Falling For You (Pine Ridge Romance Book 3)

by Holly Stevenson

  “Well, Mr. McGrath, it seems the opening is a huge success.”

  Nolan turned at the sound of Margaret Livingston’s voice, noting Drew and Piper beside her. “Now that you’re here, the party can officially begin,” he said, smiling as he came around the counter to greet them.

  “Oh posh.” Margaret shook her head, but there was a sparkle in her grey eyes. “Don’t think you can sweet talk me just because I have a weakness for a handsome face.”

  Nolan laughed. “Sweet talk the lady who made my job possible? I wouldn’t dream of it.” He winked before sweeping his hand to motion to the lobby. “But in all seriousness, you’re one of our guests of honor. None of this would be here without your vision. We have you to thank for this new addition to the community.”

  Drew gave Margaret an amused look and she waved a hand. “Come now, all this praise is too much for an old woman’s heart.” She took Nolan’s arm. “Where is Olivia? I want to see some of these activities she’s planned.”

  “I’m sure we can find her,” Nolan said, thrilled to have an excuse to leave his post at the front desk and see Olivia, if only for a few minutes. He checked his watch. “If things are running according to schedule, she should be out by the stables. She had various games and activities planned out there for this hour.” He reached onto the front desk to grab some itineraries for them. “As you can see, she has a full day of fun scheduled for the guests.”

  Piper’s eyes widened and Drew let out a low whistle as they studied the itinerary. “Wow, you aren’t kidding,” Drew commented. “She said you hired three event coordinators, and it’s a good thing. There’s no way one person could manage all of this.”

  “And we brought in some extra help for the opening.” Nolan shrugged. “Liv came up with so many good ideas, it made more sense to hire extra help than decide which activities to cut.”

  “Smart move.” Drew gave him a wry smile and clapped him on the shoulder. “She dreams big, but her schemes are usually successful. It will be an opening your guests won’t soon forget.”

  “And the press is eating it up too,” Piper added, gesturing to a reporter doing a live broadcast in the lobby. “The events will add good publicity for the resort.”

  Nolan nodded. He’d given an interview with that reporter and several others today. “Yes, it’s definitely been good in that respect.” He turned to Margaret who still held his arm. “Shall we go find Liv and congratulate her?”

  She beamed up at him, the wrinkles in the corners of her eyes deepening as she smiled. “That sounds lovely.”

  Nolan led them through the resort and to the exit leading toward the stables. He was surprised when, more than once, Margaret praised the hotel design to Drew, as if he’d had some part in it. Each time, Drew would clear his throat loudly and change the subject or direct their attention elsewhere. Piper also seemed uncomfortable, and Nolan had the distinct feeling he was missing something. Margaret kept calling Drew “Andy” in such a familiar way, it was obvious they had deep ties. He planned to ask Liv more about it after the excitement of the opening died down.

  They reached the outside of the stables where games of horseshoes, haybale roping, and relay races were underway. At the center of it all, he saw Olivia, and his heart caught. She was laughing and cheering with a group of parents as they watched their kids compete in a gunnysack race. Her glossy brown hair shone in the early afternoon sunlight, and her smile lit something inside of him. Suddenly, all he wanted was for this day to be over so he could take her in his arms again.

  “There she is,” Margaret said, pointing before she realized that he was already staring. She nudged him in the side. “I hope you’re not a gambler, young man. Your feelings are written all over your face.”

  He chuckled. “I’ll stick with Scrabble. I’ve never had a good poker face. I can’t help it.”

  “That’s a good thing,” she said with a decided nod of her gray head. “It means you’re trustworthy.”

  “I try.” He shrugged and then put his hand up to his forehead to shield his eyes from the sun. “It looks like that race is about over. Maybe we can catch Liv before the next one starts up.”

  “Good plan,” Piper agreed. The four of them made their way over to where kids were lined up for the gunnysack races, careful to stay out of the way of the other activities happening in the field.

  Drew walked up to Olivia and gave her a quick hug. “Looks like things are going great, sis. I’m proud of you.”

