He and Charlie stopped at their car to shed some of their layers, too.He’d have to hang up the soaking mittens and Charlie’s snow pants once they got to the farm.
They waited at their car for Olivia and her daughter.They were traveling in a Focus that was too old to drive safely on the highways.He hoped the engine was in better shape than the body.
He was pleased when Olivia closed the car door with Ella in her arms.She wasn’t bolting.
She aimed a dazzling smile his way, and the little girl clapped her hands when they approached.
Charlie grinned at the two of them.“Are you ready for some hot chocolate, Ella?Or maybe some milk.Is she too young for hot chocolate?”
Olivia smiled.She was always ready to answer questions about her daughter.He’d bet his car that she wouldn’t be nearly as forthcoming with questions about herself or her background.
“I think milk is a good idea, but when my cocoa cools, I’ll let Ella Mae try some.”
Nash held open the door for the group and barely resisted putting his hand on Olivia’s back to usher her into the diner.It wasn’t his right.
He nearly ran right into her when she and Charlie both stopped short.A quick look around proved there was no danger, and then his attention snagged on the decor.Blue and green Scottish plaid covered the booths and the stools.A huge crest covered the far wall in the same colors and the word Phail was written in fancy script on the lower banner.Very Scottish.
But Mexican scents filled the diner, making his stomach rumble.“Smells like more than cinnamon buns are in order.”
Charlie grinned.“Good because I want to taste whatever smells so good.”
A woman behind the counter laughed.“Welcome to Phail and the No Fail Diner.Our cook, Manuel, makes everything taste delicious.Have a seat wherever you’d like.”
Olivia walked to the side wall and chose a seat where she could see the front window.A random choice?Or was she keeping an eye out for who might be out there while keeping herself relatively hidden?
He slid in the opposite side beside his son.If there was danger, he wanted to be in a position to protect them all.
The woman approached with a coffee pot and cups in hand.“I’m Ginny.Would you like coffee?We also have a variety of tea that you can see on the board.”
Before the adults could answer, Charlie piped up.“Do you have hot chocolate?”
“Only the best in Vermont.”
“That’s what we’ll have.We were building a snowman in the park.Except Ella probably needs juice or milk instead.”
The woman’s eyes twinkled with amusement at Charlie’s excited words.She peeked out the window and nodded.“That’s a mighty fine snowman.You earned yourself a hot chocolate.What kind of juice does your sister like?”
The words sent a jolt of desire through Nash’s system.Not sexual desire, although he suspected he’d always feel that around Olivia.This was a desire for family.A bigger family than he had with Charlie.
For the first time in a decade, he wanted more.His visceral reaction to Ginny’s words had beenThat’s what I want.
Holy hell.Charlotte had been gone for almost eleven years, and not once in that time had he felt this fierce desire for more.
With an effort, he shoved the emotions to the side.This wasn’t the time or place to deal with the guilt or the yearning rolling through him.Later.Much later.
Oblivious to his reaction, Charlie laughed.“Ella’s not my sister.We just met when we were all playing in the snow.It’s my first time making a snowman.”
Ginny grinned.“Then you have superior snow skills.”She turned to Olivia and asked what kind of drink the toddler would like.
Nash was glad that Charlie had dealt with the moment so well.And that he was showing so much of his normal self.Maribel’s departure had changed him.The two of them video chatted frequently, but the time zone differences between the States and Spain didn’t always make it easy to connect.And video chatting wasn’t the same as having your best buddy with you at school.
Ginny returned with three hot chocolates and a sippy cup of milk.“Anything to eat with that?”
Charlie turned to his dad and pointed at the board.“They’ve got a taco sampler platter.Could we try that?Do you like tacos, Olivia?”
Olivia smiled.“That sounds great, but maybe something easier for Ella.Would you have any apple sauce?”
Ginny grinned.“We do.We have friends with an apple farm down the road, and we’re hoping to stock their locally made apple sauce by spring, but for now we have other sauce.”
