Was it safe to tell him the truth? She knew he was just making small talk and wasn’t going to start checking on her, digging into her background and risking the chance of Mark discovering where she’d run to.
“Maine,” she finally said.
“You’re a long way from home,” Callum said.
“It’s how I wanted it.”
Callum nodded. “I can understand that. Sloan’s told me that many abused women like to put some distance between themselves and the person who abused them.”
Olivia didn’t think oceans would make her feel safe even enough.
“I don’t mean to pry but was it a husband or boyfriend?”
“Husband,” said Olivia.
“You know not all men are bad,” Callum said. “I hope you’ll learn to feel safe and trust me, my dad and my brothers too.”
Olivia didn’t respond but simply looked out of the window seeing beautiful scenery with mountains and a stream running beside the road but she couldn’t appreciate it. There was a fine line she was walking between being rude by not responding to him and letting her guard down and maybe opening up old wounds.
“If you ever want to talk I’m here for you,” Callum continued.
When she turned back to look at him he was tapping his fingers on the steering wheel.
“Could we have some music?” she asked.
“We sure can. Anything in particular you like?” Callum asked, turning on the radio.
“Something relaxing.”
“You’re not intending to put us both to sleep are you?” Callum asked.
“No, not while you’re driving.”
“I think there’s a classic station.”
He pressed a few buttons and soon what she believed was something by Bach filled the truck.
“How’s that?” Callum asked.
“Perfect.”
“I guess country and western is more my style. One of the bars called the Wagon Wheel has live bands every Saturday night. That’s where I was sort of heading the night of the incident at the shelter.”
“And why didn’t you go there?”
“I didn’t have a date and it’s the sort of night a lone cowboy looks out of place and somewhat pathetic.”
Olivia laughed. “I can’t imagine you looking pathetic at any time.”
“Maybe. Hey, you want to come along with me one Saturday night?”
She was about to accept but then he continued before she could respond.
“I know I said it’s sort of a date place but that’s not what I meant…not that I don’t want it to be but I’d rather you set the terms of the night out. If you want it to be a date then it’s one, if not, it’s just two people going for a drink and listening to some great music.”
“Okay, that’s opt for the latter.”
“You let me know when you want to go and we’ll head there.”
All sorts of images sprang to mind about what the place would be like.
“Here we are, DIY Haven,” Callum said, pulling the truck into what looked like a huge warehouse. “You sit tight and I’ll help you out.”
The thought of his hands holding her, his fingers perhaps brushing her breasts again thrilled her more than she was willing to admit.
He hopped out of the truck, run around to her side and opened the door. He carefully unbuckled the belt while being extra gentle over her shoulder area. No brush of the breast but Olivia took in his manly scent again. There was something about the smell of a man. She couldn’t describe it but a woman couldn’t help but be excited when she encountered it.
It was almost as if he knew what she wished for at this very moment when he reached in and lifted her up off the seat. Her arms went around his shoulders, his hands tightened on her waist and before she realized it, she was on the ground and they were hugging one another with her nose planted in his chest.
Olivia inhaled twice, his chest smelled of the cologne and a slight hint of sweat, the combination was almost intoxicating and it made a damp patch in her panties.
They pulled away, looked at one another, and like always, neither of them said a word for a few seconds.
“How about I lift you down this time,” Callum said.
She wasn’t going to argue with that. He squeezed her waist and lifted her and then gently placed her on the ground.
“Your shoulder feel okay?” he asked her.
It was beginning to ache but she wasn’t going to let him know that.
“I’m fine.”
They began to walk toward the entrance of the DIY store.
“This is your favorite spot to hang out?” Olivia asked him.
“I wouldn’t say favorite but sometimes it’s a great place to get a chocolate milk shake.”
“In a DIY store?”
“Sure, you’ll have to try one.”
The doors to the store swished open as they approached and Olivia was immediately impressed by the size of the place. It looked like they even had a climbing wall at the back.
“I think the cabinets are over this way,” Callum said, putting his hand on the small of her back.
They stepped into an area with model kitchens all set up. She walked inside the first one and soon realized it was a lot like the one in the home she’d run away from. Not so long ago it had been her dream home. And no, she hadn’t exactly run away from it, but the person who resided there with her. Olivia turned and spotted a fancy faucet that was identical to the one she’d picked out and they’d had it installed before they’d moved into the home.
A tear ran down her cheek as she recalled Mark getting hold of the back of her head and pushing her face onto it because his dinner wasn’t ready when he got home. She remembered the blurred vision and the pain and seeing her blood marring the faucet’s beautiful bronze finish.
Callum turned to look at her and she quickly wiped the tear away hoping she been swift enough that he hadn’t spotted it. She prayed he wouldn’t ask questions because right now she wasn’t ready to answer any of them.
“I think light wood would be better than the kind my grandparents had. What do you think?” Callum asked her.
“The color they had was pretty, but maybe going lighter would brighten up the place.”
