32
O livia and Gleason remained in the diner long after everyone else departed, working out a pictorial display of Miramar’s heart. That was how Gleason framed their plans. The old grouch showing a different side as they worked. Passionate about his art, his town, the need to get this right.
As they started back toward the police station, Olivia fretted, “I’m still not certain the lineup will show—”
“You can just stop right there.” Gleason watched her open the car trunk. “I never met an artist who knew how to hang their own work.”
“You’ve never called me that before.” She pulled out what she needed for the night, and added the last remaining set of clean clothes. “An artist.”
“Well, you are, and you need to leave the framing and hanging to your betters.”
“Now you sound like the grouch of my childhood.”
“Lady, you do my heart good.” Gleason frowned at the entrance. “You been okay staying here?”
“Better than that. It was my shelter in the storms. A lot of them.” She kissed his cheek. “Good night, Mister Grouch, sir.”
She left him there, touching the spot on his cheek, and went inside.
Olivia found herself continuing the dialogue as she prepared for bed. How she had arrived in Miramar so stripped bare the jail cell had suited her state. And yet, the longer she stayed here, the more she had discovered hidden gifts. As if the season had managed to find her even here, and bestowed upon her exactly what she needed.
Shelter, inside and out.
Friends, new and old.
A passion and a profession from her past, reworked to fit the woman she was now.
A new home.
A man she would always love. But never again in the way she had expected.
As she settled into her pallet, a thought came to her. One she sensed had been growing since that first walk she and Dillon had taken together. Yes, he had broken her heart. And part of coming home had meant facing the role she had played in making that happen.
All so she could close her eyes and snuggle into the covers, hearing him snore in the next cell.
Friends for life.
Olivia slept and did not dream.