“Mama.Na.”
Ella’s words had them all smiling, and Jim reached across the table to pat her hands.“Good girl, Ella.Your mama and Nash are going to take good care of you.”
Carl nodded, his face serious.“We’ll help.We don’t need to know the details, but knowing the name and face of the man would help.We can keep our eyes and ears open.We know pretty much everything that goes on in this town.And we’re the only place to stay.If he rents a room, we’ll call Marcus first and you second.”
Olivia smiled.“Thank you.His name is Adam Parsons.I don’t have a photo but he won’t look like he fits in.He’s a bodybuilder type with a perpetual scowl.”
Her phone beeped, and she pulled it out to find that Marcus had sent her Adam’s mug shot.Seeing the belligerent scowl had her heart racing.The tattoo of a dagger below his left ear was new, but the evil emanating off him was the same.“Marcus works quickly.He’s sent me Adam’s mug shot.This is him.”
She showed Nash first and then the others.Nash’s hand squeezed her shoulder, offering comfort.She texted Marcus to acknowledge he had the right man and then put the photo away, even seeing him made her queasy.
Jim sipped at the tea Ginny had brought to the table.“With that attitude, he’s going to stand out if he comes to Phail.Letting Troy and Ginny in on who to look out for would be smart as well.Branna, too.None of them will pry for details, but they always have their eyes on the town.If he stops in Phail, someone will know about it.”
Olivia’s hand smoothed over Ella’s hair as she played with the sippy cup Ginny had given her.“Thanks.I’m so glad I stopped in Phail Way Park that day.I’ve never had so many people I could trust before.You’re all amazing.”
Nash wished he could hug her, but with Ella between them, he would wait.Instead he tugged on her hair until she glanced his way.“I’m very glad you stopped that day too.”
Carl’s eyes twinkled.“So are we.Probably not in the same way that Nash is happy, but we’re thrilled and proud to be part of your group, Olivia.Now, let’s try some tamales, and you can fill us in on the happenings out at the farm.”
Nash felt Olivia relax.Jim and Carl were exactly the type of people who would remind her of the good in the world.The men might be middle-aged, but they sparkled with fun, just like Charlie.
Yep, he was very, very glad Olivia had stopped in Phail that day.His entire world had changed for the better, and he was ready to make it better yet.
He just needed to find a way to have her alone long enough for them to deal with the heat steaming between them.
They were going to need a long time.
Chapter17
Squirrels And Oggies
Their entire group of friends crowded into a couple of vehicles and crossed the road to the nearby Christmas tree farm.Olivia drove her own vehicle, with Ella and Charlie in the back seat and Nash sitting up front with her.
It felt like another family outing, like the one to New York, until spotting Adam’s lookalike had ruined it all.She shoved thoughts of him out of her head.They were focusing on Christmas today.
The group had decided to decorate the farmhouse in an environmentally conscious way.They’d have an old-fashioned Christmas that was about spending time together instead of spending money.
Gifts would be limited to their partners unless they were homemade.Which meant Olivia had been looking up recipes for simple sugar cookies.She hoped to convince Charlie and Nash to help her and Ella Mae decorate.
She didn’t think she had the experience to try gingerbread people or anything too fancy, but she figured they’d have fun trying.
Ella would probably get a sugar high, but Christmas was all about fun.
This would be the girl’s first Christmas without Mary Mae and Liam.It was going to be difficult in many ways, but Olivia wanted to make it special for Ella.She was too young to realize it was her first Christmas without her parents, but Olivia would work to make it a good memory anyway.Something filled with love and family.She’d learned long ago that family wasn’t dependent on blood.
Olivia parked beside Ford’s truck and everyone piled out.Nash strapped on the baby carrier, and she helped him buckle up the little girl, who was more than happy to hang out with her favorite man.
Happy barks sounded from the garage and then a curly white and brown dog bounced their way.Tail wagging furiously, he spun in circles at the sight of the group.
Laughing, a pretty woman followed him.“Breathe, Squirrel.Don’t scare away our neighbors.”
Jolie explained the rest of the group had already met Sylvia Newberry.She and Squirrel ran the Christmas tree farm, although Olivia bet Squirrel didn’t do much other than make everyone smile, which was a very good thing.
Boomer was the only dog they’d brought themselves.The German shepherd didn’t like letting Amber out of his sight.Olivia had heard part of the story of why her friend had bought the protection dog.Now that the danger was over, Boomer wasn’t required so much for protection, but he always stuck close to Amber and Gray.
Charlie dropped to his knees when Squirrel bounced his way.Laughing, he accepted the licks.In direct contrast to Boomer, this dog didn’t sit still for even a moment.Tail wagging, feet bouncing, tongue lolling, he was the epitome of the sugar high she’d imagined earlier.
On Nash’s chest, Ella Mae laughed and clapped her hands.Nash patted her hair.“Maybe we’ll wait until he chills out a bit before we let him lick you.”
