Olivia sighed and decided she needed to tackle the cons.
Vermont wasn’t all that far from New York.Would Ella be safer if Olivia kept moving?It would be easier to get lost and go unnoticed in a large city like Chicago or Seattle.
Her heart plummeted at the thought.
She didn’t want to move on.She wanted to stay right here in Vermont.Wanted to move onto the farm.
She couldn’t think of anything else negative about staying put.
Did the many pros outweigh the one con?
Did safety in numbers and friends outweigh safety in distance and isolation?
Ella opened her eyes and locked onto Olivia’s gaze.The instant smile filled her heart.“We’re doing okay, Ella Mae.I think your mom would be happy.”
Ella smiled and then rolled her lips together.When she made the M sound, Olivia laughed.“That’s it.Your mom would love that sound.Your mama loves it, too.”
After Mary Mae’s death, Olivia decided to differentiate them that way.Mary Mae would be Mom.Olivia would be Mama.
That wouldn’t be suspicious if anyone heard her using either name.When Ella was old enough, she’d explain and hope the little girl had memories to go along with the names.
“Mom.Say, Mom.”
Ella repeated the sound and then put two sounds together.“That’s it, my precious girl.Mama.”
Laughing, she climbed out of bed and scooped up Ella to dance her around the room, the two of them chanting Mama.
Her phone rang with a call, and a thrill shot through Olivia.Before arriving in Phail, a phone call would have brought fear, not anticipation.
Sure enough, Nash’s name appeared on the screen and she danced Ella in another circle before answering and putting it on speaker.“Good morning.”
Nash’s soft chuckle rumbled through the line and shivers rushed over her skin.“Good morning, Olivia.You’re very cheerful this morning.”
She laughed as Ella babbled and reached for the phone.Nash chuckled again.“Good morning, Ella.You’re in a good mood as well.”
Olivia grinned.“Ella has been practicing her M sounds this morning.”
“Good girl, Ella.Did you say Mama?”
To her delight, Ella repeated Nash’s words.
Nash chuckled.“Atta girl.Are you and your Mama coming to the farm for the day?”
She didn’t bother telling Nash about the way she was going to differentiate herself from Mary Mae.Before she could answer, he spoke again.
“Actually, are you packing up at the B&B and heading out here for the night?”
She hesitated because she hadn’t made a decision yet.But her hesitation lasted only as long as it took for Ella to babble another long story to Nash on the phone.
Her girl wanted to see Nash.Both of them did.“Yes.”
She heard the smile in Nash’s voice.“Good.That’s good, Olivia.I know you’re both going to like living out here.I’m looking forward to it, too.”
Which sent delicious thrills through her.“I’m a little nervous.I feel like I’m forcing my way in.”
Nash laughed.“Not even a little bit.The entire team is looking forward to you and Ella joining us.Charlie will be ecstatic.Try it out for a while and see how you feel.You don’t have to make a permanent decision today.”
And that’s what sold her.There was no pressure from any of them.She didn’t feel like a burden.They weren’t making the offer out of pity.Empathy, maybe, but not pity.
