Chapter 16 #2
She scooped up her girl and enjoyed the way she snuggled immediately into a hug.
Marcus rose with a smile. “Looks like Ella Mae would like a change of scenery. Why don’t you let me make my calls and see what I can find?
No news is probably good news in this case, but I’ll feel better once I know more about Parsons and his current location.
Once I have a mug shot of him, I’ll text you to ensure we’ve got the right man. ”
“Thank you.”
Her eye finally caught on the wanted posters behind his desk.
“I was so worked up about Adam that I didn’t even notice those before.
” There were six wanted posters, one featuring Marcus.
She also recognized Troy and Garrett. Another cartoon drawing held six men dressed in their military gear, looking strong and ready to take on any troublemakers. Just like Nash.
Marcus grinned. “My wife, Elina drew those. She’s amazing. We’ll have to have dinner at the Saloon one night.”
Nash nodded. “And you’ll all need to come out to the farm one day. We’ll let you help us decide on the cider flavors we’re creating.”
Marcus grinned. “Sounds like fun. Did you know Epic talked everyone on our team into creating a brewery here in Phail? We’ve all got a beer named after us.”
They chatted for a few more minutes before saying their goodbyes. On the sidewalk, Nash pulled Olivia and Ella into the safety of his arms and held them.
Olivia reveled in the warmth of the touch and its promise. She hoped Nash was falling in love with her because she was already a goner.
Nash enjoyed the feel of his girls in his arms. His. He wanted it more each day.
He kissed Olivia’s cheek. “I’d like to check in with Charlie, then we can head to the No Fail Diner. We can swap out the compost pails and grab some lunch before we head back.
Olivia nodded but didn’t pull back from the hug right away. He kissed her again, this time on the lips. “You doing okay?”
Finally, she pulled back. “I am. I was just thinking how incredibly lucky I am. Finding you and Charlie in the park of this quirky town was the best day of my life.”
He grinned. “One of my best days, too. Looking to have many more of those with you both.”
Her lips trembled, then broke into a wide smile. “Me too.”
He leaned down to capture that smile. Anticipation and need coursed through him, especially when he felt her entire body tremble this time.
His voice had dropped about an octave when he whispered in her ear. “I’d like to do that in a place with a lot more privacy. I want to taste every inch of you and see how glorious you are when you shatter into a million pieces.”
Her breath caught in a gasp and her cheeks flushed deeply. Her eyes sparkled and that smile widened. “That sounds wonderful.”
“Olivia. Ella Mae. How are two of our favorite ladies?”
Nash huffed out a breath and forced his body and mind under control. Two middle-aged men walked up with big smiles. Nash figured they knew exactly what kind of conversation they’d interrupted.
Ella clapped her hands and grinned at the two men. Then she patted Olivia’s face. “Mama.”
The shorter man clapped his hands. “Good job, Ella. That’s your marvelous mama. You’re growing up.”
Olivia laughed. “It’s only been a few weeks. Do you know Nash?”
When all three men shook their heads, Olivia smiled. “Nash, meet Jim and Carl. They run the beautiful B&B where Ella and I first stayed here in Phail.”
Nash shook their hands. He didn’t pick up a single sign that they were anything other than friendly. Well, nosy, they were unquestionably nosy.
Jim smiled. “We’ve heard all kinds of good things about you, Nash. And your boy, too. Is Charlie in town with you today?”
Small towns were something else. Nash shook his head. “He’s back at the apple farm working on making a rink.”
Carl interrupted his game of Peekaboo with Ella to smile at him. “Everyone at the farm is glad you joined them. All of you. We’re heading to the No Fail Diner for lunch. We’d love you to join us so we can catch up with Olivia and Ella.”
Yep. Nosy.
Soon enough, they were ensconced in a booth with Ella on a booster seat between him and Olivia.
She was against the wall, and Nash sat where he could keep an eye on the door.
It was a habit, and not one he would drop until he knew more about Adam Parsons, and if the man was searching for Ella or Olivia.
Was it possible his obsession with Mary could morph into one for Olivia?
