“Well, what do you say?” Adell’s stiff flip hairdo didn’t budge when she whipped her head back and forth between her and Erik.
“You name the time, Auntie, and we’ll be there.” He glanced at Olivia looking for her approval.
She gave a quick nod. “Sounds like fun.” Olivia was surprised that she actually meant it.
“Great.” Adell pressed her palms together. “I’ll meet you both back here at noon.” Darting a quick glance at the 1971 Chevy fiberglass molds, she pointed her finger toward the monster trucks. “I love that shade of blue,” she tossed out, then out the door she flew before either of them had a chance to comment or respond.
Side by side Olivia and Erik stood, staring at the door. Dumbfounded, they slowly looked at each other.
“I guess this means we’re going to lunch,” he said through a chuckle. And what a nice chuckle it was.
“I guess you’re right.” In the last four days, Olivia had entertained more company than she had in years. Everyone had gone out of their way to make her feel welcome. Cared for and loved even.
Loved.
The one thing she greatly feared. Would she ever be free to love again? Would she ever want to love again?
Chapter Seven
For two weeks she’d lived in the beautiful house. Looking around, Olivia marveled at how different life could be when she didn’t have to worry about money or where her next meal was coming from.
Olivia settled herself onto the comfy blue couch in the cottage and hummed while dialing Audra’s number. It was completely unbelievable how happy she had become in such a short time.
“Hello.”
“Hi, girlfriend. Are ya busy?”
“Never too busy for you. You sure sound chipper.”
Delight overtook Olivia as the truthfulness of that fact established itself into her soul. Having been miserable for so long, being chipper felt foreign to her. But she liked it. “I do, don’t I?” She picked up her beverage, took a quick drink, then set it on the coffee table.
“So, how do you like it there? How’s your boss? Are you enjoying your job? Did you get settled into your new place? How’s Samson like it?”
“Whoa. Slow down, girl.” Olivia giggled. Even though Erik, his aunt Adell, and Mickie and Virgil, and a few of the neighbors had visited frequently and had spent numerous lunches and dinners with her since she moved into her new place, she still missed her best friend something fierce. “Let me just say that I have to keep pinching myself to see if I’m dreaming or if this is really happening to me. It seems like my luck has changed.”
“Luck has nothing to do with it. God does.”
“Don’t start with that, Audra.” Olivia plunked her head on the back of the sofa and scrunched her face. The last thing she wanted to hear about was God.
Audra sighed heavily. “Okay, okay. So, back to my questions. How do you like it there?”
“I love it. You should see this place. It’s fabulous. There’s even an indoor swimming pool that Erik said I could use whenever I want to. I’ve swam in it several times already. Erik’s even joined me a couple of times.”
“Oh, really?” She could just picture Audra impersonating Groucho Marks’ waggling eyebrows. The only things missing from the image were a cigar, a black coat, a bushy mustache, and a derby hat.
“It’s not like that, Audra.” She rolled her eyes. “Oh. Oh. Guess what?”
“What?”
“Oh-h-h no.” Olivia shook her forefinger, and a smile teased her lips. “You have to guess first.”
“C’mon, Liv, just tell me. I’m too excited to guess.”
“Why are you excited? You don’t even know what it is I’m fixin’ to tell you.”
“I’m excited because,” she drew in a long breath, “I hear joy in your voice. It’s been too long.”
Yeah, it had been. Joy was something Olivia wasn’t sure she would ever feel again, and lately, she’d been feeling it quite a bit. And she had Erik to thank for it.
“C’mon tell me, please,” Audra drawled out.
“Okay, you win. Okay, so,” Olivia shifted further back into the chair. “The first day at work, Erik’s aunt showed up, which blew me away. Mrs. Preston is the nicest lady I’ve ever met. She made me feel so welcome. And here’s the really cool ‘guess what’ part.” Olivia folded her legs Indian style like she had so long ago when she and Audra had shared secrets on her bed.
“His aunt came by the shop to welcome me to Charity. She even brought me a lovely basket filled with let’s see,” she placed her finger on her lips and squinted her eyes. “Homemade apple spice cookies, golden delicious apples, chocolate covered cashews,” she paused, “crackers and cheese, apple butter, two loaves of homemade bread, a citrus candle, and three beautiful crocheted wash cloths with matching pot holders. You should see them. They’re incredible.
