Matter Of Trust

by Lisa Harris

  Kayla reached for a handful of scallions and started chopping again. “Knowing the way everyone feels about him, it’s been easier just to keep our relationship private.”

  Jenny folded up the sacks and stuck them in a drawer. “You know we never meant for you to feel that way. The rest of us are just … cautious.”

  “Even after all this time? Surely even you can see he’s changed, Jenny.”

  “Honestly, I’m starting to like the guy, but it doesn’t matter what I think. You trust him, don’t you? That’s what counts.”

  The phone rang, and Kayla picked up the cordless receiver, thankful for the reprieve from Jenny’s question. Of course she trusted Ty. It was everyone else who refused to give him a second chance. “Marceilo Catering.”

  There was silence on the line then those two haunting words again.

  “He’s guilty.”

  Kayla slammed down the phone.

  “Wrong number?”

  “Something like that.”

  A chill ran down Kayla’s spine. She wasn’t ready to connect the dots yet, but something wasn’t right. Following the articles in the newspaper had continued to reveal that Abbott Financial Services was in serious trouble with the government, though no arrests had been made. A hundred and seventy-five million dollars couldn’t have vanished without help. She’d known a year ago that Richard Abbott was grooming Ty for a position on the company’s management team. He’d been next in line for chief financial officer and would have been the youngest ever to be appointed. Had Ty left the company in hopes of avoiding a bomb dropping, or had he truly been unaware of what was going on?

  “Kayla.”

  She jerked her head up and caught Jenny’s gaze. “Sorry.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. I’m just tired this morning.” She’d tried hard to ignore any red flags, certain they were only her imagination working overtime. She had no idea who had been behind the phone calls she’d been receiving the past few days. And she hadn’t told anyone. Not even Ty.

  He’s guilty.

  The menacing words echoed though her mind, but she was still convinced even the old Ty wouldn’t have stooped to defrauding the company. She’d never believe that. This was Ty. The man who loved her. Who visited her mom in the hospital. Arranged a group of guys from church to move her out of her apartment. Bought her tickets to the symphony….

  The blade of Kayla’s knife stopped mid-stroke. “What’s today?”

  Jenny looked up from the schedule she was going over. “Thursday.”

  “No.” Kayla waved her hands in front of her. “I mean, what is the date?”

  “October twelfth.”

  “Oh no.”

  “What’s the matter?”

  Kayla set down the spoon she was using to blend the crab mixture together and reached for her purse. Digging through the side pocket, she pulled out the red envelope. “This is what’s the matter.”

  “What is it?”

  “The tickets to the symphony. Ty gave them to me for my birthday.”

  “When is the concert?”

  “Tonight. And I forgot.”

  “Uh oh.”

  “Uh oh is right.”

  “Tonight’s the Bunners’ anniversary party.” Jenny left the clipboard on the desk and crossed the tiled floor. “I can handle it, Kayla. I might be a mathematician in disguise, but I can do this.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Haven’t I been trying to get you to take some time off for days? This is perfect.”

  “Maybe you’re right. Last night he insisted on taking me out to eat, and I almost fell asleep over dinner.” Kayla leaned against the counter and mentally went over her schedule for the day. “I’ll have time to go to the hospital this afternoon when the luncheon is over. That will still leave time for me to get ready for the symphony.”

  With renewed energy she sprinkled breadcrumbs over the crab mixture. Tonight wasn’t a kink in her schedule; it was time with Ty. Something they both needed. Feelings of fatigue washed over her, but she ignored the impact. She could handle it.

  If only she could ignore those two words.

  Ty knocked on Kayla’s door at half past six. He’d heard the fatigue in her voice when he called her and had tried to convince her to stay in tonight. They could always go another night, but she had been insistent that she wanted to go. Not that a night out wouldn’t be good for her, but she needed sleep more.

  When she didn’t answer, Ty knocked on the door again.

  “Kayla?”

  Digging into his pocket, Ty pulled out the key Kayla had given him in case of an emergency. This might not be technically classified as an emergency, but she should be home and wasn’t answering. He was worried about her.

