Loving Her (Mitchell Family #9)(8)
Author: Jennifer Foor

“Because it’s so much fun. Chill out, I’ll be there to make things better in a couple of days.”

“Yay,” she said sarcastically.

“Wear something hot. I’m tired of seeing you in those church clothes you keep wearing.”

“My clothes are fashionable,” she argued.

“You dress like the Amish.”

“Goodbye, Ty.”

“Love you bunches, Van. I’m coming for you in two days.”

She’d hung up, and I wasn’t sure if my last comment was for nothing.

Miranda sat there, watching me. She had that scornful mother look on her face. “I’m goin’ to regret sayin’ this to you, but I’m glad you’re gettin’ back to your old self again. It makes me feel like things are goin’ to be alright.”

I reached my hand across the table and touched hers. “Baby, everything’s going to be fine. Izzy is home and she’s better. The worst is over.”

“I think goin’ to Kentucky is a good idea. Maybe we all need to get away for a couple of days.”

I heard screaming coming from the living room. Izzy had grabbed the remote and turned off the boy’s game. She had half the remote, while Jake had the other. “Gimme it, you little jerk!”

I turned back to Miranda. “Can we take separate cars?”

She stood up and put her hands on her hips. “We should.”

As we both walked into the living room, to bring order to the newest conflict, I felt confident that the worst was behind us.

Our lives could return to chaos and everything was going to be okay.

Seeing her fighting with her brother was a good sign of that. It gave me peace knowing that she was home and getting healthier by the day.

I’d never have to feel that lost again. It was reassuring and kept a smile on my face. Even the bickering, reminded me that our family was strong again. At the end of the day, it was all I cared about.

Chapter 6

Miranda

Visiting the Kentucky family was always a treat, but packing and riding with the twins and Ty was the opposite of the word treat. Aside from the boys constantly tormenting their sister, Ty played these stupid games.

This trip was no different. We left in the evening, thinking that the kids would sleep the whole way. For a while it was peaceful. Ty held my hand and I got comfortable in my seat and started to doze off myself. He had the radio down low, and instead of him singing, like normal, he hummed to himself.

I thought he was being respectful, but I should have known better than to trust him. Like a little child, when Ty got quiet, it meant he was planning something mischievous.

I’d no sooner let myself fall asleep when I heard him screaming and the brakes locking. I grabbed the dash and screamed, along with the kids behind me. Assuming we were preparing for impact, I closed my eyes, reacting the best to the situation.

Then when nothing happened, and the SUV began driving normally, followed by him laughing loudly, I turned and smacked him hard on the arm. “You ass**le! I thought something was wrong.”

He continued laughing. “I’m sorry, baby. I couldn’t help it. You were all sleeping and I knew I could get you good.”

I smacked him again and turned to check on the kids. Like every time their dad did stupid pranks, they seemed to be taking the situation way better than I had. Izzy had put on her headphones and shook her head, while the boys were back asleep, as if it had never happened.

“I could have hit my head on the windshield.”

“I checked to make sure you were buckled, geesh, give me some credit!”

“If you don’t stop laughin’ right now I’m goin’ to beat the crap out of you. You scared me to death, Ty. It wasn’t funny.”

He laughed even harder. “You should have seen your face. Your eyes popped out of your head and you screamed, even when you had no clue what was happening.”

I turned my body toward the passenger door and refused to look at him. “If you do it again, I’m cutting off your balls with scissors. I’m not kiddin’ either. Just try me, smartass.”

I think he understood that he’d pissed me off, because for the rest of the ride he was on his best behavior. Almost daily, people asked me how I could be married to someone like Ty. I don’t think they understood the joy that he’d brought into my life. Every day, no matter how crazy life got, I thanked God for giving him to me. Maybe it was hard for people to see his gentle side, the part of him that he only let the people he was closest to see. He’d give his life for his family and never regret it. He was strong and did his best to take care of us to the greatest of his ability. I appreciated him, but I didn’t want to remind him every second of every day. When he was driving me crazy he needed to be put into place. Cutting him off from sex was always my go-to. It got his attention, and like a kid in time out, it worked wonders.

It was late when we arrived at the guesthouse. The kids had been asleep for a while, and I knew that if we went over to see Colt and Van, they’d get a second wind and we’d be up all night with them.

As much as I was dying to see my cousins, we put the kids to bed and got settled in. Ty called and let Colt know we’d arrived, but we’d decided to surprise my mom and John with our visit. She was going to be so excited, especially after just finding out that Bella was going to be okay.

I found Ty sprawled out on the couch. Since I was still angry with him for his prank in the car, I sat in the chair across from him. He smiled and patted the small area on the couch in front of him. “You belong over here with me.”

“I’m mad at you.”

He took his index finger and motioned for me to come. I shook my head.

He reached down in his pants and made a face like his dick was aching to be touched. I rolled my eyes and continued to fight him.

“I need to cuddle.”

“I’m comfortable where I am. Besides, maybe you should have thought about that before you decided to scare the life out of me earlier. You know I hate riding in cars at night.”

He chuckled. “I’d never let anything happen to my family, baby. You know that. I’m sorry. Will you come lay with me, please?”

“I’m kind of tired. I think I’m just goin’ to go to bed.” I stood up and headed into the bedroom, smiling because I’d given him the cold shoulder.

I’d no sooner changed and came out of the bathroom to find him in bed. I attempted to ignore him by climbing in and rolling onto my side, my back facing him. Ty brought his hand near and traced the silk nightgown that I was wearing. He groaned in my ear. “Gimme some lovin’.”