Chapter 47
Tyson’s heart was heavy as he navigated the Friday night traffic on his way to the coffee shop.
From the passenger seat, Seth jacked up the air-conditioning. “I hope the heat lets up soon.”
It had been in the high nineties most of the week. Pony penning started a week from tomorrow, and it would be better for the
ponies, spectators, and saltwater cowboys if the weather cooled a bit. Not that Ty would be sitting horseback at this rate.
He’d been cleared by his doctor on Tuesday, but he was still lying low around the fire station. He hadn’t spoken to Marissa
a single time since her ridiculous allegations, but he’d sure thought about it. His family had convinced him it would be unwise.
But that didn’t stop him from trying to figure out how to prove himself innocent. A call to the coffee shop had relieved him
of the hope that they might’ve caught the interaction on camera. They didn’t have security cameras, and none of the employees
had been watching out the window—why would they?
He wasn’t sure why he’d thought coming down here again might help. Maybe reenacting the encounter might bring something helpful
to mind.
As he pulled into the lot, gravel popped under his truck’s tires, making Ty remember that ding someone had put in his car door back in May. Could that have been Marissa? He never would’ve thought it at the time, but now he understood just how vindictive she was.
The coffee shop was closed, which would give them the privacy he preferred. “I was parked here.” Tyson pulled into the space.
“And Marissa parked over there—two spots closer to the entrance.”
Once he shut off the engine, they exited the vehicle.
“You were leaving the shop?”
“Right.” Tyson walked toward the entrance and turned. “I was coming out and there were only our two cars. I saw her when she
came around her vehicle.”
“Like this?”
“Right.” Ty retold the conversation as they stood where he and Marissa had five days ago. He’d reviewed it in his mind a hundred
times. “Then I started walking away like this and she said I must think I’m hot stuff after being written up like a hero.
I ignored the comment. Just went to my truck and got in.”
“So you never even got close to her.”
“I was a good five feet away at the very closest.”
Seth frowned. “I wish someone had seen it.”
Ty glanced around the property. Somewhere nearby a car door slammed. He tracked the sound to the motel lot that was adjacent
to the coffee shop parking lot. A sparse tree line separated the properties. “I wonder if the motel would have an exterior
camera.”
“Good question. I know the manager. Did a little marketing for her last summer. Let’s head over.”
They walked toward the hotel entrance and once inside found a middle-aged brunette working the lobby desk.
“Hi, MaryAnn,” Seth said. “How’ve you been?”
“Seth.” She beamed. “Good to see you. I still tell Mr. Mays all the time that we need to hire you again.”
“I’m glad the campaign worked out so well for you. This is my brother Tyson.” Seth glanced at his brother. “MaryAnn pretty much runs this hotel single-handedly.”
“Oh, I have plenty of help. Nice to meet you, Tyson. Your brother’s a marketing genius.”
“We try not to butter him up too much. We have to live with him.”
She grinned. “Fair enough. What brings you guys by? I can’t imagine you need rooms.”
Seth leaned on the counter. “Actually we have a weird question for you. Do you happen to have exterior security cameras?”
“As a matter of fact, we do. We had a problem with auto break-ins last summer and Mr. Mays had them installed. Why do you
ask?”
Seth went into the story, giving only the pertinent details about Ty’s encounter with Marissa and her false allegations, without
naming her.
Her gaze swung to Tyson. “Oh my. You were accused of accosting her? When did this supposedly happen?”
“Last Sunday around three fifteen. I’m really hoping you have footage of the event so I can exonerate myself.”
She gave a sharp nod. “Well, we’re gonna find out right now. Come on back to the office and let’s see what we can pull up.”
“There she is,” Seth said.
Tyson couldn’t believe it. The motel’s camera view was black and white and focused on their own parking lot, of course.
But just through the gap in the bushes, Marissa exited her car.
And then there he was at the very top of the screen.
They came to a stop and exchanged words.
You couldn’t really see their expressions or hear what they were saying.
Then Tyson walked away from her, leaving the screen. Marissa headed toward the shop entrance. A moment later the bottom of
Ty’s truck passed by as he exited the lot. He had everything he needed right here. Relief flooded through him, nearly wilting
him.
“Bingo!” Seth said.
“Wow, you didn’t even go near her.” MaryAnn pecked a few keys on the computer. “She won’t get away with this. What’s your
email? I’ll send you the file.”
Tyson rattled it off, his mind still whirling. He couldn’t wait to send that footage to Chief Jones.
Seth clapped him on the back. “It’s over, buddy. Marissa’s been caught in her lies red-handed.”
As soon as Tyson got back to his house, he forwarded the video to the chief with a message explaining where he’d gotten it
and including MaryAnn’s number. A few minutes later his phone rang.
“I just saw the footage,” Chief Jones said. “Sure seems indisputable to me. I’m going to call Geena into my office, and I’ll
let you know how it goes from there. Great job on this, Parker. I’ll get back with you soon.”
After Ty disconnected the call, he heated up some leftover pizza, but he hardly tasted it as he ate. Surely the EMS director
would see he was innocent of Marissa’s accusations. When she’d made her allegations she’d given the day and time of the encounter,
which were time-stamped on the footage.
For the hundredth time this week he wished he could call Jenna and talk to her.
