Chapter 35 - Olivia
T he next day, they got up early for the farmers market. Aiden spent most of the day with Olivia, except for lunch, when he snuck away to spend time with his family. Olivia was amused to see some of her customers’ confused expressions when they saw Aiden under her stall tent. She was a little uncomfortable when old high school classmates came over to say hello. Everyone attempted casual conversations, but their faces told Olivia they were dying to ask why Aiden Wescott was hanging around Olivia Olsen’s farm stand.
Neither Aiden nor Olivia volunteered any details. They pretended it was no big deal, and it was only natural he was helping her out. She suspected Aiden enjoyed giving people something to talk about, but she was less at ease with it.
Olivia was willing to put up with the inevitable gossip to have Aiden with her. With every hour she spent being overwhelmed by his warmth and patience, not to mention his bad jokes, she became increasingly aware of her traitorous heart falling for him. He had been nothing short of amazing. He hadn’t complained once that her farm had destroyed two of his outfits or that he was standing outside on black asphalt in ninety-degree heat to spend time with her. He’d also insisted there was no way she could pay him for his labor—her presence was payment enough.
Ugh, why is he so damn charming? But her attempt at exasperation was half-hearted at best.
After the market, he’d opted to spend one more night in her bed and leave early to make his shift on time, insisting he’d gotten accustomed to not needing as much sleep during his pediatrics residency.
That night, as they lay in bed, Aiden pulled out his medical licensing exam materials to study. She’d been surprised he technically wasn’t a full-blown doctor after everything he’d endured. He’d told her some stories from his residency in Boston as they’d harvested vegetables the day before—the long hours, the intensity of the life-and-death situations. She was blown away by how crazy medical training was. Without any medical professionals in her family, she’d never been exposed to the commitment required by individuals to keep the human race healthy…or healthy-ish. He’d tried telling her that providing fresh veggies was a form of medicine—that a healthy diet was one of the most important aspects of preventative care, but Olivia had stared at him skeptically.
Lying under her cozy comforter, watching him flip through his tome of study materials in the light of his bedside lamp, she had to ask. “Why did you choose medicine? I suppose you knew what you were getting yourself into from your dad, or was it different for him being more rural? Did he work crazy hours when you were a kid? ”
“Well, he got his start in New York, but by the time he came to Gresham, he’d made the transition to family medicine, which tends to be Monday through Friday, for the most part. That said, you’re right. I did know what I was getting myself into. My dad encouraged me to pursue a different career.”
She cocked her head to the side. “Why?”
“He said he wasn’t sure I’d be happy doing it, but I think he was afraid I was blindly following in his footsteps. He was encouraging me to do something more artistic because he felt it had been an absence in his career.”
“So, why did you choose medicine?”
“Well, I think our parents have a certain degree of influence on our choices, if nothing more than through the exposure to what’s possible.”
“Hmmm, I feel seen,” she said. “Farming runs in the family.”
“That’s a good example,” he acknowledged. “And frankly, so does medicine. Obviously, you know Ellen is a physical therapist here in town, and I ended up in pediatrics despite my dad nudging me to do something other than medicine.”
“Interesting. I hadn’t thought about medical professions being something you’d inherit like you would a farm or a business, but it makes sense. Why pediatrics, though? Was it the big family thing?” she added as an afterthought.
“Kind of. When my mom had Lauren and Ethan, it was a double surprise. Not only were they not expecting to have any more babies after eight years of not getting pregnant, but they were definitely not expecting to have two babies at the same time.”
“I believe they call those twins,” she said .
He shook his head. “No way, that term is misleading. It’s two babies at the same time. Trust me.” He lifted an index finger. “By the way, did you know two babies at the same time are more common for older mothers? Anyway, I was eight when they were born, and it was kind of the perfect age to be helpful without being disinterested. So, while Ellen and Nathan were very much focused on their friends, I liked helping my mom with the babies. I went from youngest child to big brother overnight, and I liked feeling important in that way, I guess.”
Olivia listened thoughtfully, enjoying uncovering this new piece of Aiden. She smiled and nodded. “That’s neat.”
“What about you?” he countered.
“What about me?”
“Are you going to follow in your father’s footsteps and take over the farm?”
“He wants me to.”
“And?” Aiden prodded.
Olivia was nervous to answer. The closer October crept, the more her little inner voice told her she should partner with Philip on the farm, but she hadn’t technically given her dad an answer yet. She was worried telling Aiden this would scare him off.
“Well, I told my dad I’d give him a decision by October first. But if I do commit to it, it’d be in partnership with Philip.”
“Oh wow.” Aiden’s surprise was evident on his face. “I didn’t realize it was so imminent.”
“I know.” Olivia cringed. “I haven’t made a decision.”
“But?”
“But…I have some things I need to figure out before deciding. ”
She’d figuratively run away from the conversation. She couldn’t go there. Not when things between them were so fun and were bringing her so much light and joy.
Aiden set his study materials down on the bedside table next to him and turned to face her fully. He grabbed her hand and kissed her palm. “Whatever you decide, I hope you’ll still give us a chance.”
He’s not going to give up on us if I take over the farm. Olivia’s throat closed, and she fought back tears. She leaned her cheek against Aiden’s chest and listened to his steady heartbeat. It calmed her and brought her breathing back to normal.
Once she trusted herself to speak again, she pulled back to look him in the eye. “I will. Promise.”