All Inn Thyme (Freedom Valley #3)

by Erin Branscom

When I got married five years ago, I pictured a dream life with a beautiful cozy home, a family sharing loud dinners, belly laughs during game nights, and fun vacations to the beach or the mountains. That’s not even close to the hell that I got.

We’re safe in Freedom Valley. We’re not in Mississippi anymore. Breathe, Mellie. Breathe. In and out.

I had no idea what he was fixing, but whatever it was, mine was broken.

“All in time, Mellie,” he muses, looking at my catalogue, open to a page with bright photos of thyme on it. “Like thyme, the herb, all in thyme.”

“Darlin’, you and me both know you’re not sorry about kissing me. In fact, I think we should do it again. And again.”

“I’m just wondering how such a tiny thing like you can manage such a big attitude.”

This is the worst part of my day: coming home to an empty house. I want a family to come home to. The smell of food cooking, the sound of kids playing, a wife excited to tell me about her day. I want a kiss hello, a bear hug goodbye. Snuggles at night when it’s cold. A hand to hold onto. I’d give anything for all of that. For me, it’s the little things. Always has been.

“I don’t know why, but you seem like a good guy, Ty. Please be a good guy,” she pleads. And there it is. Confirmation that her ex was not a good guy. Motherfucker.

People used to come up to me and rave about what a great cop he was. They had no clue about the actual living hell Kase and I were going through at home. It was always a façade. One big, scary, fake life that we literally had to run from.

My mind wanders back to that night we rode in the back of Mitch’s semi all the way across the country to meet up with Evan and begin our new life. I was terrified, exhausted, and just hoped to catch a break. I barely had the courage to hope for something good to happen, yet it did. Sometimes it just takes time for good things to happen.

“Chickira, Goldie Hen, Hen Solo, Oprah Henfrey, Lindsey Lohen, Hilary Fluff, and Hennifer.” Evan says all of this with a straight face, and I laugh so hard my stomach hurts. “That’s hilarious.”

He flinches for a moment and my heart drops. Shit. I swear if I ever find that guy… My blood feels like it’s starting to boil, but I smile through it and kneel to get to his level. “Hey, Kase. Nova’s going to keep you safe, okay?” I say with a smile and a little bit of distance between us. He looks down but nods. “You okay?” “He used to hurt us.” “Who hurt you?” “Momma said I’m not supposed to say.”

“Well, I think you should always listen to your momma. But if you ever need an extra best friend, I’m here, too, okay?” “You won’t hurt us?” His eyes look up bravely as he asks this. “Never, buddy. I’m a protector.” “Like a cop?” he whispers, looking at me with fear in his eyes. “Yeah, kind of like the police.” I try to smile. This kid is smart. Only what he says and does next shocks me more than I could have ever expected. His eyes get bigger, and he takes a step back. “Police don’t keep you safe. They lie and hurt you.” And with that, he runs off to throw the ball to Nova. And that’s when I know: that motherfucker was a cop.

“It is everything,” Beth says. “Because life is short, and it can be gone in the blink of an eye. So treasure every moment and make the most of everything you have.”

have to be able to see if he comes back to hurt me,” she says drowsy, then drifts back to sleep. Holy shit.

This. This is what it would feel like to have her as my woman. Someone to carry you when life kicks you in the balls. I need her and she needs me.

“You’re going to make a great dad someday.” I kiss her neck and whisper in her ear, “So make me one.”