“Aren’t these fancy kitchens?” Callum whistled as he looked around. “Bet some of these cost a fortune.”
She once had the fancy ones that cost an arm and a leg, but fancy didn’t buy happiness. She’d opt for ones hanging off the wall if she could be happy for the rest of her life.
“Never going to afford these top of the line ones on a rancher’s wage.”
He ran his hand over the granite top on one display.
“That’s a nice color,” said Olivia. She was being diplomatic because she knew they were probably the cheaper of the bunch. Not the prettiest but that’s not what mattered in life.
“Yeah, but they look sort of cheap. Now these look good and the price is still reasonable”
She had to admit he had good taste. Not many men did.
“They look nice from where I’m standing,” Olivia said.
Callum stepped back. “I think with the main countertop torn out I might put in an island to give the kitchen some extra storage. You like to cook?”
She did but Mark had always told her she wasn’t living up to the standards of his mother’s meals.
“Actually I do,” she quickly said, telling herself not to dwell on his cutting remarks any more.
Maybe when the place was fixed up and she moved in, she’d start cooking and baking again. Perhaps she’d even make a huckleberry pie just like the one Marie had made.
“Good because I like to eat.”
He walked over to the next set of cabinets and ran his hand over the grain of each one.
How was she to interrupt that remark? Did it mean that because he owned the house he’d be stopping by for a meal? Or that he saw a future for them and then meant she’d be cooking for him?
“I like these on
es even better and they have a matching island,” Callum said.
There was excitement in his voice. It was catching. She was looking forward to having them installed, seeing what they looked like in the old ranch house. Making it her home and a place she could be safe. Learn to smile and laugh again. Learn to live again.
“Let’s get these ordered so they can be delivered by the end of the week,” said Callum.
Olivia took the opportunity to wander around while Callum saw to all the paperwork. She stumbled upon a sign.
Now hiring. She’d worked retail while she’d been in high school. This might be a good starting place to get back into employment. She knew store work didn’t pay much but at least she’d be able to pay Callum some rent for the house.
A stand with application forms stood next to the sign. She pulled one out, thinking she’d take it home and fill it in.
She bit her lip. By applying this could also be her undoing. When she’d run she’d taken another person’s identity when she’d fled the abuse.
Chapter Seven
Callum sensed something was wrong with Olivia. She hadn’t said a word on the ride back to the ranch. A sheet of paper stuck out the corner of her purse. He didn’t recall seeing it when they’d entered the store, but he didn’t think it was his place to pry. She put the bag on her lap and fingered the edge of the paper as if she sensed he was curious about it.
He glanced sideways and saw her dragging her top teeth over her bottom lip. He didn’t know her that well and if that was a general mannerism of hers or not, but deep down he guessed she was on edge. She’d only drunk half the milkshake he purchased and now twirled the straw around in the container. The silence between them suddenly bothered him.
“The sales guy said the cabinets should be ready in ten days. They’ll deliver them straight to the house,” Callum said.
She didn’t answer but instead looked out of the window.
“Olivia, did I do or say something to upset you? Did someone in the store say something?”
Still no answer but then a few seconds later she turned to look at him.
“What, no, no really Callum, you’ve done nothing wrong,” Olivia said.
“I thought maybe I had because you’ve been quiet since I got back from placing the order.”
“I guess I’m just tired that’s all. My shoulder’s beginning to ache.”
He guessed that was probably true because she hadn’t left the hospital that long ago. He hoped the rehab was going to make her feel better. Callum pulled into his parent’s driveway.
She turned to face him and he couldn’t help but laugh.
“What?” asked Olivia.
“Smudges of chocolate are marring that pretty face of yours.”
Without thinking he lifted his hand to wipe it away and she flinched and ducked away.
“Sorry, I mean…”
She suddenly reminded him of that dog he’d brought home one day. He’d found him in town hiding under a truck. He looked half starved, his fur was matted but Callum had managed to encourage him out and carried him home. Every time someone raised their hand near him the poor thing would cry out and run under the nearest table or chair and that’s when they’d realized he’d probably been beaten and abused and thought everyone was out to hurt him.
Callum had taught him to trust people again and if he had to do the same with Olivia he would. Not that he was in any way comparing her, or her situation to a dog.
“It’s okay, I’ll take care of it myself,” she said. She pulled down the sun visor and quickly wiped around her mouth and cheeks with her fingers.
“How about I walk you inside? And I will admit that I do have an ulterior motive because my mom’s usually cooking dinner around this time of the evening.”
“I thought I could smell something delicious cooking even from out here,” Olivia said.
Callum rushed around and opened the door for her and once again hugged her close as he lifted her down onto the ground. He didn’t want to let her go but knew he had to. However, maybe one day she’d let him hold her for as long as his heart desired.
“You ride? I mean horses,” he quickly added.
“Nope. I’ve never even sat on a horse.”
