Chapter 42
Chapter Forty-Two
Five Weeks Later
Ty stood in the kitchen in the early evening light, glancing at the list that he’d made over the last several days. Every to-do he’d written down had officially been crossed off, which meant it was nearly showtime.
Shoving the piece of paper into the back pocket of his jeans, he blew out a breath as his cell phone alerted him to a text. Snatching it up off the counter, he read Camille’s message.
She’s on her way!
Thanks!
Setting his phone back down, he blew out another breath, hurrying out to the new patio, plugging in the fairy lights that it had taken him nearly two hours to hang before he turned on the flame in the insanely awesome concrete firepit table that he and Lydia had splurged on.
Rocking back on his heels, he took a moment to scrutinize the accent pillows and blankets that he’d arranged on the wicker wraparound couch, then the pumpkins and dozens of pretty fall floral arrangements that Marney had helped him set up around the gorgeous outdoor space.
“Not too shabby,” he whispered as he nodded, feeling damn lucky that he’d had several excellent partners in crime to give him a hand because he wanted nothing less than perfection for the woman of his dreams.
He heard the garage door open and rushed back inside, fixing his blue plaid button-down and the white T-shirt beneath before he opened the door as Lydia got out of her Telluride. “Hey, baby.”
She grinned as she rounded the hood with a couple of bags in her hand, looking sexy as hell in a pair of snug blue jeans and a dark-green sweater. “Hey, you.”
“How was shopping with Camille?”
“Fun,” she said with a smile, putting her bags down when she stepped inside. “I found Mac’s birthday present, which is great, but I’m so happy to be home with you.”
He wrapped her up in a hug, breathing in flowers and vanilla, thankful every day that she was his. “I’m happy you’re home, too.”
She returned his embrace. “I missed you.”
Resting his cheek against her hair, he held her tighter. “I missed you, too.”
“I know I’m running a little behind. Are you hungry?”
He shook his head as he rubbed his hands up and down her back. “Are you?”
She shook her head this time. “Not really.”
“I grabbed us some stuff for dinner. It’s in the fridge for when we’re ready.”
“My hero,” she said on a sigh as she eased back far enough to look him in the eyes and kiss him. “How was your afternoon?”
“Not too shabby. I got in a solid workout at the gym. Then I ran a couple of errands after that.”
“Good.” She kissed him again. “How did your meeting with Senator Shubert go?”
He nodded. “Great. My last available spot is officially taken.”
She beamed. “Ty, that’s awesome.”
He smiled, not hating that he now had a waiting list. Marietta and James had done him a major solid by singing his praises to several of their DC colleagues and friends.
He drove up to the city a couple of times a month to give his VIP clientele a little extra TLC, then handled the rest of their sessions online.
He was helping several men and women change their health and bodies for the better, the money was rolling in, and he still had plenty of time to dedicate to the most important person in his life. His new career was sweet as hell.
He nuzzled her nose with his. “Are you up for hanging out with me on the patio for a while?”
She hummed in her throat. “Definitely.”
He hooked his arm around her waist as they walked down the short hallway toward the kitchen.
“So, I bumped into Talia’s mom while Camille and I were out.”
“Oh yeah?”
She nodded. “Apparently, Mr. Ty coming in to help out in the classroom has been quite the talk at their dinner table.”
He grinned. “Is that right?”
“Mm-hmm,” she said with another nod as she rested her head against his shoulder. “Your dance party movement breaks are proving to be rather legendary.”
He laughed. “Hey, getting your wiggles out with some dancing after math class is the way to go, especially on a Friday afternoon.”
“It’s a good thing we have recess after that because you always get them riled up.”
He loved everything about spending his Friday afternoons in Lydia’s classroom. She was a hell of an amazing teacher, and her students were super adorable. “Yeah, but we totally slay at the whole math lesson thing before we get a little crazy.”
She grinned. “Yes, we do.”
They moved toward the three-season porch.
Lydia stopped just inside the doorway, looking at the table he’d set for two with candles that were ready to be lit and some of Marney’s flowers arranged in a new vase. “Ty, this looks so pretty.”
He smiled, relieved that things were off to a good start. “I thought we could have a nice dinner when we’re ready.”
