by Lisa Harris
“What happened to your grandfather?”
“When he got out of the hospital he went into a retirement center. It wasn’t what I wanted, but he insisted he didn’t want to be a burden on anyone. I tried to visit him at least twice a week, sometimes more if my schedule allowed it. Soon I began to realize the things I had held important in my life weren’t that important at all.”
Kayla was silent as he continued.
“My grandfather never preached at me, but every time I came he asked me to read to him from the Bible. After a few weeks we had read through the Gospels, and I started asking questions. While the stories of Jesus and His life were not new to me, I had missed the message of the tremendous love behind them: The love of a Savior willing to come to this earth and die for me of all people. I found it hard to believe.”
“So what changed your mind?”
“I started thinking about Jack who believed he had nothing to live for, and I wondered very seriously what I had to live for. My job was unfulfilling, and the more hours I put into work, the more resentful I became. What was the point in working twelve to fourteen hours a day, seven days a week? Life seemed meaningless.”
“Didn’t Solomon write that everything is meaningless?” Kayla fumbled with the shiny red stones on her charm bracelet and pondered her own question.
Ty nodded. “‘To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.’
“I found that verse at one point, and it struck me so that I memorized it. That’s what my life had become. One meaningless day after another, I was chasing after the wind and finding nothing. It took me sinking into the depths to realize I was a sinner who needed a Savior.”
Kayla looked up at him, her eyes swelling with tears of joy. “I’m glad, Ty. I’m so glad.”
“For the first time I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. I went to the minister of a friend I knew, and he studied with me. It still took a while to get through my hard head, but finally I saw the truth. I realized the only way I could live was if I died to my sinful nature. I accepted Christ and was baptized one glorious Sunday afternoon. My grandfather died last January. I think he’d been waiting for me to get my life turned around.”
“I wish you would have called me.”
He looked at her and caught her gaze. “Before you left I promised you I would stay out of your life. I wasn’t ready to see you until I had worked through some things. I actually never planned to come here, but I also know it’s not a coincidence I’m here.”
For the first time in a long while Kayla smiled at the future.
Richard Abbott threw the rest of his corned beef sandwich into the trash and ran his fingers through his thinning hair. He hadn’t left his office in three days, and he was running out of time. Rumors of indictments were getting closer and felt like a noose closing in around his neck. He picked up a file filled with Ty Lawrence’s signatures. There was, according to his lawyer, a way out. Now it was only a matter of time before putting things into motion. The way Lawrence walked out on him was something he’d never forgive. He once trusted him, priming him to become his right-hand man. And for what? It didn’t really matter anymore. Because Ty Lawrence, former protégé, was going to take the fall for him.
six
Ty tapped his finger against the steering wheel and glanced at the rearview mirror. A black sedan swung into the turning lane and stopped three cars behind him. He stared at the red light. He’d noticed the same car in the parking lot at work. And at the gas station where he’d just filled up his car.
His jaw muscles tightened. He’d caught today’s headlines from the newsstand five minutes ago. The investigation of Abbott Financial Services made for a riveting front-page story. Not unexpected, but disturbing nevertheless. He might believe Abbott deserved to spend the rest of his life behind bars, but his downfall would affect hundreds of employees if the company ended up filing for bankruptcy.
He punched the speed dial number for his former secretary into his speakerphone, hoping to catch her at home. She answered on the third ring.
“Penny here.”
“Penny, it’s Ty.” The light turned green, and he pushed on the accelerator to make the left turn.
“Ty?” The line was silent for a moment. “What a nice surprise.”
“Did you get the flowers I sent you?”
“They were beautiful, though you didn’t have to.”
“After all you did for me the past five years, a bunch of flowers seems to pale in comparison.”
“You’re right about that.”
Penny chuckled, and Ty remembered why he liked her. She’d always been efficient and dependable with an added sense of humor.
“Still finding time to sail?”
Ty paused at her question as he checked the rearview mirror again. If only he were out sailing right now instead of being tossed into the middle of some criminal investigation. The black sedan had fallen back into the light five o’clock traffic but was still there. He shot into the left-hand lane before turning onto a residential street to test his theory.
“Sailing? Yeah. A couple of times on my friend’s boat, the Angelina.” He swallowed hard as the other car turned, still on his trail. “How are things at work?”
“Not much has changed. Mr. Abbott’s been staying out of sight. The government officially opened up their investigation into the company yesterday.”
“I saw the headlines.”
“You’ll be on the short list of people they want to question.”
Ty frowned. “Thanks for the encouragement.”
“On the bright side everyone misses you.”
“I don’t think that piece of information will impress the government.” Ty took another sharp left through a stop sign. The sedan shot straight ahead. He felt himself relax. Either they knew he was on to them, or his imagination was working overtime. Of course, there had been other incidents he’d tried to dismiss as coincidence. Misplaced files at the office. The sense that someone had gone through his desk at home. He shook his head. Surely it was nothing. He’d never been someone to overreact in a challenging situation, and he wasn’t sure what had him keyed up tonight. The whole idea that someone was after him seemed ridiculous.
He took another sharp left and headed back to the main street. “What’s the news from the inside?”
