Chapter 3
Home And Away
Olivia felt overwhelmed by pretty much everything. The town was warm and welcoming. Ginny felt like a friend after one meal in her diner. Charlie was officially one of her favorite people, and she was pretty sure Ella Mae was already in love with the boy.
Then there was Nash Cooper, also known as Alice. She wanted to know more about the man. Why Alice? Why just the two of them? Was there a wife or girlfriend in the picture, and they just hadn’t mentioned her yet?
Although she figured Charlie probably would have by now. The boy was a happy chatterbox, ready to make friends and make the world a better place. He was a great kid.
Which said so much about his dad. She hoped she would be even half as good a mom to Ella. The girl deserved the world, and Olivia was going to work her butt off to see that she got it.
When they finished off the taco platter, she was full in many ways. The contentment she felt sitting in this diner with people who had been strangers only hours before surprised her.
When was the last time she felt content? Had she ever? Her foster care homes had been mostly safe, some had even been good. But she’d never reached contentment anywhere but with her laptop creating her stories.
There had always been an element of danger, a worry about what would happen next. The group home where she’d met Mary Mae and Liam was probably the closest place to peaceful she’d ever lived as a child.
But there had still been the worry. When the three of them had turned eighteen they’d shared a tiny apartment. She’d thought Mary Mae and Liam might have preferred to be on their own, but they’d laughed her off. The three amigos weren’t going to be split up.
Those had been her happiest years despite the countless meals of ramen and nights on the lumpy couch.
Maybe now she could have more. Maybe she could choose to stay in Phail and explore the town. Find out if it was safe enough to stay for good, or even for a while.
Her bank account could afford a few nights in a B&B. Then she’d have a better feel for the town.
Ella Mae picked up a piece of broccoli from the plate of steamed veggies Manuel had made for her and held it up in triumph. With a happy squeal she shoved it in her mouth and laughed.
Olivia grinned and used the napkin to wipe her chin. “Manners, my precious Ella Mae. One of these days you’ll get some.”
Charlie laughed. “She’s too little to worry about manners. She sure loves broccoli.”
Olivia smiled. “She does. Actually, she pretty much loves everything so far. Except carrots. Not a fan of carrots.”
Nash chuckled, making her skin react again. “Sounds familiar.”
Charlie frowned. “I like carrots.”
Nash nodded. “Now, you do. Not at that age though. You’d toss them off your highchair and send me death glares.”
“Really?”
“Oh, yeah. Before you became a bottomless pit, you were picky.”
“I don’t remember.”
“You were little.”
“I hope Ella Mae remembers me.” Then he turned those big pleading eyes to Olivia. “Will you stay in Phail for a bit? Try out the B&B and visit the farm one day? Tomorrow?”
Her heart lurched. Other than Mary Mae and Liam, had anyone ever wanted her to stay?
She found herself nodding. “I’ll check out the B&B and see if they have a room for a few days.”
Charlie raised his arms in victory and kept them up until Ella copied his movements. Laughing, he turned to his dad. “Give Olivia your phone number, Dad. I never remember to charge my phone.”
So, he wasn’t a kid who was stuck to social media.
Nash rolled his eyes. “Unless there’s a dragon on your e-reader.”
Olivia’s heart clutched at the words. Charlie was a fantasy reader, the age of her target demographic.
She wanted to ask if he’d read any of her books, but didn’t.
She didn’t want to connect her identities together.
Livie Sanchez, her pen name, was all about dragons and brucans.
Olivia Gonzalez was all about Ella Mae. Carmen Hall, her birth name, wasn’t about anything anymore.
For safety, she would stay hidden forever. She was Olivia for now and for always.
Olivia lowered her gaze to the baby bag she carried as she searched for her phone.
Nash handed her his. “I’ve unlocked mine and plugged in your name. Just add your number and then I’ll have you.”
A shiver of desire ran through her at his innocent words. She’d love to be had by a man like Nash. Kind. Great dad. Sexy as hell.
But that wasn’t what he meant.
It didn’t mean she couldn’t have a little fantasy in her life. Not like the fantasy adventures she wrote for middle schoolers and young adults. This fantasy would be all about romance.
And remain very, very private.
When she returned the phone, their fingers brushed and caused more shivers. More desire. She was officially ridiculous.
When she felt her phone buzz, she had to contain another shiver. She had his number now, too. Not only was he a sexy man, but he was also the only person in her contacts aside from her lawyer and a police officer back in New York.
