by Trisha Grace
“No!”
Her sudden reaction startled Kate. Was someone in the Riley family deaf? Why did she have to shout all the time?
“All right. I won’t call Dan.”
“I’m fine.”
“Okay,” Kate said and got into her car.
The moment they got back to the office, Evelyn came out of her office and asked Kate how the meeting went.
“We’re not taking the Campbell project. Mrs. Campbell’s attitude is horrible.”
“So horrible that even her big fat check can’t help it?” Evelyn asked with a wide smile.
Kate shook her head. “No amount of money will make me want to work with her. And that reminds me, Joanne, you need to be on a better behavior in front of our clients. Even if you’re not interested, pretend to be.”
Evelyn glowered at Joanne but didn’t say anything else.
Quietly, Joanne followed Kate back into the office and closed the door behind her.
“Why didn’t you tell Evelyn what happened?”
“It wasn’t entirely your fault, and it was too long a story to tell,” Kate answered right before Evelyn walked into her office with a bouquet of pink tulips.
“I was in such a hurry to find out how things went that I forgot to pass you this.” Evelyn smiled and placed the flowers on her desk. “Aren’t you going to ask who sent them?”
If the flowers were from Benjamin, Evelyn would’ve thrown it out.
And among all the questions that Tyler had asked while they were packing up the attic, one was about her favorite flower.
“It’s from Tyler,” Evelyn stated when Kate didn’t reply.
“Thank you, Eve.” Kate said sarcastically. “Thank you.”
“Ty bought you flowers?” Joanne asked.
Evelyn made some disapproving noise and answered Joanne’s question, “It’s none of your business who sends flowers to your boss.”
Sparing Kate the need to interject before another quarrel broke out, Tyler himself stepped into the office.
“Ty?”
“Oh, right. He called just now and asked where our office was, so I told him.”
“Of course you did,” Kate muttered.
“You said you like pink tulips,” he said as he saw the bouquet of flowers on her desk. “Free for lunch?”
“Hi, Ty. Can I come along?”
“I’m here to take Kate for lunch.”
Kate shook her head, wondering if Evelyn and Tyler were in conspiracy to make Joanne go on another episode of her dramatic explosion.
She took her bag and headed out of the door without speaking to any of them. Tyler followed while Evelyn hollered for them to enjoy their meal.
This time, as Tyler and Kate sauntered past the desks, everyone in the office stole glances at Tyler. They were clearly curious about the person whom Joanne was fighting her for.
When they got out of the office, Kate finally said, “You need to stop being so mean to Joanne.”
“I thought you were afraid that she’d get hopeful and then get hurt? I’m trying to show her that there’s no reason to get hopeful in the first place.”
“So sending me flowers and meeting me for lunch are gestures to prove a point?”
“You sound disappointed.”
Disappointment wasn’t exactly the right word to describe how she felt. She was more annoyed than disappointed. Annoyed that she’d actually allowed herself to think otherwise. “I’m not.”
Tyler reached out for her arm and stopped her. “It wasn’t just to prove a point. It was in hope of making you smile; it just so happens to serve another purpose.”
She couldn’t stop the corners of her lips from turning up.
When they returned from lunch, she refused to allow Tyler back into her office. She stood at the entrance of the elevator and turned around, preventing him from stepping out.
“See you later,” she said.
“You’re chasing me away?”
“I think you’ve proven your point to Joanne.”
He took a step forward, moving closer toward her. “So as long as she’s working here, I’m not allowed in your office.”
She was beginning to wonder if he knew the reaction he caused her each time he did that. She raised her hand, placing it on his chest, stopping him from moving any closer. “I’ll see you back at home.”
“I hope she’ll screw up soon,” he said with a grin. Then he leaned in and whispered, “See you tonight.”
She should say something, but her mind was still thinking that he was going to kiss her.
She stood right where she was until the elevator’s door close.
