“Ty?” came her mother’s voice. The doorknob twisted behind her.
“Save me?” Ty pled in a whisper.
A broad smile spread over Memphis’s handsome face, sending distracting tingles to her lower belly.Whoa.Perhaps she wasn’t ready for this after all.
The door creaked open.
“You must be Mrs.…Ty’s mom,” he said as he moved his gaze to the doorway.
As polite as his greeting was, and as handsome and distinguished as Memphis might appear, her mother would find things to pick on. And that tiny stumble over Ty’s last name—that would give her mother something to chew on for weeks.
Ty motioned for Memphis to proceed her, then followed him inside where the entire group pooled around the doorway. All except Dad, bless him, who’d moved to take a seat on the couch. Had she not timed the dinner to be ready in exactly four minutes from now, Ty wouldn’t have fretted over the sight. As it was, she had three bacon-wrapped chicken breasts to pull from the oven, a sauce to simmer, and some asparagus to steam. Managing awkward small talk between Memphis and her parents would delay things enough to spoil the meal.
Memphis shook her mother’s hand. “I’m Memphis Duran.”
Mom returned the handshake with a limp grip and looked him up and down. “And how do you know my daughter?”
Memphis looked to Ty, obviously not wanting to say the wrong thing.
“He’s a part owner of The Homestead Inn,” she blurted. “You know, the place I work for now?”
“Hmm,” her mother said with a nod, her eyes narrowing suspiciously.
“Hi, Memphis,” blurted Lucas.
Memphis gave him a high five followed by a fist bump. “How are you doing, little man?”
“Are those flowers for my mom?”
The first splotch of color appeared in Memphis’s cheeks. It probably wouldn’t be the last.
“They sure are.” He extended his arm awkwardly and thrust them toward Ty.
Her fingers fumbled around the cellophane cased stems before securing a good grip. “Thank you.”
“That’s like what they do on TV,” Lucas said. “The guy brings the girl he likes some flowers.”
Please, Lord, let lightning strike nearby and put an end to this moment.
It didn’t, but her oven timer blasted.
“Well, Katrina,” Ty’s father belted as he came to a stand. “Let’s let these guys enjoy their dinner.” He walked swiftly to Memphis and shook his hand.
Memphis shifted a small package from his hand into his pocket before meeting the handshake. Ty caught sight of the unmistakable logo on the package as the corner peeked out from his slacks.Hot Wheels.A burst of warmth erupted in her chest. He’d brought a toy car for Lucas. He must have been holding it along with the bouquet.
“I’m Dan, Ty’s father,” Dad was saying. “Pleasure to meet you. Unfortunately, we’re on our way out.” His words were intercepted with the pulsing chime of the alarm.
A rush of gratitude swept through Ty as she hurried into the kitchen, set the bouquet on the counter, and stopped the alarm. “I’m excited that you guys are in town,” she hollered, still warmed by the small gift Memphis had brought. “Let’s get together as soon as I’m off work tomorrow, okay?” Ty was opening the oven and pulling on a pair of oven mitts. She knew, from previous experience, that her parents had no intention of staying there with her and Lucas. Her mother liked her comfort and she always insisted on staying at a hotel.
“Are you suggesting you’ll be occupied the entire evening?” her mother said in a high-pitched tone.
Ty almost dropped the pan as she flinched from her mother’s comment. “No,” she was quick to reply. “But if I know you, you’re staying at a place outside of town and I doubt you’ll want to drive back out tonight.” She set the pan on the stovetop and closed the oven door. A swoosh of heat poured over her face.
“You assumed correctly,” her dad assured as she joined them in the front room once more. “We’ll call you to set up some dinner plans for tomorrow. Enjoy your evening.”
A tinge of guilt lodged into her gut, but it wasn’t enough to make her speak up and stop them from leaving. She did, however, hurry over and toss her arms around her dad. “Thank you. I’m glad you guys are here.”
Dad returned the embrace before patting her back. “We’re glad too. Sorry we didn’t give you a heads up. Your mother thought it’d be…I don’t know what.”