Nash smiled softly. “We’ll probably spend tomorrow getting settled at the farm, but we’ll text you in a day or two to see if you want to visit.”
She definitely wanted to visit.
Nash ordered a box of cinnamon buns to take to the farm, and Olivia grabbed a single bun to go. The diner was closing for the day and she wasn’t sure what else was available in town to eat.
When Olivia pulled out her wallet to pay her share, Nash put his hand on hers. Warm, strong.
Yep, she was weaving fantasies.
“I’ve got it. We invited you, and it’s to thank you for making our first time playing in the snow so much fun.”
She protested, but he’d already given Ginny his card.
“I’ll get the next one.” Which was incredibly forward of her. Instead of looking surprised, Nash’s eyes warmed as he nodded. “I’d like that.”
Maybe she wasn’t alone in fantasy land.
After getting directions from Ginny, they headed back to their cars. She buckled Ella Mae into her seat. The girl pouted, but before she could wail about being trapped again, her eyelids dropped, and she was asleep. Play time and food had worn her out.
Charlie promised they would text her, and then they climbed into their vehicles. Nash gestured for her to exit first.
Instead of turning in the direction of the farm, he followed her the few blocks until she found the B&B. He idled at the curb while she unbuckled Ella Mae, grabbed the baby bag, and climbed to the front porch to ring the bell.
When a man opened the door smiling, Nash tooted his horn and drove away.
He was the kind of man who deserved to have fantasies woven around him.
“Hello, I’m Jim. Welcome to the Phail B&B. Come on inside.”
It didn’t even take a full second for her instincts to tell her this was another good man. He had warm eyes, a direct manner, and there wasn’t a creepy vibe in sight.
The Victorian house exuded warmth and welcome. From the antique desk where he moved to use the laptop to the open living room, she could spy with a welcoming fire and even a grand piano among the comfy couches. “You have a beautiful home.”
She knew the yearning she felt probably showed in her voice, but she couldn’t stop it. This place was a dream. And the room was probably out of her usual budget. But she didn’t want to get in her car and try elsewhere.
“Thank you. My husband Carl and I love it. Sorry about the boxes that are literally everywhere, but it’s time to decorate for Christmas. We may go a little overboard.”
Now she noticed the boxes stacked neatly behind the desk and along the walls in the living room. “I don’t think you can ever go overboard with Christmas.”
Jim chuckled. “I agree. We all need reminders to find joy, and that’s what Christmas is all about. Are you looking to book a room for you and the sweetheart snoozing on your shoulder?”
Olivia pulled her gaze back to him. “I am. Do you have any available?”
“Sure do. We’ll be busier closer to Christmas, but we have a few rooms now, including one with an antique toddler bed that might suit you. Or does your sweetie need a crib? We have a portable one we can set up.”
Olivia had to blink away the sudden rush of tears. This man was going to bring her to her knees with his kindness. She needed to sleep.
“The toddler bed would be amazing.” Ella didn’t like being trapped in a crib. She figured the girl would probably end up sleeping with Olivia, but it would be nice to give her the option.
The price was far lower than she’d expected, and she booked in for three nights. Spending that much time in the same place would be a luxury. Worth the risk.
She and Ella couldn’t keep driving to a new town daily. They needed a place to settle, a place where the little girl could thrive.
So far, Phail was everything they wanted.
Another man swung through a door from the back of the lobby, carrying a tray filled with mugs, a sippy cup, and a plate of cookies.
More tears filled her eyes. She blinked them away as the man approached and reached up to kiss Jim before turning his smile on her. “Welcome to our B&B. I was making us a cup of cocoa, and I thought you’d like some as well.”
Jim snagged a cookie off the tray and bit into it with a happy sigh. “Gingerbread. Delicious. I like this recipe best so far.”
Carl grinned. “Me too. It might be the winner. I hope you’ll help us out with our taste testing.”
Olivia nodded and even laughed as the couple bundled her up the stairs and into a room that was as warm as their personalities.
Jim took her keys to grab her suitcase from Rust Bucket, while Carl set the cups and plate on a desk in the corner of the room.
When Ella Mae woke, she gave the man a drooly grin. He waved at her. “Hello, Cutie. I hope you and your mama enjoy your time in Phail.”
Ella clapped her hands, and Carl laughed. “Sounds like we have a vote for staying in Phail. I hope you consider it.”