“You want to learn to ride…a horse that is,” said Callum. He was sure she probably knew what he meant so why was he thinking along those lines.
“I think I’d be too nervous to even be near one,” Olivia said.
“You’d be just fine because I’d be there with you as your instructor.”
“Could I think about it?” she asked as he opened the door for her.
“Sure you can.”
The smell of his mother’s cooking made his mouth water. No one cooked quite like his mom. It was one of the requirements he had for the woman he eventually married. He doubted he’d ever find anyone who rivaled his mom’s home cooking but his bride would have to be damn near close.
“Hi Olivia, so it was Callum who dragged you away so quickly,” said his mom when they arrived in the kitchen
“I wanted Olivia to help me pick the new kitchen cabinets. And what’s for dinner?” Callum asked.
“My sons are always hungry, but Callum seems to have the biggest appetite of them all,” said his mom.
“I’m a growing boy. So what’s on the menu?”
“Sit yourself down and you’ll find out. You too Olivia?”
“No, really I can’t keep eating your food without paying you.”
“Don’t go offending her,” said his dad, walking into the kitchen. He hung his cowboy hat on the peg by the door and kicked off his shoes. “She loves feeding a small army.”
“Wash your hands Glen because we’re about to eat,” his mom said.
His mom placed a platter on which sat the most delicious looking meatloaf. Next she placed a bowl of mashed potatoes and next to that, carrots with a huge knob of butter slowly melting across them.
“Sloan found this wonderful meatloaf recipe so I had to try it,” said his mom. “Okay everyone let’s dig in.”
Callum helped Olivia put slice on her plate and then held the bowl of mashed potatoes for her.
“This all looks delicious, Marie,” said Olivia.
“I’ll give you the recipe and once you move into the house you can try it out for yourself, honey,” his mom said.
Olivia’s purse slid off the chair where she’d placed the strap over it and as Callum looked down he noticed the piece of paper had fallen out. Callum leaned over and picked it up, noticing it was a job application form from DIY Haven. He placed it on the table.
“So you’re already been looking for work?” Callum asked, pointing to the application form.
“Yes, I…”
Without saying another word, Olivia burst into tears and ran to her bedroom.
Callum stood to go after her but his dad held his forearm firmly down so he couldn’t budge an inch.
“Take it from experience, son, you do not go after a woman when she bursts out crying like that. You give her time.”
Chapter Eight
Olivia felt like a complete idiot. What must Sloan’s parents think of her? How rude to just up and leave the table like that? And Callum, what must be going through his mind right now? He’d asked her a simple question and she’d overreacted big time.
A tap-tap on the door, made her look up.
“Hi Olivia, it’s Callum.”
Damn, she didn’t want him seeing her like this. She looked in the mirror. Her eyes were puffy, her skin all red from the salt of her tears. Suddenly she was conscious about how she looked when Callum was around. That meant she felt something for him, right?
“I’ve got the rest of your dinner here. Mom put it on a tray and I thought I’d bring it to you.”
He knew she was in here so she could hardly ignore him. She got up and walked to the door. She opened it and they looked straight into each other’s eyes.
“Please apologize to your parents for running off
like that,” she said, taking the tray from him. Her stomach was in knots and her throat tight like it had been during the worst of times. She wouldn’t be able to eat a morsel of this delicious meal.
“You mind if I come and visit with you for a bit? I’ll keep the door open if you’d feel more comfortable.”
“You can close it if you want,” Olivia said.
She took the tray, placed it on the bed and sat. Callum walked in shut the door, and then perched himself beside her. The warmth of his body penetrated into hers and it wasn’t until that point that she realized she was shivering.
Olivia moved the mashed potatoes around on her plate but guessed not eating the meal was also rude so she put some in her mouth and swallowed the best she could.
“You also left your purse at the table and your application form,” Callum said. “Does that mean you’re thinking about working in the DIY store? I bet it’s because of the great chocolate shakes.”
Olivia smiled. He had a way of saying the right thing at the right time.
“I was thinking about applying but they want three references and I don’t know anyone here who will give me one.”
There was no way she could tell him, Olivia was the new persona she’d made for herself and by applying, the real Olivia might be uncovered..
“There’s no one back home that might write you one?” asked Callum.
She shook her head.
“If you really want to apply I can give you one, and I know Sloan would be happy to, and I bet someone at the shelter will write one. And I do have an ulterior motive…employee discount. It always pays to know someone who works there.”
Olivia burst into tears again and Callum threw his arms around her. He stroked her hair. She closed her eyes thinking how wonderful it was for a man to soothe her instead of hurt her.
“Why the tears, Olivia?” Callum asked her.
“Because I’m living a lie.”
“To a certain extent we all live one of those.”
“I bet you don’t have secrets,” Olivia said.
“Are you kidding? I hate spiders. I freak out when I see them.”
Callum (Cowboy Tough Book 1) Page 6