Coming Home - Morestead's Series (Book 1)

Chapter 8

"Tyler, I would like you to meet my future sister-in-law Krissy Haywood and my mother, Susan Marshall," said Gina, missing the look that Susan and Krissy passed between them.

"How do you do Mrs. Marshall, a pleasure to meet you, same with you Miss Haywood and please call me Tyler," responded Tyler as he shook their hands. He had noticed the surprised look on their faces but he did not mention it. He wondered why they responded like that, had Gina mentioned his name before?

"It is very nice to meet you, Tyler," answered Susan as she shook hands. "We are fine," answered Susan turning to Gina, "Your father and the boys are down at the river fixing the pump again." While Susan was talking to them, Krissy watched Gina and Tyler together, she noticed that Tyler could not stop himself from touching her and Gina was enjoying the contact.

"We were just about to have a cup of tea would you like some?" asked Krissy.

"Yes, that would be a good idea," replied Susan, "Your father should be back soon, no doubt he will smell the teapot and come home," she said laughing as they walked up the path to the veranda.

As they got closer to the steps Krissy grabbed Gina's hand and said, "I just want to show Gina something out here for a second." Turning around and nearly dragging Gina away from Tyler and her mother, as soon as they were out of hearing Krissy turned to Gina and said, "Shannon is home Gina, I thought I would tell you before she showed up and so you can prepare yourself." Gina stiffened at the sound of her sister's name, she then turned to look at Tyler and let out a sigh of relief to notice that her mother was showing Tyler where the river was.

"I'm sorry that this has ruined your day but she is still very bitter and I cannot forgive the way she treated you when you were here last," said Krissy as she watched Gina's reaction and heard her sigh when she found Tyler. "She has seen Tyler, Gina, so be prepared for anything, I'm sorry that I can't lessen the blow, but I have seen her in action so I just want you to be prepared."

"It's ok, Krissy, I have grown up a bit since then. I can only hope that Tyler really cares about me to handle Shannon. I can only hope that he will only see me, I will not be sitting around letting her have a go, I will fight for my man if he wants me too," answered Gina, "Thanks anyway," after giving Krissy a hug, "We better get back before she shows up."

They walked down the veranda to where Tyler and her mother were talking. Upon reaching, them Gina's mother turned and noticed that Gina's father and her two brothers had arrived back home.

"Krissy, could I get you to go into the kitchen and put the kettle on for a cup of tea, knowing Geoffrey, he will want one. I will send Mark into help, but we will not be long in following him in, so no mucking around. We want a cup of tea in about fifteen minutes," Krissy laughed as she went into the kitchen, Gina wished she could be happy like Krissy, content because she trusted in Mark and knew he loved her. Tyler noticed the longing in Gina's eyes but did not know that he was the cause of it. Before he could do anything Gina's father and brothers were joining them on the veranda.

"Gina, my beautiful girl, how are you?" asked her father as he picked her up and whirled her around, "Still light as a feather, I see. I think you have lost more weight."

"Oh, Dad, it's so good to see you," replied Gina as she gave him a big bear hug in return, her father had not changed much in the months since she had last seen him. He still was tall just less than six foot, wide shoulders from hauling baled hay from the trailer to the hayshed to stack it, the only thing that was different was he was getting grayer, "and you always say that every time we see each other."

"Come on it's my turn," said Mark as he plucked Gina out of her father's arms and gave her a bear hug. "Dad's right, you have lost weight. What's wrong?"