Trying to chase the ball, Ella rolled and landed with her face in the snow.
The giggles turned to a wail of indignation, and Olivia scooped her up to brush her face clear.
Charlie’s voice was full of concern.“I’m sorry, Ella.I should have been watching you better.I forgot you were so little.Are you okay?”
Olivia angled Ella to face the boy, and her face immediately cleared up.Olivia was apparently raising a flirt.“She’s okay, Charlie.You didn’t do anything wrong.I think all that laughing wore her out.”
Charlie took one of the hands Ella Mae was waving at him.“I’m glad you’re okay.Want to watch while Dad and I get the head on the snowman?”
Olivia trailed after the pair, Ella squealing and clapping as the two rolled the ball larger and hoisted it up.
When they put the head on the other two snowballs, Ella clapped, then reached for it.Olivia brought her close enough to touch, and Ella patted the snow like Charlie had taught her.
The boy grinned.“Good job, Ella.He’s a great snowman.”
“He is.For your first time with snow, you did an incredible job.”
Charlie’s eyes lit up.“Do you think we can make more out at the apple farm, Dad?Do you think anyone will mind?”
Nash’s smile had Olivia sighing again.The man was gorgeous.More importantly, a really good dad.She hadn’t met many like him.
Nash nodded.“No one will mind.We’ll make as many as you want.”
Charlie turned back.“Maybe you and Ella can come and check out the farm.We’re moving here, and I don’t know anyone yet, but Dad says everyone on the farm is nice.I’m sure they’d like you to come visit.”
Olivia’s heart warmed even as a small portion of her brain had her worrying that this was some kind of elaborate trap.
But Adam had always been a straightforward brute.She couldn’t imagine him doing this.He had no idea where they were.Until she’d arrived, she hadn’t known herself.
Nash studied her with serious eyes.“You would be more than welcome.My friends inherited an apple farm and are working to bring it back to life.”
Charlie nodded.“I’m going to help my dad make apple cider and vinegar from the apples.We don’t know much about it yet, but we’ll figure it out.”
Nash ruffled his son’s head, making the woolen hat cover his eyes.“We will.How about we treat you and Ella to a hot chocolate at the No Fail Diner?The cousin of a buddy of mine owns it, and l hear they’ve got great cinnamon buns if you’re hungry.”
Charlie laughed.“I’m always hungry.Come on.It’ll be fun.”
Olivia hesitated just enough that Nash’s eyebrows furrowed further.Concern nearly radiated from him.But instead of theNo, but thank youshe was preparing in her head, she heard herself answer with her heart.“Hot chocolate sounds great.”
Judging by her expression, Nash figured Olivia was just as surprised by her acceptance of his offer as he was.
The woman was wary.Warier than normal.He was sure she’d been through some trauma recently, and she wasn’t convinced it was over.
The most likely answer was that she was on the run from an abusive ex.It made him swallow hard to stop the growl from escaping.Any man who abused a woman needed to be behind bars.And if he turned his abuse on that child, he deserved much worse.
Nash wanted to shield Olivia from whatever chased her and protect them both.Probably his army training in action.
Or that gorgeous face.The smile she aimed at her daughter.Her easy conversation with Charlie.
Hell.
Nash pointed across the square to the No Phail Diner.“Shall we?”
Olivia nodded.“I’m going to stop at my car and take some of the layers off Ella Mae before we head in.”
Did that mean she was going to take off on him?Possible, but he wouldn’t do anything to stop her.If her alarm bells were ringing, she needed to listen to them.He knew he and Charlie were the opposite of a threat, but she had no way of knowing that.
She’d trusted her gut enough to spend time with them making a snowman.This was another public place, but he’d respect her wishes if she ran.
