Free Matter Of Trust by Lisa Harris

out with Ty.”
    Somehow she’d managed to avoid the topic, which in turn had guaranteed any arguments had been dodged as well. But as her relationship with Ty grew she couldn’t avoid the reality that if things continued the way they were, she’d be planning a wedding in the coming months. “I know you don’t like him, but—”
    “You’re right. I don’t like him—” Her mom flicked the binder onto the desk before setting her fists on her hips. “—or trust him or want him in your life.”
    Kayla grabbed her notebook and purse, then started to leave. She’d never win a round head-on with her mom in this arena. The woman was simply too stubborn. “Mom, I don’t want to get into this.”
    Her mom grasped Kayla’s forearm, stopping her in the doorway. “Honey, I’m your mother and I love you, but you’re setting yourself up again. You can’t believe him.”
    Kayla worked to control her rising frustration. “But I do believe him, and as much as you don’t want me to, nothing is going to change that.”
    The past few weeks had given Kayla more than enough time to see for herself that Ty was truly a changed man. And while they were still taking things slow with their relationship, the fear that had plagued Kayla for so long was finally beginning to disappear.
    From her mother’s cold expression, Kayla knew nothing she might say would be enough to convince the older woman of Ty’s newfound virtues.
    Her mom’s grip strengthened on her arm. “I think it’s time I told you exactly why I feel so strongly about Ty Lawrence. Then I promise never to bring it up again.”
    Kayla’s brow furrowed. It wasn’t like her mother to make emotional deals. She glanced at her watch. Ty was meeting her at Chloe’s in thirty minutes, giving her little time to get ready. But one look at her mother’s pained expression and she knew she owed her the respect to at least listen. She followed her mother into the country-style living room and sat across from her on the pale blue couch.
    Her mom tucked an auburn strand of her hair back into the clasp it had fallen from then scooted forward on the cushion. “Your father swept me off my feet the first time I saw him. He was charming, sincere, and everything I’d ever dreamed of. When we got married I had such high hopes for our lives together. He had a good job working in management for a local grocery store, and I planned to stay home and have babies.”
    Kayla saw the silent quiver of pain reflected in her mother’s eyes as she spoke and felt her heart break.
    “After we had been married a few years, everything began to change. He lost his job and started drinking. I was so blinded by what I wanted to believe until it was too late.” Her mom reached out and grasped Kayla’s hands. “But it’s not too late for you, Kayla. You know Ty is a manipulator and a liar. He’s out to win you no matter what it takes, and after he does, then you won’t matter to him anymore. You’re like a trophy he’s set on winning, and once he does he’ll be free to go on to bigger and better prizes.”
    Kayla flicked at her broken thumbnail as she struggled with how to respond to her mother’s pain without negating it. Her mother’s harsh view of men had always stemmed from her own experiences. That she knew. But that assessment didn’t have to include Ty. At least not the man Ty had become.
    “I know you’re concerned about me, Mom, and you have every right to be. But you haven’t been around Ty lately. He’s not the same man.”
    “People don’t change, Kayla. Not really.” Her mom reached up to rub the back of her neck and looked intently at her daughter. “I’d love to tell you it’s possible for Ty to have changed into some knight in shining armor and the two of you are going to live happily ever after, but that would take a miracle. This is real life where more often than not, the prince fools around with his secretary or gets himself killed over a six-pack of