“I can cook. Stop complaining and tell me how many you want. Izzy is going to make you breakfast.” Ty handed Izzy a waffle and she put it to her mouth. It was frozen and the cold must have felt good because she kept chewing on it. He put one waffle in the toaster then showed her how to put hers in. She started banging her waffle on the top of the toaster. “Don’t beat it up. We want Mommy to be able to eat it.” He teased.
“So I get to eat the slobber waffle?”
He laughed and sat Izzy on the counter while still holding her. “I will eat the slobber waffle if you can’t handle it.”
“That is disgusting. If you knew the things she tried to put in her mouth, you wouldn’t be sayin’ that.” That child put everything in her mouth. God only knows what she had eaten that I didn’t know about.
Just like he had said, Ty took out the waffles and took a giant bite out of the one Bella had chewed on. “It tastes great to me!”
“That is so gross.”
He made more until we both had two each and we started to eat. Bella sat on his lap and he fed her small bites of his food. I think she was just sucking off the syrup for the most part.
“Did you call home and tell them everything is fine here?” He asked.
“Yes. I did it last night. I left a message. Things weren’t exactly happy when I left. I didn’t want to go anywhere, but they pushed the decision on me.” I explained.
“Well I am glad you came here. Working so much sucks because I can’t come visit. Izzy is getting so big so fast. I can’t believe how good she is walking and saying words.”
“It amazes me how much you love her. I wish her father would have felt that way about her.” I started to tear up. Not because I missed Tucker, or even wanted him to change now, but because there were men out there that weren’t even blood related that would do anything for her. How pathetic was that?
“She definitely has my heart. Ever since she was born I have felt that way. I hope it doesn’t bother you. I mean, I never would have chosen to be there that day, but now that it has happened, I couldn’t imagine not being there.” He reached for his back pocket and pushed his wallet across the table. “Look inside of it.”
When I opened that wallet, I never imagined that it would be filled with pictures of my child. There were at least six pictures, all of Bella. No hot models or pictures of him and Van like I would have thought. “How long have you been carryin’ these around?”
“Well, when she was born I wanted to have a picture when I told the story, then I just kept collecting them. Is it creepy?” He got a worried look on his face.
I looked at my daughter sitting on his lap and thought about how, if things were different, I would love to be with someone like him. I was aware of his past, but for some reason it just didn’t matter to me. He loved my daughter and made it clear we were just friends, so I had to settle for that. “She is lucky to have an uncle like you. Thank you, for everything Ty. I really mean that.”
He smiled and looked down at Bella. “Who is ready to go pet some stinky animals?” He said in a baby voice. “Say ‘I am Mommy’.” He raised Bella’s hand causing her to giggle.
We cleaned up our mess and headed out for a day at the petting zoo. Ty insisted on driving since he knew where he was going. Since my one jacket had been damp from the rain the night before, he lent me one of his college hoodies. It was too big, but very warm in the crisp spring air.
I was surprised at how close the place was. Ty later admitted that he knew the people his whole life. When we first got there he gave some old man a wave before getting Bella out of her car seat. I think that it wouldn’t have mattered if I even went. He carried her around and made a big deal about every animal they came up to. Bella was reluctant to touch most of them, but after Ty showed her it was okay she started to open up. By the third animal she was squealing and getting all excited every time she got to touch one of them.
After about an hour of touching every stinky animal she could get her hands on, Ty led us over to a few picnic tables. He told me to wait there for him to return. He came running back from the car moments later with a cooler in his hand.
“Where did you get that?” I asked.
“I put it in the car this morning before going into the carriage house. I packed all kinds of shit too, so you better be hungry.”
I shook my head and let Bella play in the grass while he got everything out. It wasn’t anything fancy, but he had managed to pack the cooler full. “When did you have time to buy juice boxes?”
“Actually, they are mine. I still pack them in my lunch every day.”
I snickered. “How old are you?”
He stood up straight and put his hands on his hips. “I will have you know that those juice boxes supply me with half of my daily required vitamin C for the day.”
I rolled my eyes. “Only you would say somethin’ like that.”
“Don’t you ever wonder where this perfectly sculpted body comes from? It is from eating Wheaties and drinking my juice boxes. I also like spinach out of the can, just like Popeye the sailorman.”
“Well I got my big breasts from eatin’ lots of chicken,” I joked.
With his index finger, he pointed toward my chest. “Yeah, I can tell.”
I blushed and looked over at Bella. I hated that he noticed things about me, but only ever considered me a friend. When he said things like that I felt my body starting to tingle. Sometimes I just wanted to feel his touch, whether it was wrong or not.
We ate our food and enjoyed the sunshine for a while longer. I could tell that Bella was starting to get tired because she had become cranky and nothing settled her. After spending a good twenty minutes with a very friendly llama, that licked everything in sight, and also seemed to know how to actually spit, we took a slobber filled faced child back to Ty’s for a nap.
Luckily, she fell asleep before the car left the driveway. Ty couldn’t stop talking about how excited Bella was when she got to touch the animals. I think he was the one who was more excited. Since Bella was sound asleep when we pulled back up at his parent’s farm, Ty suggested we watch some television and relax. I don’t think he realized how much a child can tire someone out.
