“Absolutely.The gnocchi, too.”
Charlie’s jaw dropped.“Youmadethe gnocchi?You didn’t buy it?”
Claus grinned.“My mamma would reach down from heaven and yank my ear if I ever bought pasta from a store.”
Charlie laughed and turned to Nash.“I like living here, Dad.I’m glad we moved.”
Nash had to swallow the emotion.“Me too, bud.”
A quick look around the table showed that same emotion shining from many pairs of eyes.
Knox grinned and pointed at Olivia.“Now, we have to convince these two to join the team.”
Olivia’s eyes widened, and she looked at Nash.He couldn’t stop his smile.“I like that idea.”
Charlie chimed in.“Me too.And so does Ella.She could see the ducks all the time and play in the snow with me.What do you think, Olivia?Would you like to stay here?You said you didn’t have a home base yet.This is a good one.”
Nash chuckled at the absolute shock on Olivia’s face.Around the table, the others chimed in to convince her.
Jolie smiled.“I don’t know your area of expertise, but the farm has lots of space and opportunities.We’d love to have you and Ella join us.And I know that Charlie and Nash would love to have an extra set of hands to help them while they figure out the cider aspect.”
Amber smiled.“We can’t have a No Phailed Apples Inn without having a good cider branch here.There’s lots of room in the farmhouse and we’d love to have you live here with us.”
Nash’s heart warmed.He’d known these were some of the best people on earth.If he needed any proof, here it was.
He wouldn’t be surprised if everyone around the table had realized that Olivia was worried about someone finding her.That she lived on the edge of fear and needed friends.
Here, she and Ella could be safe.Their names wouldn’t be on the property or a rental agreement.There wouldn’t be any paper trails leading here.
It was probably the safest environment that Nash could imagine for her.
He turned and smiled.“We’d love you both to move into the farmhouse with us.Charlie and I would also love the help with the cider.I’ve got a brewmaster license for beer, but this is new.You can learn along with us.”
Charlie nodded.“Yeah.It’ll be fun.Will you stay?”
Olivia had to blink to prevent tears from forming.These people genuinely wanted to have her and Ella Mae join them in their home.
They’d only known each other for a few days, but the emotions in the room were authentic.She could feel the friendliness and concern emanating from every one of them.Right down to Charlie who was incredibly intuitive for a kid.
The exact kind of kid she imagined when she created her worlds.Bright, curious, adventurous.She just hadn’t imagined the giant heart.He was an incredible role model for Ella.
Nash patted her hand.“Take the time you need, but please consider it.You’re welcome here.”
Again, she had to blink furiously and swallow hard.These people brought out all of her feelings in the very best way.
This would be an incredible home for Ella.A safe haven with family surrounding her.Not family by blood, but by choice.Like the family she’d made with Mary Mae and Liam.
Olivia could almost feel her friend patting her shoulder and whispering.They’re good people, Carmen.They’ll help you and our baby girl.Trust them.
Even though the whisper wasn’t real, hearing her former name in her head sent a shiver over her.
It was one thing for Nash and Charlie to know her pen name, but no one could know her former name.She shouldn’t even think it.
Ella grabbed a handful of the gnocchi Olivia had chopped for her and lifted it with a squeal.Gray laughed.“That’s a smart girl you’ve got there, Olivia.She’s got great taste.”
Ella’s face was covered with the sauce and she’d gobbled down the roasted green beans.There weren’t any carrots tonight, so she hadn’t tossed any food on the floor.“She’s loved every bite.I’m not much of a cook.”
Thea grinned.“Me neither.Fiona Phail has a ton of frozen entrees in her store.She’s another great cook and I mostly use her stuff when it’s my turn to make supper.You could do the same thing.”
