. I owe you a very long explanation."
