Chapter 13
In the end, it took three days for the flu to run its course. The day after Simona had gotten sick, Olivia had spent the day in bed herself.
It had been so sweet of Todd to drop off some soup for her, though she’d left it untouched since just the smell of it caused her to rush to the bathroom.
While she’d soaked in a hot shower, Todd had entertained Simona, who was feeling much better. It warmed her heart to hear her daughter in the next room, giggling at something Todd had said or at the movie they were watching.
Todd had even helped her get Simona to bed and then stuck around and lay on the sofa with her watching a movie until she fell asleep. She hadn’t heard him leave but felt him carry her to her bed and kiss her goodnight.
She’d wanted to pull him down, to snuggle up against his warm chest, but he must have known that when her daughter woke in the morning, there would be too many questions. Questions she wasn’t prepared to answer at this time.
What she needed was to have a chat with Kayla and find out just how she’d let CJ know she was dating Rowan. There were no manuals or books on how to explain to your young child that you were sleeping with a man and why.
The following day, she and Simona spent the entire time lying around the house, playing board games or watching her daughter’s favorite movies. By the end of the day, she was feeling back to her normal self and decided she needed to do something to thank Todd for helping her out.
One of her favorite pastimes was baking, so, with Simona’s help, she baked a large tray of brownies, the gooey triple-chocolate kind with fudge frosting and chocolate chunks and nuts all throughout.
Then she became concerned that he might have a nut allergy, and she baked a second tray.
She and Simona could enjoy whichever one he didn’t eat.
The following day, after dropping Simona off at day care, she drove out to the point and knocked on his door.
She noticed instantly that the dark SUV was no longer parked across from his place and wondered if that was a sign that he’d found out that the message had been from Brock. She was determined not to ask him the moment he opened the door.
She didn’t have to worry about that because, when he opened the door, she was distracted by the fact that he looked as green as the robe he was wearing.
“Oh no,” she groaned and pushed her way into his place to feel his forehead and see if he had a fever.
“Why didn’t you call me and tell me it hit you too?
” She set the tray of brownies on his countertop and then gasped at the destruction around his place.
“You’re living here? With the place like this? ”
He groaned and, instead of answering, rushed from the room. She heard him close the bathroom door and sighed. She wanted to be there for him, like he’d been there for her, so she pulled out her phone and sent a text to Kayla.
“Is it okay if Simona spends the night with you? Todd’s sick and I’d like to repay him for taking such good care of us when we were down.”
The response was almost immediate.
“Sure, we can swing by your place and pack her some clothes after lunch.”
“Thanks. I owe you one.”
“Rowan and I are wanting a night away. I’ll hit you up.”
“Any time.” She tucked her phone back in her pocket. There was a large pile of dishes in his sink, so she got to work.
He hadn’t been joking—his house was a disaster at the moment. What seemed like every piece of furniture he owned was sitting in the living room and dining room.
He’d started building the wall she’d helped him come up with but hadn’t gotten far.
There were two-by-fours sitting in the area and some already in place, laid out where the wall would be.
He had a roll of electric wire sitting with his tools along with other items he’d need to close in the section to build a mudroom and pantry.
By the time he stepped out of the bathroom, she’d cleaned his entire kitchen and had the brownies put away, since she remembered how she’d felt about any food being around her when she’d been sick.
“How are you feeling?” she asked.
He groaned and she motioned to the spot she’d cleared on his sofa.
“Rest. I’ve arranged for Simona to stay at Kayla’s for the night.” She nudged him down onto the sofa and, after putting his feet up, covered him with a blanket. “You weren’t kidding when you said your place is a disaster.”
He sighed. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be.” She sat gently next to him and looked at him. “Your color is a little better than it was when you opened the door.”
“I had to go down the stairs to answer the door,” he said, closing his eyes.
“I’m sorry. I should have called or texted before I came over.” She glanced around and noticed that his television was sitting on the floor, unplugged. “Have any good books I can read you?” she asked.
He motioned to a stack of boxes.
“Which box?” she asked, moving over to them.
