by Glynna Kaye
“Don’t bother.” Paulette headed out the door.
Olivia caught Rob’s questioning gaze. Shrugged. Then hastily followed her sister onto the porch.
Please, Lord, don’t let us part on a bad note.
“How’s Brandi doing? She stopped by here last week.”
Halfway down the stairs, her sister turned, still glowering. “She told me she’d seen you. She probably sang a sad song about how bad of a mother I am, didn’t she? I don’t know how Mom dealt with you all those years.”
Olivia flinched. Paulette was still miffed at the lodge’s makeover. That was all. “Maybe Brandi needs extra time and attention right now.”
“That’s something I don’t have to spare.” Paulette’s chin jutted belligerently. “And don’t go putting more ideas in her head. Since you got back, she’s hauled travel guides home from the library. Has decided she needs to go to Europe the summer after graduation. Is badgering her dad and me to let her get a part-time job so she can save for it.”
“Would that be so bad? It might give her something to look forward to. To work toward.”
“You don’t have kids and don’t know anything about raising them, so don’t start offering advice. She’s sassy and headstrong enough without you encouraging that behavior. Cheering her on to chase off after wild dreams that have no substance.”
“That’s what you think I did? Chase after wild dreams?”
“Hello? Here you are, twenty-five years old. Finished college three years ago and you still don’t know what you want to be when you grow up. When I was your age, I had two kids already. Another on the way.”
Olivia’s memory flew to what Reyna had shared—that Olivia had lived the dreams their oldest sister never had the opportunity to fulfill. But Paulette was wrong. She did know what she wanted—to be a wife and a mother. The very things Paulette already had in abundance.
She also wanted to be someone who practiced hospitality, who welcomed hurting people into her home. Helped them to know God in a deeper way. Encouraged them on a journey to healing. There wasn’t a degree for that. No place to submit a résumé. No applications to fill out. No paychecks. That was just a part of her life. A part of who she was no matter where she lived, whether single or married.
But a loving partnership with a like-minded man, kids to love, a home to open to others—that was her deepest heart’s desire. She didn’t want to get married just to be married. She longed for a triune partnership with a God-chosen spouse and her Heavenly Father. But until God chose to bring that person into her life…
“What I want to be when I grow up, Paulette, isn’t defined by a paying job or my marital or parental status. It’s not defined by where I live or how long I live there. It’s defined by doing my best to cooperate with God’s plan, trusting that He’s working in me to grow and become the kind of person that will please Him.”
Paulette dismissed her words with a deepening frown. “I can’t let Brandi set her heart on unattainable goals, Olivia. If we let her work, it will be with the understanding she’s saving toward tuition and expenses at a community college. Not for gallivanting off like you’ve always done. Are probably intending to do again.”
“Travel is an education, too. You learn about other cultures. Other people. Yourself. God.”
“Mom and Dad let you have your way on a lot of things that for Brandi’s own good Vern and I can’t cave on.”
Meaning that they couldn’t risk Brandi chasing after what they considered rainbows. Olivia would have to tread carefully if she hoped to support her niece in achieving her dreams. She’d told her she wanted to spend time with her, but a week and a half had passed and she hadn’t once picked up the phone to call.
“Look, I’ve got to go,” Paulette concluded. “I stopped by to drop off a few things at the house for Mom. Please tell Rob I’ll get back with him on his property plan.”
Again, the hurtful reminder that Rob had shared his ideas with her sister and not her. All she could read into the days since her return to Canyon Springs was that nobody trusted her.
Not her parents. Not her siblings.
Not Rob.
Chapter Eleven
Rob kicked a fist-size stone and sent it sailing as sunset approached Thursday evening. He loved the still, quiet nights in the high country, but this one didn’t have the usual makings for a customary sense of peace.
He hadn’t shared his Singing Rock ideas with Paulette.
Not a one.
But she’d asserted she hadn’t seen the rearrangement of the lodge in what she called his property plan. He hadn’t even drafted a plan, let alone submitted one for her review. He’d promised Olivia she’d be the first to see his ideas, and from the wounded look on her face when Paulette made that comment, she remembered his promise, too. Which would reinforce her impression that he didn’t take her seriously, didn’t respect her opinions.
From the conversation he’d overheard between the two sisters before he’d retreated to the office, his perceptions were renewed that Paulette harbored animosity toward her youngest sister. Judged her. Was much too hard on her. But Olivia hadn’t lashed out at Paulette’s criticism. She’d responded respectfully—and with a maturity and wisdom that caught him off guard. Maybe he’d misjudged Olivia a time or two himself.
“Rob!”
He glanced up to see a waving Olivia sitting on the steps of her parents’ porch. His heart surged at the sight, but it was with acute reluctance that he diverted from his intended path and approached the house. He’d managed to keep one step ahead of her for days. While that hadn’t kept him from thinking of her, wondering what she was up to, at least he’d stayed fairly focused on Singing Rock business. Found time to touch base with his sister about the availability of a sitter for Angie. Man, he missed his little girl. Daily phone calls and once-a-week visits didn’t cut it.
