by Ava Catori
Chapter 8
When the sun rose, he had to check on her one last time, even if to make himself feel better. She wouldn’t have left without saying good-bye, right? On driving over, thousands of thoughts ran through his mind, and on driving down her road, his stomach clenched as he got closer, afraid her driveway would still be empty.
Relief swam through his veins on seeing her truck parked in the driveway. She hadn’t left him already, she didn’t run away scared. Was it too early to knock?
A gentle tap at the door had Molly barking, alerting her somebody was there. Rolling over, looking at the clock, Kristin saw it was only six-thirty. Who would stop by so early? Dragging herself out of bed, she went to answer the door.
“Ty?”
“Thank goodness you’re okay,” he said, taking her in his arms.
“And I’m happy to see you too, but it’s six-thirty,” she pointed out.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t see your truck last night, and then it got dark, you still weren’t back. I was worried, wondering if maybe you’d left.”
“Left? Like left Wyoming?”
He looked at her, “I thought maybe you were scared.”
“I am scared,” Kristin said, “but only because I can’t turn off what I’m feeling.”
He pulled her tighter, wrapping her in his arms. “I was worried.”
“I broke my tooth on a walnut,” she laughed. “I had to go find a dentist and get a temporary crown. The nerve was exposed and it hurt pretty badly.”
“Are you okay now?”
“Yeah, much better, thankfully I was able to find somebody over in Lawrence that could fit me in. My replacement will be here in about two weeks he said.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, you can go back to sleep. I didn’t mean to wake you; I just needed to know you were okay.”
“That’s sweet of you. Can you stay for a bit? I can make some coffee.”
“It’s not a bother?”
“Not at all, I’m just going to let Molly out to relieve herself, and then I’ll start a pot of coffee.”
“I have appointments starting at nine o’clock this morning.”
“I’ll have you out of here in no time,” she smiled.
“It’s a nice treat to see you.”
“I didn’t know you’d be home already.”
“Yep, wrapped up at the farm, and Dad is feeling like himself again. He sent me on my way.”
On letting Molly back in, she washed up and started a pot of coffee. Sitting at the table with Ty, Kristin was happy. It was nice to see him again. She’d missed him and thought of the last time he was here, wrapped in his arms, his lips on hers.
There was an awkward dance by the coffee pot. As she got up, he did as well, following her.
She looked at him, and put the coffee pot back down. He pulled her closer, his arms closing around her. She could hear him breathing, and with her head to his chest, heard his heart beating loudly for her.
Tipping her head up, she looked into his eyes. She wanted this, they both wanted this, and now there was nothing holding them back.
Ty leaned down, parting his lips, and drinking her in, kissed the girl from New Jersey. Kristin picked up hints of his cologne, melting into him.
When her phone rang, it startled them both. It was early, who would be calling at this time. “I’m sorry,” she said breaking free.
Picking up the phone, she was surprised to hear her father’s voice. “What? When? Okay. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“What’s going on?”
“My mother, she fell and hurt her hip. I need to go help her.”
“You’re leaving.”
Her stomach churned, “I have to.”
Ty’s chest felt tight. Barely audible, “Will you be back?”
“I don’t know,” she looked down. “I don’t know how bad it is, but my dad asked me to come home and help. Could you watch Molly for a few days? I’d like to fly out and get there faster, see how she is. Once I know that, I’ll know whether it’s temporary or if I’ll be heading back east.”
Ty tried to swallow. At least with Molly here, she’d be returning. “Sure,” he said. “She can come to work with me today.”
Kristin dug out her keys and gave Ty a spare. “If you need anything, here’s the key. I’m so sorry. I’ll try to get back in a few days. I’ll know more after I get there.”
“Right, I hope she’s okay.”
“Me too,” she said, turning to her room. She started pulling things from the drawers and closet, and threw together a suitcase. She lowered her head, “I’m sorry about the timing.”
“Not much you can do about that,” he said, hoping she’d be coming back to stay.
Turning off the coffee pot, she poured two mugs. “I’m going to go straight to the airport, and just try to catch a standby flight.” She shook her head laughing in frustration. “I don’t even know where the airport is.”
“It’s about two hours out. I’ll give you directions before you leave.”
“I need to get a GPS,” she frowned.
“It won’t help you much out in these parts. The paved roads are on it, but I’m guessing most of our dirt roads won’t be listed.”
“I’m sorry I have to leave.”
“It’s the right thing to do. Your mother needs your help.”