“All of them. I’m planning on building some bookcases. Just haven’t figured out where yet.”
She glanced around and thought about it. “Well, if you’re not going to need the bedroom down here, I’d turn it into a library or reading room,” she suggested.
When he didn’t answer her, she glanced over and saw that he’d fallen asleep.
Smiling, she walked into the other room and noticed just how large the downstairs bedroom was.
It faced the front of the home yet still had an amazing view of the water across the yard.
He’d emptied the bedroom of all furniture and pulled up the old carpet that had been in there.
She could just imagine two large built-in bookshelves on either side of the wide picture windows and a comfortable chair to read in sitting in front of the window.
After checking on Todd, she strolled around the rest of the house, seeing what work he’d done since the last time she’d been there.
The entire second floor looked a lot like the bedroom had. All the carpet was missing and there was no furniture left anywhere. The two bathrooms on that floor were untouched and, as she’d noticed the first time she’d walked through there, in serious need of updating.
Since he’d told her that he’d moved up to the top floor, she avoided that area for now. She didn’t want him to feel like she’d snooped around his personal space.
Heading back downstairs, she rummaged through his kitchen and found the ingredients for some homemade turkey soup. It had been a while since she’d made her grandmother’s noodles, but Todd was happily snoring on the sofa, and she figured that when he woke up, he’d be ready for something to eat.
By the time Todd woke, the soup was done. She had even found a loaf of bread in the freezer and had it in the oven, making the house smell wonderful.
“I thought I dreamed that you were here,” Todd said, sitting up and rubbing his hands over his face.
“How are you feeling?” she asked, handing him a glass of water. When he groaned, she said, “You need hydration.”
He took the glass and sipped. “Something smells…” He frowned. “Wonderful.”
“Bread and homemade turkey soup.” She motioned to the kitchen. “You should be over the worst of it, since you slept for two hours.”
“My stomach isn’t revolting at the smell of food.” He glanced down at the sweats he was wearing. “I’d like a shower first.”
“You have time. Do you think you can make it upstairs by yourself?”
He smiled. “Are you asking if I want you to shower with me? Because the answer would be…” He rolled his eyes. “The answer is yes, but I’m afraid I’d need some food first for some strength to do anything other than let you wash my back.”
She chuckled. “Go, shower. The food will be here when you’re clean.”
“And you?” he asked, before getting off the sofa.
“I have the whole night to watch over you,” she answered with a smile. “Simona’s at Kayla’s for the night so I can nurse you back to health, seeing as I’m the one who got you sick.”
He smiled and that sexy dimple near the corner of his mouth flashed. Even though he had at least a day’s worth of stubble on his chin, she could still make it out perfectly.
She busied herself by clearing off the kitchen table and setting out bowls and plates for them while he showered. She took some butter out of the fridge, added a touch of seasoning, and set it on the table.
It was a little earlier than she usually ate, but smelling the soup and bread, she knew she’d enjoy the early dinner.
When he came back downstairs dressed in clean worn jeans and a black T-shirt with his hair still damp from the shower, she figured that he was over the worse of it.
“Hungry?” she asked as she motioned for him to sit at the table.
“Starved,” he said, sitting down. “It smells wonderful.”
“Thanks.” She set a bowl down in front of him and then went back to get the bread out of the oven where it had been warming.
“Did you make these noodles?” he asked over his shoulder. “They look homemade.”
“Yes.” She smiled and grabbed a bowl for herself and sat across from him. “It was my grandmother’s recipe.” She took a bite and smiled as he broke off a chunk of the bread and slathered it with butter.
“What’s this in the butter?” he asked before taking a bite.
“Parsley, tarragon, and chervil. Along with rosemary leaves.” She applied some to her own piece of bread.
“Where did you get all that? I know for a fact that I don’t have any spices in my kitchen.” He took another bite. “God, it’s so good.”
“You have them all growing just outside your door.” She motioned to the side doorway. “There’s a nice herb garden out there.”
He frowned. “You mean the weeds I haven’t gotten around to pulling yet?”