Next time, she was going to take a step away from Tyler instead of daydreaming about a kiss that was never going to happen.
Knowing that Tyler would be home earlier to pack up the attic, she cleared her work quickly and decided to head back earlier.
Taking the bouquet of tulips with her, she took a glimpse outside to make sure that Joanne wasn’t looking before heading out.
“Miss Mitchell!”
Kate sighed and turned around to see Joanne hurrying after her. “Yes?”
“Can I have dinner at the mansion tonight?” Joanne asked earnestly.
Kate hesitated and Joanne immediately added, “After working hours, of course. I promise I’ll behave.”
She couldn’t bring herself to say no, so she agreed. “Yeah, I’ll tell Ty.” The thought of Joanne joining them for dinner did erode some of her joy, but she had enough to spare.
Once she got back to the mansion, she hopped up the stairs to the attic and found Tyler sorting out another box, placing them neatly into two stacks against the wall.
“Need help?”
Tyler looked up from where he was seated. “You’re back early.” He stood and walked over to her. “Forget about the packing. Let’s go to the shed. We didn’t go in the last time. I want you to see the train; I’m inside it, you know.”
“Really?” She beamed at him. “You know, the curse of your mood getting worse as the sun sets seems to have lifted.”
They took the same trail to the shed; her hand hooked around his the whole way there.
The shed was well maintained on the outside. The pots of flowers were still blooming, and there wasn’t a hint of yellowing on the wooden panels. Inside, however, wasn’t doing as well. Many of the paintings had faded and the train tracks were barely visible.
She pursed her lips as she saw his disappointment. “Your grandfather can’t paint. But,” she said, leaning closer to the wall. “I can still see the miniature you inside.”
He bent down beside her and took a clearer look, his finger tracing the outline of the silhouette.
She stood and moved around the room. “Ty! Look at this. Is this your old toy?” She held a toy car in her hand, imagining the young Tyler pushing it around the shed while his mother painted.
As he neared, she took his hand and placed the toy car on his palm. “Your grandfather said your toy cars used to be a hazard around the house.”
He brought the toy car up to his eye level and scrutinized it. “I used to place the cars against the wall and run it against the tracks my mother drew.”
“That must be why the tracks are curved all over the place, so you could have more fun.”
They sat inside and talked about the pictures on the walls, about how Tyler’s father was great at building things. They were so caught up in the conversation that they lost track of time.
Evelyn turned the door knob and was surprised that it was locked. Whenever she’d come with Kate, the door was always unlocked.
She rang the doorbell and waited.
Marianne opened the door, her lips set in a thin line. “Joanne, I told you that Ty doesn’t want you in the house.”
“It’s all right, Marianne. She asked Kate. Where is she anyway? She isn’t answering my calls.”
“I don’t know where they disappeared to. I’m sure they’ll turn up soon,” Marianne sai
d as she stepped aside for them to enter.
All the guys were already in the kitchen, and Marianne told them to go ahead once the food was ready.
Fifteen minutes into the meal, Tyler and Kate finally turned up.
“Hello everyone,” Kate said as she came into the kitchen. “Sorry we’re late.”
“Don’t be. We didn’t wait, so it’s fine,” Ryan said with his mouth full. “But I’m extremely curious about where you guys were.”
“Somewhere,” Tyler answered.
“Somewhere,” Kate agreed with a smile. “And I forgot to inform you and Marianne that Joanne was joining us for dinner. Sorry.”
Tyler scooped a spoonful of cheesy mashed potatoes and placed them onto her plate. “Stop apologizing and start eating.”
Evelyn saw Joanne watching Tyler and Kate and saw her swallowing hard before looking away.
They weren’t doing anything intimate, but their attraction for each other was clear to everyone.
“What a crowd.”
Everyone turned to the unfamiliar voice.
“Mr. Sawyer! They’re here all the time. You’re just too busy with work to notice,” Marianne joked. “Join us. There’s plenty of food.”