“That was draining!” He said as he plopped down on the couch after laying Bella down.
“Yeah, you have to get used to it. Thanks for taking us. She really seemed to have fun.”
He snickered. “Yeah, until she got spit on by a damn llama.”
We both began to laugh.
Ty stood up and pulled off his hoodie. As he was doing it, his t-shirt pulled up over his abs and back. God, his stomach was so firm. I turned away quickly when he turned to look at me. I got the impression that he knew I was checking him out when he shot me a half smile.
Instead of him calling me out on my wandering eyes, he started flipping through the channels. I let out a big sigh thinking I had gotten away with it.
That’s what I thought.
“So aren’t you hot in that sweatshirt?” He asked, without taking his eyes from the television.
I cringed just knowing that he had caught me. “No. I am just fine.” I lied.
After nearly an hour, I was sweating my ass off. Ty kept randomly making conversation while I tried to prevent the beads of sweat from dripping down my forehead. I don’t know why I was so determined to act stubborn, but I didn’t want him to have the upper hand. Ty had been known to be a womanizer. I had seen firsthand how women approached him. He knew he could pretty much get whoever he wanted. Hell, I wanted him too, even if I couldn’t have him. Opening that can would be just added disaster to my already chaotic life.
When Bella woke up, she came walking out of the bedroom with no pants on. “Bella, what happened to your pants honey?” I grabbed her and went looking for her pack of diapers. “Uncle Ty doesn’t want to see your hiney.”
I no sooner got Bella changed when my new cell phone started ringing. “Ty, can you get that?”
I heard him tal
king on the phone as I approached, but he handed it to me immediately and started shaking his head. I didn’t understand but I grabbed it and sat down. Ty held his hands out for Bella and started swinging her around.
Hello?
Miranda, it’s me. Conner
Hey. What’s up?
Look, I am not goin’ to beat around the bush. We got a few disturbin’ calls last night. They are all from a blocked number, even the texts.
Well, was it Tucker?
We don’t know. The voice was raspy and deep, like they were holdin’ somethin’ to disguise their voice.
You said you got texts too?
Yeah. They said ‘it is only a matter of time’. Another said that ‘you will pay’.
What does Mom say?
She is glad that you are stayin’ with Ty. I think it is a bad idea, but for the time bein’, I guess it is alright. He best keeps his damn hands to himself.
Please don’t start with that Conner. I did what you all said. Ty is keeping us safe, isn’t that what you want?
Of course it is. I just don’t want him tryin’ to get into your pants. Don’t you let him either. That ain’t why we sent you there.
I started gritting my teeth. Thank you for keepin’ me posted about the phone calls. Goodnight Conner. Tell Mom I love her.
I hung up the phone before he could piss me off anymore
“He thinks I am going to deflower you.” Ty joked.
I rolled my eyes. “Ha ha! I think it is too late for me to be deflowered.”
“You know what I mean. I answered that damn phone and he started asking what I was doing near you. Was I not supposed to be around you?” He asked.
“Don’t listen to him. He thinks he can control my life. He threatens everyone I am close to,” I admitted.
“Are you saying we are close?” he asked as he pushed the hair away from my face.
I tried to pretend like his touch didn’t affect me. “He says that my old phone had been getting threatenin’ phone calls.”
“Nothing will happen to you while you are here with me Miranda. I promise you that.”
He pulled me into his chest and just held me there for a few seconds. “Thank you. This is my first real time away from home. It makes it harder having Bella. She is a good little girl, but I never wanted this for her.”
He put his hands on either side of my face. “I know I already said this, but I am really glad you came here. I missed Izzy…..,” he looked directly into my eyes, “and I missed you.”
I licked my lips and glared at his.
We started moving closer.
My heart was beating out of my chest.
Yes…yes……
Then someone knocked on the door.
Chapter 16
Tyler
Leave it to my mother to drop by the carriage house at the worst time possible.
I was inches away from feeling those soft lips again, when she came beating on the door. Then to make matters worse, she just came bursting in. “Sorry to just barge in. I wanted to give Ty his cell phone. It has been ringing in his room all day.”
My mother looked around the living room. “Is the baby sleeping?”
Miranda had scooted at least two feet away from me, but I could tell that both she and my mother sensed the tension in the room.
“I took them to Jeb’s farm to pet all the animals. It wore her out.”
“So how are you doing Miranda? Do you have everything you need out here?” My mother asked.
Yes, thank you for lettin’ us come here. I know the circumstances aren’t ideal. I apologize for the inconvenience,” Miranda explained.
“It’s no trouble. It’s a real shame that boy is threatening you and your baby like that.”
Miranda gave my mother a quick smile. “I thought he would change once she was born. I swear I truly believed that once he saw her for the first time, he would want to be a family.”
“He is a damn fool.” My mother shook her head and turned her direction toward the bedroom door.
