The Object of His Obsession (The Alexanders Book 4) (16 page)

“But how does that relate
to me? I would never dream of putting my lips on another
woman.”

“The point I’m trying to
make is, I falsely accused her of doing something she didn’t do.
Over and over I did until finally, she couldn’t take it anymore.
So, she left me.”

“She did?” he
asked.

“She sure did.”

“How’d you get her to come
back?”

“First, I recognized the
error of my ways, confessed to her why I had falsely accused her,
then I pleaded with her to come back to me. Now, son, I don’t know
why you accused Gabrielle of—”

“Because Dilvan was there,”
Tyson interrupted. “I don’t trust him. He’s been on a mission to
take Gabrielle away from me since day one.”

“Let me tell you something.
When a woman is committed to the man she loves, there is no other
man on the planet who could take her away from him. When you first
introduced me to Gabrielle, I knew she was the one for you. I knew
it. I got a good vibe from her. She’s down to earth, sweet...she’s
completely opposite of that Desiree girl. So whatever it is you
need to do to get Gabrielle back, I suggest that you do it. Put
your family back together by any means necessary, Tyson. If you
don’t, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”

Tyson nodded. “I will,
Dad. I don’t know how, just yet, but I will.”

Chapter 30

Gabrielle settled
comfortably in a cozy cabin at Hatteras Beach. For her weekend
getaway, she thought about going to Charlotte and spending a few
days with Tamera, but she preferred the tranquility of the ocean.
Besides, Tamera would probably spend most of the time trying to
convince her to get back with Tyson, something Gabrielle didn’t
need to hear right now. She needed some peace, quiet and
tranquility.

She left T.J. with Padma
for the three day getaway. She hated to leave him, was even in
tears when she walked away, but Padma was good with the baby. She
knew she would be leaving him in capable hands.

Gabrielle hadn’t told
anyone else she was heading out of town. Padma was the only one who
knew she was leaving, but she had no idea where Gabrielle was
going. Gabrielle intentionally didn’t tell her. That way, no one
would know where she was and she could relax and think without
being disturbed.

The one-bedroom cabin was
laid out perfectly in a small but functional space. The front door
was a sliding glass door which invited the outside in. There was a
sleeper sofa and TV in the living room, a small two-chair dinette
in the kitchen with a stove and refrigerator. A full bath was next,
nestled between the bedroom and kitchen. The bedroom was small, but
big enough to house a queen-size bed, nightstand, small dresser and
closet. The rectangular-sized balcony added a bit more room to
relax. The breathtaking ocean views reminded her of
home.

After unpacking her
clothes, she went into town for a few groceries – wine, candles in
the event of a power outage, snacks, eggs, bacon, yogurt, bananas,
grapes, bottled water and a few other items.

Once she had arrived back
at the cabin, she unloaded the groceries, putting everything in its
proper place. Then she took her beach bag and chair and walked out
towards the ocean, enjoying the ambience. The crystal blue waters
were pleasing to her eyes. The smell of salt in the air, the soft
touch of the sun kissing her skin and the gentle breeze that hugged
her body had her in prime relaxation mode.

She wasn’t the only one
enjoying the beach. There were at least thirty people out – most of
them couples having a blast with their kids. She was sure that
there would be even more people there tomorrow,
Saturday.

“Ah, this is so nice,” she
said in an elongated breath while lying back in a lounge chair. She
pulled in a breath of fresh air and stared up at the sky. She
needed this – to unwind without the distraction of Tyson. There was
no question that he loved his son and loved her, but she was
finding it difficult to get over his lack of trust. He’d apologized
to her almost every time their eyes met and asked if they could sit
down and talk. She didn’t answer him, because she wasn’t sure if
that’s really what she wanted to do. That’s why she needed some
space...to give her the clarity to make a sound
decision.

A breeze fanned her hair
and she adjusted her dark shades. She realized her marriage
involved more than she and Tyson. First and foremost, she had to do
what was best for T.J. Did she really want him growing up in a
one-parent household like she had done most of her life? From
experience she knew how that would feel. She hadn’t liked the fact
that her mother wasn’t around. Granted, she loved and respected her
father for doing his best to raise her, but a wholesome family
environment was what she desired. She couldn’t begin to imagine
what it would feel like to share custody with Tyson, dropping T.J.
off at his house every other week. It would be stressful and
confusing for a child to have to deal with that.

Second, she thought about
who Tyson was as a person. He was her lover, her confidant. Her
provider. Her protector. Sure the man had a temper and trust
issues, but he had a heart of gold. When she was at her lowest, he
took her in when he didn’t have to, and he had taken care of her.
No man had taken care of her like Tyson Alexander had, and she
doubted that any man ever would. Tyson was exceptional at
everything he did from cooking to kissing.

She blew a frustrated
breath. She missed him. She could be honest with herself and admit
that, but she hadn’t told him that because she didn’t want him to
think he could weasel his way back into her life without admitting
his wrongs – that he had trust and temper issues.

She’d never seen him in
such a rage. For the most part, Tyson was calm, charismatic,
laid-back and easygoing. That day, he yelled at her and stormed out
of the house with a gun. That didn’t seem like him at all. He was a
different man, a stranger to her and that’s what frightened her the
most.

Chapter 31

Tyson felt his irritation
grow when Gabrielle didn’t answer her phone. He was on his way to
the hotel where she’d been staying for a few days now, wanting to
see T.J. When he pulled up in the parking lot, he went straight to
her room and banged on the door. When he didn’t get an answer, he
scanned the parking lot for her car. She wasn’t there.

