by C J Marie
“Rafe,” Jace whispered. “I hope you’ll forgive me for not trying to find you and August—right?” Millie nodded. “Finding you both sooner. I wasn’t sure you even existed until right before Grandma died. But by then… well, she was gone and as I told you I don’t even know where Uncle Jed is right now.”
He waved his hands in front of his face. “With all due respect, it might not have been well received years back. By me at least, August has a cooler head.”
Jace smiled, glancing around the room. “You seem to have done well for yourself.”
He took in his small house and figured she was being polite. “We’ve done fine.”
“Do you have questions for me, Jace?” Millie asked.
Jace smiled kindly. “I understand most of what happened. You don’t need to do any explaining to me—the only one who should be ashamed of himself is my uncle.”
Rafe agreed. Olive was quiet, but watched him gently in the dim lighting. Pushing off the wall, he trudged across the room and sat beside her on the couch. Her touch quickly soothed the inferno raging in his chest. “I need to ask you if Jed had any other…” he fumbled to find the words to just ask.
Jace shook her head and met his eyes ferociously. “Children?” Rafe nodded. “He doesn’t have any—apart from you and your brother. Unless there are more cousins running around no one knows about. He has a step-daughter though, but she’s married and lives out in Colorado now. I hardly know her.”
He wished he wasn’t so obvious, but Olive and his mother smiled when he blew out a long breath of relief. “I always wondered, because he came ranting to Mama once about his family and how payments needed to stop.”
Jace glared at the carpet. “Aunt Sarah is decent enough, I suppose. A little high and mighty, I imagine she didn’t even know about y’all and he wanted to keep it that way. They never had children together, only Jeanine, who is Sarah’s from her first marriage. So, Uncle Jed was simply not being a man back then.”
Throughout the discussion, Rafe found Jace jittery, but kind. She spoke softly to Millie, asking politely about the stroke and how she’s recovering. Olive kept a protective stance around him, but after an hour or two, she eased up and they laughed when Millie told a few stories about Rafe and August. Dot joined them eventually, though she was quick to fall asleep on the loveseat from her wine binger. They learned Jace had an older brother, Will, who worked with Jace and their father in real estate investments. There were more cousins from an aunt in North Carolina, but Jace assured them all, Rafe and August wouldn’t care to know them as they were more pretentious than even Jed.
He wasn’t certain how long Jace had stayed, but Olive had her arms curled around his waist, her head resting against his shoulder when it grew quiet. Millie yawned when Jace clapped her knees and stood. “I’ve taken up so much of your night. I’d better get going.” She glanced at Millie and squeezed her hand. “It was such a pleasure to meet you, Millie. Truly.”
“You too, sugar. You’re welcome anytime.”
Jace faced Rafe. “I hope we can be friends, Rafe. And I’d like to know August—especially since you tell me there’s a baby in that mix. I’m such a sucker for babies.”
Rafe smirked and nodded. With a drawn stretch, Olive rose from the couch, rubbing her eyes. “Jace, could I bother you for a ride to my apartment? It would mean dragging drunk Dot with us, of course.”
Jace chuckled, glancing at a sleeping Dot. “Of course.”
“Ollie, you don’t need to go,” Rafe insisted.
She nodded toward the loveseat. “I think she’d feel better sleeping it off at my place.” He stood and Olive pecked him on the lips quickly. “I’ll be back to pester you soon enough.”
Together, Jace and Olive roused Dot and slung her arms around their shoulders as they trudged down the driveway. Rafe leaned into the passenger side window, unashamed when Olive kissed him slower. He cupped the side of her face, leaning his forehead on hers. “I love you,” he whispered. “Don’t let Dot go overboard anymore.”
Olive chuckled and brushed her palm over his cheek. “I’ll keep my eye on her. Love you, Rafe. Sleep well,” she said with a wink.
He shook his head. “I doubt it, I’m accustomed to someone there now.”
“Rafe Whitfield,” she scolded. “You’ve only just met Jace, and she’s going to have all the wrong opinions of me now.”
