Chapter Three #4
move on, but I need to do it in my own way.”
“You’re telling me you don’t want me and your sister to
start setting you up,” her mom said equally carefully.
“I appreciate you thinking of me, but it’s a lot of pressure
that I don’t need right now. I know time is getting away. I know my eggs are
getting older, too,” she began.
Her mom stood and crossed the space between them, putting
her hands on Olivia’s cheeks and forcing her to look into her eyes. “Your worth
has nothing to do with children. Nothing. Your worth is also not tied to you
having a husband. You are worthy because you’re a good person. That’s all you
have to be. If you want kids, you don’t need a husband. You have an enormous
amount of resources I didn’t have when I got pregnant with Lexi. No one is
going to kick you out or fire you. No one is going to question you.”
“I assure you the entire town will,” she shot back. “But
you’re right. I don’t care. If I make that decision, I know you and Dad and
Papa will support me.”
“More than support. We’ll cheer. We miss having babies
around,” her mom explained and then winced. “Not that we’re putting pressure on
any of you.”
“Mom, it’s okay. I love you. I know how hard it was on you
being a single mom, and I know I wouldn’t have the same problems. It’s
something to think about. But while I’m thinking, I don’t want to get set up.
I’ll find my way.”
“I agree. No setups. Have fun at the club and explore and
you’ll probably be surprised that once you stop looking, something will show
up. Or someone. Or two someones. Lexi will be disappointed. She’s been working
with these two gentlemen and thinks they would be perfect for you.”
Olivia held up a hand. “Nope. I’m good. I had my fun last
night, and now I’m going to deal with work for a while. I’m going to get
dressed because we have a flight to make.”
“About that,” her mom began.
She could guess. “You’re moving over to The Club and
spending the week there.”
Her mom held her hand. “I told you we’re having the house
renovated while Benita’s on vacation. There’s only one other thing, and I hope
you’re okay with it. The house is a mess, and Josh and Grim’s new place is
still getting the finishing touches.”
Horror dawned as she realized what her mom was asking.
“Where do the two guys Lucas is sending go? I mean I don’t know that we have
enough rooms in the bunkhouse.”
“Sweetie, there aren’t rooms in the bunkhouse. There are
beds. I can’t ask this lawyer to sleep on a cot in the bunkhouse.”
“But you can ask two random guys to stay with your
daughter?”
Her mom waved the concern off. “It’s not exactly a tight
space. You’ve got three bedrooms and a good security system, and I happen to
know you can handle yourself. These guys have been thoroughly vetted by Lucas.
It’s only a couple of weeks. Maybe the foreman will feel more comfortable in
the bunkhouse and then you only have to deal with one of them. I’m so sorry.
You know what? I’ll go talk to your dads. We can handle some dust.”
It wasn’t dust. The whole house was getting an overhaul, and
they were renovating the playspace in the big house. For years they’d used the
guest house for it but gave it up when Josh and Grim needed a place. It was
good they were upgrading that part of their life. “I can handle a lawyer, and
lord knows I can handle a cowboy.”
“Are you sure? Because now I’m worried. What if they aren’t
nice men?”
“That’s what god made cast-iron skillets for.” It was what
her momma always said. “I’ll be fine. You guys have fun. You’ve spent so much
time and effort and energy on this wedding. You need to let Dad take care of
you for a few days. Let Papa know you’re still his wife and not only a mom.”
Tears shone in her mother’s eyes, and her hands came up to
smooth back Olivia’s hair. Like she had when she was a girl and this woman was
the center of her world. She still was, though they were on more even ground
now. Her mother was the best person she knew, though her dads were close. She
had the best family in the world, and she should have trusted them.
“Okay, baby. Thank you for taking care of everything at
home. I love you so much.” Her mom pulled her into another hug. “And I will not
tell your dads about your wild night. They’ll try to figure out who it is and
have a talk with them. But, baby, you need to take a shower because you smell
like sex, and your papa will not politely ignore it the way your dad will.”
Her papa would want to know. Her papa would tease her
endlessly. In a loving way.
She hadn’t planned on taking a shower. Her hair would take
forever to dry.
Or she could let it dry naturally.
“Okay,” she said and gestured to the door. “Go out there and
play hostess. I’ll be out soon. And if you go shopping, I wouldn’t mind a new
bag. After all, I suspect I’m going to be dealing with contractors, too.”
Her mom blew her a kiss. “I appreciate you so much, and I
will find you some presents. You know I love to shop.”
She laughed as her mom left and headed to the shower.
She hoped her houseguests were nice men.
Really hoped.