Chapter 6
Friends And Family
Nash was glad he could keep his own anticipation more under wraps than his kid. Olivia had returned his text and said she’d be out to the apple farm soon.
He and Charlie had been dressed in their winter gear and outside waiting for ten minutes already. Talk about eager.
And it wasn’t a date.
A play date for his kid. That’s all.
He kept his eye roll internal. His attraction to Olivia had been on his mind since they’d met. Even throughout the farm tour the previous day, she’d popped into his head multiple times.
He’d been examining his guilt. A decade was a long time to be alone. Well, obviously, he had Charlie, who was the cornerstone of his life, but he’d been a single adult for all that time.
Was it time to move forward? Time to open his heart a bit?
This was ridiculous, as he’d only met the woman once and he didn’t even know if she was staying in town.
But he wanted to know.
What do you think, Charlotte? How do you feel about this?
He’d talked to his wife often since she passed. Over every decision he’d had to make for Charlie. Over what to do with a fever, which apartment to choose, what foods to feed him first, which sport to encourage.
Everything.
Even while he’d been alone, he’d been able to figure out what she might have said, what she might have preferred.
But that was about his son, not himself.
Is it weird that I want your approval, Charlotte? That I need you to tell me it’s okay to feel this way?
He knew that if she’d lived, he’d have loved Charlotte for the rest of his life. He’d never have thought twice about Olivia in a romantic sense if Charlotte was still at his side.
But the attraction still felt awkward.
“They’re here, Dad. They’re here.”
The excitement in his son’s voice had him pushing away the thoughts. He had lots of time to figure things out. There was no rush. If she was leaving, there was nothing to think about.
Still, he couldn’t contain his own ripple of excitement at the sign of the rusty Ford Focus that was older than his kid.
Jolie’s truck led the way and the two vehicles parked beside the barn as he and Charlie moved that way.
Jolie grinned at him. “I found your new friends and led them here.”
“Thank you.”
Olivia smiled as she climbed out of the car, her cheeks flushed. “Hi.”
Nash’s smile was automatic, and probably as wide as his kid’s. “Hi. I’m glad you made it.”
Her skin flushed more deeply, and he realized he’d said I and not we. Correcting would only bring attention to the slip, so he ignored it.
Charlie raced around the car and waved at the toddler. “Hi, Ella Mae. It’s Charlie. Do you remember me?”
When Olivia opened the door, Ella squealed and waved her hands. “I’d say she remembers. She’s happy to see you.”
Olivia lifted the girl and held her in her arms. Charlie took her hand and squeezed it. “Hi, Ella. We’ve got lots of snow here, too. We can make another snowman if you like. Do you like dogs?”
He looked up at Olivia. “Is she okay with dogs? There are three here, although Fox doesn’t always come to meet strangers. They’re all nice dogs.”
Olivia smiled. “I don’t know that she’s been up close with a lot of dogs, but I bet she’ll like them.”
The weird phrasing had Nash on alert. Why wouldn’t she know? Obviously Ella’s father was out of the picture, but surely, she would know if he’d had a dog.
Unless his instincts were right and she was on the run from an abusive ex. Things to find out.
Not that it was any of his business, but he would keep his ears and eyes open for other signs. Especially if the man was dangerous.
He hoped he was overreacting. “Can I bring in your bag for you?”
She smiled as she carried the squirmy toddler around the car. “Thanks. I don’t want to set her down this close to the vehicles.”
Nash nodded and grabbed the baby bag Olivia had toted around with her to the diner the other day. He remembered how much stuff babies required. Diapers, bottles, food, wipes, extra clothes, creams. The bag always weighed more than the kid.
When Charlie had been born, Nash had opted for a backpack instead of a bag like this one.
He’d been used to carrying his army paraphernalia on his back.
The weight of the baby items hadn’t been nearly as heavy as the grief, or his determination to make Charlotte proud and raise Charlie to be a great human being.
Watching Charlie lead the way to the back porch of the farmhouse where they lived, he realized his kid was on the brink of being a teen. God help him.
Thankfully, Charlie was an innately good kid. He’d likely get himself into a wide variety of scrapes over the next decade, but Nash figured a lot of them would be out of a desire to help someone else. The rest would be because he was a normal kid who loved to try new things and adventures.