Still sitting in the
parking lot he called Padma. Padma had bonded with T.J., loved him
as much as she loved her real grandchildren. If she didn’t know
where Gabrielle was, then chances were, nobody knew.

He listened to three rings
then she picked up.

“Hey, Tyson. How are
you?”

“I’m okay,
Padma.”

“I got your little man over
here.”

“You do?”

“Sure do.”

“Is Gabrielle there,
too?”

“No. She dropped the baby
off for the weekend.”

“The weekend?” he asked,
frowning. “She’s gone for the weekend?”

“Yes,” Padma said as she
struggled to hold T.J. while the phone was pressed against her ear.
Then T.J. spit up milk all over her blouse. “Oh my
goodness...Tyson, I have to go. The baby is spitting
up.”

“Alright. I’m on my way
there.”

“Okay. See you shortly.”
Padma hung up the phone, then found a burp cloth in T.J.’s diaper
bag. She dabbed his mouth, then went to the kitchen, wet a paper
towel and blotted her blouse. She would change later, but for now,
she began rocking the baby to sleep before Tyson
arrived.

* * *

Tyson pressed the doorbell
at Padma’s place, watching her come to the door and shushing him,
letting him know that T.J. was sleeping. He stepped in the living
room, saw his son in a bassinet and asked softly, “When did she
drop him off?”

“Early this morning...I’ll
say around eight-thirty.”

“Did she tell you where she
was going?”

“No. She just said she
needed time to herself.”

Tyson sighed, and walked
over to the couch, taking a seat.

“How’s Uncle
Colin?”

“He’s fine...went to visit
Dilvan a lil’ while ago.”

“Oh. Okay.”

“It’s not going so well
between you and Gabrielle I take it,” Padma said, joining him on
the couch.

“Padma, I messed up and
I’ve apologized over and over again. She’s just not hearing me. I
think it’s time I be a little bit more persuading. I can’t let my
family fall apart.”

Padma nodded. “Please
don’t let that happen. You see what’s going on with my family. And
I don’t think I’ve apologized to you for what Dilvan
did.”

“You did, and you don’t
need too. It’s not your fault.”

“Well, I feel like it is.
I’m just glad the judge ordered that Dilvan be institutionalized
for six months. That way, he can get the medication he needs while
learning to live with bipolar disorder.”

Tyson had no comment. It
didn’t surprise him that Dilvan had been diagnosed with bipolar
disorder. His erratic behavior was a sign that something had been
wrong with him.

“And even though Dilvan is
moving away when he gets out, I’m glad Gabrielle got the
restraining order.”

“So he’s moving
away?”

“Yes. His house is up for
sale.”

Tyson was glad to hear
that. “What will Beatrice do without Dilvan around?”

“She agreed to be the head
cook at my food house in Southern Shores. I figured it was time for
me to get someone on the payroll and you know the people love her
clam chowder.”

“Where will she be
staying?” Tyson heard himself asking. He was curious because he
knew that Gabrielle had a close bond with Beatrice, the same as she
did with Padma.

“She found a nice little
house in Nags Head.”

“That’s good. She’ll be
close to us. I know Gabrielle will like that.” Tyson rubbed his
face and released a sigh. “So you have no idea where Gabrielle
is?”

“No. Not at all, but I was
thinking...maybe she does need this time alone, Tyson.”

“No,” he said, shaking his
head. “I can’t let time or distance separate us. I love her too
much to ever let her go.”

“I know you love her, and I
personally would love to see you two back together. She’s happiest
with you. When I see her now, she looks stressed out, lost and
tired. I’m worried about her.”

“You won’t have to worry
for long.” Tyson stood up and walked over to the bassinet and
kissed his son on the cheek. “I’m going to find her. I’m bringing
my woman home.”

He hugged Padma on the way
out of the door and had only one thing on his mind – getting his
woman back.

Chapter 32

Colin had already signed
in as a visitor at the psychiatric hospital and was sitting in the
main communal area that had couches, a ping pong table, a TV and
other entertainment items, when he saw Dilvan walking towards him
with one of the nurses next to him. He had on plain clothes, a pair
of jeans and a T-shirt.

Two months ago when he was
checked in, Padma had brought some of his clothes and shoes to the
place.

Colin stood when he was
closer.

“Hi, father,” Dilvan said,
wrapping his arms around his dad.

“Hi, son,” Colin said,
folding his arms around him just as tightly.

They sat at the table and
Colin looked him over. He looked good. His hair was cut, he was
clean-shaven and he looked to be healthy. But his eyes were weary.
Was he sleeping well? And they appeared to have circles forming
under them.

“How are you,
Dilvan?”

“Ah...um...” he shook his
head. “I don’t know, Dad. I’m doing the best I can I
suppose.”

“You look
exhausted.”

“Must be the medicine.
Every time I take it, I get drowsy.”

“Do you feel like it’s
helping?”

Dilvan propped his elbow
up on the table and rested his head against his hand. “I really
don’t know.”

“Well, think hard about it
because if they need to change your medication, then you need to
let somebody know.”

“I don’t need a change of
medication. I’m fine.”

Colin sighed, worried
about his son. Dilvan had four more months before he would be
released, and he wasn’t seeing the changes in him that he expected
to see. Dilvan was tired, cranky and drowsy. He wasn’t getting
enough rest. “So when do you want to talk about the
suicide.”

Dilvan
shrugged.

Colin had been trying to
get him to open up about it for a few weeks now and he hadn’t
obliged.

“I just got tired,” Dilvan
finally said.

Colin’s face lit up.
That’s the most progress he’d seen in a while. “Tired of what,
Dilvan?”

“Of everything.”

“Be more specific, son.
What are you tired of?”