Chapter 9 #2
There were still a few weeks before Christmas, and Nash had tons of things to research and buy: skis or snowshoes, toboggans, and anything else Charlie might want for playing in the snow. Maybe a baby sled so they could pull Ella Mae along on their adventures.
“They’re here, Dad!” Charlie raced from the rink they were trying to create to meet Olivia’s car as she pulled it into the small lot they’d created in front of the barn.
Nash forced himself to a more sedate pace, but he knew his smile was as large as his son’s.
Charlie had the back door open and was unbuckling Ella under Olivia’s supervision when Nash approached. “Be careful, bud.”
Charlie grinned. “Olivia said I can lift her out and to watch I don’t bang her head.”
His pride in doing the important task radiated and Nash smiled his thanks at Olivia for allowing him the job. “Welcome. I’m glad you’re here.”
Her cheeks flushed a pretty shade when she smiled back. “Thank you. I still feel awkward, like I’m imposing.”
“Not even a little bit. You and Ella made quite the impression on everyone. We’re all thrilled you’re here.”
Her flush deepened. “That’s good to hear. Thank you.”
Charlie lifted Ella out of the car with deep concentration and grinned when he had her safely in his arms. She clapped her hands on each side of his face and babbled. Then she turned to Olivia. “Mama.”
Charlie cheered. “Good job, Ella. That’s your Mama. My dad told me you started saying it this morning.”
Olivia smiled. “She was trying to say birdie, too. Jim was helping her.”
Nash shoved down the surge of jealousy. Jim was happily married to Carl, and was no barrier to Nash developing a relationship with Olivia.
His heart stuttered a little with how much he wanted that. He was way ahead of himself. They barely knew each other. While he knew some of her background, he didn’t know enough.
He wasn’t putting any of them in an uncomfortable position by pushing for a relationship until he knew exactly how all four of them felt about the situation.
But he wanted to kiss her. Taste her. Feel her wrapped around him.
That wasn’t going to happen any time soon. But it was good to know his heart and body weren’t completely broken.
With a start, he realized he hadn’t even thought of Charlotte’s reaction this time. He was getting used to the idea of moving forward. Weird but probably normal.
Right, Charlotte?
Nash shook his head to ground himself back in the present. Charlie had put Ella down and he held her hand while he searched the area for birds.
Olivia popped the trunk of her old Ford, and Nash moved to grab her stuff. One suitcase, two duffel bags, and the baby bag in the back seat.
He knew she’d moved quickly after the deaths of her friends. Was this all she had? He and Charlie had hauled a small trailer to accommodate all their stuff.
Nash knew he had led a privileged life. He’d never worried a lot about money. He wasn’t rich, but he was comfortable. How about Olivia?
Was the lack of physical items a sign that she was a light packer? An indication that she’d had to flee quickly? Or was money an issue?
If it were the latter, staying at the farmhouse would help her out in that way as well.
The back seat also held a cooler and a few cloth bags of groceries. She’d filled up at Phail Phoods before heading here.
“Why don’t you play with Charlie and Ella? It’ll only take me a few trips to bring this inside.”
From behind him, Gray called out. “Welcome, Olivia. We’re glad you’re here. Let us help with your stuff.”
Amber and Gray joined them, and their genuine smiles and welcome appeared to help Olivia relax.
“Thank you. We’re happy to be here.”
Amber smiled. “Do you want to go in with the guys and choose a room? I can stay and help Charlie keep an eye on Ella.”
Olivia’s eyes widened and Nash wondered again at how lonely her life had been. Her eyes flickered over to the kids and her smile softened. They were now sitting in the space he and Charlie had cleared for the rink. His son was spinning around in circles, making Ella laugh.
Olivia smiled at Amber. “Thank you. That would be great. I won’t be long.”
Amber laughed. “No rush. I’m about to have some fun. Take your time.”
As they were moving, Charlie called out. “Olivia, get Dad to show you the pink room. I think Ella Mae will like it.”
She smiled. “I bet she will. Thanks.”
Gray offered to put away her groceries while Nash and Olivia took her things upstairs.
“There are eight bedrooms up here. Each one has a full bathroom. Outdated but functional and clean. And colorful.”
“Colorful bathrooms?”
Grinning, he turned into the room with the pink fixtures. Handily, it was right beside his room. “This is the one Charlie was talking about.”
Olivia looked around the room with a frown of confusion. Like all the rooms, the walls were cream, and the trim was white. He set down the suitcase and pointed. “Check it out.”
Olivia followed his direction to the bathroom and laughed with delight. “Pink fixtures? Are all the fixtures pink?”
He laughed. “Nope. This is the only pink room. The others are yellow, blue, and green. You don’t have to take this one. You can easily take another empty one. I’m right next door, and Charlie is across the hall. There are a couple of other empty ones.”
Olivia shook her head. “This is perfect. Charlie is right. Ella will love the pink. It’s her favorite color.”
Nash wondered if the sled he wanted to get Ella for Christmas had an option for a pink liner.
“You can set those bags down anywhere. I’ll unpack later.”
“There’s no rush, Amber and Charlie are with her.”
Olivia smiled wryly. “I know, but I’m so used to having her in sight.”
Nash nodded. “The first time I left Charlie with a sitter for a work shift, I think I checked in every twenty minutes. Drove my buddy nuts.”
Olivia laughed. “That’s the feeling. I’m sure she’s having fun, and I know she’s perfectly safe with the two of them.”
“But it’s still hard.”
She nodded. “It is.”
Nash gestured to the door. “Let’s head down. I bet she wants to see you, too.”
As they walked back down, Nash was able to get a better handle on the images that had been running through his head. Having Olivia’s bedroom right next to his might be what he wanted, but he wondered how much sleep he would get from now on.