It had been lonely going through this without her—even though Luke’s and Ty’s families had been supportive.
He’d been at loose ends without the fire company, wondering about the new rumors Marissa might’ve started or what other drama she might be stirring up.
Jenna.
How long was this time-and-space thing supposed to last? Until his feelings were gone? He gave a wry laugh. At this rate that
might be never.
It was your bright idea, genius.
Yeah, well, it wasn’t working so well—at least not for him. There was an empty, Jenna-shaped hole in his heart that seemed
like it would never be filled. How was he supposed to live like this?
The phone buzzed, claiming his attention. Nerves clamoring, he snapped it up.
“She’s history,” the chief announced with no preamble. “Geena’s giving Marissa her walking papers as we speak.”
Tyson blew out a deep breath. “That’s great news. I’m so relieved to hear it.”
“Geena also called Marissa’s former employer over in Wattsville and discovered they had trouble with her there too. Her previous
boss suspects Marissa is a narcissist. Said she wouldn’t be surprised if Marissa put those bruises there herself.”
“Wow.”
“Geena’s kicking herself for not checking her references, but she was desperate to fill that spot. I’m sorry this happened,
son. But boy, it sure is good when the truth prevails, isn’t it?”
“You can say that again.”
Marissa’s downfall was the main topic the next Wednesday at Ty’s parents’ house. Ty loved recounting Luke’s story about the paramedic storming out of the fire station. How fortuitous that he’d been present for the moment. It gave Ty plenty of satisfaction to see justice carried out.
His parents had invited Ty and his brothers for supper—Alex had picked up Cosa’s pizza on the way, and Ty was currently regretting
that sixth slice. He wiped the grease from his fingers and leaned back in his chair, holding back a moan of misery.
Mom, sitting between Ty and Seth, removed the last slice from the box and set it on Seth’s plate.
“Thanks, Mom. Don’t mind if I do.” Seth had a bottomless stomach.
“Save some room,” Mom said. “Dee brought over brownies this afternoon.”
“I’m going to need a little break,” Alex said even as he finished chewing a bite. “So, Mom, we’re only a week from the pony
auction. Have you guys decided if you’re bidding on the foal?”
“Oh boy,” Dad said. “Here we go.”
Seth leaned in. “I got a glimpse of Patches’ sibling last week. He’s a pretty cute little guy. He might not go for a lot either
since he’s a bay.”
Mom swung her head Ty’s way. “And what do you think, Tyson?”
“Um, yeah, Seth’s right. That’s the way it usually goes.” The pintos typically brought a higher bid since they more closely
resembled the fabled Misty of Chincoteague.
Mom dropped her napkin on her plate. “Well, I just can’t seem to decide.”
“What do you think, Dad?” Alex asked.
Dad’s gaze sharpened on their mother. “I think your mother has a mind of her own.”
Ty traded a grin with Seth over their mom’s head. Looked like this bet might go their way after all. And good thing, with five hundred dollars on the line. He could almost see that big-screen TV hanging on his wall.
Mom patted Ty’s leg. “Well, all those articles were very helpful, honey. And Seth, those website links you sent me . . . I
just couldn’t have asked for more timely information.”
“Glad we could help.” Seth shot Alex a smug look. “So you’re leaning toward buying one?”
“Oh, I’m leaning toward buying one all right.” Something was off about Mom’s tone.
Ty frowned. He glanced her way just as her benign expression flipped to a scowl. “What is wrong with the three of you? Do
you think I’m stupid? I’m onto your little bet. You’re about as subtle as a flashing neon sign.”
Ty’s face warmed as he met Alex’s “uh-oh” expression across the table.
“She’s been onto you since the beginning, guys,” Dad said.
Ty darted a look at Seth—just as Mom whacked the back of his head.
“Hey!” Seth said. “What about them?”
“I can’t reach Alex,” Mom said, “and Ty has a concussion. Really, you three thought you’d play your dad and me? Did I not
give birth to each one of you? You should realize by now that I know your every thought before you even think it.”
“I don’t know about that . . .” Alex pouted.
Dad smirked. “What’s that bet up to now, boys?”
What? How’d he know they’d been raising the bet?
Seth frowned, seeming as uncertain as Ty felt. “Five hundred.”
Ty could feel five hundred big ones—and that big-screen TV—slipping away.
Now it was Mom who looked smug. “Thank you for accommodating my plans by upping the ante.”
Ty shifted uncomfortably. “What plans?”
“I’m so glad you asked,” Mom said. “Since you and Seth were so certain I should bid on a pony, you’re going to chip in for
a buyback next week—that’s five hundred from each of you.”
Alex cleared his throat. “I wasn’t trying to talk you into bidding.”
“No, you were too busy trying to manipulate me into doing what your father wanted. So I hope you’re not trying to weasel out
of paying your dues.”
Alex had the grace to look guilty. “No, ma’am.”
“I thought not. Fifteen hundred won’t be enough for a buyback, but your dad and I agreed to chip in the extra. It’s for a
good cause after all.”
Dad took her hand. “A very good cause. Wouldn’t you say, boys?”
“Yes, sir,” they said as one.
And just like that, Ty was financing a buyback—and saying good-bye to his big-screen TV.