“Are you sure? It definitely looks appealing.”
“Join us, Mr. Sawyer. Marianne loves it when we lick up every single bit of food,” Kate said. “You’ve been busy. We haven’t seen you around since the first night here.”
“Yes, I was. But that’s over now. So if I’m welcomed, I’d love to have dinner here more often.”
“That’ll be great,” Marianne replied. “It’s a great excuse for me to cook more. Everyone, this is Mr. Sawyer.”
The three guys and Evelyn all nodded politely while Joanne kept her eyes on her plate.
“So, Anne, how was your first day of work? Did Kate bully you?” Ryan asked while looking at Kate. “Is she a monster behind that friendly mask?”
Kate laughed softly, then put on an exaggerated pout. “I thought you loved me.”
“Oh, I still do. I’d love you even if you were a monster.”
The two of them laughed heartily.
Tyler’s smile faded, obviously jealous of Ryan. But that changed when Kate turned back to him and smiled. “And you? Do you think I’m actually a monster?”
“No.”
Kate’s smile broadened.
“And would you still love her if she actually was a monster?” Evelyn asked.
Kate turned to her and narrowed her eyes. “Ignore her.”
“I know she isn’t,” Tyler answered, looking right at Kate.
“I’m going home,” Joanne suddenly said, then she stood and left the kitchen without another word.
Everyone was silent for a moment, but Evelyn didn’t allow Joanne’s sudden departure interrupt the conversation. “You should try messing up her house and see what happens.”
“Really? You want to bring that up?”
They jumped into a lively debate over a house-watching situation. They hollered at each other, half laughing while accusing each other of going overboard.
When they could no longer contain their laughter, the debate finally stopped, and Ryan asked, “So was I the only one who got lost in that conversation?”
As Kate laughed, she unconsciously shifted closer to Tyler. And even though he probably didn’t have a clue about what was going on during the war of words, Kate’s giggles were enough to make him smile. His arm draped across her chair as Kate turned to him.
“Some time ago, I had to make a business trip. So, I asked Evelyn to watch the house for me. When I came home, her clothes, food, and wine bottles were strewn all over the floor.”
“Oh, it wasn’t so bad,” Evelyn argued. “She has compulsive disorder. Everything has to be in the right place or it’s a disaster.”
“I do not. I just don’t appreciate having spaghetti on my carpet, wine stains on my couch, and dirty clothes all over my floor and sink! Gosh, I can’t even imagine what situation would cause your clothes to end up in the kitchen sink!”
Evelyn rolled her eyes. “Fine. But you guys know what she did? She made me clean up the house while she dictated from the couch.”
“Which, thankfully, I checked or would’ve sat right onto a wine glass,” Kate retorted.
Ryan and Joseph laughed even as their jaws dropped.
“Her house must be an interesting sight,” Joseph commented.
“I’ll take a video the next time I’m there.” Kate paused, casting a quick glance over to Evelyn before looking back at Joseph and Ryan. “You’ll be amazed.”
“I would’ve thought you’d simply walk out. Who would dare to stop you?” Dan asked.
“Which is my point exactly; Kate is definitely capable of becoming a monster,” Evelyn said and smiled at Dan.
Kate leaned back on Tyler’s arm as she shook her head. “So will all of you when you see the destruction she brings whenever she stays over.”
“Is that why she isn’t watching your house while you’re here?” Tyler asked with a grin.
“Yes, one year is a long time. I was only gone for a week that time. I can’t imagine putting my house in her hands. My life, yeah, she’ll protect me with her life, but the house …” Kate shook her head. “Never!”
Evelyn pulled out a piece of tissue, crushed it, and threw it at Kate.
It wasn’t anything dangerous, but Tyler instinctively hooked his arm over Kate’s shoulders and pulled her into his chest, protecting her from the crushed tissue missile.
“Whoa, Evelyn. I suggest you don’t do that. Tyler is a judo expert. You don’t want to hurt Kate in front of him,” Ryan said.
