As if echoing his thoughts, Charlie grinned.“We’re home, Ella.Isn’t it good to be home?”
His son was right, and Nash was going to fight like hell to ensure this home stayed safe and was the perfect place for him and Olivia to explore what was between them.
Amber and Gray popped out of their own vehicle and helped carry all the bags inside.Gray gestured at the truck bed.“What’s under the tarps?”
Charlie laughed.“Christmas presents.No peeking.”
Gray laughed and poked Charlie’s shoulder.“Does that go for you as well?”
Charlie made a face.“Yep.It’s going to drive me nuts not knowing what’s in there.”
After they’d brought their bags inside, Ford and Gray helped Nash offload the covered presents into the barn.Ford studied Nash.“Something’s wrong.Care to share?”
Nash nodded.“Yeah.Someone from Olivia’s past is a potential problem.I’m hoping to talk with everyone tonight.I’m not sure how much she’s willing to share, but I want to make sure she’s safe.”
Ford’s eyes and body hardened.“You know we all have your back.And hers.And that sweet little peanut.After the kids are in bed?”
Nash nodded.
Ford slugged his shoulder.“I’ll take care of letting everyone know.”
And that was the power of friendship.
Since Olivia had lost Mary Mae and Liam, she hadn’t had that.But she did now.Even if she didn’t know it.
Chapter15
Facts And Figures
Olivia ran her hand over sleeping Ella Mae’s hair before grabbing the new baby monitor and heading out of the room.
In the hallway, she found Nash leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest.Instead of saying anything, he held out his hand for her.She took it and he tugged her in until she was cradled against his chest with his arms wrapped around her.
They stood that way for a long moment.Finally, he lowered his head and spoke quietly.“Charlie knows we’re going to talk about what happened today with everyone.He’s going to stay up here to give us a chance to really talk.”
She squeezed him and nodded.Nash kissed her lightly before they headed down the stairs and into the kitchen, the place where the group always gathered.
The scent of chocolate filled the room.Amber and Gray were taking chocolate chip cookies off trays and putting them on racks.
Ford grabbed a plate filled with cookies and a glass of lemonade.“I’m going to run these up to Charlie, so he doesn’t miss out.Ella’s asleep?”
Olivia nodded and Ford left the room.
Knox set a pitchers of lemonade and water in the middle of the table, and Jolie took a kettle off the stove.“Anyone want tea or hot chocolate?”
Olivia had to swallow hard to answer.“I’d love some chamomile, thanks.”
Soon, Ford was back, and everyone took their spots around the table.Their usual spots.It filled her up that they all had normal spots to take.Like a family.A family forged of more than blood.
Nash slipped his arm around her shoulders and played with her hair.She smiled at him before she looked at everyone around the table.“I’m worried that my presence here might be bringing danger to the farm.”
To her surprise, that brought a round of chuckles.The couples looked at each other and then to her.
Thea grinned.“You wouldn’t be the first.It’s happened with all of us.Tell us how we can help and what we need to do.”
Jolie nodded.“We’ll tell you our stories after we’ve figured out what we need to do to help you and Ella.”
Nash ran his fingers over her shoulder, and she swallowed hard again.“Okay.Wow.I thought you might immediately ask us to leave.And if you want to do that after I tell you the story, I’ll understand.”
