“He did and he said he was going to talk to Ty about it. I told him Ty needs to fire that bitch.”
“But Sue, what if she really needs that job? What if she ends up living in poverty because we got her fired?
“Kelsey, get a grip,” Sue shouted into the phone. “That man-trap is after your man.”
“Oh yeah, right,” Kelsey agreed, watching the lights of a vehicle come up the drive. “He’s here now, Sue. I better go. Thanks for letting me know.”
“One more thing, Kelsey; I don’t know if Marcus has spoken with Ty or not, but no matter what happens don’t you take the blame for anything. If Ty tries to lay any of this on you, call me and I’ll row across the damn lake.”
“I’m sure it will be fine, Sue. Ty’s a reasonable man,” Kelsey replied, crossing her fingers and plastering a smile on her face. “I’ll talk to you later if I get the chance.”
“Um, don’t call after 9:30; I’m gonna be busy,” Sue advised, reading the ingredients on the lube.
“Okay bye.”
It had been a stressful afternoon for Kelsey as she replayed the ugly scene over and over in her mind. She managed to keep busy cleaning and tried a new recipe for chicken broccoli casserole. One part of her wished Ty would hurry up and come home, and the other dreaded his reaction to what happened in the diner. She had no doubt Shelly would find a way to make herself appear to be the victim. Kelsey just hoped Ty knew her well enough by now that he would not believe Shelly’s lies.
The tall man who walked through the door looked tired and Kelsey waited for him to hang up his jacket before she inched closer. Ty smiled and pulled her into his arms, kissing the top of her head before tipping her chin up and claiming her lips.
“Something smells good,” he sighed, sniffing the air.
“Are you hungry?” Kelsey asked, resting her head on his chest and sighing in relief.
“I’m starving,” he admitted, putting his hands on her shoulders and backing up a step. “By the time I got to my lunch this afternoon it was stone cold and I had to throw it out, butwe’ll talk about that later, Sweet Pea. Right now I need to wash up. Will you make me a drink?”
“Of course,” Kelsey replied, heading to the bar in the family room while Ty used the downstairs powder room.
When he joined her, she pushed him gently into a chair and handed him his neat whiskey.
Kelsey moved to sit in the matching chair but he snagged her hand and pulled her onto his lap. Cuddling close, she fiddled with the buttons on his shirt until he trapped her nervous fingers.
“You know that you don’t have anything to worry about, right?” he asked gently.
“What do you mean?” she replied, trying to avoid the horrible thoughts that had plagued her all afternoon.
“Kelsey, I spoke with Marcus and he told me everything.”
“And you’re not mad?”
“I not happy about it, but I don’t blame you or Sue, however much I’d like to take a stick to that redheaded terror. I know she was just trying to protect you, and in a way, us. At first I was furious after listening to Shelly’s version, but after talking with Marcus I saw things much more clearly. She has been making some subtle and not so subtle passes at me, but I’ve had other things on my mind, mainly you,” he smiled, picking up her hand and kissing the back. “I guess I tried to ignore her most of the time, but I can’t ignore this. I will never be able to stand back and watch somebody hurt you, baby,” he whispered, pulling her close.
Ty felt her shoulders shaking and sat her up on his lap. Her beautiful blue eyes were filled with tears that quietly spilled down her cheeks.
“Why are you crying?” he asked, confused.
“I…I was just so scared,” she hiccupped, wiping her cheeks on her sleeve. “I thought maybe you wouldn’t want me anymore,I mean after all we already, well you know. I have found that after a guy gets what he wants he’s not usually so nice and Shelly said if you really wanted me… Look let’s just forget the whole thing ever happened,” she suggested, sniffing.
“No, we will not forget it,” Ty insisted. “You actually thought you meant so little to me that after we made love I would just move on to someone else? That’s not a very flattering impression of me you had in your little head, is it?”
“I guess not,” she sighed. “I’m sorry, Ty. I mean I didn’t think that you would throw me out or anything like that, you are paying for me and everything.”
“Oh my God, the money thing again,” he roared standing and dropping Kelsey to her feet. “Damn it woman, I love you. I want to marry you; do you think I give a shit about the money? Get upstairs and pack a bag”, he ordered, reaching for the phone.
Kelsey gasped; he was throwing her out! Why couldn’t she just shut up? Wide-eyed, she backed away from him.
“Well?” he demanded. “What are you waiting for, get moving,” he ordered.
“Where am I going?” she whispered, twisting her hands.
