Finally, Olivia nodded and they headed down.She looked over her shoulder several times and kept her phone in her hand.
Nash didn’t have a clue what to do now, so he led the way to the kitchen.“Coffee or tea, or something else?”
She took a deep breath.“Tea, thank you.Your son is amazing, and you’re an incredible father.”
He felt his skin flush to his hairline and was glad for his Latin heritage.Hopefully the blush wouldn’t show.“Thank you.”His voice was gruff.So smooth.Charlie would be telling him he didn’t have any game.He’d be right.
She smiled.“I haven’t left Ella with anyone before.”
He jerked and looked at her.“Not even her father?”
Her eyes widened and she bit her lip.“Not in a very long time.”
Nash felt the anger roll through him again.“Was he abusive?”Hell, he hadn’t meant to ask that.“Sorry.That’s none of my business.Ignore me.”
She hadn’t answered his question, but Nash moved to the sink to fill the kettle and put it on the stove.
When he turned back, he found Olivia twisting her hands together.“It’s a very complicated story.”
He figured that.“Still none of my business.Forget it.”
She gripped her hands and sat at the table.“I’m sorry.I’m not ready to tell the whole story yet, but I also don’t want to bring danger to your door.”
Damn.He hadn’t wanted to be right.The thought of either Olivia or Ella living with an abusive man had every protective instinct he owned firing.“You’re safe here.The people on this farm are amazing.It’s not your fault if Ella’s father is an asshole.”
Olivia’s gasp was half laugh, half something he couldn’t identify.“I could tell you the story I prepared, the one that will keep Ella safe, but you deserve more than that.”
Nash shut off the kettle and filled two mugs with tea he found in the cupboard.He had no idea if either would drink it, but it gave him something to do.“You don’t need to tell me anything, Olivia.I can see you love your daughter.I can also see that you’re nervous about someone finding you.That’s all I need to know.I’ll help keep you both safe.”
Olivia wrapped her hands around the mug.Nash was wrong.He did deserve at least part of the truth.She couldn’t use her cover story with him.In such a short time, she’d come to care for him.Lying to him wouldn’t work.
She blew out a breath and focused on the mug.“Ella isn’t my biological daughter.Her parents were my closest friends.They were killed in a car accident, and I have legal custody of Ella.She’s my daughter now and I’ll do anything, everything, to keep her safe.”
Nash’s hand wrapped around hers as she held the mug.“I’m so sorry.I know how hard it is to lose people you care about.Ella’s lucky to have you.”
She lifted her gaze to find Nash’s filled with compassion.“Thank you.She’s my whole world.”
“Who are you afraid of?”
She sighed.“Ella’s dad was terrific, but he had an extremely jealous step-brother.He wanted Ella’s mom for himself, even though she didn’t return his feelings.He was always a bit creepy and his focus on her was uncomfortable.We moved to a different part of the city to avoid him.”
When she paused, Nash spoke softly.“You don’t have to say any more.”
She managed a small smile.“It’s okay.I know I can trust you with the information.Ella’s parents made up wills as soon as they knew they were pregnant.They were worried that Adam’s obsession would extend to Ella.In the will, they gave me full custody and specifically mentioned that he was never to have access to their child.”
“They were smart to be proactive.Most people that age don’t think about wills.”
Olivia nodded.“I’m so glad they did.He was a scary teen but an even scarier man.”
“Do you think he’s searching for Ella?”
She shrugged.“I don’t know.I figured it was safer not to make enquiries.Once I settle on a place to live, I’ll contact the law firm, so they know.But no one else does.”
Nash sat back.“Holy shit, Olivia.You’re an incredible woman.You left everything behind to care for a friend’s child.Ella is a lucky little girl.”
She had to blink against the onset of tears.“I hope so.We’ve been on our own for months, but she’s amazingly resilient.”
Nash watched her with those deep, dark eyes.“Charlie’s mom died in childbirth, so I know a little about raising a kid on your own.”