Jace laughed. “No judgment from me. It’s endearing.”
He kissed Olive quickly and stood watch as Jace pulled out of his drive. His heart thudded menacingly against his chest. Rafe thought throughout his life what it would be like to know the other half of himself. The part he’d never wanted to know, but always had a curiosity about. He liked Jace. A smile spread on his face. Miracles were real—he actually liked a Whitney. Olive Cutler was his when he never believed it possible, and his mother was talking and walking with all the sass she had before.
Shaking his head, he stalked back toward the house. Life certainly had a way of spinning him upside down. However, Rafe found he was enjoying this wild ride more with every day that passed by.
***
Jace Whitney sat at the counter once Dot was curled beneath a fleece blanket on Olive’s couch. “Thank you,” she grinned, accepting the glass of red wine. “I had a glass at dinner, I better just keep it to one.”
Olive nodded, returning the bottle to the rack. “What a night.”
Jace nodded, running her fingers along the stem of the glass. “I hope I didn’t upset Rafe and his mom, but when I heard the name Whitney, I peeked over to y’all’s table and when I saw his face I couldn’t keep quiet.”
Olive nodded her understanding, taking her place in the second seat at the counter. “I think it’s a good thing. It’s nice to have someone from your family reach out to the Whitfields for no other reason but to know them. Rafe and August used to have a hard time knowing their daddy didn’t want anything to do with them.”
“You’ve known them a long time?’
Olive nodded. “Before I was out of diapers,” she laughed at Jace’s wide eyes. “It’s true. They moved to the house when I was only two. I grew up with Rafe and Auggie.”
“I thought his mama worked as a maid still. At least that’s what my daddy told me after grandma passed. We were told the lady who employed Ms. Whitfield made sure Uncle Jed knew no Whitneys were ever welcome there again. After hearing that, my mama and daddy never reached out. I don’t know what happened exactly.”
Olive snickered in her glass. “That would be my mother who shouted at him, I’m sure.”
Jace furrowed her brow. “I don’t know if I’ve had too much to drink, or if I’m tired, but I’m not following.”
Olive drummed the countertop with one hand, pausing and wondering how many details to dredge up. Jace seemed genuine, but they didn’t know each other. “Uh, Millie worked for my family. She and the boys lived on our property.”
It was refreshing to have a woman of means not flinch that Rafe was the man she’d chosen. “Ah, that explains the fancy engagement dinner then.”
Olive chuckled. “We’ve had some fancy ones, but tonight was hosted by Dot’s family. We were the guests.”
Jace nodded. “I think it’s sweet that you’re together. Lifelong friends, falling in love. It’s like a perfect love story.”
Olive flushed, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. “It’s my favorite one, that’s for sure.”
“Do you think Rafe and August would want to meet my parents? Meet my brother?”
Olive hesitated. “I don’t know. There’s a lot of hurt inside—”
“I can understand,” Jace interjected. “But my parents truly aren’t like Uncle Jed. That’s what the falling out was over, you know. Daddy didn’t learn until seven years after that Uncle Jed had boys. When he found out he’d abandoned them, I was only eight, but heaven above, I remember the shouting coming from the study. I didn’t know what the fighting was about until about five years ago. Grandma
and Jed never gave up any information, but Daddy contributed to the account each month. I know money can’t compensate for a physical presence in their lives, but I think my parents simply didn’t know what to do after Uncle Jed was told to stay away.”
It was the start of trust toward Rafe’s unknown uncle, yet Olive held to the belief the family should have kicked Jed aside and welcomed the Whitfields in entirely. But who was she to judge when she knew little of the other side of the story? “You could always ask, Rafe. I can’t speak for him on this—it’s too personal to his family.”
Jace nodded, but smiled. “This has been quite a night. I think I believe in fate now. I mean, what are the odds, me meeting up with old friends would wind up with me finding my cousin. Even though I know there’s been some pain for the Whitfields, I’m glad. I’d hate for them to go through life hating all of us.”