“So far no one’s been arrested, so we’re all holding our breath and hoping it’ll all disappear.”
Ty shook his head. That was exactly what Abbott wanted to happen. Cover his tracks well enough, and he’d get the money and the company. Unless he and his dirty lawyers managed to pin the indictment on someone else. “You should leave. I could look into getting you a job here.”
“Thanks, but I’ve decided to stick it out. If the company goes down, which I’m hoping it won’t, I won’t have lost anything. And it’s not that bad. I’d never make this much money in Farrington.”
“Trust me, Penny. Money’s not always worth the price.”
“So you’ve always tried to tell me. Hey. Before you hang up, how are your parents? Are they back in Massachusetts for the summer?”
“They actually decided to stay in Florida this year. Apparently they’re loving every minute of retirement.”
“I would have enjoyed seeing them again.”
“Me, too.” Ty chuckled. “They haven’t been up here for months.”
“Be sure to tell them hello for me when you see them.”
“I will. And, Penny, be careful. I don’t trust Abbott. He’ll sacrifice the company and all its employees in a second to save his own hide.”
“Don’t forget I’m a big girl, Ty. I can take care of myself.”
“I hope so.”
After saying good-bye Ty hung up, wishing he could simply erase the past five years of his life. He might have left without any i
llegal involvement, but the truth could easily be twisted and misconstrued. Something at which Abbott was far too proficient.
Not only did this leave his new position vulnerable, but his future with Kayla was at stake. Giving her a reason not to trust him was something he couldn’t let happen, and an indictment would come with rumors of corruption and fraud. Ty gripped the steering wheel as he pulled into the parking lot of his apartment building. Richard Abbott had nothing on him. Which meant that all he could do now was pray things stayed that way.
Kayla grabbed the schedule from the color printer in her mom’s office and handed a copy to the older woman. “It’s going to be a busy week. Three business dinners, a birthday lunch for fifty, and a retirement party.”
“Guess we can handle that.” Her mom studied the details before sliding it into a clear binder. “Where are you off to in such a hurry?”
Kayla wished she could have avoided the question but knew it was pointless. “Ty and I are taking Chloe’s boys to the zoo in Plymouth for the day.”
A shadow crossed her mother’s face. “So you’re still going out with Ty.”
Somehow she’d managed to avoid the topic, which in turn had guaranteed any arguments had been dodged as well. But as her relationship with Ty grew she couldn’t avoid the reality that if things continued the way they were, she’d be planning a wedding in the coming months. “I know you don’t like him, but—”
“You’re right. I don’t like him—” Her mom flicked the binder onto the desk before setting her fists on her hips. “—or trust him or want him in your life.”
Kayla grabbed her notebook and purse, then started to leave. She’d never win a round head-on with her mom in this arena. The woman was simply too stubborn. “Mom, I don’t want to get into this.”
Her mom grasped Kayla’s forearm, stopping her in the doorway. “Honey, I’m your mother and I love you, but you’re setting yourself up again. You can’t believe him.”
Kayla worked to control her rising frustration. “But I do believe him, and as much as you don’t want me to, nothing is going to change that.”
The past few weeks had given Kayla more than enough time to see for herself that Ty was truly a changed man. And while they were still taking things slow with their relationship, the fear that had plagued Kayla for so long was finally beginning to disappear.
From her mother’s cold expression, Kayla knew nothing she might say would be enough to convince the older woman of Ty’s newfound virtues.
Her mom’s grip strengthened on her arm. “I think it’s time I told you exactly why I feel so strongly about Ty Lawrence. Then I promise never to bring it up again.”
Kayla’s brow furrowed. It wasn’t like her mother to make emotional deals. She glanced at her watch. Ty was meeting her at Chloe’s in thirty minutes, giving her little time to get ready. But one look at her mother’s pained expression and she knew she owed her the respect to at least listen. She followed her mother into the country-style living room and sat across from her on the pale blue couch.
Her mom tucked an auburn strand of her hair back into the clasp it had fallen from then scooted forward on the cushion. “Your father swept me off my feet the first time I saw him. He was charming, sincere, and everything I’d ever dreamed of. When we got married I had such high hopes for our lives together. He had a good job working in management for a local grocery store, and I planned to stay home and have babies.”
Kayla saw the silent quiver of pain reflected in her mother’s eyes as she spoke and felt her heart break.
“After we had been married a few years, everything began to change. He lost his job and started drinking. I was so blinded by what I wanted to believe until it was too late.” Her mom reached out and grasped Kayla’s hands. “But it’s not too late for you, Kayla. You know Ty is a manipulator and a liar. He’s out to win you no matter what it takes, and after he does, then you won’t matter to him anymore. You’re like a trophy he’s set on winning, and once he does he’ll be free to go on to bigger and better prizes.”
Kayla flicked at her broken thumbnail as she struggled with how to respond to her mother’s pain without negating it. Her mother’s harsh view of men had always stemmed from her own experiences. That she knew. But that assessment didn’t have to include Ty. At least not the man Ty had become.
“I know you’re concerned about me, Mom, and you have every right to be. But you haven’t been around Ty lately. He’s not the same man.”
