Chapter 7
Bits And Pieces
You could be part of our family. Charlie’s words echoed in Nash’s head and his heart reeled at his son’s words. He was so quick to accept others, so willing to bring them in and make them friends.
Family.
Desire lanced through him. Desire for that family vision with the four of them. Desire for Olivia. He thought he saw an echo of that desire in Olivia’s eyes.
Hell, that look sent his mind in a hot, sweaty direction with no kids or clothes.
It took a few seconds for him to bank all those images and shove them into the back corner of his mind. Not the time for those, although he figured he’d be revisiting them later that night.
They kicked off their boots and slid on moccasins when they entered the farmhouse. On his shoulder, Ella didn’t budge as Charlie found a pair for Olivia, a pair that resembled Nash’s. Was his kid doing a bit of matchmaking?
In recent months, Charlie had started mentioning the fact that Nash didn’t date.
His son had a big heart and he wanted to know if Nash was happy, or if he’d be happier with a girlfriend.
The word sounded like high school, but Nash hadn’t laughed.
Charlie told him that most adults like being with partners and maybe Nash should get one.
It was weird having a ten-year-old as a wingman.
Charlie led the way up the stairs and along the hallway to their bedrooms. Nash was thankful that both he and his son were basically neat creatures. Cleaning up was easier if it didn’t get too bad in the first place. Having visitors in their rooms would be awkward if they were slobs.
Charlie pushed open the door to his room, then moved to smooth out the bed and put his pillow flat. Then he grabbed his teddy bear and Nash’s heart stopped.
Charlie hugged the bear before checking in with Olivia. He kept his voice low so as not to wake Ella. “Do you think this will work for her? She can use my Carino to cuddle.”
Olivia appeared to pick up on the emotion behind the bear as her eyes flashed to him and back to Charlie. “That’s very sweet of you. I left her favorite dragon in the car’s back seat.”
Charlie’s eyes widened. “Ella likes dragons, too? When she wakes up, I can show her some of mine. I love dragons. I don’t think she’d like any of the books I read, but I had some picture books with dragons. Do we still have them, Dad?”
Nash swallowed down his emotions and smiled. “We kept one box of your favorite books from when you were little. There might be some dragon books in there. They’re still in the trailer.”
Charlie grinned. “Good. When we find them, I can read some stories to her. I bet she’d like that.”
Olivia smiled. “She would. She loves when I read books with her.”
The toddler was fast asleep and didn’t budge as Nash lowered her to his son’s bed. Her little body squirmed until her butt was up in the air. She didn’t even open her eyes as she raised her fist to chew on.
Nash’s heart was filled with memories of his boy sleeping in the same trusting manner. It would be amazing to see another child grow through the steps —from walking on her own to saying words and then stringing sentences together to having opinions she figured the entire world should hear.
He’d grown way too attached to the little girl and her mama in a very short time. He didn’t think Charlie was far behind.
Proving it, his son grabbed one of his dragon books and eased onto the bed, careful not to disturb Ella. He angled himself so his back was against the headboard, and his body would keep Ella safe from falling, even if she rolled. Then he tucked his precious Carino bear beside her to cuddle.
Pride filled Nash again.
Charlie motioned them to the door. “She’s asleep. I’ll take care of her. You guys go do something. How long does she normally sleep?”
Olivia shrugged. “Anywhere from five minutes to an hour or so.”
“Okay. I’ll call if I need you.”
Nash raised an eyebrow. “Is your phone charged?”
Charlie grinned and shook his head, so Nash put his phone on the nightstand. “Text or call Olivia when Ella starts to wake up.”
Charlie nodded and opened his book, clearly dismissing the adults.
With a grin, Nash gestured for Olivia to precede him out the door. She worried her bottom lip as she looked from Charlie to Ella and then to Nash. He nodded at her, trying to convey without words that her daughter was safe.
Finally, Olivia nodded and they headed down. She looked over her shoulder several times and kept her phone in her hand.
Nash didn’t have a clue what to do now, so he led the way to the kitchen. “Coffee or tea, or something else?”
