The fact that she allowed herself to be open and vulnerable with him was a gift he would always treasure.He kissed her shoulder while he held her steady as the aftershocks worked their way through her.“Thank you.”
That had her eyes opening and a grin lighting up her face.She glowed with happiness.“I think that’s my line.”
He chuckled.“Nope.Definitely mine.Thanks for trusting me enough to let me be part of your life.”
Her eyes softened further, and she brought up a soapy finger to trace over his jaw.“And thank you for letting me be part of yours.It’s not easy to trust someone else or in life in general, but you make it easy, Nash.I love you.”
“I love you, too Olivia.Merry first Christmas together.”
Her eyes lit up.“Merry first Christmas together.”Then her hands disappeared beneath the bubbles and her grin turned wicked as she touched him.“It’s already been the best day of my life but I have an idea how to make it even better.”
It was a hell of a good idea.
Chapter23
Willing And Able
The days after Christmas were full of joy for Olivia.
For years, the season had been nothing special.The workers at the group home where she’d spent her teen years had been great.There had always been good food and little treats for everyone.But those people’s real Christmas time had been with their families.
She, Mary Mae, and Liam had enjoyed extremely frugal Christmases while they’d worked through the season, always saving for the future instead of buying gifts.New York was a multi-cultural city, and Olivia had always enjoyed serving on Christmas Day.People were generally happy, and the tips were good.
This Christmas had been different from any in her past.Bigger and brighter.Full of family, love, and fun.Exactly as she’d always pictured a family holiday.
They’d skated, snowshoed, and built snowmen.Ella loved being outdoors and protested when they had to go inside.
Her little girl was using more words by the day.She now identified everyone in the group, although some of the sounds continued to be a challenge.Olivia didn’t doubt for a minute that she’d figure it out.
“Mama.Go.”
Olivia laughed.“And now you’re using verbs, aren’t you my precious Ella Mae?”
She figured the girl was dealing well with the traumas she’d experienced.Being surrounded by safety and comfort had to help.
For the first few months after her friends’ deaths, Olivia had been nothing but a bundle of nerves, and she knew that hadn’t helped Ella feel secure.
Now, they were safe.Better, they were happy.Looking forward to the future.
“Go.Mama.Go.”
Ella walked toward the stairs and Olivia scooped her up.“I know Charlie’s teaching you to scoot down the stairs, but we’ll save that for later.They’re waiting for us now.”
“Lee.Oggie.Na.Go.”
Olivia kissed her cheek.“Yes, Ella Mae.We’re going outside with Oggie, Charlie, and Nash.”
There was fresh snow, and the Malssums said it was perfect snowman making snow.She hoped in time she’d be able to tell the weather like a Vermonter.
With Ella fussy to get outside, it took longer to get her dressed in her outer gear than normal.“I think I’m going to have to learn to be an outdoors writer if you like being outside so much.”
And she could picture it in her head.Sitting on the porch in the summer while the kids played outside.Maybe not in the winter, but she’d bet sitting in the orchard in the autumn would bring her all kinds of new story ideas.
She didn’t spot anyone outside until she walked around to the front of the farmhouse.Instead of being on the rink, the crew was spread out on the space where Gray’s gardens would grow in a few months.
Charlie waved.“Hi, Ella.I hope your nap gave you lots of energy.We’re making a path for you.The dogs like it, too.”
Nash walked over to Olivia and lifted Ella from her arms.He blew a raspberry on the girl’s cheek, sending her into giggles.Then he leaned down to kiss Olivia.“Did you get lots of words in while she napped?”
