Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Rhett
Turning my keys in the ignition, I finally let out a deep sigh and curse under my breath. The second I saw her I knew I was in trouble. Olivia Parker is gorgeous. With her big amber eyes and her long, thick lashes, I could hardly look away. She carries the weight of the world in her eyes, and seeing that hurt only made me think of myself four years ago. Maybe she’s more than the ice-cold woman I thought she was.
I glance in my rearview mirror at Olivia following closely behind me. God, even from here I can see how plump her lips are and how kissable they must be. Her high cheekbones, with a smattering of freckles across them, and her shy smile race through my mind. I can’t get the images to stop, and it freaks me out. Where is my self-control?
As I wind down the gravel drive and find the rustic white cottage waiting in front of me, I’m pulled back into reality. I park in the driveway of my house and quickly step out of my truck, motioning to show Olivia where to park. She gives me a curt little salute and drives past me. I can’t help the smile that crosses my face. What was that? I don’t even care. It was adorable.
My smile falters as I shake my head vigorously, trying to snap myself out of whatever trance she has put me in. I can’t have these feelings. Not for Olivia, not for any woman. My situation is way too complicated, and I know better than to believe this attraction could lead to anything but hurt.
I bite my lip as I walk toward where Olivia parked her car. I open her rear door and reach in to grab her two suitcases. I can’t believe this is all she brought with her when she’s supposed to be here for three months. I guess she’s really set on not making this permanent.
“Oh, you don’t need to take those.” She reaches out to me, trying to pull the bags from my grip.
“I insist.”
She drops her hands to her sides looking defeated. “Are all cowboys this stubborn? I can do things for myself.”
A bark of laughter escapes my chest. “I know you can do it for yourself, but I wanted to be a good host. If it bothers you, you can carry your own bags.”
“It doesn’t bother me,” she mumbles under her breath, crossing her arms.
“Okay then.” I grab her bags and carry them toward the cottage, knowing better than to try and roll them across the rocky gravel.
I set them down on the porch and snag the key from under the mat, fitting it into the lock and jiggling up and down as I pull the door toward me and to the right before it finally creaks open.
“Here we are, your home for the next few months.”
She takes in her surroundings silently, and I can’t help but wonder what she thinks of the place. It’s just a one-bedroom with one and a half bathrooms, but I spent many sleepless nights cleaning it up for her over the last week.
“I’m not sure what you’re used to in San Francisco. This doesn’t exactly have an ocean view, but there’s a creek that runs through the property, the wildflowers are running rampant this time of year, and all the back windows face the sunsets every night. It’s really not a bad place to slow down a little.”
Her cheeks flush the slightest as if she’s embarrassed to be here, to be forced to slow down. “I’m sure it’ll be great. Thanks for letting me stay here.”
“No problem. I’d do anything for your parents.”
She winces and then stares down at her feet, clearly not sure what else to do or say at this point. Her phone starts buzzing, and some upbeat song slips from its speakers, but she quickly pulls it out and silences it.
“Well, thanks.” She looks at me expectantly as if to say you can go now.
I nod. “I can, uh, drive you to dinner tonight. I’ll come back in about an hour and a half?”
“Sounds great.”
I swivel on my heel and hightail it out of there, desperate to escape this awkwardness. The second I pass through her front door, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out to reveal Mandi on the caller ID. I’m surprised she hasn’t called me sooner.
“Hey, Mandi! How’s it going? Have you heard from Olivia yet?”
“She texted that she was at the gas station a little bit ago, but that’s it. Has she made it to the house yet?”
“Yeah, I actually just helped bring her stuff in.”
“Aw, thank you! I tried calling her just now, but I guess she must be busy unpacking.” I opt not to tell Mandi that her precious daughter just sent her mom to voicemail without a second thought. “I appreciate you agreeing to let her stay over there. I wish she would’ve swallowed her pride to stay with Jack and me, but I guess this is the best I can get.”
“Ouch,” I tease as I jimmy my front door open and slip inside.
“Oh, you know what I mean! I wouldn’t trust her with anyone else. You know that.”
“I do. What big plans do you have for tonight when you see her?”
“Just dinner. We figure she’ll be tired from driving, but we broke out some of the good steaks for her.” She pauses and then excitedly blurts, “You’re still coming, right?”
“Only if you want me to. I don’t want to impose on your first family meal in two years.”
“No, you wouldn’t be imposing at all. You’re practically family, and I think you being there would help Olivia feel like there isn’t so much heat on her. She’s been closed off since the morning we spoke on the phone. I know I’ve been a bit much, but I can’t help that I worry so much.”
“There’s nothing wrong with caring about the people you love. Hold her tight while you have her.” I quickly clamp my mouth shut, wondering if I said too much. Will Mandi hear the soft hurt blanketing my words? Will she finally see the underbelly of all the secrets I’ve been trying to keep buried since coming to Roots? If she notices, she doesn’t say anything.
Quick to change the subject, I ask, “What time is dinner, and what can I bring?”
“Go ahead and come on over any time after six.”
“Can I bring dessert? It sounds like I have some time to kill while Olivia unpacks.”
“Oh, you should bring your chocolate lava cakes! Olivia will love them.” She shrieks with glee. “I see how you work, Rhett. Trying to wiggle your way into my daughter’s heart with food. I have to say, that’s probably your best bet. She won’t see you coming that way.”
“I, uh?—”
“I’m just teasing you, honey. But I want you to find some happiness too. I appreciate all you’ve done for Jack and me over the last two years. I know you keep yourself busy, but you can see where that landed Olivia.” Affection coats her voice as she adds, “Don’t fall into the same trap, please.”
“I won’t. I’ll see you tonight.”
Slipping my phone back into my pocket, I pull out the ingredients for lava cakes. As my hands work on autopilot, my mind wanders to Olivia and the way she sent her mom to voicemail without so much as a look of regret.
I can’t believe the unconditional love Mandi has for her daughter. Even when Olivia has completely shut her parents out, refusing to come home to visit, Mandi still holds her in such high regard. It irks me that Olivia takes her parents’ love and support for granted the way she does. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have that kind of love in one’s life. Some of us had that kind of love and lost it.