She took a deep breath. “Tea, thank you. Your son is amazing, and you’re an incredible father.”
He felt his skin flush to his hairline and was glad for his Latin heritage. Hopefully the blush wouldn’t show. “Thank you.” His voice was gruff. So smooth. Charlie would be telling him he didn’t have any game. He’d be right.
She smiled. “I haven’t left Ella with anyone before.”
He jerked and looked at her. “Not even her father?”
Her eyes widened and she bit her lip. “Not in a very long time.”
Nash felt the anger roll through him again. “Was he abusive?” Hell, he hadn’t meant to ask that. “Sorry. That’s none of my business. Ignore me.”
She hadn’t answered his question, but Nash moved to the sink to fill the kettle and put it on the stove.
When he turned back, he found Olivia twisting her hands together. “It’s a very complicated story.”
He figured that. “Still none of my business. Forget it.”
She gripped her hands and sat at the table. “I’m sorry. I’m not ready to tell the whole story yet, but I also don’t want to bring danger to your door.”
Damn. He hadn’t wanted to be right. The thought of either Olivia or Ella living with an abusive man had every protective instinct he owned firing. “You’re safe here. The people on this farm are amazing. It’s not your fault if Ella’s father is an asshole.”
Olivia’s gasp was half laugh, half something he couldn’t identify. “I could tell you the story I prepared, the one that will keep Ella safe, but you deserve more than that.”
Nash shut off the kettle and filled two mugs with tea he found in the cupboard.
He had no idea if either would drink it, but it gave him something to do.
“You don’t need to tell me anything, Olivia.
I can see you love your daughter. I can also see that you’re nervous about someone finding you.
That’s all I need to know. I’ll help keep you both safe. ”
Olivia wrapped her hands around the mug. Nash was wrong. He did deserve at least part of the truth. She couldn’t use her cover story with him. In such a short time, she’d come to care for him. Lying to him wouldn’t work.
She blew out a breath and focused on the mug. “Ella isn’t my biological daughter. Her parents were my closest friends. They were killed in a car accident, and I have legal custody of Ella. She’s my daughter now and I’ll do anything, everything, to keep her safe.”
Nash’s hand wrapped around hers as she held the mug. “I’m so sorry. I know how hard it is to lose people you care about. Ella’s lucky to have you.”
She lifted her gaze to find Nash’s filled with compassion. “Thank you. She’s my whole world.”
“Who are you afraid of?”
She sighed. “Ella’s dad was terrific, but he had an extremely jealous step-brother. He wanted Ella’s mom for himself, even though she didn’t return his feelings. He was always a bit creepy and his focus on her was uncomfortable. We moved to a different part of the city to avoid him.”
When she paused, Nash spoke softly. “You don’t have to say any more.”
She managed a small smile. “It’s okay. I know I can trust you with the information.
Ella’s parents made up wills as soon as they knew they were pregnant.
They were worried that Adam’s obsession would extend to Ella.
In the will, they gave me full custody and specifically mentioned that he was never to have access to their child. ”
“They were smart to be proactive. Most people that age don’t think about wills.”
Olivia nodded. “I’m so glad they did. He was a scary teen but an even scarier man.”
“Do you think he’s searching for Ella?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I figured it was safer not to make enquiries. Once I settle on a place to live, I’ll contact the law firm, so they know. But no one else does.”
Nash sat back. “Holy shit, Olivia. You’re an incredible woman. You left everything behind to care for a friend’s child. Ella is a lucky little girl.”
She had to blink against the onset of tears. “I hope so. We’ve been on our own for months, but she’s amazingly resilient.”
Nash watched her with those deep, dark eyes. “Charlie’s mom died in childbirth, so I know a little about raising a kid on your own.”
She gripped his hand. “I’m so sorry. That must have been incredibly difficult.”
He shrugged. “Charlie is worth it.”
“He’s a wonderful boy. He’s kind and sweet. Thoughtful, too. I only hope Ella can grow to be that kind of person.”
“She will. She’s got a great role model.”
That warmed her up.
They both sipped at the tea and let the information settle. She didn’t regret telling him. He’d seen how skittish she’d been at the park and had figured out she was worried about someone finding them.