Smiling smugly, Evelyn replied in all confidence, “Even if I did hurt her, she would never let Tyler hurt me.”
Kate sat up but didn’t pull herself out of Tyler’s arm. “Unfortunately, that’s quite true.”
Evelyn watch as Kate spoke, turning to Tyler whenever she smiled. Within the short stay at the mansion, Kate seemed to have grown so comfortable with being near Tyler; something which wasn’t frequent with Kate.
Kate was kind to everyone, but she was only comfortable with few, and nothing like how she was with Tyler.
She wasn’t the only one observing them.
Marianne and the guys were all staring. But oblivious to the stares from around the table, Kate and Tyler started chatting between themselves, completely forgetting the rest of the room.
Chapter Seventeen
Kate sat quietly beside Tyler on the drive toward ex-detective Thomas Cooper’s house.
She took a glimpse of Lydia through the car’s wing mirror and noticed how Lydia’s brows were furrowed while her eyes stared into the distant.
Kate knew how important this was for Lydia.
Throughout Lydia’s life, she’d always suspected that something wasn’t right with the story their grandparents had told them. She had tried to push their grandparents for information, but she had only ended up agitating them and a cold war always ensued.
As the car got nearer to their destination, Kate couldn’t help wondering if she’d made the right decision in helping Lydia pursue the case.
She was worried about how Lydia would react to the information or the lack of it.
Either way, by going over to Thomas Cooper’s house, she was triggering a spark that she might regret. She was giving Lydia permission to chase after the ghosts that their grandparents had worked hard to keep them from.
It was a chase that might never lead to anything; a chase that might never end.
Taking her eyes off Lydia, Kate turned to Tyler.
The conversation they had at her house resurfaced, and again she wondered if her parents would agree with their choice of going after something that had happened so long ago.
When Tyler’s car pulled to a stop, everyone looked out at the small, pastel-blue house with white picket fence, but nobody said anything. All their eyes were on the house, but no one moved.
For a moment, Kate thought that perhaps even Lydia had her hesitation. But she sighed as Lydia flung the door open and stepped out.
Jesus … She didn’t even know what to pray. Jesus, just let everything be good.
She reached out for the door’s handle but turned back to Tyler as she felt his hand on her arm.
“Are you sure about this?” he asked.
She shook her head and gave him a small smile. “No, I’m not. But I think Lydia needs to know, and it’s too late to go back now.”
“And you?”
“You’ve given me the answer I needed. Parents just want their children to be happy, right?”
Tyler smiled. “Let’s go, then. Otherwise, I think your sister will head in without us.”
By the time they got out of the car, Lydia was already standing right in front of Detective Cooper’s door. She pressed the doorbell twice and tried glancing into the house through the window by the door.
“Who is it?” a grumpy voice bellowed from within the house.
Once Tyler heard the voice, he widened his strides and placed himself in front of Kate.
“I’m … We’re …”
They got up to the steps with Kate standing half a step behind Tyler.
Kate turned and stared at Lydia, confused. She thought Lydia would have an entire speech prepared.
“We’re here to ask you some questions regarding a case you handled before your retirement,” Tyler answered.
The door opened, and a podgy old man eyed them suspiciously from his wheelchair. “Who are you?”
“Lydia Mitchell.” Lydia stretched out her hand, but the old man merely glared at her and turned to stare at Kate. Lydia took in a deep breath and dropped her hand. “That’s my sister, Kate.”
“I’ve seen you before, in a picture. Your grandmother came and pestered me for a locket from evidence.”
Kate smiled apologetically as she fiddled with the locket. “I’m sorry if that caused you any problem.”
The retired detective grunted.
“You have a fantastic memory, Mr. Cooper. Do you still remember our parents’ case?” Lydia asked.
Even as Lydia spoke, Mr. Cooper turned to Tyler. “And you? I don’t remember they had a son.”
