Matter Of Trust (6 page)

Which of course she didn’t.

While the servers normally refilled the drinks, she walked by his table with a pitcher of tea and caught the beginning of a dirty joke by a red-headed man wearing an orange bandana around his neck. With his typical charm, Ty managed to smoothly change the course of the conversation. She was impressed. Not that she didn’t expect him to be sociable and charming; but as she strategically moved throughout the room and caught pieces of his conversation she was surprised the conversation didn’t center on work. A year ago work was the only word in his vocabulary.

But he knows I’m in the room
.

Out of the corner of her eye she watched a woman wearing jeans a size too small and a low-cut white blouse approach Ty and stand behind his chair. Ripples of laughter erupted from the beautiful colleague’s mouth.

“Miss Marceilo?”

Kayla jumped. “Yes?”

A tall, willowy woman wearing a jeans skirt and a fringed jacket reached out and shook her hand. “I’m one of the vice-presidents, and I wanted to let you know I’m quite impressed with all your catering company has to offer tonight.”

A roar of laughter came from Ty’s table, but Kayla ignored the urge to turn away.

The executive shot her a knowing smile. “He’s quite a ladies’ man.”

“Excuse me?” This time Kayla followed the other woman’s gaze.

“Ty Lawrence. He’s one of our newest employees, and he seems to have won the hearts of the women.”

Kayla swallowed hard. So the truth was about to come out. As far as she knew he’d never cheated on her while they were together, but on the other hand she wouldn’t have put it past him.

The woman turned back to her. “Funny thing is, rumor has it he isn’t interested in any of them.”

Kayla cocked her head. “What do you mean?”

“From what I hear there’s only one woman in Ty’s life.”

“There is … I mean … who?” Kayla worked to steady her breathing.
He had told people he was still in love with her…
.

“That I don’t know. I was told there was some girl who captured his heart, and he moved here to win her back. Knowing him, he’ll get what he wants. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know you’ll be hearing from us again for other events.”

“Thank you.” Kayla swallowed hard.
I’m over him. I’m over him…
.

The rest of the evening flew by as she worked with her mother and the staff to ensure the service continued to be exceptional. Once the speaker had finished, they got everything cleaned up and packed in their van.

“I think that’s the last of it.” Her mom slammed the door shut, then rested her hands against her hips. “I noticed Ty appeared to keep his distance.”

Kayla frowned. “I told you he would.”

“His word is worth about as much as an outlaw’s straight out of the Old West. He’s just biding his time. You wait and see.”

It certainly wouldn’t be the last time her mother reminded her she was unhappy with Ty’s move to town, but Kayla refused to be dragged into another argument. Glancing into the front seat of the van, she tried to remember where she left her purse. Nothing. She opened the door again and began rummaging through the boxes they’d stacked.

Her mom stood beside her with the van keys dangling in one hand. “What are you looking for?”

“My purse.”

“Didn’t you put it in one of those cabinets behind the buffet table?”

Kayla slammed the door shut. “You’re right. I’ll be back in a sec.”

Ty grabbed his hat from the table and turned to leave with a few of the guys who had lingered behind visiting. He’d enjoyed the chance to meet some more of his coworkers, but it had been impossible for him not to be aware of Kayla’s presence the entire evening. He’d wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked in her smart black skirt and red blouse as she bustled around the room ensuring everyone was taken care of—but he hadn’t dared.

One of his coworkers came up beside him and slapped him on the back. “Why don’t you join us down at Willy’s Bar, Ty? Nothing like getting a little drunk on a Friday night.”

Ty’s hesitation lasted only a moment. A year ago he would have jumped at the invitation. Tonight, getting drunk with a bunch of buddies held none of the appeal it used to. “You know, guys, I think I’ll just head on home.”

“What’s the matter?” A second guy unbuttoned his collar. “You’re not one of those Christians who can’t stand to have a little bit of harmless fun, are you?”

Ty shook his head. “Actually, I love to have fun just like the next guy, but drinking and waking up with a hangover the next morning doesn’t strike me as entertaining anymore. And yes,” he added, smiling, “I am a Christian.”

He stood there as the men stalked off without him. He might lose a few friends in the process, but the peace he had from his new commitment was worth it.

“Hey.”

Ty spun around and felt his heart take a nosedive. “Kayla? I thought you’d left.”

“I did, but I forgot something.” She held up her purse and shot him a lopsided grin.

His heart raced as he gazed at the one woman he’d given his heart to.

Her gaze swept the floor. “I’ve been watching you tonight.”

“What do you mean?”

“Never a bad word about anyone. Never a dirty joke thrown in for laughs. Still, you knew I was in the room, and I never could be sure it wasn’t just an act.”

His stomach clenched as he waited for her to continue.

“It’s not an act, is it.” She said it as a statement rather than a question.

He fiddled with the brim of the Stetson and tried to keep his hands from shaking. “I told you it wasn’t.”

“I heard you tell those men you’re a Christian, and I’m sure they won’t let you down easy. This time you had no idea I was in the room.”

“No, I didn’t.” Ty’s voice held steady as he looked at her. He should feel ecstatic that she believed him, but part of him wanted simply to walk out of the room. He refused to spend the rest of his life proving to her who he’d become. “Is this what you were looking for, something to substantiate that I am who I say I am?”

“Yes, no, I … I don’t know.” She took a half dozen steps toward him, then stopped.

