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had enough of Officer O’Malley’s rudeness.
     

 
     
    Chapter Six
     
    Instead of going straight back to Tabitha’s apartment from the hospital, they stopped by the restaurant she worked at. She wanted to break the news to Betty, her boss, that she wouldn’t be returning to work.
     
    She spotted Betty coming around the corner as the waiter went to put their order in. “Betty,” she called from their table.
     
    “Tabitha, I thought you were off today.” Betty’s brown hair slightly graying at the temples was pulled back in a tight bun that she wore when working in the kitchen. She had a patch of flour on her slacks, as she spent most of the time baking. It was her passion.
     
    “I am. I was hoping you had a moment to talk.”
     
    Betty gazed back into the kitchen, where everything looked under control, before grabbing a chair and joining them.
     
    “Betty, this is Ty Reynolds, an old friend of the family.”
     
    Betty eyed him cautiously.
     
    “My parents were good friends with her family. It wasn’t until recently that we were able to locate Tabitha. I have asked Tabitha to come home to Alaska with me. That’s where my family and I live. She will be with people who love her.”
     
    Tabitha watched Ty and Betty. She would miss her boss. She’d been the mother she’d always wanted. Would my mother have been like Betty?
     
    Betty was a sweet lady who had taken Tabitha under her wing, slowly bringing her out of the shell Tabitha had built around herself after being tossed around from foster home to foster home.
     
    Betty beamed at her. “Tabitha, you will be missed, but I’m happy for you. You deserve to have people around you who love and care for you.
     
    After an emotional goodbye, Betty handed Tabitha an envelope. Hugs were exchanged, and they promised if they were back in the area they would stop by the restaurant to see her. Then they left.
     
    As Ty drove, Tabitha opened the envelope. Inside was her final paycheck with a nice bonus, along with a handwritten letter containing Betty’s number and the words: If you ever need anything, I’m only a phone call away.
     
    Tabitha’s heart skipped a beat as she read the note.
     
    * * *
     
    Tabitha closed her apartment door, and the toll of the day hit her like a semi-truck. She tried to push the weariness away. She had to pack. She wasn’t sure where she would have started, but Ty pulled her into his arms. With her head resting on his solid chest, breathing in his cologne, she let the tears she had been holding back fall.
     
    “Oh, Tabitha. I’m sorry for the loss of your friend. I wish I could ease your pain,” Ty soothed her as she cried.
     
    Looking up to him was somewhat difficult with the way he was holding her and the fact that he was a good five inches taller than her. “Thank you. I just want to pack and get out of here. Mike knows where I live. He knows I can identify him. What if he comes after me? I want to get away from all of this.”
     
    He didn’t release her from his hold. His body stiffened as he rested his head on top of hers. “I won't let him hurt you. I won't let anyone hurt you. Tabitha, before you pack, I want to talk to you. I don't know how to put this, but I feel you should know everything before we leave.” He seemed at a loss for words as he let go of her and walked over to the couch.
     
    She tried to remain calm, but her knees felt weak with worry. She took a seat as thoughts raced through her mind. Did he change his mind? If so, why couldn’t he have said so before I quit my job?
     
    “Remember the jolt you felt last night?” Without waiting for her to answer, he continued, “That’s what you feel when you find your lifemate.”
     
    She started to laugh. There was no way that was real.
     
    “Tabitha, I’m being serious. I know this is all new to you, but I want you to understand what that means. You’re my mate. If you accept me, then it is my job to protect you, to please you. You will be