“Aw,” she said, kissing him. “You’re super sweet.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
“I do.”
He kissed her this time. “Let’s enjoy the patio. I tossed a blanket out there since it’s a little chilly.”
“Good thinking.”
He opened the door, and they walked outside.
Lydia stopped mid-step, tracking her gaze around the space that was lit by fairy lights and firelight now that the sun had mostly set. She pressed her hand to her heart. “Ty, this is beautiful.”
He smiled, thrilled that the flowers looked even better in the dim glow. “I thought I could make this nice for you, too.”
Her big hazel eyes were soft as she looked at him. “It’s amazing.”
He winked. “Come snuggle up with me.”
She nodded.
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they settled side by side on the couch while she covered their legs with the soft fleece. “Is this okay?”
She sighed as she relaxed against him, nestling her head in the crook of his neck as she wrapped her arm around him. “It’s perfect.” She slid her hand up and down his side. “I love everything about our cozy new space.”
He hummed in his throat as he nodded, holding her tighter while he stared into the flames. “It’s kind of hard to believe that all of this was waiting for me when I rolled into Oliver Heights all those months ago, and I had no idea.”
“And to think that I wanted you to go away.”
He grinned as he gave her a gentle jostle. “You’re stuck with me now.”
She laughed as she lifted her head to hold his gaze before her smile faded as she stroked her fingers along his cheek. “I’m so glad you’re here, Ty.”
He kissed her. “I never want to be anywhere else.”
“I don’t want you to be anywhere else, either.”
He tucked her hair behind her ear. “You changed everything for me, Lyd. You’ve made everything about my life better.”
Her eyes went soft again. “You’re on quite a roll tonight.”
“I want you to know how much I love you. How much I need you.”
“Ty,” she whispered. “I love you, too. I need you, too.”
“You’re my person, Lyd. I never want to be without you.” He pulled a silver two-carat diamond-encrusted ring from the front pocket of his shirt.
“Ty,” she shuddered out as a tear trailed down her cheek.
“Marry me, Lyd. At the beach next summer, like we planned.”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Make babies with me after that.”
She nodded again. “Yes again.”
“Be mine forever, Lyd.”
She nodded yet again. “For always.”
He slid the ring on her finger, watching it sparkle in the firelight.
She held up her hand. “It’s so pretty, Ty.”
“I had it custom-made. The bigger diamond was from a ring that your dad was going to give to your mom for their anniversary. Grandpa Roger and Grandma Gail have been holding on to it, waiting for the perfect time to give it to you, and the smaller diamonds are from a ring that my dad had given to my mom.”
More tears trailed down her cheeks as she closed her eyes. “It’s perfect, Ty.”
He stroked away her tears. “I love you.”
She sniffled. “I love you, too.”
“So much, Lyd,” he whispered, pressing his lips to hers. “So much,” he repeated, coming back again, taking the kiss deeper by degrees, groaning as the tender moment soon turned hungry.
She hummed in her throat as she eased back. “I want to have a dance party.”
He raised his brow, seeing the desire in her eyes. “Oh yeah?”
She nodded. “With my fiancé. In our bed.”
He nodded. “I can get behind that idea.”
She grinned as he did, stroking her fingers along the back of his neck. “Right now, Ty.”
He untangled himself from their embrace and stood, taking a moment to turn off the flames before scooping her into his arms. “You know how I feel about a good dance party.”
“I do,” she said, pressing kisses along his jaw and neck. “Maybe we could make a stop at the entryway door before we head upstairs.”
He puffed out a breath as he hurried inside. “I like the way you think, Lyd.”
She laughed.
He grinned as he stared into her eyes, loving that this was his life.
The End
Three Siblings. One Year. Everything Changes.
Stained glass artist Callie Davis is in desperate need of a vacation. Burnt out and on the edge of a nervous breakdown, she yearns for lazy days and solitude. But then she meets gorgeous Sheriff Nate Carter.
Nate and Callie’s relationship quickly heats up until Callie starts remembering secrets from her past that have the potential to rip apart their lives.
Secrets Hidden In The Glass, book one of The Carter Island Trilogy.