“Why didn’t you call them before, instead of all this hiding?”
“Because I don’t know if Royce knows about him. I’ve avoided calling him on the off chance if he does know Royce, then he can reveal our location.”
Olivia sat quietly, watching the news settle in Ivy’s head. “Then, we shouldn’t risk it.”
“If I don’t, we could be starving in a few weeks.” She should have found a bigger town to settle in. Bigger crowds to get lost in and more money to be had. Then again in bigger towns, there were more cameras to capture their image. Small towns fell off the map.
“Promise you’ll be careful.”
“I always am.”
Kathy returned to the table with a mug of coffee and two plates heaping with food. Oliva hadn’t realized how hungry she was, until she stared at the plate of food with eggs, bacon, and toast. It wasn’t exactly what she ordered, but she wouldn’t complain.
“Olivia, how was your date last night?” Kathy asked, before she could take her first bite.
Olivia winced. She’d rather forget about last night. “Heath found out about Ivy, and let’s just say, it ended the way I thought it would.”
Kathy scowled, and then scooted into the seat next to Ivy. “What did he do? I’ll beat him for you if you want. I already threatened him.”
Olivia stared at her wide eyed. “You threatened Heath?”
“Darn right I did. Last night after you left, he came to the house looking for you. He asked for your address, but I wouldn’t give it to him. Told him I’d give him a beating, if he broke your heart.”
Olivia cracked a smile. Kathy was such a dear friend. “I appreciate that, Kathy, but you don’t have to worry about doing that. I’m sure I won’t be seeing Heath anymore.” Saying that, caused a tight pain in her chest.Never see Heath again.
“Well, the offer still stands. You two are perfect together.”
They were great together, but they had too many issues between them to make it work. Heath with his hang ups on kids, and her keeping secrets to stay alive. “Thanks, Kathy.”
“Now, you enjoy your meal. If you need anything holler.” She turned away, before turning back. “And no taking the dishes to the kitchen to wash. You’re a customer right now.” Without waiting for a response, Kathy walked away.
“I like her.” Ivy chuckled, as she coated her pancakes in syrup. It looked more like soup to her, but it was Ivy’s meal, and thankfully, not hers.
“Me too.” She’s part of the reason I wanted to stay here.
“We’ll make it work, Mom. If I have to get a job babysitting or house sitting, I will.”
Olivia clasped her hand over Ivy’s on the table. She was so proud of her little girl. “I don’t want you working yet. This is your time to enjoy being a kid. After breakfast, you can go over to visit with Susan, while I talk to Kathy about getting some more hours.”
“Deal,” Ivy grinned, before digging into her food.
Chapter 26
They had barely eaten half their meal, when the doorbell chimed behind her, and out of habit, Olivia turned to see who it was. She blinked sure she was seeing things, but no, the five women she had met yesterday, stood in the entry looking around, until they spied her and stared straight at her.
Olivia stared at them frozen. Why were they here? She was sure they already knew about Ivy and came to scold her for lying to Heath. She didn’t have the energy for it today. Olivia turned back around and moved her fork around her plate no longer hungry. Her stomach was in knots. These women had been so great last night, but she was sure they knew about Ivy from Heath and probably hated her for lying to them.
“Olivia.” One of the women called, and she turned to see Cora, leading the group to her.
Olivia groaned. Not now. “I can’t talk right now,” she called over her shoulder and kept playing with her food. She should have known it wouldn’t be that easy to get rid of them.
“Who are they?” Ivy asked, looking up at the women coming towards them with determined steps.
“They’re friends of Heath’s that I met last night.”
Cora stopped in front of their booth “This will only take a moment.”
“Cora,” Olivia sighed not wanting to make a scene in the diner. “If you’re here to badger me about not telling you all about my daughter, save your breath. I learned my lesson about keeping that a secret. I’m sorry I wasn’t more honest with everyone. Please, just leave me be. You won’t see me anymore.” Saying her peace, Olivia looked across the table at Ivy, who just kept staring at the women.