“And then,” Olivia couldn’t keep the excitement from her voice, nor did she want to. “She invited me to a party. I’m not for sure, but I think the party’s in my honor. Can you believe it?” Olivia ran her hand up her arm, remembering the warm hugs she’d gotten from Mrs. Preston. Nothing but her own mother’s arms had ever felt so good. How she missed her mom. Olivia stopped herself. She refused to travel down that road. This was her chance for a new life, and she wasn’t going to miss it.
“Wow. When is it?”
“When is what?”
“The party.”
“Oh, yeah. Next Sunday at five.”
“Wow. That’s so awesome, Liv. And to think I was worried about you being lonely and pining away for Hammon—.”
Hammond. His name drove through her heart like a sharp knife.
“Shut my mouth. Oh, Liv. I’m sorry.”
Olivia grabbed one of her wayward curls and twisted it around her finger.
“I shouldn’t have said that, Olivia. Forgive me.” The sadness in Audra’s tone disintegrated her thoughts.
“It’s okay, Audie. I think moving away from Wheeling has really helped. I’m so busy with work and stuff that I’ve barely even thought about Hammond.” Until now that is. Immediately she reminded herself that she was here to forget him and to get on with her life—and get on with her life she would. “Let’s not talk about Hammond. Now, what else did you ask me?” She dropped the strand of hair she was twisting and switched the phone to her opposite ear.
“I asked how your boss was. Is he nice?”
Erik’s image filled her mind, bringing with it a slow smile. “I can’t believe how nice Erik is. He’s nothing like Markus, In fact, he’s gone out of his way to make me feel welcome, including eating lunch and dinner with me several times. He’s wonderful.”
“Wonderful, huh?”
“I told you. It’s not like that, Audra.” Olivia didn’t stop the frustration from coming through her voice. “He’s my boss and nothing else.” Except a friend, perhaps. But she wouldn’t tell Audra that because then Audra would have them getting married. And it would be a cold day in the Sahara desert before she’d allow that to happen. No one, not even her amazing boss would be allowed inside her closed-off heart. In fact, thinking back now, the only reason she had spent time with him was because his comment about them being friends had put her at ease.
“Anyway, we sat on the picnic table under a large oak tree and fed birds.” She chuckled at the memory. “I even named one of the male cardinals Snatcher.”
“Snatcher?”
“Yeah,” Olivia giggled. “Every time I tossed this certain bird a small chunk of bread, it wouldn’t take it. Instead, it waited until one of the other birds swooped down on it, then he’d hop over and snatch it right out of their beaks.”
Audra laughed. “I have a hard time picturing you feeding birds. I remember a certain person who said they would never feed another bird as long as they lived. Even if it was starving.”
“I know, I know. Hey, a gal can change her mind, can’t she? Besides, feeding these birds wasn’t the same as feeding that vicious par
rot Aunt—” Olivia scrunched her face. “I don’t want to talk about her, or her squawky, demon-possessed brat.” Anger rose up inside Olivia at the mere mention of her hateful aunt. Aunt Hattie’s name should have been Aunt Hate-ee for she was mean through and through. And she was the last person on earth Olivia wanted to remember.
Her aunt’s selfishness had caused Olivia nearly as much grief as her parents’ death. If it weren’t for that wench, Olivia would have never been poor and destitute in the first place. Well, that and her ex-boss sabotaging all her job possibilities because of his malicious lies about the quality of her work. His lust-filled eyes jumped into her mind. Olivia cringed at the memory. Giving herself a mental shake, she forced her mind back to the conversation with Audra.
“I’m blown away with how kind everyone here is. Several neighbors have stopped by for a visit and to welcome me to the neighborhood. Oh, Aud, they’re all so kind and generous. I can’t believe how full my freezer is. There isn’t room for even one more thing. My fridge is loaded with stuff too. Erik’s aunt Adell keeps bringing me homemade bread. Homemade cookies, and homemade chocolate fudge with maraschino cherries and nuts.