It was going to be a hell of a ride.
When they reached the fresh stretch of snow beyond the porch, Ella waved her arms, kicked her legs, and squealed repeatedly.
Laughing, Olivia set her down on her feet. “Down? Is that what you said? Do you want down to play in the snow?”
Ella grinned at her mama and reached down to touch the snow. Olivia was ready when she overbalanced and helped her sit on her butt.
Jolie tapped Gray’s arm and took the bag. “I’ll set this in the kitchen for you. You play with your friends.”
Nash grinned at his buddy’s sister, wondering how much she was reading into the attraction that arced between him and Olivia.
Charlie sat beside the little girl and started making her snowballs to drop. Their laughter soothed some of the rough edges away from his heart. He was such a good kid. He knew Charlotte would approve.
Nash had actively thought about his wife more since meeting Olivia than he had in years. Charlotte was always part of him, but she wasn’t always in the forefront. Time did heal wounds enough for you to breathe.
And move forward?
When Olivia squatted down to play with the two kids, he shoved aside his worries. For now, he would focus on playing with the kids and getting to know Olivia.
When Jolie reemerged from the house, she was with Ford. The two had fallen in love when they’d both arrived on the farm. From everything Nash could see, it was good for them both. Ford and Knox had worked together overseas, and Ford had moved north to help his buddy with the farm.
Like Nash himself.
After they’d built a snowman, Jolie suggested they go down to the pond to see the ducks.
Olivia’s eyes widened. “Ducks? In the winter?”
Jolie nodded. “Ford built them a nice warm coop, but they like playing outside as long as it’s not a blizzard.”
Predictably, Charlie’s eyes lit up. “The duck coop is called Duckington Palace and it’s awesome. They also have a Quack Mobile for the summer. They move it around and the duck poop fertilizes different areas of the farm every night. Do you want to see it?”
Olivia smiled. “I think Ella might like the ducks. Hang on and I’ll grab the carrier I use with her.”
She got it from her car and strapped it on like a backwards backpack. He’d used a similar one when Charlie was little.
Like his son, Ella appeared to enjoy the ride. She faced forward and waved her limbs and her smile lit up the forest.
The group walked through the orchard and Nash walked near Olivia, ready to catch her if she stumbled. Not that he thought she would, but he wanted to ensure the pair were safe and secure.
Which was normal, and not a further sign of his attraction for her.
Which was complete bullshit, but he pretended to believe it.
Olivia laughed as the duck named QuackerJack lost her flock yet again. Every time the duck turned around, she went into a minor panic thinking her friends had left her.
She flapped her wings and checked side to side. It never occurred to her that she’d turned while the flock remained where they were.
Her visible relief when she found them was charming, and she sent Charlie into fits of giggles. That had Ella joining in, although she probably didn’t see the humor in the duck’s behavior.
It didn’t matter where the joy was from, it was amazing to see and hear. The girl deserved nothing but joy and laughter for the rest of her life.
Totally unrealistic, but that didn’t stop Olivia from hoping it could be true. She’d do her best to make it happen.
Duckington Palace was a marvel. A ramp led from the ground to the door. Apparently, the coop needed to be off the ground to keep the birds safe from predators, and the slanted roof served the same purpose.
Watching ducks play in the snow and scrounge for food was fun. Kiddie ponds were filled with water that was changed out daily. Some days it iced over.
It made Olivia wonder about adding an avian race to her fantasy world of Norissamin. They could be a clueless species that unwittingly interfered with the battles. Or a superior race that didn’t waste time with the lesser sentient beings.
She’d have to let that simmer in her head for the next book. Book Four was almost complete and needed to be sent to her editor in a few weeks. Book Three would be on shelves in time for the Christmas rush. Her editor, Rika Yoshito said preorders were the highest they’d ever been.
Which meant finding a part-time job wasn’t an immediate necessity, but padding the bank account was never a bad idea.
Olivia had been able to write a few good chapters while Ella had slept at the B&B. The girl loved her toddler bed, and that made Olivia’s life easier. When they settled down somewhere, she’d have to set one up for her.