  “Kayla,” he said again, stepping into the apartment. Boxes lined the living room wall, ready for the people from church who were coming on Saturday to move her belongings to her mother’s home.

  “Kayla, it’s Ty.”

  There was no answer. Ty glanced at his watch. Where could she be? She knew he was planning to pick her up for dinner.

  Walking toward the couch, a wave of relief swept over him. Kayla lay curled up with a thick afghan covering her; she was sound asleep. Her cheeks were tinged with a hint of pink, and he resisted the urge to brush back a curl that had fallen across her forehead. Part of him still didn’t believe he deserved her, but God had been gracious enough to grant him a second chance to win her heart.

  All that stood between them now was Richard Abbott and her mother’s approval. Visits to the hospital had already begun to bring out a softer side of Mrs. Marceilo, and Kayla never had to know the police had questioned him regarding the missing money. Or that they were still looking into his involvement with the missing funds. He’d find a way to avoid any backlash.

  “Tell her.”

  Ty frowned at the insistent voice in the back of his mind.

  “Tell her.”

  The words came again, but he ignored them. He couldn’t tell her. If he wanted her to trust him, telling her would only serve to drive a wedge between them. And that was something he couldn’t afford. Ty tiptoed into the kitchen where he’d seen a pad of paper and pens and scratched out a note to let her know he’d come by. He’d been right when he’d tried to encourage her to skip tonight and go to bed early. She was exhausted. There would always be another night at the symphony.

  Setting the note on the coffee table, Ty turned to leave.

  “Ty?”

  He stopped in the entryway. “Hey. You weren’t supposed to wake up.”

  “What time is it?” Kayla sat up and rubbed her eyes.

  “Six-thirty.”

  She rubbed her hand on her forehead. “I’m sorry. I must have fallen asleep.”

  Ty bent down to kiss her. “And that’s exactly what you’re going to do. I’m leaving, and I want you to get ready for bed.”

  “I can’t, Ty. I’ve been looking forward to tonight.” She struggled to get up, but he gently pushed her back onto the pillow.

  “Kayla. You haven’t even had time to think about tonight. All you need right now is to get some sleep. We’ll do it again. I promise.”

  “But Jenny’s covering for me at work and—”

  “It’s okay.”

  Kayla ran her fingers through her hair. “I’m sorry.”

  “For what?”

  “For disappointing you.”

  “For disappointing me? You could never disappoint me.”

  Kayla’s face broke into a smile. “I wish that was true. I’ve fallen asleep on you two nights in a row.”

  “I hope that isn’t an indication of how boring I am.”

  “Don’t worry. I can’t imagine life with you ever being dull.”

  Ty leaned against the couch’s armrest. “Just promise me that as soon as I leave you’ll go to bed. These last couple of weeks have been hard on you, and you need to get your rest. Promise?”

  “I promise.”

/>   “Then kiss me good night, and I’ll leave.”

  “Tell her.”

  Ty ignored his conscience or God or whatever it was and instead reached over and kissed her again, wishing he didn’t have to go. “I’ll call you in the morning.”

  He walked out of the apartment, locking the door behind him. Surely God didn’t expect him to tell Kayla everything that was going on. He’d risk losing what he’d worked to fix between them. No. That was a chance he simply wasn’t willing to take.

  Kayla aimed the can of polish at her mother’s dining room hutch and sprayed the lemony scented liquid onto the wood. Except for a few pieces of furniture still left to dust, she’d managed to do a thorough cleaning of her mother’s entire house in one afternoon. Three weeks of trying to schedule her life around hospital visits and catering jobs had left her too exhausted to worry about the layer of grime accumulating in her mother’s normally spotless house. Having her mother at home now added a new dimension to the situation, but at least she wouldn’t have to make the daily trek to the hospital.

  The loud crack of splintering wood sounded from outside. Kayla turned to the large picture window overlooking the front lawn. Last time she’d looked, Ty had been raking the leaves in her mom’s yard. What was he doing now?

  An unmistakable thud followed. Kayla dropped the spray can on the hutch and ran to the front door.

