Folding Hearts (Mitchell Family #2)(36)
Author: Jennifer Foor

“That would be great. I will see what we need over there and make my own list.”

We said our goodbyes and finally headed back to the carriage house.

Surprisingly, Bella stayed asleep while we carried her and laid her down in the porta crib. Since Ty would clearly be sleeping in his bed with me, she needed to be comfortable herself. I wasn’t really sure if I should take off my clothes or sleep in underwear, or put on a big shirt, so I sat on the edge of the bed and waited to see what Ty was wearing. He stripped out of everything except his boxers and climbed into bed. “What’s wrong?”

“I guess I am not used to sleepin’ next to someone who just wants to sleep.”

Maybe that sounded weird.

“I really hate that you have never been appreciated by a boyfriend before. Get into something comfortable and climb in here next to me. “ He patted the bed beside him.

I stripped down to my underwear, while he watched and smiled, and climbed in beside him. He pulled me in closer and kissed the top of my head. “A real man makes his woman feel wanted and always keeps her safe. Close your eyes baby.”

I closed my eyes but I couldn’t go to sleep right away. I kept thinking how at some point I would be expected to go home. I had basically committed myself to a relationship with Ty, one that I wanted more than anything, but I had no idea how it was ever going to work. At some point my brother was going to find out and he was going to kill him.

Then I started thinking about Ty’s mother and how she thought he was already falling for me. Ty had never acted like this before with Van, I knew that for a fact. I just couldn’t get why he wanted me, when nobody else ever had.

His gentle snores reminded me that I was in his arms, and for the time being, he was mine. I didn’t know how long I could keep him, but I would do anything to stay this happy. I didn’t care what anyone else thought of him, he was perfect to me.

Chapter 20

Tyler

I hated when my alarm went off indicating that I had to get up and get ready for work, especially since I had the most beautiful girl in the world sleeping in my arms. It was a good thing that she was such a heavy sleeper. I managed to get up and put on my entire uniform without waking her or Izzy. After using the bathroom to do everything else, I snuck over to my parents for a cup of coffee. The coffee at the auto shop was worse than my mothers and I never felt like stopping anywhere else.

The morning drug on forever and all I kept thinking about was my amazing weekend with Miranda. Looking back, I know that the timing had never been right for us before, but it still made me sad that we had wasted so much time already. Izzy was getting so big and I wished that I had been there more.

I caught myself daydreaming more than once and my boss was really getting on me to finish up an air conditioning job before the day was out. The customer had already waited an extra three days for the part to come in. I kept myself occupied on the task at hand until it was time for everyone to break for lunch. As I was walking out to the parking lot, I saw three familiar faces heading in my direction.

My mother, Miranda and Izzy smiled as I met them halfway in the parking lot. “What are you guys doing here?”

“I had to run into town and offered to bring Miranda with me,” she explained.

Miranda held out a brown bag. “Your mom said that you really like this place so I got you lunch while we were there.”

“Ty up!” Izzy held out her arms for me. I hated grabbing her in my dirty uniform, even though Miranda said it was okay. After giving her a fry, my mother finagled her out of my arms and walked her around.

I leaned over and kissed Miranda. “Thank you for lunch.”

She nudged me in the arm. “Thank you for wanting me.”

“Just to be clear, I think I have always wanted you, sexually of course. Curious at least,” I added.

“You know I don’t mean like that.”

“I know and please don’t thank me. This,” I pointed from her to me, “is what I wanted. This is right.”

“It feels so natural, almost like we have been together for a long time already,” She agreed.

“I think all those late night phone calls helped us. We don’t have to go through that getting to know each other phase.” I took my sub out and started eating it. Miranda wrapped her arms into mine and put her head on my shoulder.

“That is true. I even knew what buttons to push when we got freaky. That was a plus.”

She leaned in to kiss me. “Definitely a plus.”

“Your mom really loves you.” She changed the subject.

“Yeah, she obviously really loves you too. She never liked Van. You should have seen when everything went to shit. She kept telling me how she had told me all along Van was the wrong girl. The fact that she likes you amazes me.” I didn’t want to tell her that at first my dear mother had told me to stay clear of Miranda. That only lasted until they met Izzy.

“She helped me shop for you today. I am going to start making dinner during the week for us at the carriage house. She told me everything you like and don’t like so that shouldn’t be a problem.”

She had no idea how depressing my life was before she walked back into it. I felt like I had died and gone to heaven.

“I hope you can cook good,” I teased.

“I hope you like everything well done.” She seemed pleased with her comeback.

I looked over and saw my mother putting Izzy in her car seat. Miranda must have noticed too because we both stood up. “I guess I will see you tonight?”

“Dinner will be ready for you.”

“I feel like an old man.”

“Am I an old lady?”

“I’ve seen you naked and you have no wrinkles….like none anywhere,” I joked. “You going to give me a kiss so all these dick heads I work with can stop staring at my girl?”

Miranda wrapped her arms around me and slapped me with a very long, very tongue involved kiss that left nothing for the imagination. I heard whistling as our kiss broke and waited until they pulled away before walking back into the shop.

“Where’d you find that?” My boss asked.

“None of your damn business.”

“Touchy! This one must be good in the sack,” he implied.

You have no idea…..

“Her name is Miranda. She is my girlfriend and I would appreciate it if you kept your thoughts to yourself.”

“Hey guys, it looks like Ty here has finally found himself a keeper,” he called out.