Chapter 36 Karl
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Karl
Coyote Glen's already buzzing with that winter buzz. Lights twinkling, the air biting, and a dusting of snow made everything look like a scene from a movie.
Christmas is truly on its way, and the Winter Solstice Lantern Walk isn’t far behind. The whole town’s in on it. It’s an evening where everyone’s got their holiday spirit cranked to eleven, and I’m here for it.
A smile crosses my face when I think about how Olivia will enjoy it. She’s not done this before, I’m sure, and I bet she’ll enjoy it.
I think I’ll ask her to walk with me.
As I stroll down Main Street, the snowflakes fall thick and fast, the quiet of the night only broken by the distant hum of Christmas music playing from the town hall speakers.
The windows of the shops are decked out in lights and tinsel, and the scent of cinnamon rolls wafts from Rosie’s Bakery.
“Oh, please, Arlo,” Lani calls out from the Coyote Cup, tossing her hair back as if she’s just won some decorating championship. “You finally put up a few lanterns for the walk? Wow. Really pushing the envelope this year. What’s next? A three-foot tree in the window?”
Arlo doesn’t even flinch, deadpan as usual. “Just enough to keep the scrooges out. The rest of us don’t need to be blinded by a tacky explosion of glitter and tinsel every time we walk by.”
It’s funny because the bar truly looks like Christmas personified. I roll my eyes as I feel a tap on my shoulder.
“Karl, how are you?”
The smile on Dottie’s face makes me a little nervous. She knows everything about everyone, most of the time, and I hate to be on the receiving end of that.
She’s sweet, sure, but she’s also got the kind of insight that makes you wonder if she’s got a direct line to the universe’s gossip network.
“I’m good, Dottie,” I say, flashing her a smile, though I know it’s a bit half assed. “Just taking in the festivities. Can’t help but appreciate the town’s holiday spirit this year.”
Dottie raises an eyebrow, lips curling into that infuriatingly knowing smile. “Oh, I’m sure you’re taking in all the holiday spirit,” she says, her tone dripping with something that makes me squirm.
“Have you seen Olivia around yet? I’m sure she’s enjoying all the lights and lanterns… Maybe she’ll walk the Lantern Walk with you…”
I feel the heat rise to my cheeks, even if I try to hide it behind a casual shrug. “Maybe. I don’t know, we’ll see.”
“Her apartment is looking rather good now, after the fire.”
I nod again. I know Dottie has an angle with this, but I don’t know how much to give her. Everything is so up in the air now, so I figure it’s best to keep my mouth shut.
“Yeah, good. Erm…” I glance behind me. “I think I need to… get going.”
“Right of course.” Dottie beams. “See you soon, okay?”
I head back home, my mind spinning as I go. Thoughts of Olivia circle through my brain, and everything that has happened.
It’s hard to just focus on the fact that we’ve had such a good time together, and that my heart skips a damn beat every single time I even think of her, when I know she’s got so much going on.
Olivia’s life is up in the air, and that kinda leaves us in limbo as well.
As soon as I get home, I head to her room. I can hear her moving around in there, and I’m drawn to talking to her, to mentioning the Lantern Walk.
I stop outside Olivia’s room. The door’s cracked open, and through the small gap, I see her moving about. She’s packing up her stuff.
My stomach sinks.
I knock softly on the doorframe. “Olivia?”
She doesn’t look up right away, but then she does, offering me a small, tight smile. “Hey, Karl.”
I step into the room, my gaze immediately falling to the half-packed bags. Her clothes, her books, her things… all of it scattered on the bed.
“What’s all this?” I ask, trying to sound casual, but the tightness in my chest betrays me.
She sits back on the bed, folding a sweater with care.
“Jesse finished the apartment,” she says. “It’s all ready for me to move back in. To, you know, go back home, I guess.”
The words hit harder than I expected. She’s leaving. I mean, I knew she wouldn’t stay with me and Leo forever. It was always going to be temporary. At first, it was only going to be for one night.
“I got used to having you around.” I sound silly even saying it, but I can’t help myself. “It’s been nice having you here.”
She gives a slight shrug, her eyes a little distant. “I’ve loved being here, too. And you and Leo have both been so welcoming. I don’t know what I would have done without you. But if my home is livable…”
I swallow hard. “Yeah, of course.”
But then, as she glances up at me again, something catches my attention—her face.
She’s pale. Paler than usual. A ghostly, almost sickly pallor to her skin. The dark circles under her eyes look deeper than I’ve noticed before, and there’s a weariness in her expression that makes my heart twist.
“Olivia…” I step closer, concern pushing my words out. “You don’t look—”
She straightens up quickly, offering a shaky smile. “I’m fine. Just tired. It’s been a lot, you know? Between the fire, the lawsuit, everything…”
Her voice trails off, and I notice the way she rubs her arms because she’s cold.
I step closer, reaching out but hesitating before I touch her.
“You don’t look fine.” I try to keep my words soft, not wanting to press her too much.
She shakes her head, but her eyes flicker away from mine, as if avoiding the truth. “I’m just a little run down. It’s nothing.”
I don’t buy it. Not for a second.
“You don’t have to go, Olivia. If you need more time…”
I trail off, but my words hang in the air. I’m not sure if I’m offering her space or asking her to stay.
She meets my gaze for a moment, and for a split second, I think she’s about to say something, but then she pulls away again, her hands busy folding clothes.
“I’m just… I’m fine, really,” she insists, but her tone is unconvincing.
Something’s not right.
I don’t trust the way she’s acting. Every word she says, every movement she makes, it all feels off. And I’m not the type to ignore my gut feeling. I can tell she’s pushing herself too hard, but she’s determined to make everything seem fine.
Before I can think of anything else to say, she suddenly sways. Her body jerks slightly, and I watch in slow motion as she collapses.
“Olivia!”
I don’t even have time to think. I lunge forward, catching her just before her head hits the floor. Her body is limp in my arms, weightless, almost fragile.
Panic surges through me. My heart slams against my chest, and my breath catches in my throat.
“Shit…” I mutter under my breath, panic rising.
I adjust her in my arms, holding her close against me as I look around the room, unsure of what to do next.
Her skin is ice-cold, but her pulse is faint yet steady. I can feel her breath, shallow and uneven, against my neck, and it almost sends me into a frenzy.
I try to shake away the rising panic and focus on what’s happening here. I need to stay calm for her.
“Olivia, come on, wake up,” I whisper, pressing a hand gently to her cheek, but there’s no response.
She’s out cold, her breathing slow, but steady enough that I don’t completely lose it.
I need help.
I scoop her up carefully in my arms, feeling the weight of her in my embrace, and head straight out the door. My heart is racing.
The sight of her so pale, so weak, doesn’t sit right with me. She hasn’t been herself for a while, but now… now it’s more than just exhaustion.
I kick open the front door and rush to my truck, adrenaline coursing through my veins.
My thoughts are a whirlwind as I drive as fast as I can, my mind focused solely on Olivia, praying she’ll wake up and reassure me that she’s okay.
I don’t even care that it’s snowing hard, that the roads are slick.
This is Olivia. And I’ll be damned if something happens to her.