Propping her elbows on her knees, Olivia cradled her face in her hands. “Sorry you had to hear that sister stuff the other day.”
With her hair pulled back in a ponytail, he was reminded of the cute, lively freshman of his NAU days. A little too lively on occasion. Like when she’d accepted a dare to jump off a bridge on a missions trip. He’d been in charge of the spring break expedition and nearly went into cardiac arrest when he caught her making the leap. He’d chewed her out— and the guys involved—but that didn’t make a dent in the daring gleam in her eyes. Thank goodness she seemed to have outgrown that phase.
He scuffed the toe of his work boot in the dirt. “Your sister gives you a hard time, doesn’t she?”
“Understatement.” Leaning slightly back, she rested her elbows on one of the steps behind her.
“My older brother does that to me, too. Thinks he has all the answers to things I never asked for his opinion on.”
Her eyes brightened with interest. “Like what?”
“Oh, like he thought I should follow in his footsteps and go into the military.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“Didn’t want to get shot at, for one.” He grinned, remembering the sometimes-heated brotherly altercations. “And I guess I had a stubborn streak in me, as well. The more he pushed, the harder I resisted.”
She sat up, leaned forward. “So you have an older brother. Then the sister who married my cousin Joe is younger?”
“Right. It’s Doug, me, Meg and Carly—the baby of the family.”
“I doubt Carly appreciates that label. Paulette, ten years my senior, has used it against me ever since I hit my teens.”
He propped a foot on the bottom step. “Unusual for the oldest sibling to feel that way about the youngest. Usually the last-born charms the socks off the whole family. I can see you doing that.”
She grimaced, either not recognizing—or choosing to ign
ore—his subtle compliment. “Paulette doesn’t charm easily. But I notice you have her on your cheering squad. She seldom questions anything you do and tells me I shouldn’t, either.”
“Until the other day.”
She shot him a discomfited look. “That’s my fault. Thanks for stepping in front of the firing squad when she lit into me. Honestly, I had no idea she’d put up those hideous curtains or all that junk.”
“A lesson for both of us—a good reminder that I need to communicate with her on a regular basis.”
Olivia brushed at the cuff of her denim capris. “Mom and Dad didn’t make her the manager. They picked you.”
“Maybe so, but I get the impression when I’m around your sister that I’m auditioning for the role.”
“I’ve spent most of my life auditioning for Paulette’s approval. It’s a no-win situation.”
“Nevertheless, her opinion will carry considerable weight when your folks return. May determine if I’m a permanent fixture at Singing Rock or out the door come October.”
“You know,” Olivia’s words came faintly and he strained to catch them, “my opinion will count, too.”
And how would she cast her vote?
“I’m sure it will.”
“I’m glad you agree.” She got to her feet and pinned him with a forthright gaze. “Because I seem to remember someone telling me that when they had their plan for Singing Rock drafted, I’d be the first to see it.”
“I don’t have a property plan, Olivia. Only accumulated notes that I haven’t shared with anyone.”
Could he be telling the truth? He hadn’t withheld his ideas from her? “If my sister hasn’t seen it, then what was she talking about?”
“I don’t know.” He looked sincere enough, with his forehead crinkling up in that little boy look he sometimes had. “My laptop has a password, but I could easily have left my notebook on the desk. So if she stopped by when I’d stepped out, when no one was in the office…”
She wasn’t buying it. “Why would you leave it out in the open where anyone could spy on your plans?”
He chuckled. “Contrary to your perceptions, I’m not trying to be secretive. Until I’ve sifted through concepts, weeded out the weaker ones and built a strong platform, I’m not much for sharing. That’s all.”
“But somehow Paulette got her hands on something.” Her eyes narrowed. “How well do you know Brett?”
Rob leaned a hand on the steps’ railing. “You think he’d help her snoop? That kind of surprises me, considering how the two of you seemed to hit it off.”
She reached up to secure the clasp that confined her ponytail and shrugged.
“But speaking of Brett…” He drew an ill-at-ease breath. “I’m picking up that he’s on the rebound from a bad breakup.”
Gossip? Rob wanted to gossip? It was all she could do not to laugh, but she managed to keep a straight face. “Who isn’t these days?”
“What I mean is—” that deep breath again “—you’re a pretty woman, Olivia. Full of life and energy.”
Her heart skittered at the unexpected compliment. He thought she was pretty? She gave him an uncertain smile, hoping her face wasn’t as crimson as the scoop-necked T-shirt she wore. But what did it have to do with Brett? “And?”
He glanced at the ground, his voice lowering, almost gruff. “And he might be drawn to that. You know, that energy. And life. And…prettiness.”
There he went again with the flattery, but what was his point? “So you don’t think I should hang out with Brett, is that what you’re saying? Because he’s recovering from a bad relationship and might be attracted to me?”
Like Paulette, did he think she’d stomp all over some poor guy’s heart?
He nodded. Kicked at the step.
“Don’t you think this might be a time when he could use an extra friend?” She couldn’t count the number of guys and gals she’d been there for under similar circumstances. And them for her.