  Outside, Ty lay on his back beside a thick tree limb. Kayla’s throat constricted. This couldn’t be happening. Her mother lay inside barely able to function, and now Ty.

  I can’t handle anymore, Lord.

  She ran across the yellow grass, the scene a blur from tears that threatened to escape. By the time she reached him, he was trying to sit up.

  She stumbled over the limb. “You’re okay?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “What were you doing?” Kayla knelt beside him wanting to slug him for scaring her. “You might have broken something.”

  “Trust me. The only thing hurt right now is my pride.” Ty stood to brush off a layer of dirt from the back of his jeans.

  “You’re sure you’re not hurt?”

  Ty walked around, as if to prove everything was in working order. “I’ll have a few sore muscles, but certainly not anything to worry about.”

  “What were you doing up in the tree?” Kayla stood up to face him as a surge of anger coursed through her. He had no right to take chances and worry her this way.

  “I was trimming a couple of those branches. Didn’t want them to fall on the house. The second branch didn’t fall, but I did.” Ty rubbed his left elbow with his hand then stopped. “Why are you crying?”

  She jutted out her chin. “I’m not crying.”

  “Then what is this?” He brushed away a tear from her cheek. “I’m okay, Kayla. Really.”

  She pressed her fists against her hips and fought the urge to lash out at him. “I’m not crying. I’m mad.”

  “Mad?” He pulled her toward him, but she pushed him away.

  “Yes! Mad because you took a stupid risk and climbed my mother’s tree. Mad because you fell out and scared me half to death … and mad because … because I can’t lose you, too.”

  Silence hovered between them for a moment. Ty pulled her to him and hugged her. She could feel her heart pounding against his chest and hated the way she kept falling apart without any warning.

  “You could have broken your neck or something.” She looked up at him. “I can’t handle anything else.”

  “Come here.” Ty sat on the grass and pulled her down beside him. “You’ve been through a lot these past few weeks. Personally, I think you’ve done remarkably well.”

  She shook her head. “Remarkable because I’m having panic attacks every other day? This isn’t me, Ty.”

  “Stop trying to be superwoman and let people help you.” Ty grasped her hands and leaned forward. “And it’s okay to cry.”

  Kayla frowned. Maybe he was right, but she was tired of crying and feeling as if she carried the weight of the world on her shoulders. She was tired of being tired. The doctors estimated a six-month recovery for her mother. If she couldn’t make it three weeks without falling apart, how would she ever get through the coming months?

  “I don’t think I can do this, Ty. The home health nurses are great, but what about when that’s over?”

  “One day at a time is all you have to worry about.” He tilted her chin up with his thumb.

  “Didn’t Jenny say she’d organize some women to help you clean?”

  “Yes, but—”

  “No buts. You should have asked for help. I’m here. Jenny and Chloe are willing to do anything for you. The church has offered to help. How does that verse about sharing one another’s burdens go?”

  Kayla cocked her head and shot him a smile. He was right. As always. The one person who could give her the push she needed to get going in the right direction again.

  “What is it?” Ty asked.

  “You should see yourself.” She pulled a leaf from his hair.

  “What?” He shook his head, and another leaf tumbled to the ground.

  “You’re a mess.”

  “And you’re changing the subject.”

  Kayla jumped up and headed for a pile of leaves Ty had raked earlier in the day. She’d been cooped up inside long enough. What she needed right now was an old-fashioned leaf fight.

  “Don’t you touch that pile.” He reached for her arm, but she was quicker than he was. “I’m not cleaning up this yard again.”

  “Oh, really?”

  Kayla scooped up an armful of the crisp leaves, and as soon as Ty was close enough she threw them at him.

  “Two can play this game, you know.” Ty gathered up a pile.

  The leaves hit Kayla and fluttered to the ground as she scooped up another load and aimed for her target. Before she could let go, Ty ran toward her and tackled her, pinning her back to the ground.

  “Give up?” Ty teased.

  “Never.” She blew a leaf off her face.

  “Say uncle.”

