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Lyra burst out laughing, and they all looked at her. She wiped at her eyes, shaking her head. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't laugh. I really shouldn't be laughing."
"No, you shouldn't," her mother grumbled. "This is a serious conversation. I'm grateful he came to help you, but this doesn't answer any of your big questions, dear."
"Mom, I know that you're only trying to help, but I exaggerated the situation."
She looked back at him, ignoring what Lyra was saying. "Do you want my daughter or not? Who do you want, her or this other woman?"
Lyra snorted, covering her mouth. He stood confused. What other woman?
"Momma." Lyra chuckled. "I lied. There was no other woman."
Her mother looked at her with wide eyes. "What do you mean you lied? Why on earth would you lie about that?"
Lyra shrugged, giving her a weak smile. "It just came out. Timber wasn't sleeping with his secretary. He doesn't even have one."
Her eyes flew back to him and then back to Lyra. She scowled at Lyra. "You lied to me?"
Lyra nodded, looking at him. "I told my mother you were sleeping with the secretary because it was easier. I couldn’t say the truth because it hurt too much."
She chuckled, looking embarrassed.
"Before I interviewed with you, she'd stated that I'd end up getting into a relationship, and the guy would leave me for a secretary." She wiped away some tears in her eyes. "I just rolled with it when I left. It was easier than the truth."
Her mother stood shocked that she'd lied.
He wondered if she was going to tell her mom the truth. He didn't see a reason not to. But he would leave that up for her to decide.
He bounced Marigold and looked at Karen. "I don't have a secretary. And I love your daughter. I chose your daughter. That's why I'm here."
Karen shook her head at Lyra. "You shouldn't have lied to me."
"I know." Lyra nodded. "And I'm sorry."
Karen huffed and uncrossed her arms. She looked at him for a moment, her harsh gaze softening. "You love my daughter?"
He nodded. "With all my heart." His heart flipped, realizing it was the first time he'd admitted that.
Lyra's eyes were wide in shock, and he gave her a gentle smile. He could see that Lyra loved him. She'd loved him for a while.
THIRTY-TWO
LYRA
She stood there, shocked for a moment. Timber loved her, and he'd said it with such confidence that it twisted her up inside. She couldn't help but smile.
Marigold wiggled in his arms, and she wanted to reach out and kiss both of them. But she wasn't going to with her mother standing next to her. Her mother, who was less than impressed with her at the moment.
Timber looked at her mother, holding a stern expression. "I have loved your daughter for some time now. I care deeply about her. And I want to ensure that she stays safe."
Her mother looked at her with a worried expression. They were all thinking the same thing. Who kidnapped her? And would they try again?
"I think it would be best if you came back home with me," Timber said, giving her a stern look. "I need to protect you, and I can't do it here."
She wanted to go with him, but there was still a problem. She didn't want to be hidden away. She couldn't be. That was why she left.
"Timber, I don't think that's a good idea," she whispered back.
His face dropped, and her mother piped up. "Why not? I agree with him. It would be safer. They got you when you were here. What's stopping them from trying again?"