“Good thing I have a high metabolism.” Olivia giggled. “Oh, Aud,” Olivia knew she was being a chatterbox, but she couldn’t contain her excitement. It had been too long since she’d had anything to be excited about, so she just had to share it all with her best friend. “Adell is such a sweetheart. I’ve had the privilege of going to lunch with her a couple of times. She’s is the most sensitive lady I’ve ever met. Well, besides you, that is.”
Olivia grabbed a throw pillow and played with the fringe.
“We talk about quilting, gardening, baking, and traveling. You can’t believe all the places that woman’s been. Anyway,” Olivia prattled on. “She’s so careful not to bring up my past. Especially since I was so quick to change the subject the first time she asked me about it.”
“You can’t avoid the subject forever, Liv.”
“I know that, Audra. I’m just not ready to talk about them. I came here to forget the past, remember? Well, except for you that is. So, when are you coming for a visit?”
“Actually, I was going to call you this evening because I was thinking about coming to see you next Friday. Think you could put up with me so soon?”
“Are you serious?” Olivia squealed. She swung her legs off the couch and straightened. Samson jumped, arched his back, and hissed at her.
In an attempt to calm her frightened pet, she covered the mouthpiece with her hand and crooned, “It’s okay, Sammy.” Samson lowered his arched back. Olivia reached down and ran her hand over his fur. The raised hair slowly went back into place, and his motor purred to life. Several calming rubs later, Samson circled a few times and then curled up in a ball.
“Yes. I’m taking two weeks off to come see my friend. I’ve missed you, Liv.”
“Oh, Audie, I’ve missed you too.” She focused her full attention back on her best friend. “Can’t you tell? I’ve haven’t stopped talking long enough to ask you how you are and what you’ve been doing since I’ve been gone.”
“Oh, you know. Same ol’ thing. Work, sleep, and eat. It’s sure boring around here since you left. I can’t wait to come see you. In fact, is it okay if I come and stay with you for a couple of weeks?”
“Okay?” Excitement burst through her voice. “It’s more than okay.”
The doorbell rang. Olivia glanced at the clock. 7:45 PM.
“Hang on a sec, Aud. Someone’s at the door.” Olivia laid the phone down and trotted toward the foyer.
♥♥♥♥
Erik pressed the doorbell and backed up. Sitting in that big house all by himself on a Friday night was about to drive him bonkers. So, he’d decided to go for a swim. But the idea of swimming alone didn’t appeal to him anymore. That’s when Olivia’s image in her modest one-piece bathing suit passed through his mind. Most women flaunted their goods, but not Olivia, and he respected her for that.
The doorknob turned, and the door swung open.
He couldn’t keep the excitement from showing on his face. “Hi, Olivia.”
Her eyes widened. “Hi.”
She looked so down-to-earth standing in the doorway in knee-length gray shorts and a pink tank top. “I hope ya don’t mind me stopping by, but I was bored and wondered if you’d like to go for a swim.”
“Sure.” Amazingly, she didn’t hesitate. “Let me tell my friend I’ll call ‘em back later.”
He glanced past her into the house. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were busy.”
She just laughed. And a pleasant sound it was. “Of course you didn’t. How would you?”
Erik shifted his weight. “I should have called first. Listen, why don’t you finish your call and meet me down at the pool?”
“No, no. Don’t be silly. C’mon on in. I’ll be just a second.” Before he could respond, Olivia whirled and headed back inside, leaving her door wide open.
Erik stepped inside the air-conditioned cottage. Sweet citrus filled the air. He stood inside the foyer and watched as Olivia retrieved the phone. She covered the mouthpiece with her hand. “C’mon in and sit down. I’ll be just a minute.” She motioned him inside. “Hey, Aud. My boss is here. I’ll call ya later okay?”
Pause.
She looked over at him and turned her back to him. “Stop it.” Her voice held a threatening hint to it.
Erik felt uncomfortable eavesdropping on her conversation, but he didn’t know what else to do, until he spotted Samson. He walked around the coffee table, picked up the cat, and snuggled him against his chest. “Hey, how ya doing big fella?” He rubbed the back of the cat’s neck and his motor started. “Is Olivia still blaming you for her loud stomach?” He cut a glance toward Olivia, who wrinkled her nose at him.