  “Never!”

  Kayla began to laugh as Ty reached for her sides and started tickling her. Squirming unexpectedly, Kayla slid out from under him and ran back to the tree.

  “Are you giving up already?” Kayla poked her head out from behind the tree to watch him where he stood.

  “No.” His expression turned serious. “It’s just good to see you laugh.”

  Kayla leaned against the rough bark. “Has it been that long?”

  “Yes, it has.” He walked toward her.

  “You make me happy. That’s why I couldn’t stand it if something happened to you.”

  He gathered her into his arms and kissed her. “I always want to make you happy.”

  She felt a hot blush cross her cheeks. “We’re in the middle of my mother’s front yard.”

  “I’ll stop.” He kissed her one last time on the tip of her nose. “You’re just hard to resist.”

  Kayla stepped back, looking at his tall, lean frame, and gave a prayer of thanks to God for bringing him back into her life. “I need to check on my mother, then finish cleaning the house.”

  “And I need to finish up here as well.” Ty’s cell phone beeped, and he grabbed it off the porch railing.

  Kayla brushed off the front of her pants. “Who is it?”

  Ty frowned and shoved the phone into his pocket. “It’s nothing important. Just work.”

  “That was more than a my-boss-wants-me-to-work-overtime look.”

  “Everything’s fine. Really.” Ty grabbed the rake and eyed the scattered leaves. “And it looks as if I have just a few things to get done before dark.”

  Ty waited until Kayla was back inside the house before pulling out his cell phone again. He’d almost broken down and told her the truth about the investigation, but the last thing she needed was another problem dumped on her.

  He punched in Penny’s number, thumping his foot against the ground until she
answered. “Penny, it’s Ty. What’s going on?”

  Silence filtered across the line for a moment until Penny spoke. “I thought you might want to know they found a stack of papers with your signature on them. And let’s just say these weren’t authorization forms to buy envelopes from a discount store.”

  “What are you talking about?” Ty combed his fingers through his hair and stared at the ground. “You know I’m clean, and I’ve given the government everything I have against Abbott—”

  “I’m not sure that matters anymore. The government’s fraud team isn’t going away, Ty, and they’re not stopping with Abbott.”

  Ty snapped his phone shut, wondering when the noose was going to tighten further and if there was anything he could do to stop it.

  ten

  “What about this one?” Jenny stood in front of a three-way mirror dressed in a satin wedding gown with embroidered flowers on the bodice. Tiny beads sewn into the skirt glistened in the soft light of the boutique.

  Kayla reached down to spread out the ivory train then let it tumble to the ground in gentle waves behind Jenny. The Bee Gees played “How Deep Is Your Love” in the background, adding to the romantic ambience of the shop. Plymouth’s Wedding Boutique had everything, including veils, hats, jewelry, and shoes, and was the perfect first stop for any bride-to-be.

  Kayla folded her arms across her chest and eyed the gown. “It’s beautiful, but so was the last one. And the one before that … and the one before that.”

  “That’s the problem.” Jenny laughed. “Just when I think I find something I like another one catches my eye.”

  Kayla chuckled at her friend’s indecision. Choosing a wedding dress was proving to be more complicated than solving a complex mathematical equation. And they’d yet to look at flowers, music, and menus. At this rate six months wasn’t going to be nearly enough time to plan the couple’s wedding. Kayla had already decided they were going to have to take another afternoon off at some point and go into Boston where the selection catered more to Jenny’s nontraditional tastes.

  Kayla, on the other hand, loved the elegant feel of the shop. Dresses with long trains, white gloves, and pearl-studded veils…. She took a step back and stared at her friend’s silhouette in the mirror. A year ago she’d been the one standing on the low stool, modeling dress after dress for her own wedding. She’d chosen a matte satin gown with a sweetheart neckline and an A-line skirt that had formed a chapel train in the back. Returning it to the shop without ever wearing it had been enough to leave her in tears. But even that hadn’t been as painful as finding out Ty wasn’t the man she’d thought he was—or had wanted him to be. That revelation had ripped her heart in two.