Could she settle somewhere here in Phail or near the apple farm? The people were amazing, and she felt safe.
Not only because of Nash, although he would be a big factor in her decision. The man was compelling. He was a terrific dad and a good man.
Her body was attuned to his. She reacted every time he looked her way. Even when those looks were normal conversational interactions.
A few times, she was sure she saw returning interest from him, but he was always quick to blank his face. She knew enough about him to know there was no woman in his life. And it didn’t sound as if there’d been a recent breakup. She was pretty sure Charlie would have spilled that much.
He was such a fun kid. She hoped she’d be half the parent to Ella that Nash was to his son.
When the lead duck turned to move closer to Ella, who sat giggling on the ground, the Australian shepherd leapt into action. Hemsworth gently herded the ducks to an area a bit further away.
Olivia patted his head. “Thanks Hemsworth. Good job.”
Then Ella yawned wide enough to have Charlie laughing. “I think she’s tired, Olivia.”
When the little girl started to tumble to the side, Charlie stopped her. “You can’t nap here, silly. We can head back to the farmhouse if you want. You can nap on my bed.”
Her heart warmed at his words. “Thanks, Charlie. I’m not sure if she’ll want to be alone but we’ll see.”
Charlie nodded. “I can hang out with her. I’ve got lots of books, so I won’t be loud.”
Yep. Amazing kid. Which said a ton about his dad. And mother?
Stifling her curiosity, Olivia picked up Ella. Nash was there in an instant. “Why don’t I carry her back for you? Give you a bit of a break?”
Wow. No one else had held Ella since her parents had been killed. Just Olivia.
Was she ready to share her? She knew he’d keep her safe. There was no way this was some elaborate plan concocted by Adam to steal the girl.
Some of her thoughts must have shown in her face because Nash smiled softly. “It’s okay. I didn’t mean to be pushy.”
She smiled. “You’re not being pushy. I’m just used to doing things on my own. Let’s see how she reacts to you.”
Nash held out his hands. “Hi, Ella. Would you like to come with me? We’ll keep close to your mama.”
Ella didn’t hesitate. She leaned forward into his hands with a smile.
Olivia’s heart lurched and the flash of jealousy surprised her. She’d been Ella’s whole world for months now.
But that wasn’t healthy for a toddler. She needed to learn to trust others and wouldn’t do that if Olivia didn’t.
Trusting Nash with her precious girl was easy. And hard. This was a new stage for them both.
Jolie and Ford left with Hemsworth to work on some projects in his barn, which was further to the north on the property. She and the others only had to follow their steps through the orchard to find their way back to the farmhouse.
The trees seemed to stretch forever in all directions.“This place is huge.”
Nash nodded. “Sure is. They took Charlie and me on a tour yesterday. There are barns, cabins, and sheds, but you can also feel like you’re in the middle of the wilderness when you can’t see any of them.”
Olivia watched Ella Mae snuggle into Nash’s chest with another yawn. He wasn’t using the carrier as he’d said she’d nap better in his arms.
Olivia believed it. She was pretty sure it would be the same for her.
Charlie helped keep the conversation easy and her thoughts away from being snuggled in Nash’s arms as they walked.
Charlie pointed to the side. “We think we’ll use the cabin back there for our cider-making center.”
Nash nodded. “It looks like it’ll be perfect. It’s got plumbing and electricity. We should be able to experiment with small batches to find out our favorite recipes.”
“That sounds fun.”
Charlie grinned. “It does. Why don’t you help us? It’s going to be a lot of work for two.”
An image of working side by side on a project with Nash filled her with excitement. “That sounds wonderful, but I thought it was a family business.”
Charlie laughed. “It could be a family and friends’ business.
Dad always says that good friends are family too.
He says the people he worked with in the army became another kind of family for him.
And that’s how we ended up here in Vermont.
To help his other family build their business. You could be part of our family.”
The innocent words of the boy had Olivia’s feet stumbling. She righted herself as Nash’s arm reached out for her even as his other kept Ella safe and secure.
Olivia’s eyes caught Nash’s and for a moment she was sure she saw the need she felt echoed in his.
Need for a family.
For love.
For a place to belong.
Was Charlie right? Could she find all of that here?
She wanted to try.