“Okay, I’ll see you next week. I can’t wait.”
A hint of jealousy threaded its way through his brain. See who next week? Did she have a boyfriend? He hoped not. She was the first woman he’d been really attracted to in a long time.
She hung up the phone and turned her attention on him. “I’ll just get my things. Be right back.” She whirled and sprinted into one of the back bedrooms.
He let out a whoosh of air and set Samson back on the couch.
Within minutes she was back, holding a towel in one hand and a large wicker looking type bag that had a huge purple flower on it in the other. “I’m ready.”
Speechless, Erik followed her to the door, forcing his eyes everywhere but on her nice looking legs.
Stepping outside, away from the air-conditioned house, heat sucked what little breath he had left from him. He never got used to the sudden temperature change. Air conditioning one minute and heat the next. You would think by eight in the evening it would cool down, but it didn’t. That pool was sounding better and better. He glanced at Olivia who had fallen into step with him.
Playfulness overtook him. “Race ya.”
She turned surprised eyes up at him, glanced toward the pool, and then took off.
“Hey, no fair,” he hollered and darted off after her. He pushed his long legs as hard as they would go but still couldn’t catch up with her. He reached the indoor pool, seconds after her, and breathlessly said, “Man, can you run.”
A smile bowed her beautiful pink lips.
Erik drew in several breaths before continuing, “Were you on the track team in school?”
Her smile clouded over leaving only that all-too-familiar sadness. Erik wondered what he had said to make her smile disappear this time. Numerous indescribable emotions skittered across her face. “Olivia, I—I.”
“Beat ya into the pool.” She swung the door open, tossed her bag and towel onto a poolside chair, and took three long steps before diving into the water.
In disbelief at how quickly she rocked from one emotion to another, Erik tossed the towel he’d been holding on a different chair and dove in. The tepid water instantly cooled his body. He
opened his eyes under water and searched for Olivia. When he spotted the back of her legs, he quickly caught up to her. The urge to reach out and grab her feet tried to overpower him, but Erik knew that was too intimate, so he shoved off the bottom and made his way to the top. When he surfaced, eyes the color of the pool snagged onto his. Drops of water beaded off of Olivia’s eyelashes. His finger itched to wipe them away, but again, he controlled his longing. “You, my friend, are a cheater,” he accused.
She waved her arms, keeping herself suspended. “I didn’t cheat. You didn’t say on the count of three or anything, you just said ‘race ya’. So, I did.”
A spray of water flooded over his face. With one quick swipe, he removed the water from his eyes. This time he didn’t control his urges. Quick as a flash, he put his hands on her head and pushed her under.
“That’ll teach ya,” he tossed out even though he knew she probably didn’t hear him.
Erik laughed and lunged forward to swim away. As soon as his arm shot out and his hand cupped the water, Olivia grabbed his ankles, and with one yank, she pulled him under.
Olivia sprang to the surface and swam like a fish in a hurry toward the side of the pool.
Erik followed in hot pursuit. Just as she placed one foot on the poolside, Erik grabbed her ankle and pulled her backward into the water. The huge splash covered his face. He quickly brushed away the water.
Bobbing to the top of the water, she pulled her hand over her nose and mouth. “Uncle! Uncle! I give,” she rasped through a giggle.
Erik liked the sound. In fact, he liked much more than the sound. He liked her. When he first met her, she seemed so depressed and sad. But now, like this, just having fun together she was relaxed and happy. The truth was Erik could get used to having her around. While he wasn’t in love with her, he was very attracted to her—and not just physically. There was something about Olivia that drew him. Maybe it was because she seemed lost and alone. Or maybe it was the playful side of her when she knew no one was paying attention. Whatever it was, as he treaded water and watched her swimming, he knew he wanted to pursue it and find out. He also sensed that he needed to go slow and just be her friend first. Plus, he wasn’t sure how his being her boss would affect a relationship with her. He needed to be careful to not cross over that line. As she swam froggie-style toward him, one look at her beautiful turquoise eyes and he realized that wasn’t going to be easy.
Coming Home: (Contemporary Christian Romance Boxed Set): Three Stories of Love, Faith, Struggle & Hope Page 8