Olive chuckled. “They’ve never spoken a harsh word about anyone in your family, apart from Jed, and even then Millie only allows a certain level of disrespect from her boys before she shuts their mouths. I might be biased, but they’re the greatest people I know. It will be exciting for you to meet August and Lily someday. They’re coming out soon, so not long.”
“Hopefully.” Jace muttered. “If August wants to meet us.”
Olive smiled, resting a hand on Jace’s arm. “Trust me, if you can get Rafe to listen, August will become your best friend. They got teased sometimes for their daddy, Rafe used his hands to shut people up, August usually talked it out or walked away.”
“Old thinking, right? That’s why they were made fun of, huh? Because they weren’t good enough.”
Olive practically gasped and nodded. “You see that up north too?”
Jace blew out her lips. “Not with us, but some in my family and people we know. I think that’s why I’m frustrated at my grandmother, rest her soul. She wanted to help Rafe and August, but still had that prejudice, so she only sent money—not family.”
“It doesn’t make sense,” Olive whispered.
“Your parents seem to have kept up with the modern world. They don’t care where Rafe is from, right?”
Olive smiled softly. Bringing up a fake engagement where her parents had no idea she was in love with her fake fiancé was probably too much for a first acquaintance. “There are others, though. We get a lot of comments. It’s exhausting sometimes.”
Jace sighed and wrapped an arm around Olive’s shoulders like they’d been friends for years. “Don’t listen. It’s just empty snobbery.” She glanced at her watch. “Mylanta, I’d better get going, it’s late.”
“You can stay here. You’re not driving to Charlotte tonight are you?”
Jace chuckled. “No, I’m working in our land offices in North Charleston. Not far.”
“Good. In that case, I hope to see more of you.”
“Me too. It’s been good to meet you, Olive.”
“Next time you meet Dot, we’ll make sure she stays off the wine,” Olive laughed. “She’s a lunatic of the best kind, normally. She just broke up with her boyfriend today.”
Jace frowned and shook her head at a sleeping Dot. “We’ve all been there. I’ll leave my number. You, or Rafe, are welcome to call me anytime.”
Jace left the piece of paper on Olive’s counter before offering her a friendly hug and leaving into the night. Olive glanced at her cell, smiling at a message from Rafe.
Rafe: I couldn’t have done this without you. Ollie, you make everything better.
She plopped down on her bed, feeling rather alone without his spicy skin curled against her body as she typed a reply.
Olive: You are a sweet-talker. I think you have things turned around. I love you and I’m cold.
She grinned at the response. Millie would have something to say to her boy’s mouth if she’d seen the message. Jace had it right. This had been quite a day.
Chapter 17
Olive wiped a stray tear from her eye as one by one her first graders dropped handmade cards on her desk.
“What do we say to Miss Cutler for all her wonderful lessons these last few months?” Jessica Fry asked the class.
“Thank you, Miss Cutler.” Came the unified reply.
Olive grinned and clutched the pictures against her chest. “I’m going to miss y’all. The good news, I’ll be here next year, so I expect each one of you to come and say hello, understand.”
Most nodded, some shouted ‘yes, ma’am’, but all left Olive feeling overwhelmed with satisfaction that she was doing exactly what she was meant to do. Nearly four years of schooling, and now it was… over. She’d looked forward to this day for months, but now that it was here, Olive found her movements slower, her steps to leave the building weaker. Ms. Fry sauntered back into the classroom after walking the class to the pickup and bus lane.
She sighed. “I’m going to miss having you in the class, Olive.”
“Thank you so much for what you’ve taught me.”
Jessica grinned. “Well, I can’t tell you how thrilled I am you’re on staff next fall. I suppose I can let you go since you’re coming back. Are you all set to graduate? I remember feeling like I might cry tears of joy at my commencement. I was so finished with school.”
“It’s a strange feeling. I’ve been going to school so long now, without finals, and studying, and assignments, I’m not sure what I’ll do.”
“Oh, trust me the assignments and work after school doesn’t end once you’ve got your own class.”
Olive chuckled and nodded. “After student teaching, I learned that quick.”
