Ty tried not to groan. Some of the kids in the youth group had recommended an animated movie about a mustang, and since then Katie had played it over and over. The last time they’d watched it, he’d begged her to never make him see it again.
But to give Rachel a much-needed break?
He scooped Katie into his arms and swung her around. “Even the horse movie, you little monkey.”
Katie giggled, and as he looked around, the smiles on everyone’s faces brought a satisfaction to him that he’d never felt before. He’d always known the love of a family, but he hadn’t ever experienced the joy of seeing it grow.
“I really just want to go to bed and rest,” Rachel said. “Why don’t you take Katie to the barbecue and let her play with Lynzee? Maybe tomorrow when we get back from the doctor’s, we can do something as a family.”
It was unlike Rachel to be so open about how bad she felt, which meant she was probably feeling worse than she let on. But Ty was glad she was finally starting to trust them enough to admit what she really wanted.
He went over to her and gave her a kiss on top of her head. “If that’s what you want. Can I get you anything before we go?”
Rachel shook her head. “I’ll be fine. I’m just going to crawl into bed.”
“It’s my job to get you some food,” Wanda said in a mock-stern voice. “I can heat up some soup for you.”
The tender expression on the older woman’s face reminded Ty again of how blessed he was to be part of such a great community.
But Rachel shook her head. “I’m really not that hungry.”
Once they got Rachel settled, Ty and Katie walked to the barbecue with Wanda and Ricky. It warmed his heart to see how Katie had taken Ricky’s hand and was chattering with him. Katie would be fine no matter what. Once again he prayed that God would find a way to make it true for her mother also.
At the barbecue, Ty tried to focus on having a good time and making things fun for Katie, but all he could think about was Rachel.
Katie grabbed him by the hand. “They’re going to play music. Let’s dance.”
Ricky nudged him. “When a lady asks you to dance, you dance.”
The music started up, and Ty smiled down at Katie. “All right, little one, show me your moves.”
Giggling, Katie spun around as he twirled her. But instead of lifting his spirits, it only made him feel worse. Rachel should be here, enjoying this. Ty swung Katie around a few more times, but he couldn’t get into the spirit.
Someone tapped him on the shoulder, and Ty turned to see Janie.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
“Wanda called to tell me about Rachel needing to see the doctor tomorrow and asked if I’d take Katie tonight so Rachel wouldn’t have to worry about her in the morning.”
One more thing to love about their community. Even though he knew this was more about helping Rachel, it also let Ty off the hook for the night. He could get Katie situated with Janie, and then he could check on Rachel.
“I get to go to your house tonight?” Katie asked.
Sam came running over. “Yes! Mom says we can watch our movie again!”
A quick glance at Janie told Ty it was the same horse movie he’d almost been forced to endure yet another time. He’d have to get her something nice to thank her for taking one for the team.
“Why don’t you guys stay here and enjoy the rest of the barbecue, and I’ll go back to the house to get Katie’s things,” Ty suggested.
Not only would it give him the chance to check on Rachel, it would also keep the kids from disturbing her rest.
“Great idea,” Janie said. “I see a tray of brownies calling my name.”
When he got to Rachel’s room, he knocked on the door softly. He’d noticed the light on through the window as he walked to the house, so hopefully he wasn’t disturbing her.
“Yes?” Rachel asked, sounding wide awake.
“Can I come in?” Ty asked.
“Of course,” Rachel said. “I’m dressed.”
That didn’t sound like a woman who was exhausted and ready for bed. When he opened the door, she was sitting on her couch, a bowl of popcorn beside her, the television on.
“I thought you were headed for bed,” he said.
Rachel shrugged. “My show is on tonight. I didn’t want to miss it, especially because they’re about to reveal Damon’s killer.”
“But you said you were going right to bed,” Ty said.
This time Rachel gave an annoyed sigh. “I don’t tell you everything. This show is one of my guilty pleasures, and after hearing some of the people at church making fun of it, I haven’t wanted to tell anyone how much I love it. You should’ve heard Janie go on about what garbage it was.”
She lied to him over a television show? Lied to all of them. Made them worry about her. And over a simple thing she should have told the truth about. She knew how much he hated people lying to him.
“But I thought, after everything, you were finally opening up to me and telling me things.”
Ty felt sick to his stomach. He’d prided himself on his ability to spot a lie, but he’d been so blinded by his growing feelings for Rachel that he’d missed her using not feeling well as an excuse to watch some show.
“I don’t understand why you couldn’t have just been honest with me.”
Instead of agreeing with him and saying she would work on it, Rachel stared at him like he was crazy.
“It’s just a show. Are you going to give me the third degree when you find out that I really don’t like Brussels sprouts?”
“A lie is a lie,” he said. “I wouldn’t have judged