“People don’t change, Kayla. Not really.” Her mom reached up to rub the back of her neck and looked intently at her daughter. “I’d love to tell you it’s possible for Ty to have changed into some knight in shining armor and the two of you are going to live happily ever after, but that would take a miracle. This is real life where more often than not, the prince fools around with his secretary or gets himself killed over a six-pack of beer.”
Her mom was silent for a moment as tears welled in the corners of her eyes. “Just think about what I told you and please, please, be careful.”
“You know I will.”
Kayla leaned over and kissed her mom’s cheek. Her heart ached for her mother, whose dreams of happiness had been shattered by one man’s choices. Even after twenty-three years the pain still refused to leave. But Kayla believed in miracles. And Ty Lawrence wasn’t her father. As far as she was concerned, he’d already proven it.
“I can’t remember the last time I went to the zoo.” Ty handed Brandon a bag of popcorn, not even attempting to hide his boyish enthusiasm. “Are you sure you don’t want one?”
“I’m sure.” Kayla chuckled as she pushed the stroller past the food kiosk and toward the monkeys. Summer was dwindling to an end, but the day was still warm and sunny. “The real question is, are you sure you’re going to survive putting up with two preschoolers for the rest of the morning?”
“Are you kidding?” Ty ruffled the top of Jeremy’s hair. “They’re adorable.”
“He sure has latched onto you.”
Ty had begged to come along after Kayla had promised Chloe she would watch Brandon and Jeremy for the morning. So far things were working out great. Jeremy had already found a best buddy in Ty and had attached himself to his side. Brandon was content to ride in the stroller Chloe had provided.
Ty scooped Jeremy in his arms and lifted him onto his shoulders as they stopped in front of the chimpanzees. Kayla smiled at the father and son impression. It wasn’t hard to picture her and Ty, five years from now, with a couple of children in tow.
Unless her mother’s concerns were valid.
“Kayla?”
Ty’s voice broke into her thoughts, and she tried to shove the unwanted assumption aside. But her mother hadn’t been the only one to plant seeds of doubt in her mind. Jenny and Chloe were still just as upfront with their reservations. It was going to take much more than a free morning of babysitting to convince her best friends Ty no longer had an ulterior motive rolled up the sleeve of his pinstriped suit.
“Are you all right?” Ty nudged her with his elbow as she pushed the stroller up the slight incline. “You’ve been awfully quiet.”
“I’m fine.” She smiled, irritated at herself for letting other people’s biased opinions affect her. Ty deserved her trust. They stopped in front of a family of monkeys lying in the sun behind the glass barrier.
“I saw a big front page write-up on Abbott Financial Services in the headlines. Looks like it’s a good thing you got out when you did. Possible indictments, arrests …” She saw a shadow cross his face and realized it was probably a topic he’d prefer to avoid. Especially if he knew some of those who might be involved. At least she knew he was innocent. Ty might not have always been on the up-and-up with her in the past, but he wasn’t a thief. “I’m sorry. I—”
“No. It’s fine. I told you one of the reasons I left was that some unscrupulous things were going on.”
“So you think Abbott’s guilty?” she asked as they started walking toward the nex
t exhibit. “The article quoted him as defending himself, but the report implied the missing funds were an inside job.”
“I want some ice cream.” Jeremy’s chubby fingers grabbed at Ty’s hair.
“Ice cream?” Ty seemed to latch onto the change of subject. “You can’t be hungry.”
Kayla’s eyes widened in amusement, Ty’s old employer quickly forgotten. “You’ve got a handful of popcorn in your hand, and you want ice cream?”
“Yes!” Ty and Jeremy said in unison.
Kayla just shook her head and glanced down at Brandon who lay sound asleep in his stroller beneath the warm sunshine.
“Hurry up!” Kayla laughed at the enthusiastic expression on Ty’s face and wondered how she could even think about doubting him. “The rest of the zoo is waiting for us.”
Two hours later Kayla spread out a sheet on the picnic table and began to unload the lunch they’d brought. It seemed the ice cream and other goodies picked up along the way had not diminished the appetites of Jeremy and Ty. Even Brandon was awake and ready for his share.
As Kayla passed out peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with apple slices and carrot sticks, she asked Jeremy what his favorite part of the morning had been so far. The four-year-old hesitated only briefly before deciding that petting the goats had been the best part.
“What about me?” Ty shot her a dejected look.
“What was your favorite part?” Kayla asked obligingly.
Ty cocked his head and looked deeply into Kayla’s eyes. “Being with you.”
“Isn’t that kind of sappy?” Kayla managed a chuckle, but her breath caught in her throat.
“What can I say? I’m in love.”
Kayla froze for a moment, then turned to look out across the green lawn bordered with orange and yellow flowers. Her heart battled with the noise of common sense that seemed to assail her at every turn from well-meaning friends and family members. She loved Ty. That had never been an issue. But reestablishing a broken relationship didn’t come with a handbook. At the moment she didn’t know if she was ready for the next step. She had to come to the point where she trusted him completely no matter what anyone else said. That was the only way their relationship would ever work.