“Don’t you dare pull them.” She shook her head and laughed. “I’m super jealous of your little garden. I’ve been trying to grow one myself, but the side of the house where I have space doesn’t get enough sunlight. So, I have to settle for a smaller one inside my kitchen window.”
“Okay.” He nodded. “I won’t tear them out. Just as long as you show me what I have and how to use them.”
She laughed and agreed. After the early dinner, they headed out to the back patio to get some fresh air. They watched the water as they talked for a while. When she noticed Todd’s head rolling back and his eyes grow tired again, she knew that he’d spent his energy.
“I can hook up your television so we can watch a movie?” she suggested.
He sighed. “I’m afraid I’m just not back to my normal self,” he admitted as they walked inside. “The home cooking and fresh air has made me tired again.”
He sat on the edge of the sofa and watched her hook up his television and the cable box.
“I have plans to hang that in the corner.” He motioned to the spot.
She’d been dying to ask him about Ethan and Javan. To find out what he’d learned about the text messages. She figured if she didn’t ask now, he would be asleep in a few moments.
“Did Ethan and Javan head out?” she asked, glancing over her shoulder.
“Oh, yeah, I meant to tell you. They confirmed that the text message was from the same burner phone that you received your messages from.” He leaned back on the sofa and took a deep breath. “Sounds like your ex doesn’t like you talking to me.” He glanced over her.
She felt her heart skip. She’d been so concerned about what he’d think about a single mother, she hadn’t stopped to imagine the issues Brock would bring to any future relationship she’d have.
Would he break it off with her because of Brock and the threats he’d made?
She hadn’t realized she’d frozen in place, her entire body tense, as if waiting for something bad to happen. As if waiting for him to turn her away.
“Come here.” He patted the cushion beside him.
As if hearing his voice had freed her from her fears, she moved over and sat next to him. He took her hands in his and then pulled her into a light hug.
“I can see your fear in your eyes,” he said softly. “If anything, his threat, if you can call it that, makes me want to get closer to you and Simona so I can protect you both.”
She relaxed and wrapped her arms around his middle. “I’m sorry he’s dragged you into this.”
“This?” he asked, leaning back and looking down at her.
“If by that you mean this”—he brushed his lips across hers and she relaxed even more— “then there’s no need to apologize.
I walked willingly into… this. I’m here because I want to be here.
I want you to be here. I want Simona to be part of my life, regardless. ”
She smiled. “She asked me if she could skip going over to Kayla’s today and come over here to see you instead.”
“I’m glad you’re here.” He pulled her back against his chest and, even though she knew he was recovering from being sick, she absolutely loved the feel of him against her.
“Olivia.” Her name was a soft whisper against her ear.
“How are you feeling?” she asked, running her lips over his jaw. He’d showered but hadn’t shaved, and she was finding the soft stubble sexy.
Todd leaned back and cupped her face, then placed his lips over hers. The kiss was softer, slower, than when he’d kissed her before. Almost as if they had all the time in the world to enjoy one another.
He surprised her by standing up and lifting her into his arms.
“Todd, you’re not—”
“Shh, I’m fine and you weigh next to nothing.” He kissed her again and then walked towards the stairs.
By the second landing, she could tell he was a little breathless.
She smiled. “Put me down now before you fall over.”
“Damn.” He sighed and set her on the ground. “So much for the grand romantic gesture.”
She chuckled. “Next time.”
He took her hand and continued walking up the next set of stairs. She noticed instantly that he’d made the space his by moving the large bed that had been in the downstairs room up there. It sat opposite the wall of the windows so one could simply lie in bed and see the water.
There was a large gray chair in the corner of the room and what appeared to be new distressed gray nightstands and a matching dresser.
“I like what you’ve done with the room,” she said as he pulled her into his arms. He kissed her again while his hands moved over her body, removing her clothing slowly, as if it was a dance.
She couldn’t remember ever being as moved or treated as delicately as Todd was treating her now.
She didn’t know what she was going to do when this was over.
How she was ever going to return to her normal life once he tired of her.
And she knew, deep down in her gut, that he was going to tire of her.
After all, everyone she’d ever loved had discarded her after a while.