Matter Of Trust (12 page)

“She has a good chance for a full recovery. The doctor said so.”

“I am going to move into her house,” Kayla said decisively. “She’s going to need me once she comes home.”

“I have to admit that makes sense. What can I do?”

“I need to find a mover.”

“Consider it done.” Ty held out his arm and flexed his muscles.

“Very funny.” Kayla shot him a wry grin. “The house needs to have a few things done to get it ready for winter. Mom usually loves working outside, but that won’t be possible for a while now.”

He reached out and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “It’s going to be all right.”

“Maybe. You never expect something like this to happen.” She grasped his hand and pressed it against her cheek, wondering how she could have ever doubted him. “And there’s one other thing. I’m sorry about all the things I said in the car. I can’t blame you for my mom’s unhealthy attitude toward men.”

“Forget it.”

“Kayla? Ty?”

Kayla turned to see the minister from their church, Randall Jenkins, walk into the cafeteria.

“I forgot to tell you I called the prayer chain at church,” Ty told Kayla as the gray-haired man walked toward their table.

“I’m sorry I took so long to get here. I was in a meeting and just got your message.” The older man pulled up a chair. “How is she?”

“She had a stroke and is paralyzed on her left side. It’ll take a long time, but the doctor said a full recovery is possible.”

The minister laid his hand on Kayla’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry. What can I do?”

Kayla shrugged. “I don’t know right now. She won’t be home for a while. I’m only down here now because she’s sleeping.”

“I want you to know there are a lot of people at church who are willing to help. Once she’s home, we can help provide meals and even someone to stay with her when needed.”

Kayla felt the flow of tears begin again, overwhelmed by the show of love as the older man began to pray for complete healing for her mother as well as strength for her in the coming weeks.

Kayla looked up when he was finished. “Thank you.”

He shoved his thick glasses up the bridge of his nose. “We’re here for you. Call me if there’s anything else that needs to be done.”

“I appreciate it, too, Pastor Jenkins.” Ty reached out to shake the minister’s hand.

“Take my advice, Kayla. Go home and get some sleep.”

Kayla yawned. “I will. Besides the fact that I’m outnumbered, I’m too tired to argue.”

The waitress slid the plate of hamburger and french fries on the table in front of Kayla. Ty handed her the salt and pepper. “Then as soon as you’re done eating, let’s get you home.”

nine

Kayla stifled a yawn and tried to concentrate on the fresh basil she was chopping. Between trying to keep the catering business going, packing up her apartment, and visiting her mother every day for the past two weeks at the hospital, she was exhausted. She yawned again then set down the sharp knife, forcing her eyes to focus. If she wasn’t careful, she’d do something foolish and be the next one taken to the emergency room. And that was something she couldn’t afford.

The back door squeaked open, and Jenny tottered through the entryway with two heavy sacks of fresh produce in her arms.

“You’re early.” Kayla smiled, wishing it was as easy to change her mood as it was to plaster on a happy face.

“Traffic was light. And besides, got to be prompt for the boss.” Jenny flashed her a grin. “She can be an ogre at times.”

“Very funny.” Kayla couldn’t help but chuckle at her friend’s jovial expression. Jenny had been a lifesaver the past two weeks, not only in filling in where needed but also helping to keep Kayla’s spirits up.

“How’s your mom?” Jenny set the sacks on the counter then slid off her fleece jacket. With October halfway over, the lingering Indian summer that had kept temperatures pleasant was quickly fading into winter’s cooler weather.

“She’s making slow progress, but at least it’s progress. I’m hoping she’ll be home by the end of the week.”

“That’s good news, but I know all of this is hard on you.” Jenny squeezed Kayla’s shoulder before hanging her coat on the rack behind the door. “I keep telling you to take some time off. You have enough qualified staff to fill in the holes, and I can run a tight ship. You don’t have to do everything.”

Kayla reached for the half dozen eggs she’d boiled earlier and began chopping them. An afternoon off was tempting, but one look at this week’s schedule was enough to remind her they needed every person working full-time. “You know I appreciate the offer, but I’m the one Mom’s counting on to ensure everything goes smoothly.”

“An afternoon off won’t bring about the demise of the company.” Jenny started unpacking the produce, and while her motherly tone spoke volumes Kayla didn’t miss the gleam in her eyes.

Kayla turned to Jenny and set her hands squarely on her hips. “What is it? You’ve got that I’m-dying-to-tell-you-something expression on your face.”

“Who me?” Jenny laughed then held up her left hand. “Greg finally asked me to marry him last night.”

“And you were going to tell me when?” Kayla squealed and grabbed her friend’s hand, staring at the pear-shaped diamond. “It’s stunning.”

“I know. I never knew he had such good taste.”

“He chose you, didn’t he?” She gave her friend a hug. “When’s the big day?”

“Sometime in the spring.” Jenny went back to unloading the sacks. “What about you and Ty? You don’t talk about him very much anymore. Isn’t it about time for the two of you to follow us down the road toward marital bliss?”

Kayla frowned and dumped the basil and eggs in with the fresh crabmeat, wondering when Jenny had begun rooting for the man who once broke her heart. More times than she could remember she’d wanted to bare her heart to Jenny and Chloe, but something had always stopped her. Her mother’s outburst at her birthday party had cinched her resolve to keep the details of their relationship to herself. This was just something she would have to handle on her own. Still, no matter what the rest of the world thought, Ty didn’t need to prove himself to her. He’d already done that.

Kayla reached for a handful of scallions and started chopping again. “Knowing the way everyone feels about him, it’s been easier just to keep our relationship private.”

Jenny folded up the sacks and stuck them in a drawer. “You know we never meant for you to feel that way. The rest of us are just … cautious.”

“Even after all this time? Surely even you can see he’s changed, Jenny.”

