He kissed Olivia’s cheek.“I’d like to check in with Charlie, then we can head to the No Fail Diner.We can swap out the compost pails and grab some lunch before we head back.
Olivia nodded but didn’t pull back from the hug right away.He kissed her again, this time on the lips.“You doing okay?”
Finally, she pulled back.“I am.I was just thinking how incredibly lucky I am.Finding you and Charlie in the park of this quirky town was the best day of my life.”
He grinned.“One of my best days, too.Looking to have many more of those with you both.”
Her lips trembled, then broke into a wide smile.“Me too.”
He leaned down to capture that smile.Anticipation and need coursed through him, especially when he felt her entire body tremble this time.
His voice had dropped about an octave when he whispered in her ear.“I’d like to do that in a place with a lot more privacy.I want to taste every inch of you and see how glorious you are when you shatter into a million pieces.”
Her breath caught in a gasp and her cheeks flushed deeply.Her eyes sparkled and that smile widened.“That sounds wonderful.”
“Olivia.Ella Mae.How are two of our favorite ladies?”
Nash huffed out a breath and forced his body and mind under control.Two middle-aged men walked up with big smiles.Nash figured they knew exactly what kind of conversation they’d interrupted.
Ella clapped her hands and grinned at the two men.Then she patted Olivia’s face.“Mama.”
The shorter man clapped his hands.“Good job, Ella.That’s your marvelous mama.You’re growing up.”
Olivia laughed.“It’s only been a few weeks.Do you know Nash?”
When all three men shook their heads, Olivia smiled.“Nash, meet Jim and Carl.They run the beautiful B&B where Ella and I first stayed here in Phail.”
Nash shook their hands.He didn’t pick up a single sign that they were anything other than friendly.Well, nosy, they were unquestionably nosy.
Jim smiled.“We’ve heard all kinds of good things about you, Nash.And your boy, too.Is Charlie in town with you today?”
Small towns were something else.Nash shook his head.“He’s back at the apple farm working on making a rink.”
Carl interrupted his game of Peekaboo with Ella to smile at him.“Everyone at the farm is glad you joined them.All of you.We’re heading to the No Fail Diner for lunch.We’d love you to join us so we can catch up with Olivia and Ella.”
Yep.Nosy.
Soon enough, they were ensconced in a booth with Ella on a booster seat between him and Olivia.She was against the wall, and Nash sat where he could keep an eye on the door.It was a habit, and not one he would drop until he knew more about Adam Parsons, and if the man was searching for Ella or Olivia.Was it possible his obsession with Mary could morph into one for Olivia?It didn’t sound the man had his act together, so it was a possibility.
Nash lay his hand along the back of the booth and toyed with Olivia’s hair.He was sure neither of the men missed the move, and by the smiles, he was sure they approved.These two had become important to Olivia and Ella in only a few days, so he was glad.
He caught Olivia’s eye and raised his brows.In his opinion, the more trusted people who knew about Parsons, the better.It would provide another barrier to keep her safe.If he found out she was in the area, it was likely he would stop in Phail to find more information.Marcus had suggested informing Troy and the rest of his team, along with the people at Midnight Lake.
With Carl and Jim gossiping with their eye on people they cared about, adding them to the loop was smart.But it was her call.
She rolled her lips together and her eyes showed her concerns.“I don’t want to put anyone in danger.”
The men heard her whispered words, and they exchanged a glance then leaned in.Carl spoke softly.“We keep secrets, Olivia.If there’s something wrong, we want to help.You know we’ll do anything to help you and Ella Mae, right?”
Olivia worried that lip for another moment before she nodded.“You already guessed some of it from when we were in your B&B.It’s a complicated story, but the gist of it is there’s a man from my past who may want to take or hurt Ella Mae.”
Nash couldn’t let it sit at that.“Or you.We don’t know enough yet.”
Jim frowned.“Were you in the Phail Jail to tell Marcus?”
Olivia nodded.“It’s safer for everyone if I don’t tell you much, but if this man is as obsessed as he was with…”
She broke off and closed her eyes.Nash ran his fingers over her shoulder and brought the men’s attention to him.“He has a history of obsessive, violent behavior.We’re worried that he may have fixated on Ella and possibly Olivia.”
