Page 19 of Before the Night Falls
Part of Olivia hoped hewasdating someone. That would make him less intriguing to her. Then he’d be totally off-limits.
A few moments passed as Tyson leaned against the railing and scanned the nature surrounding him.
Then he spoke again. “I’ll call this morning and buy a plane ticket for you.”
Although Olivia knew she shouldn’t, she leaned in.
Tyson’s voice lowered. “I know. I miss you too.”
Guilt suddenly jarred her, and Olivia sat back, determined to mind her own business.
What was she thinking?
Tyson was having a personal conversation and thought he was alone out here. She shouldn’t be listening.
Olivia was about to clear her throat when she heard his next words.
“I love you too, Mom. I’ll see you soon.” He then said goodbye and disconnected the call.
Olivia almost laughed.
Not a girlfriend. His mom.
Hearing how tender he was with his mother was touching.
So, he had muscles, brains,anda heart. Impressive.
Tyson pocketed his cell phone and looked out over the land.
He obviously still had no idea Olivia was there.
Her guilt pounded harder.
“Good morning,” she called, waving her hand.
He turned to her, his eyebrows flicking up in surprise. Then recognition crossed his features, and his shoulders relaxed.
“Olivia . . . good morning. I didn’t see you out here.” He paced toward her.
There was that signature walk again—the stride of a man comfortable with himself.
Or maybe Olivia had read too many romance novels when she was younger. However, she didn’t think she’d ever actually seen a man who’d stepped off those pages and into real life.
“I wasn’t expecting to see you up so early.” He paused near her chair. “Did you sleep okay?”
“I slept fine after I got settled down. I’m an early riser, so I thought I’d come out here and enjoy the morning. I didn’t mean to intrude on your conversation.”
He waved her off. “There was no intrusion. Just talking with my mother.” His eyes wandered to the Bible in her lap, and approval stretched through his gaze.
Approval? Had she misread that?
She wasn’t sure.
Certainly a man like Tyson Stone felt pretty self-sufficient.
“Doing some reading?” he asked.
She nodded unapologetically. “Just trying to get my day started right.”
