So I’m using that phrase too. The most influential person in my life is my father and my mother. Because they are two halves of a whole for me, and now our family is complete.
“Oh, Kayla,” Olivia said as she finished reading.
“This is absolutely beautiful. I’m so touched. And so honored. And I know your dad will be too. Will you share it with him?”
She nodded, then flew into Olivia’s arms for a hug. “Can I wheel you back to Daddy?”
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Olivia smiled, and Kayla gently pushed her chair back to the truck. Once they were on the road to Zach’s house, Olivia rested her hands on her stomach. Everything’s going to be okay, she said silently to the baby growing inside her. Zach and I are two halves of a whole. Neither of us is quite complete without the other. I just hope your daddy feels the same way.
Olivia glanced out the window at the light snow falling, at the moving scenery. She slept most of the way back to Zach’s house. She thought he’d said something about having called her mother, that Candace was flying up this afternoon. The next thing she knew, she was lying on the guest bed, the blankets pulled up to her waist. Her medicine and a glass of water were on the table next to her. And a “Get Well” card from Kayla and a vase of tulips were next to the lamp.
“Hi, how are you feeling?”
Olivia tried to sit up, but she felt so dizzy. That was her mother’s voice, she was sure of it. She blinked a few times, and yes, there her mother was, her face full of concern.
“Kayla is so beautiful,” her mother said. “She has your hair.”
Olivia nodded. “Hi, mom. I’m glad you’re here.”
“And Zach seems absolutely wonderful,” her mother continued. “So handsome. And clearly wealthy!”
It was almost a relief to know that some things never changed—like her mother. Olivia, Zach, and Kayla would never be the same.
“And here he is now,” her mother said, beaming at Zach, who did indeed look gorgeous, as always.
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“So, your mom and I have been talking,” Zach said. “I thought that since the new house in Marbury is so big, your mom could have her own wing.
A big bedroom and bathroom. Her own Jacuzzi too.”
Candace beamed.
“Of course, I mentioned to her that since I was setting up shop in Marbury, I really would need a new part-time secretary. And your mom informed me that she used to be a secretary, albeit for a few weeks before she met William. And guess what, Olivia?”
Olivia couldn’t help smiling. Zach was good, that was for sure.
“Your mother suggested that she take the job,”
Zach said. “Isn’t that wonderful? Kayla will have her grandmother right in her new home.”
“I’d like that,” her mother said, tears welling up in her eyes. “Say yes, Livvy.”
“Of course, Mom,” she said, squeezing her mother’s hand.
“Now where did that gorgeous grandchild of mine get to?” Candace asked, leaving the room.
“I thought that would make you happy,” Zach said, sitting down on the edge of the bed.
“It did. Ver y.” She waited on pins and needles, the hope making her chest hurt.
“I took a risk on calling your mom and inviting her up,” Zach said. “But I believed in here,” he added, patting his chest, “that she was as in the dark about Kayla as you were. When I called her, she broke down on the phone, sobbing that she hadn’t known, that she was terrified you wouldn’t believe HAUNTING OLIV IA
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her, that you’d never speak to her again, that she wouldn’t ever know her grandchild. We talked for a good hour.”
“I can’t tell you how much that means to me, Zach,” she said. “I’ll always have some issues with my mom, but I love her. And I’ve been so worried about her. Now I’ll know she’s secure and safe—
and working. I think she’ll love it. And I know she’ll love getting to know Kayla. She’ll spoil the girl rotten.”
Zach laughed. “So, until we move to the new house, I thought we’d put your mom in the guest room. She’ll be comfortable here, won’t she?”
Olivia nodded. “I’m sure she will be. And I’ll be fine on the living room couch. It’s so big and comfy.”
He laughed. “Silly, I was hoping you’d move into my bedroom. Our bedroom.” He lay down beside her, gently stroking her cheek.
She stared at him, the words slowly sinking in.
“Oh, Zach,” she said, so happy that the tears just started pouring. “I thought you’d never ask. I wasn’t sure you’d ask.”
He held her gaze, his fingers caressing her cheek.
“I love you, Olivia Sedgwick. I’ve loved you from the moment I met you.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love you too. And the same for me.”
“Will you marry me?” he asked. “Make our family complete?”
“Yes,” she whispered into his ear. “Yes, yes, yes.
I’ve wanted to marry you since I was sixteen. Olivia Archer,” she said, trying out the new name she’d adopt. “Has a beautiful ring to it, don’t you think?”
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He nodded. “How’s this for a beautiful ring?” he said, reaching into his pocket and handing her a small black box. He opened it, and she gasped. The round diamond sparkled. He slipped it on her finger, and for a moment, they lay there, admiring it.
“Thank you, Zach,” she said. “I love it. And I love you.” There was so much more she had to tell him, but for this moment, she just wanted to let his dec-laration of love, his marriage proposal and her acceptance, linger in the air, in her mind, her heart.
He leaned over for a kiss, so soft and gentle. “Ah, I almost forgot.” He reached over to the bedside table and pulled out an envelope from the drawer.
“A letter from your father’s attorney arrived for Kayla. The envelope says, ‘For Kayla Archer, to be read at the discretion of her mother or father.’
Let’s open it. Maybe it will explain a few things.”
Olivia slid out the single piece of paper and read aloud, “Dear Kayla, I wanted to give you the best life I could. I made some mistakes, yes, but I have no doubt I did the right thing, albeit the wrong way. I hope one day you’ll forgive me. Your grandfather.”
Zach took the letter and slid it back inside the envelope, then set it on the table. “Short and sweet, but I think this will mean a lot to Kayla. She’s ready for it. It may help her forgive him.”
“Forgiveness,” Olivia repeated. “It’s funny—I don’t even think in those terms anymore. My heart is so full, there’s no room for anything but love.”
She smiled at him. “Oh, and one more thing, Zach.”
“What’s that?” he asked, holding her hand.
She took their entwined hands and placed it on her belly. “We’re going to have a baby,” she whispered. “I HAUNTING OLIV IA
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was told in the hospital. Kayla is going to have a little brother or sister.” As she said the words, she realized that she would never again be haunted by the dream children. She would dream of them, she was sure, but they would continue running and laughing, singing and dancing, playing with their frogs and bubbles.
The waiting was over. A family was complete.
As he smiled that beautiful smile and kissed her again, absolute joy in his eyes, she had to concede that her father had been right about one thing. All her dreams had come true.
ZEBRA BOOKS are published by
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Copyright © 2006 by Janelle Taylor All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written con -
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Document Outline
Cover Page
Also by Janelle Taylor
Title Page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Copyright Page
Haunting Olivia Page 26