“Honestly, I’m starting to like the guy, but it doesn’t matter what I think. You trust him, don’t you? That’s what counts.”

The phone rang, and Kayla picked up the cordless receiver, thankful for the reprieve from Jenny’s question. Of course she trusted Ty. It was everyone else who refused to give him a second chance. “Marceilo Catering.”

There was silence on the line then those two haunting words again.

“He’s guilty.”

Kayla slammed down the phone.

“Wrong number?”

“Something like that.”

A chill ran down Kayla’s spine. She wasn’t ready to connect the dots yet, but something wasn’t right. Following the articles in the newspaper had continued to reveal that Abbott Financial Services was in serious trouble with the government, though no arrests had been made. A hundred and seventy-five million dollars couldn’t have vanished without help. She’d known a year ago that Richard Abbott was grooming Ty for a position on the company’s management team. He’d been next in line for chief financial officer and would have been the youngest ever to be appointed. Had Ty left the company in hopes of avoiding a bomb dropping, or had he truly been unaware of what was going on?

“Kayla.”

She jerked her head up and caught Jenny’s gaze. “Sorry.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I’m just tired this morning.” She’d tried hard to ignore any red flags, certain they were only her imagination working overtime. She had no idea who had been behind the phone calls she’d been receiving the past few days. And she hadn’t told anyone. Not even Ty.

He’s guilty
.

The menacing words echoed though her mind, but she was still convinced even the old Ty wouldn’t have stooped to defrauding the company. She’d never believe that. This was Ty. The man who loved her. Who visited her mom in the hospital. Arranged a group of guys from church to move her out of her apartment. Bought her tickets to the symphony….

The blade of Kayla’s knife stopped mid-stroke. “What’s today?”

Jenny looked up from the schedule she was going over. “Thursday.”

“No.” Kayla waved her hands in front of her. “I mean, what is the date?”

“October twelfth.”

“Oh no.”

“What’s the matter?”

Kayla set down the spoon she was using to blend the crab mixture together and reached for her purse. Digging through the side pocket, she pulled out the red envelope. “This is what’s the matter.”

“What is it?”

“The tickets to the symphony. Ty gave them to me for my birthday.”

“When is the concert?”

“Tonight. And I forgot.”

“Uh oh.”

“Uh oh is right.”

“Tonight’s the Bunners’ anniversary party.” Jenny left the clipboard on the desk and crossed the tiled floor. “I can handle it, Kayla. I might be a mathematician in disguise, but I can do this.”

“Are you sure?”

“Haven’t I been trying to get you to take some time off for days? This is perfect.”

“Maybe you’re right. Last night he insisted on taking me out to eat, and I almost fell asleep over dinner.” Kayla leaned against the counter and mentally went over her schedule for the day. “I’ll have time to go to the hospital this afternoon when the luncheon is over. That will still leave time for me to get ready for the symphony.”

With renewed energy she sprinkled breadcrumbs over the crab mixture. Tonight wasn’t a kink in her schedule; it was time with Ty. Something they both needed. Feelings of fatigue washed over her, but she ignored the impact. She could handle it.

If only she could ignore those two words.

Ty knocked on Kayla’s door at half past six. He’d heard the fatigue in her voice when he called her and had tried to convince her to stay in tonight. They could always go another night, but she had been insistent that she wanted to go. Not that a night out wouldn’t be good for her, but she needed sleep more.

When she didn’t answer, Ty knocked on the door again.

“Kayla?”

Digging into his pocket, Ty pulled out the key Kayla had given him in case of an emergency. This might not be technically classified as an emergency, but she should be home and wasn’t answering. He was worried about her.

“Kayla,” he said again, stepping into the apartment. Boxes lined the living room wall, ready for the people from church who were coming on Saturday to move her belongings to her mother’s home.

“Kayla, it’s Ty.”

There was no answer. Ty glanced at his watch. Where could she be? She knew he was planning to pick her up for dinner.

Walking toward the couch, a wave of relief swept over him. Kayla lay curled up with a thick afghan covering her; she was sound asleep. Her cheeks were tinged with a hint of pink, and he resisted the urge to brush back a curl that had fallen across her forehead. Part of him still didn’t believe he deserved her, but God had been gracious enough to grant him a second chance to win her heart.

All that stood between them now was Richard Abbott and her mother’s approval. Visits to the hospital had already begun to bring out a softer side of Mrs. Marceilo, and Kayla never had to know the police had questioned him regarding the missing money. Or that they were still looking into his involvement with the missing funds. He’d find a way to avoid any backlash.

“Tell her.”

Ty frowned at the insistent voice in the back of his mind.

“Tell her.”

The words came again, but he ignored them. He couldn’t tell her. If he wanted her to trust him, telling her would only serve to drive a wedge between them. And that was something he couldn’t afford. Ty tiptoed into the kitchen where he’d seen a pad of paper and pens and scratched out a note to let her know he’d come by. He’d been right when he’d tried to encourage her to skip tonight and go to bed early. She was exhausted. There would always be another night at the symphony.

Setting the note on the coffee table, Ty turned to leave.

“Ty?”

He stopped in the entryway. “Hey. You weren’t supposed to wake up.”

“What time is it?” Kayla sat up and rubbed her eyes.

“Six-thirty.”

She rubbed her hand on her forehead. “I’m sorry. I must have fallen asleep.”

Ty bent down to kiss her. “And that’s exactly what you’re going to do. I’m leaving, and I want you to get ready for bed.”

“I can’t, Ty. I’ve been looking forward to tonight.” She struggled to get up, but he gently pushed her back onto the pillow.

“Kayla. You haven’t even had time to think about tonight. All you need right now is to get some sleep. We’ll do it again. I promise.”

“But Jenny’s covering for me at work and—”

“It’s okay.”