The room was empty now, and all he could hear was a hum coming from the kitchen and his pulse pounding in his ears. “I won’t play games, Kayla. You told me things were off, and I gave you my word I would accept your decision.”

She slung the strap of her purse over her shoulder. “It’s funny, but as hard as I tried to put you out of my mind this past year, your coming has made me realize I’m not over you. Maybe I’ll never be over you.”

He was sure he hadn’t heard her correctly. Or maybe he was only dreaming. Because Kayla was out of his life. Unless… “What are you saying?”

Kayla continued to bridge the gap between them until only a few inches remained. “You’ve changed, and I …”

She stopped, close enough for him to catch a drift of her sweet perfume and see the tears that pooled in the corners of her eyes. How many times in the past few months had he prayed God would let Kayla see him for who he had become? That somehow he could erase the doubts that stopped her from trusting him?

He wiped away the tear that slid down her cheek. “What is it, Kayla?”

“It’s you … and me. I—I don’t know what I’m trying to say.”

He’d promised himself he would give her the space she wanted, but with her lips hovering just below his face he did what any other man would have done in his situation. He leaned down and kissed her, ignoring the Stetson that dropped to the ground as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

A flood of memories washed over him. The scent of honey and roses engulfed him. It was as if the past year never existed between them … except it had. And even he couldn’t expect them to simply continue where they left off. There was too much hurt folded into their relationship. Too much mistrust.

Pulling away, he cupped her face in his hands and stared into her eyes. “I’ve missed you so much, but I never expected this.”

Kayla took a deep breath and stepped back, but her hands still rested against his chest. “Ty, I—”

“I’m sorry. I promised I wouldn’t push you.”

“No. This is just as much my fault.” She looked down, and he felt a wave of regret wash over him.

He tried to read the expression in her eyes, but her dark lashes swept against her cheeks as she stared at the floor. Surely she didn’t regret their kiss. To lose her again—like this—was more than he could handle. He might as well move back to Boston and let Mr. Abbott feed him to the lions.

He tried to swallow the lump that swelled in his throat. “So what happens next?”

“I don’t know.”

“If you regret—”

“No. I don’t regret anything. This has just completely taken me by surprise.” She looked up at him, and her lips curled into a smile. “We’ve both changed in the past year. I need to get to know you again.”

“Fair enough.” He leaned forward and brushed his lips against her forehead, still not believing she wasn’t kicking him out the door.

“Ty.” She looked up at him and laughed. “I’m serious.”

“So am I.” He kissed her one more time before pulling away. “I told you I’d always love you. I just never imagined there was actually hope for the two of us.”

Kayla felt her head spin, still uncertain of what had taken place in the past five minutes. His eyes were brighter than she remembered. Blue like the Atlantic Ocean on a warm summer’s day. And they seemed to reach all the way into her soul. One thing was clear. Ty had kissed her—and she’d been all too willing to kiss him back. She looked up at his jawline that was sprinkled with a touch of stubble making him look even more like the rugged, handsome cowboy he’d dressed as tonight.

Needing a distraction from his nearness, she picked up his Stetson and set it on his head. “My mom’s waiting for me outside.”

He shot her a smile. “Can I take you out for coffee?”

“Are you trying to avoid my mother?”

“You bet.”

Kayla laughed. She certainly didn’t blame him. The last thing she wanted to do right now was tell her mother she’d just kissed Ty Lawrence. She had no idea what the future held, but for the moment she much preferred staying lost in his gaze. The details of what had transpired could be worked out later. “You didn’t think I was going to leave you now, did you?”

“I hope not.”

“You wait here, and I’ll go tell her.”

“No, I’ll come with you.”

She hurried outside with Ty at her side and headed toward the driver’s side of the van, trying to calm the turmoil raging inside. Her mom wasn’t going to respond well to this.

“Where have you been?” Her mom stuck her head out of the driver’s window then frowned. “Ty? What are you doing here?”

“Mom.” Kayla leaned her arm against the door and forced a smile. “Ty and I are going out for a cup of coffee. He’ll drop me off later at my apartment.”

“Kayla.” Her mom grabbed Kayla’s arm. “I need to talk to you. Alone.”

Kayla glanced at Ty who looked as if he wished he were anywhere else but here. “Do you mind?”

He shook his head. “I’ll go get my car.”

Once he’d walked away, Kayla caught her mom’s fiery gaze. “What is going on?”

Kayla kept her voice steady. “It’s only coffee, Mom.”

She wasn’t ready to supply any further details. And besides, how could she when she didn’t know exactly what had happened? One kiss might have left her head spinning, but the future still held no guarantees.

“Kayla, I thought you called things off with that man.”

“He’s not the same man he was a year ago.”

“Apparently you’re the same person.” Her mother’s frown deepened. “You haven’t learned a thing.”

Kayla stared at the side of the van and tried to control her temper. “Mom—”

“No. I want you to listen to me. Maybe you’ve forgotten, but the day you came back from Boston you were devastated. Ty Lawrence is a liar, and you know from the past that he will do anything to get what he wants. He’s after you, Kayla, and if you don’t turn and walk away right now, it’s going to be too late.”

Kayla clenched her hands until her fingernails bit into her palms. She forced herself to push away any lingering doubts of who Ty really was.

“A lot of things happened during this past year, Mom. Things that forced him to re-evaluate his life. I’m not saying we’re getting back together, and I know you don’t understand, but I believe him.”