Having him share the secret she hadn’t told anyone other than the lawyers felt good. Not as scary as bearing the burden alone. Even if she moved on, she knew Nash would never betray her confidence. He was the very best kind of man.
The door from the mudroom swung open, and Olivia tensed. Just because she’d shared the information with Nash didn’t mean Adam had found them. Still the panic skittered through her veins until Gray entered the kitchen. He grinned at them and then looked around. “You lose the munchkins, Alice?”
Nash laughed. “We sent them to play on the road out front.”
Gray grinned. “I bet you did.”
Olivia smiled. “Ella crashed and Charlie offered her his bed to nap in. He’s watching her upstairs.”
Gray’s eyes softened. “He’s a great kid. She couldn’t be in better hands.”
“I agree. Now, I need to ask why Gray called you Alice? When we were in the park, Charlie told us some people call you that.”
Nash rolled his eyes. “When I was in boot camp, one of the sergeants was a music fan. One of his favorites was a singer from the seventies. A guy named Alice Cooper.”
Olivia shook her head. “I don’t know that name. I’ve never heard of a man named Alice before. I figured it was something from Alice in Wonderland.” That made the two men grin.
Nash nodded. “Alice Cooper was a bit of a wild musician. Weird makeup and props, heavy, dark music. The sergeant was a fan, so I got stuck with Alice.”
Olivia laughed. “I’ll have to look him up one day.” She wouldn’t now because she wanted to be ready to answer her phone when Charlie texted. It didn’t sound like her kind of music, but it was connected to Nash, so she wanted to know.
Gray walked to the fridge. “Most callsigns are chosen by someone else in the army, which means they can be really strange. Because my surname is Santoro, I mostly get Santa or Claus. Knox is Annie because of the song from Annie, “It’s a Hard Knock Life.” Ford gets Dodge mostly, but sometimes Volvo or Toyota. ”
Nash nodded. “The other Malssums are Bobby and Boss Man.”
Gray grinned. “And Knox is working on getting them to move here, so I’m sure you’ll meet them one day.
Knox mostly gets his way. Now, onto the important things.
I’m putting on a pot of sauce. We’re having gnocchi and meatballs with garlic bread and roasted veggies tonight.
Are you and Ella able to stay? There’s going to be tons. ”
As the man spoke, he set a pot on the stove to boil and started cleaning potatoes. She hadn’t answered so he turned and raised an eyebrow. “Well?”
She smiled. “I’m just trying to figure out what you’re doing. You said pasta, but you’re working with potatoes.”
Gray slammed his hand dramatically on his heart. “Gnocchi isn’t pasta. No Italian heritage in your background, I guess. Watch and learn, Olivia.”
Nash got up and moved to the chair beside Olivia to watch the proceedings as well. “Gray’s an amazing cook. Not as great as his mamma was, but better than most anyone.”
Gray bowed with a grin. “My mama made sure of it. I wouldn’t want to do it full-time, but there’s something relaxing about making a true Italian meal for people who love to eat. So, can you and Ella stay?”
She nodded. “We can stay.”
And she realized she wanted that, not only for supper, but for the foreseeable future. Everything about the apple farm and the nearby town appealed—haha—to her.
Surely Adam wouldn’t think of looking in small-town Vermont for her and Ella. The name changes should keep them safe. As would the fact that she’d told no one where they were headed. Not only because she hadn’t had anyone to speak to, but she hadn’t wanted to risk anyone knowing the truth.
But she’d just shared it with Nash. He wouldn’t talk about her situation without her permission. He wouldn’t leak her location or story to others who would put them at risk.
She nodded as she watched Gray select tomatoes, garlic, and onions, and then pull herbs from pots on the windowsill.
“We can stay.” She hadn’t meant to repeat the words aloud, but Nash apparently heard her whisper.
He took her hand and squeezed it. “I’d like that.”
Her heart warmed, and she sat back to learn how to make gnocchi while she enjoyed the man at her side. She knew her daughter was safe and wanted in a room above their head.
Could she have this forever?