Read Books Novel

Folding Hearts

Folding Hearts (Mitchell Family #2)(26)
Author: Jennifer Foor

I was surprised at how close the place was. Ty later admitted that he knew the people his whole life. When we first got there he gave some old man a wave before getting Bella out of her car seat. I think that it wouldn’t have mattered if I even went. He carried her around and made a big deal about every animal they came up to. Bella was reluctant to touch most of them, but after Ty showed her it was okay she started to open up. By the third animal she was squealing and getting all excited every time she got to touch one of them.

After about an hour of touching every stinky animal she could get her hands on, Ty led us over to a few picnic tables. He told me to wait there for him to return. He came running back from the car moments later with a cooler in his hand.

“Where did you get that?” I asked.

“I put it in the car this morning before going into the carriage house. I packed all kinds of shit too, so you better be hungry.”

I shook my head and let Bella play in the grass while he got everything out. It wasn’t anything fancy, but he had managed to pack the cooler full. “When did you have time to buy juice boxes?”

“Actually, they are mine. I still pack them in my lunch every day.”

I snickered. “How old are you?”

He stood up straight and put his hands on his hips. “I will have you know that those juice boxes supply me with half of my daily required vitamin C for the day.”

I rolled my eyes. “Only you would say somethin’ like that.”

“Don’t you ever wonder where this perfectly sculpted body comes from? It is from eating Wheaties and drinking my juice boxes. I also like spinach out of the can, just like Popeye the sailorman.”

“Well I got my big br**sts from eatin’ lots of chicken,” I joked.

With his index finger, he pointed toward my chest. “Yeah, I can tell.”

I blushed and looked over at Bella. I hated that he noticed things about me, but only ever considered me a friend. When he said things like that I felt my body starting to tingle. Sometimes I just wanted to feel his touch, whether it was wrong or not.

We ate our food and enjoyed the sunshine for a while longer. I could tell that Bella was starting to get tired because she had become cranky and nothing settled her. After spending a good twenty minutes with a very friendly llama, that licked everything in sight, and also seemed to know how to actually spit, we took a slobber filled faced child back to Ty’s for a nap.

Luckily, she fell asleep before the car left the driveway. Ty couldn’t stop talking about how excited Bella was when she got to touch the animals. I think he was the one who was more excited. Since Bella was sound asleep when we pulled back up at his parent’s farm, Ty suggested we watch some television and relax. I don’t think he realized how much a child can tire someone out.

“That was draining!” He said as he plopped down on the couch after laying Bella down.

“Yeah, you have to get used to it. Thanks for taking us. She really seemed to have fun.”

He snickered. “Yeah, until she got spit on by a damn llama.”

We both began to laugh.

Ty stood up and pulled off his hoodie. As he was doing it, his t-shirt pulled up over his abs and back. God, his stomach was so firm. I turned away quickly when he turned to look at me. I got the impression that he knew I was checking him out when he shot me a half smile.

Instead of him calling me out on my wandering eyes, he started flipping through the channels. I let out a big sigh thinking I had gotten away with it.

That’s what I thought.

“So aren’t you hot in that sweatshirt?” He asked, without taking his eyes from the television.

I cringed just knowing that he had caught me. “No. I am just fine.” I lied.

After nearly an hour, I was sweating my ass off. Ty kept randomly making conversation while I tried to prevent the beads of sweat from dripping down my forehead. I don’t know why I was so determined to act stubborn, but I didn’t want him to have the upper hand. Ty had been known to be a womanizer. I had seen firsthand how women approached him. He knew he could pretty much get whoever he wanted. Hell, I wanted him too, even if I couldn’t have him. Opening that can would be just added disaster to my already chaotic life.

When Bella woke up, she came walking out of the bedroom with no pants on. “Bella, what happened to your pants honey?” I grabbed her and went looking for her pack of diapers. “Uncle Ty doesn’t want to see your hiney.”

I no sooner got Bella changed when my new cell phone started ringing. “Ty, can you get that?”

I heard him talking on the phone as I approached, but he handed it to me immediately and started shaking his head. I didn’t understand but I grabbed it and sat down. Ty held his hands out for Bella and started swinging her around.

Hello?

Miranda, it’s me. Conner

Hey. What’s up?

Look, I am not goin’ to beat around the bush. We got a few disturbin’ calls last night. They are all from a blocked number, even the texts.

Well, was it Tucker?

We don’t know. The voice was raspy and deep, like they were holdin’ somethin’ to disguise their voice.

You said you got texts too?

Yeah. They said ‘it is only a matter of time’. Another said that ‘you will pay’.

What does Mom say?

She is glad that you are stayin’ with Ty. I think it is a bad idea, but for the time bein’, I guess it is alright. He best keeps his damn hands to himself.

Please don’t start with that Conner. I did what you all said. Ty is keeping us safe, isn’t that what you want?

Of course it is. I just don’t want him tryin’ to get into your pants. Don’t you let him either. That ain’t why we sent you there.

I started gritting my teeth. Thank you for keepin’ me posted about the phone calls. Goodnight Conner. Tell Mom I love her.

I hung up the phone before he could piss me off anymore

“He thinks I am going to deflower you.” Ty joked.

I rolled my eyes. “Ha ha! I think it is too late for me to be deflowered.”

“You know what I mean. I answered that damn phone and he started asking what I was doing near you. Was I not supposed to be around you?” He asked.

“Don’t listen to him. He thinks he can control my life. He threatens everyone I am close to,” I admitted.

“Are you saying we are close?” he asked as he pushed the hair away from my face.

I tried to pretend like his touch didn’t affect me. “He says that my old phone had been getting threatenin’ phone calls.”

Chapters