“I’m sure he can use…friends. What I’m getting at is—” He raked his hand through his hair and she could sense his increasing frustration. “I don’t want you getting hurt. That’s all.”
He darted a quick look at her and she caught her breath. Was Rob finally noticing her? So much so that he might be jealous of Brett’s attentions? Was he making sure she and Brett hadn’t embarked on something behind the scenes that he was unaware of? Her spirits skyrocketed. Out with the old girlfriend, in with the new?
“Having at one time been your Bible study teacher,” he continued, “I feel…protective.”
Her throat constricted as her high-flying spirits dropped in a spiraling descent. He still thought her a kid. Thought of himself as her advisor. A disinterested guardian. Hopeful that in the dimming light he wouldn’t perceive the effect his words had on her, she forced a smile and spoke with intentional nonchalance to camouflage the sting. “You’re not my Bible study teacher now.”
“I know that. But I feel obligated to give you a heads-up.”
“Obligated.”
“I mean, responsible.”
“Responsible.”
Rob gazed upward at the fading light, almost as if appealing to the heavens for assistance. Then he let out a gust of pent-up breath. “You’re not making this easy on me, Olivia.”
“I don’t know what else to do because I don’t know what you’re getting at.” Except that he wanted it clearly understood his concern wasn’t personal. Not romantic. Just obligatory. Like a big brother looking out for his little sis.
Sheesh. How’d he let himself get dragged into this line of conversation? No, not exactly dragged. He’d instigated it himself. Had stupidly taken notice of how pretty she was sitting there on the steps.
Which led to this painfully ridiculous discussion, playing right into Olivia’s sensitivity at being thought less than grown-up. But what was at the heart of his awkward attempt to counsel her? Concern that the overconfident cowboy might hurt her—or that Brett wouldn’t break her heart, that they’d make a match?
He shoved the latter possibility aside. Cleared his throat. “I’ve said all I have to say on the subject.”
“I should hope so.” There was no missing that her cooling tones had become downright frigid.
What could he expect after coming across like some stuffy, authoritative elder? Not even with the advice of a friend.
He again scuffed a toe in the dirt. He shouldn’t stay, but he didn’t like leaving on this awkward note. “I drove around the property a bit ago, made sure everything’s secure.”
She didn’t so much as nod an acknowledgment that he’d spoken. Just looked at him.
“No incidents since last week.”
Silence.
“So it looks as if our trespassers have headed back home with their parents.”
“Brett thinks we should put up surveillance cameras. Hire someone to monitor them around the clock.”
A muscle tightened in his jaw. He’d had enough talk of Brett for one night. “That would go over big with guests relaxing on their cabin porch. Or out for a romantic stroll among the pines.”
He gritted his teeth. Why’d he have to say romantic? Anybody could go for a walk around here. Didn’t have to have anything to do with romantic inclinations. Pretty women. Kissing. His gaze flitted to Olivia’s inviting lips.
Get a grip, McGuire.
Determination renewed to not let her send him off with a cold shoulder. “Probably wouldn’t hurt for Brett and me to take turns making the rounds throughout the night for a while.”
“I could do that, too,” she piped up, her gaze challenging. “After all, this is my parents’ place.”
He shook his head, not caring if she interpreted his refusal of her offer as a sign he
didn’t think of her as grown-up. “I don’t want you out there prowling around alone. Even with high schoolers, you never know what they might do if they found a woman by herself. Or if they panicked at being discovered.”
She squared her shoulders. “We could set a trap. Catch them coming or going.”
“Too big of a property to conduct something of that magnitude. While there’s one main entrance—and the road through the property circles back around to it—as you well know, there are other ways to access Singing Rock from forest service back roads. Hopefully we’ve seen the last of them.”
“So you’re confident it’s kids? Not adults with criminal intent?”
“I’m hoping that’s not the case.”
“Not a pleasant prospect, especially after your experience in Las Vegas.”
“No.” He rubbed the telltale tension from his shoulder. He didn’t want to talk about that. But while her tone held little of the warmth he’d come to expect of her, at least she was speaking to him.
Another long stretch of silence, but it was Olivia who broke it this time. “The Las Vegas area was hit hard when the bottom dropped out of the economy. So you were laid off? That’s when you became a property inspector?”
He flashed her a quick, considering look. She’d figured that out? But it hadn’t been your standard, across-the-board layoff as she assumed.
“Right. I’d been working in the financial department at a cutting-edge construction company. Nevada’s so much more than a gambling capital. It was one of the fastest-growing areas in the country back then.”
“And you liked it enough to stay there.”
“Enough. I wanted to remain in the general area for a while, so I took a job with a friend who was master-certified as a home and commercial building inspector. Basically apprenticed with him. Started the process for my own certification.”
“And then you came here…afterward.”
He nodded. So much had happened in the time since he’d been fired and the day he’d arrived to interview in Canyon Springs. A lifetime’s worth of choices. Some of them good, some not so good. But one that, in spite of his wrong choice, God used to bring him his greatest blessing. Angie.