  “Thanks, Drew.” She smiled at him before turning to the rest of them. “I was hoping to see you guys. Have you been here long?”

  “Only a few minutes,” Margaret said, stepping forward to wrap her arms around Olivia.

  Nolan stayed respectfully in his place, even though he wanted nothing more than to be on the receiving end of one of Liv’s hugs.

  Olivia hugged Margaret back. “It means so much to have you here, Gran,” she said.

  “Gran?” Nolan repeated in confusion.

  Olivia froze, facing him over Margaret’s shoulder with wide eyes. She pulled back, blushing furiously as she fumbled over her words. “Y-yes. I sometimes call her Gran because she’s like family to me.”

  “Like our adopted Grandma,” Drew supplied, stepping beside her and putting his arm around her shoulder.

  “Oh.” Nolan’s face relaxed. “That makes sense.”

  Margaret looked between them and frowned. “No,” she said.

  Nolan turned, confused by the firmness in her tone. Olivia glanced at Margaret, her eyes tight and pleading. Drew had a warning look on his face, and Piper shifted uncomfortably.

  “No, what, Margaret?” Drew asked, emphasizing her name.

  Nolan looked between them. What was going on?

  “No more of this pretending,” she said, shaking her head. “I watched Andy go through it with Piper, and I can’t do it again.”

  Olivia took her by the elbow, her face lined with distress. “I’m worried the sun is making you overheated. Why don’t you go find a nice, cool place to sit down, and Drew can bring you some water?” She glanced over her shoulder at the line of kids waiting for their turn at the gunnysack race.

  “I’m not overheated. In fact, I’m slightly chilly,” Margaret said, indignantly pulling her sweater closer around her. “Now, I know you’re busy and need to return to your guests, but it’s time to get this out into the open once and for all.”

  Nolan frowned. “What’s this all about, Margaret?”

  “It’s a discussion for another time,” Drew said, giving Margaret a pointed look.

  Nolan didn’t know what was going on, but he sensed it somehow involved him, and he wasn’t about to let it drop. He turned over his shoulder and spotted one of the extra staff members brought in for the day. “Hey, Ryan,” he called, getting the young man’s attention, “will you fill in for Olivia for a few minutes?”

  “Sure thing, boss,” Ryan answered, smiling as he ran to help the gunnysack racers.

  Nolan turned back to the others. “There. We’ve got a few minutes. Let’s hear what’s going on.”

  Olivia twisted her hands, her brown eyes tight. “It’s about me,” she said quietly.

  Drew stepped forward. “Liv, don’t. The clause,” he warned.

  “The clause?” Nolan repeated. What on earth were they talking about? A sinking feeling in his gut told him he wouldn’t like what he was about to hear.

  “Don’t worry about the clause,” Margaret said, coming between them. “I wrote it, for pity’s sake, and I can change it if I want to.”

  Olivia, Drew, and Piper turned to gape at her. “Just like that?” Drew asked in disbelief. “You’re going to change the terms? After what I put Piper through?”

  “It wouldn’t be fair, Gran.” Olivia touched her shoulder. “You can’t change it to accommodate me.”

  “If you two are worried about my feelings, don’t be,” Piper reassured them. “Yes, it was a shock, and yes, it took me a little while to process
all of it. But if Margaret wants to change the terms, I’m all for that. Let’s not make things harder for Olivia. She can obviously find someone who sincerely cares for her.” She cast a quick glance at Nolan. “So, I vote let’s be done with it.”

  “Be done with what?” Nolan demanded. His patience was wearing thin. “Will someone please explain—in clear terms—what it is you’re all talking about? What’s this clause you keep referring to?” He looked at Olivia, fighting back the sting that she’d been keeping something from him.

  Liv looked at Margaret, who gave her an encouraging nod. “You won’t be breaking any rules,” she assured. “Go ahead.”

  Drew hesitated before finally nodding. He took Piper’s hand. “I think you two should have this talk alone,” he said, motioning for Margaret to follow them as they walked toward the stables.