Jessica nodded. “You know my husband teaches the juniors and seniors—I would pass out and die if the man didn’t have something keeping him up late grading.”
“Thank goodness summer is right around the corner,” Olive muttered patting Jessica’s arm.
“Yes, and I expect you to keep me updated on you and your handsome guy. When’s the wedding again?”
Olive shuffled her feet, the catch in her throat blocking the automatic lie she was accustomed to spewing now. It wasn’t normal to become accustomed to telling a fib. Closing her eyes through a sigh, she slung her messenger bag over her shoulder. “We’re not engaged actually, only dating.”
Jessica furrowed a brow. “My mistake, I noticed the ring and just assumed.”
Olive glanced at the ring Millie had offered. She’d never taken it off, but in two days the fake engagement agreement would come to an end, and then what? In a way, Olive had slipped into her own made-up reality and caught herself believing the ring was real. She smiled softly, brushing her thumb over the small diamond before responding. “It’s a hope right now. Nothing official though.”
“I could have sworn I heard you were engaged weeks ago. Look at me simply assuming, never asking. Well, still—the way you both were looking at each other when he showed up here, I don’t think it’s far off.”
Olive laughed. If only Ms. Fry knew they hadn’t even been together then. Yet, Olive knew she’d loved the man for years. With a tight squeeze to Jessica, Olive stepped out of Honeyville Elementary for the last time as a student—next time she stepped into the halls she would be Miss Cutler, first grade teaching extraordinaire.
Olive rushed to her car parked in the back of the teacher’s lot. She wanted to wash off her day and go to Rafe’s as soon as possible. It seemed like it had been years since they’d been alone together between schoolwork, Millie’s follow-up appointments, and Jace having a ‘family’ dinner with Rafe and Millie last night. He hadn’t been thrilled when Olive insisted on letting them speak alone, but she’d vowed to make it up to him tonight. Olive bit her bottom lip as she turned onto the main road. Make it up to him was exactly what she planned to do.
Her phone buzzed in her purse once she pulled into her apartment parking lot. She paused for a moment, debating if she had time for a stiff conversation or not. Straightening her shoulders as if her mother could see her, Olive answered. “Hi, Mama.”
“Olive,�
� Bernadette responded, her voice flatter than usual. “How was your last day? It was today, correct?”
Surprising. Bernadette remembered something about her schooling. Grabbing her messenger bag, Olive locked her doors and trudged toward her building. “Yeah, it was. It helps that I’m coming back next year or I might have been a blubbering fool.”
“What are you doing? Everything is rustling about?” her mother snapped.
“Sorry,” Olive replied, balancing the colored cards in one arm, while tucking the bag higher on her shoulder. “I’ve got an armful.”
“It’s polite to stay put while on the phone. Gives the person your full attention.”
Olive rolled her eyes, leaning against the back of the elevator. “Sorry, Mama, it was hot in my car. Is there anything I can do for you, or did you call to ask about school?”
Another pause. “No,” Bernadette said. “I called for a different reason. It might be impolite, but I feel it needs to be addressed.”
Olive slipped out of the elevator, careful not to make too much noise as she fiddled with her apartment key and opened her door. “What needs to be addressed?”
A long, drawn sigh breathed in her ear on the other end. Bernadette cleared her throat, and Olive could picture her mother stiff as a board, chin in the air. “Your behavior.”
Plopping onto her sofa, Olive stared at the alabaster wall. “My behavior? I don’t follow, Mama.”
“At the dinner last weekend, Olive Jane.”
“What did I do?”
“Your…” Bernadette lowered her voice as if some shameful secret were to pass between them, “behavior with Rafe. Olive, I was mortified watching you keep your lips all over the man. I feel you went too far with the task.”
“Task? Mama, I’m sorry if I embarrassed you, but Rafe isn’t a task.”
Olive’s stomach tugged like a taffy puller tossed her insides about. Dot had ambushed her attempt to speak to her parents last week with her breakup, and throughout the coming days Olive had found excuse after excuse to keep the truth hidden from the Cutlers. It seemed she was out of excuses.