Izzy came peeking around the corner. She was looking straight at my mother but being shy because she didn’t know her. Miranda had her back facing the bedroom, so she wasn’t seeing the hide and seek that was going on. “There’s my favorite girl,” I announced in an excited tone. Izzy got a big smile on her face and came walking out into the living room toward me. I held my arms up and offered to pick her up. Just like every time, she jumped right up. “Don’t be shy. This is my mommy.”
“Mama.” Izzy said as she pointed toward Miranda.
“Yes that is your mama,” I agreed and laughed.
My mother approached us and held her arms out for Izzy. Instead of reaching back, she turned her face and buried it into my shoulder. “No!”
We all started laughing even though my mother seemed genuinely hurt that the baby hadn’t made friends with her yet.
“She is shy at first. Just give her a little while and she will open up.” Miranda explained.
I tickled Izzy’s neck with my whiskers and got her to finally look up. “There she is!” I looked over at my mother. “Grab that container of cereal and hand her some, Mom. She can’t resist them.”
Miranda handed her the cereal container and she took a few pieces in her hand. In hindsight she looked like she was trying to lure out an angry or scared puppy, but instead it was just a cute little girl.
I got a very excited look on my face. “Izzy, look what she has for you.”
Izzy peeked behind her and saw her favorite cereal in my mother’s hand. She had sat down on the couch and I sat down next to her. “Don’t you want one?” My mother asked kindly.
“Mine.” Izzy announced as she grabbed all three out of my mother’s palm.
After shoving them all in her mouth, she climbed down and started gibbering about something. It was clearly baby talk and none of it made sense, but to appease the child, my mother pretended to know every word she was saying. “Is that so? Tell me more.” She leaned over and played with one of Izzy’s curls. “You have such pretty hair. I can see why Uncle Ty is so crazy about you. You are the cutest little thing.”
Izzy looked up and pointed at me. “Ty.”
My heart skipped a beat. It had been clear as day. I looked over to Miranda, who now had her hand over her mouth. “She said my name. She pointed to me and said my name.”
“That is incredible. She has never said that before. I mean, she has been sayin’ random words more and more, but I don’t remember her ever hearin’ that. It was perfectly clear Ty.” Miranda said, still shocked I was sure.
I couldn’t stop smiling and when I turned to look over at my mother, she had this sparkle in her eyes that I hadn’t seen in forever. She ended up staying and hanging out with us for at least a half hour. When she finally headed out, she invited us to dinner and told us she wouldn’t take no for an answer.
When I walked her outside, she pulled me into a hug. “Please forgive me for being so protective of you. I don’t know if there is anything going on with you and Miranda, and you are right, it’s none of my business, but I want you to know that I see how easy it was for you to fall in love with that baby. She is perfect.”
I smiled and looked at my mom. “She is. I know they came here because they were running away, but I am so glad to be able to spend time with her, with both of them.”
My mother nodded and started walking toward her house. “See you in an hour.”
I was shocked at how she had turned around, but I knew that the little girl had also made me have feelings that I didn’t know existed. All of the partying and sex could never give me the happy feelings that I felt when I spent time with Izzy. Her little smile sent a charge straight to my heart. I understood how grizzly old grumpy men could become puppy dogs when they saw their grandchildren, or how people in the armed forces could shed those tears of joy when they saw their babies for the first time through a computer screen. Suddenly, the life I was living seemed so empty. Sure, I had famil
y and friends here, but when I came home at night I was alone.
Last year I thought that I had my future all pegged out, but after the accident, the coma and losing everything else, it was clear that I was left with nothing to look forward to. I had been a shitty boyfriend to Van. I had treated her like a possession while I went out and screwed around on her. I never thought about getting caught or what would happen if I did. I always just assumed she would be there.
The thing was, when I actually did lose her, I realized just how unhappy we both were. We were living in the fantasy of it all. Van and I didn’t have much in common. She was her own person and I had never taken the time to get to know her. I was more worried about myself.
I had fucked up, but the worst part of it all was that she found that happiness in my cousin. I had to see her when I visited my family. I had to hear about their upcoming nuptials and how I should be a man about standing up beside Colt, being his best man. Did anyone realize how much that hurt me? Not just because it was Van, it was because after losing her, I realized it may have been what I wanted all along. I didn’t know how to be in a faithful relationship, with someone that was my best friend. I was completely jealous of their life.
Having Miranda and Izzy come to stay had forced me to rehash all of the feelings again, reminding me of how lonely I would be when they left. I had an instant ache in the pit of my stomach just thinking about it.
I needed to stop being a selfish prick, get over what happened last year and move on. For the second time, I had almost kissed Miranda and I was certain this time that she wanted to kiss me to. We had been friends for a while and talked about everything, in fact she knew all about my feelings, because she was the person I confided in. The problem with Miranda was that she had made it clear that we were just friends, almost family even, and because I had agreed, it had made the situation carved into stone.
I was starting to wonder if I was actually having feelings for Miranda, and not just because I was already in love with her daughter. I needed to figure it out without ruining our friendship and definitely before she headed back home to Kentucky.
Folding Hearts Page 10