  “Oh, I suppose.” Margaret gave an impatient sigh. She reached for Nolan’s arm, giving it a squeeze. “I wouldn’t have changed the rules for anyone but you. I hope you know that, dear.”

  Nolan had no idea how to respond, considering he still had no clue what was going on.

  She didn’t seem to expect an answer. “Just know, my intentions were good,” she said, her eyes soft as she gave his arm another squeeze and then followed the others toward the stables.

  “Nolan, I’m so sorry,” Olivia looked at him, her brows knitted together with apology. “I had no idea Margaret would spring everything on you like this. Especially on your big day.”

  “It’s okay. If there’s something I need to know about, I want to hear it.” His heart thrummed in his chest as he took her hands, searching her face. “You matter more to me than any grand opening.”

  Her flawless features tightened. She swallowed and looked down at their intertwined hands. “You matter to me too, Nolan. A lot.”

  He lifted her chin to look at him. “Then please . . . tell me.”

  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I haven’t been completely honest with you.”

  He kept his expression neutral, bracing himself as his pulse hammered. “Haven’t been honest about what?” A dozen possibilities of what she might say crossed his mind as he waited out the beats for her response.

  Her eyes opened, holding his with a steady gaze. “My name isn’t Olivia Carson . . . it’s Olivia Livingston. Margaret Livingston is my grandmother, and I stand to inherit a lot of money.”

  Chapter 23

  Olivia’s heart hammered painfully as she waited for Nolan to say something—anything. His face registered shock, and then betrayal. He let go of her hands.

  “I—” He frowned, turning away from her. There was a long pause before he finally spoke. “I need to get back.”

  The words were like a slap to the face. “Is that all you can say?” she asked softly.

  He ran a hand along the back of his neck. “I just . . .” He blew out a breath, avoiding looking at her. “I just need time to process this, okay?”

  “Okay.” She didn’t blame him for needing time, but it didn’t make it hurt any less. Still, Gran was right to let her tell him now. How much more painful would it have been to have him reject her sometime down the road, after she’d lost her heart to him? She swallowed hard as truth pointed its mocking finger; she’d already lost her heart.

  “You’d better get back to work, too,” Nolan said, his expression flat as he turned back to her. “This is a busy day for both of us.” He gestured toward the field.

  She nodded. “I’ll get back to it.” She bit her lip. “But if you wouldn’t mind—let’s keep what I told you between us for now.”

  A muscle in his jaw twitched. “Of course.” He slid his hands into his pockets. “I’ll see you around.” He turned and walked back to the resort without a second glance.

  Liv’s heart fell from her chest, leaving a gaping hole where it should have been. She blinked several times to force back the prickling heat in her eyes. She wouldn’t cry. Not here. Not at the party where it was her job to make the guests happy. She could hold it in and hide the hurt.

  She’d become an expert at hiding things; hiding the pain of her neglectful parents and then hiding the reality of who she was. Maybe Nolan was right. Maybe she did like her secrets, because it hurt to let them into the light. Making the vulnerable parts of her visible meant making room for the raw pain when rejection came. Nolan hadn’t even asked for an explanation. At the slightest test of his loyalty, he’d turned and walked away without looking back.

  * * *

  Liv picked up the crumpled tissues she’d used for her tears and threw them into the trash. She’d come home, completely exhausted after a long day of activities and emotional drain. She hadn’t seen or heard from Nolan since their talk that afternoon, so when Drew told her he was going for a run, she’d finally allowed herself the cry that she’d been fighting. Now that her tears were mostly dried, she rolled out her yoga mat and found one of her favorite Mindful Mornings videos. Hope’s soothing voice felt like a warm hug as she guided her invisible audience through some beginning poses.

  Olivia had just entered into a Downward Dog position when the front door opened. “Drew?” she called.

  “Nope,” Savannah’s voice answered, followed by a flurry of giggles.

  Olivia paused the video and stood as Savannah, Piper, Jade, and Leah invaded her living room, carrying goodies and snacks of all kinds. She held her hands over her mouth. “Guys, what is this?”