It didn’t sound the man had his act together, so it was a possibility.
Nash lay his hand along the back of the booth and toyed with Olivia’s hair. He was sure neither of the men missed the move, and by the smiles, he was sure they approved. These two had become important to Olivia and Ella in only a few days, so he was glad.
He caught Olivia’s eye and raised his brows.
In his opinion, the more trusted people who knew about Parsons, the better.
It would provide another barrier to keep her safe.
If he found out she was in the area, it was likely he would stop in Phail to find more information.
Marcus had suggested informing Troy and the rest of his team, along with the people at Midnight Lake.
With Carl and Jim gossiping with their eye on people they cared about, adding them to the loop was smart. But it was her call.
She rolled her lips together and her eyes showed her concerns. “I don’t want to put anyone in danger.”
The men heard her whispered words, and they exchanged a glance then leaned in. Carl spoke softly. “We keep secrets, Olivia. If there’s something wrong, we want to help. You know we’ll do anything to help you and Ella Mae, right?”
Olivia worried that lip for another moment before she nodded. “You already guessed some of it from when we were in your B&B. It’s a complicated story, but the gist of it is there’s a man from my past who may want to take or hurt Ella Mae.”
Nash couldn’t let it sit at that. “Or you. We don’t know enough yet.”
Jim frowned. “Were you in the Phail Jail to tell Marcus?”
Olivia nodded. “It’s safer for everyone if I don’t tell you much, but if this man is as obsessed as he was with…”
She broke off and closed her eyes. Nash ran his fingers over her shoulder and brought the men’s attention to him. “He has a history of obsessive, violent behavior. We’re worried that he may have fixated on Ella and possibly Olivia.”
“Mama. Na.”
Ella’s words had them all smiling, and Jim reached across the table to pat her hands. “Good girl, Ella. Your mama and Nash are going to take good care of you.”
Carl nodded, his face serious. “We’ll help.
We don’t need to know the details, but knowing the name and face of the man would help.
We can keep our eyes and ears open. We know pretty much everything that goes on in this town.
And we’re the only place to stay. If he rents a room, we’ll call Marcus first and you second. ”
Olivia smiled. “Thank you. His name is Adam Parsons. I don’t have a photo but he won’t look like he fits in. He’s a bodybuilder type with a perpetual scowl.”
Her phone beeped, and she pulled it out to find that Marcus had sent her Adam’s mug shot.
Seeing the belligerent scowl had her heart racing.
The tattoo of a dagger below his left ear was new, but the evil emanating off him was the same.
“Marcus works quickly. He’s sent me Adam’s mug shot. This is him.”
She showed Nash first and then the others. Nash’s hand squeezed her shoulder, offering comfort. She texted Marcus to acknowledge he had the right man and then put the photo away, even seeing him made her queasy.
Jim sipped at the tea Ginny had brought to the table.
“With that attitude, he’s going to stand out if he comes to Phail.
Letting Troy and Ginny in on who to look out for would be smart as well.
Branna, too. None of them will pry for details, but they always have their eyes on the town.
If he stops in Phail, someone will know about it. ”
Olivia’s hand smoothed over Ella’s hair as she played with the sippy cup Ginny had given her. “Thanks. I’m so glad I stopped in Phail Way Park that day. I’ve never had so many people I could trust before. You’re all amazing.”
Nash wished he could hug her, but with Ella between them, he would wait. Instead he tugged on her hair until she glanced his way. “I’m very glad you stopped that day too.”
Carl’s eyes twinkled. “So are we. Probably not in the same way that Nash is happy, but we’re thrilled and proud to be part of your group, Olivia. Now, let’s try some tamales, and you can fill us in on the happenings out at the farm.”
Nash felt Olivia relax. Jim and Carl were exactly the type of people who would remind her of the good in the world. The men might be middle-aged, but they sparkled with fun, just like Charlie.
Yep, he was very, very glad Olivia had stopped in Phail that day. His entire world had changed for the better, and he was ready to make it better yet.
He just needed to find a way to have her alone long enough for them to deal with the heat steaming between them.
They were going to need a long time.