Tommy was sitting in the living room reading the afternoon paper. When Krisa walked in though the front door looking like a deer in headlights.
"Babygirl whats wrong."
"Nothing daddy."
"Krisa…"
"I had a talk with Cordell."
"So he found you huh?"
Krisa nodded as she sat down on the couch with her head in her hands. Tommy could tell something was up with Krisa. She had been acting strange before but now it seemed something was really bugging his daughter. an it wasn't nevers about her soon to be husband showing up. An it diffentley didn't have anything to do with Cordell. At least he hoped it wasn't anything to do with Cordell.
"Kris why do you want me to move to Houston suddenly." Tommy asekd sitting down his paper.
"i just think it would be easier on you daddy. You would be with me and I wouuldn't worry so much about you being alone.Since momma is gone."
"Krisa honey I've been making it fine on my own for a while . an Bohman comes by to help when I have to much work to do."
"Daddy…" krisa was cut off by a sudden knock on the door. Getting up Tommy answered the door to find Matthew Starson staadning outside his door holding flowers and some type of whiskey.
"Mr. Chester?"
"You must be Matthew come in come in. I've heard alot about you." Tommy saiid
"Daddy… Matt you're early." Krisa said as Tommy lead the younger man into the the house.
"Hey hon I got done early. I got you these." Matthew said handing Krisa a small thing of flowers. "This is for you Mr. Chester it's Johnny Walker blue. Krisa told me you like it." Matthew said as he gave Tommy the bottle.
"Thank you son." Tommy said takeing the bottle from matthew.
Krisa took the flowers and put them into one of her mothers deaf blue vases in the kitchen. She could feel her heart rate picking up as tommy and Matthew sat down at the bar talking. Krisia watchhed the two men and the she saw the look in Matthews eyes.
"So matthew. Kris tells me you're a partner in your father's law firm . Did you go to UT law school?" Tommy asked.
""Yes sir I started out as a paralegal in dad's frim and worked my way up."
"Well at leasst your didn't have it handed to you. Your father soundes like a good man."
"he is sir and I'll be sure to tell him. "
Krisa was about to ask what the two men would like for dinner. When suddenly the house phone rang. Tommy excused himself to answer it.
"So have you talk to your dad about Houston? He seems nice by the way."
"Yeah, he doesn't want to leave here. I' was in the middle ofo talking to him about it when you got here."
"Time is wasting babe."
"I know."
Matthew grabbed her arm and forced her to look at him. His grip was hard and she just knew there would be a bruise there tommrrow. Pulling away Krisa literally wanted to run he'd left a mark on her. Matthew was just about to say somoething when Tommy walked back into the kitchen and noticed something wasn't right. Makeing a note he smiled anywaay before he spoke.
"Sorry about that Boham called he needs my help with the cutting away the hemlock tommrrow. Everything okay you two?"
"Fine Daddy."
"I was telling Krisa I made dinner reservations for us all so she didn't have to cook tonight."
"thats very nice of you Matthew."
"My pleasure sir."
Then Tommy got an idea. He wanted someone else to notice the things he did about this Matthew. While the two youngesteres talk about their dinner plans. Tommy thought up a good idea.
"Matthew how long are you in town for?"
"Until Firday sir."
"How about Firday I do my famouse bbq and invite some friends overe to meet you ?"
"Sounds good to me sir."
"Good."
Dinner went off without a hitch. Matthew had gotten reservations at a local stake house for them. Krisa had beene careful all night watching both her dad and Matthew.
One thing Krisa had been greatful for was that her dad hadn't broughth up Cordell's nmee at all while they had been at dinner.
When they 'd arrived home Tommy asked Matthew if he would be staying with them. To which Matthew replied he had a hotel room close to the countrt hourse due to the seeverty of the case he was working he needed to stay close . Krisa was greatful for that as well. After wishing both Krisa aand Tommy good night. matthew leftt heaaading back to his hotel with a promise of dinner on firday night. When he had left Krisa finally spoke.
A BBQ daddy why?"
"Because Cordell , Bohman, Abby and Liam are family. An i want them to meet Matthew."
"No"
"Krisa"
"No . The walkers can never ever meet Matthew. espcially Cordell."
"Babygril is theresome reason you don'r want them to meet Matthew?"
"I just don't think it's a good idea."
"That isn't an answer Krisa."
"Daddy…"
"Krisa i know there has to be a reason you don't want Matthew to meet the walker. if this has to do with you and Cordell."
"No!"
"Then why?"
"I have to rotect him."
"Who?"
"Cordi.. Daddy I have to protect him."
"Why babygirl?"
Krisa finally broke down and told her dad about the nightmare. Tommy hugged her tight ffinally understanding why she had been so jumpy all week. Krisa nightmares tended to scare her something aweful and Tommy understood that. As her dad hugged her tight. Krisa had one thing on her mind.
I just lied to my dad but I had to. I have to protect both him and Cordell. From Matthew and his father.