  Piper grinned and held up Monopoly, the board game she and the others played growing up and now included Olivia in the tradition. “It’s game night.”

  “And we brought chocolate,” Leah added, lifting a box of deluxe chocolates. “The good stuff.”

  Olivia felt a fresh wave of tears. “Aw, you guys.” She shook her head, unable to speak at the thoughtfulness. Her friends swooped in, grabbing her in a group hug and she smiled, brushing the tears from her cheeks. “I needed this. Thank you.”

  “We’ve got your back,” Savannah said, pulling away with a tight expression. “First your breakup with Trent, and now this business with Nolan.” She shook her head. “He still hasn’t called you?” Savannah had told her friends about her plot to set Olivia up with Nolan the day of the picnic.

  From what Olivia heard, Leah, Piper and Jade were disappointed that Savannah wasn’t opening her heart as they’d hoped, but they were otherwise happy for her and Nolan. “No, I still haven’t heard from him,” Olivia said, then hesitated. “Wait . . . exactly how much do you guys know?” Her eyes flicked to Piper.

  She lifted a shoulder. “Drew told me it was okay to tell them. They won’t say anything to anyone. At least not until you’re comfortable with it.”

  “Except Connor,” Jade admitted. “I can’t keep a secret like that from my husband.”

  Liv nodded. “Of course. I wouldn’t expect you to.” She blew out a breath and looked at the rest of them. “Thank you. I really appreciate that.” Gran was putting plans in motion to revise the clause so that Olivia would receive the entire portion of her inheritance on her twenty-eighth birthday with no other stipulations. But now that she was free of the terms, Olivia found that she wanted to keep living as she had been. It was nice to contribute to a meaningful job, and she liked having people treat her like a regular person.

  Leah playfully whacked her arm. “I know you were bound by this inheritance clause thing, but I still can’t believe you never told us! All that time you were helping me with my mom, you could have just hired someone to do it.” Her eyes softened. “You’re amazing, Liv.”

  She shook her head. “I loved spending time with Carol, and I wouldn’t have changed a thing. These months I’ve spent in Pine Ridge have been the best of my life. Until—” She stopped, unwilling to talk about Nolan when she’d finally halted the tear flow.

  Savannah read her expression and intervened. “Well, we haven’t even talked about the most exciting aspect of this whole thing,” she said, her eyes unusually bright as she clasped her hands a
nd turned to Piper. “Since Drew is actually Andrew Livingston III, the budget for your wedding just got a whole lot bigger.”

  Piper laughed and shook her finger. “Don’t go crazy, Savannah. We still want a small wedding.”

  Savannah’s expression turned pleading. “Oh, come on, Piper. This is every wedding planner’s dream. You wouldn’t take that away from me, would you?” She took her arm, leading her toward the couch to discuss her vision.

  Jade smiled and looked back at Olivia. “Well, at least if she’s busy planning Piper’s wedding, maybe that means she’ll take a break from matchmaking for a while. I still can’t believe she was scheming to set you up with Nolan the whole time we thought she liked him.”

  “You can’t?” Leah raised her eyebrows. “This is Savannah we’re talking about. Her matchmaking methods have always been questionable.”

  “True,” Jade admitted.

  Olivia could only nod, not trusting herself to speak on the subject since it was too raw. She’d texted Nolan after work, hoping he would reply, but her phone remained deafeningly silent.

  “I’m going to put this ice cream in the freezer,” Leah said. “I’ll be right back.”

  “Sounds good,” Jade answered. Once Leah left, she turned to Olivia again. “For what it’s worth, Nolan hasn’t replied to any of Connor’s texts or calls today. I think he just needs some time to think things over.”

  Olivia folded her arms, trying to hold back the pain. “Yeah . . . maybe.”

  Jade gave her a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry he didn’t handle the news better, but Nolan really is an amazing guy. Connor and I were thrilled when the two of you started dating, and I hope it still works out.”