That’swhat she was upset about? “I was going to, but I wanted to see if they could do it first so you wouldn’t feel obligated.”
Her eyes locked with his. “So it’s not that you don’t trust me with her?”
“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that, because if I had, it would make me question whether you really are as smart as I thought you were.”
Her shoulders fell from where they’d been hunched near her ears. “Good answer.” Resting her head on his chest, she slid her arms around his waist. “And now I’ve made such a big thing of it, would it be really pathetic of me to admit I’m panicked at the thought of spending time alone with Ellie? What if she hates me?”
Connor tightened his arms around her. “Who have you spent the past fifteen minutes with? And I’ll give you a clue, it’s not me.”
“I can’t talk horses for four hours.”
“She can.” When Olivia looked up at him with narrowed eyes, he kissed the tip of her nose. “You’re always telling me you’re a smart, resourceful woman. And smart, resourceful women will have no problem entertaining an eight-year-old child for a few hours.” He grinned. “I’ll give you one piece of advice: Don’t take her to the Tate.”
Olivia whacked his arm. “You’re meant to be reassuring me, not reminding me of how badly wrong I got it the last time I looked after an eight-year-old.”
“Did Mia survive?”
“Of course.”
“Is she still talking to you?”
“She told me I’m her favorite aunt,” she replied smugly. “But I can’t tell Ashley or she’ll treat it as a competition and plan evil ways of beating me.”
He smiled, reached for her ponytail, and eased off the black velvet scrunchie, allowing her hair to flow down her shoulders. “Well, if you’re really worried about how to keep Ellie happy, you can always ask your favorite niece to help you.”
“I’d gain brownie points with both girls. I like it.” Her eyes scanned the worktop. “What are you making me?”
“Persuade Ellie it’s time she went to bed and you can find out.”
She set her shoulders and gave him a sharp nod. “I’ve got this, Chef.”
Chapter 29
Olivia could have saved herself a lot of anguish if she’d just trusted Connor. He’d not been worried about leaving Ellie with her, so she should have known it would be okay, because he didn’t just know his own daughter—as she’d observed in Nantucket with the hen party and with her family, he knew people.
It helped that her sisters and even her mum had leapt at the chance for all of them to catch up. It also helped that Jessica had suggested an indoor play center as the venue. While the plastic seats and Formica tables lacked the sophistication of the Tate Café, it certainly made it easy to entertain a child.
“I didn’t think we’d ever get Liv to a play center,” Ashley mused, glancing over at her. “It makes me want to high-five the air.”
“Seeing her taking time off on a Saturday makes me want to do the same.” Jessica, rocking a sleepy baby Tabby in her stroller, studied her. “You look... content.”
The observation surprised Olivia, though her answer surprised her even more. “I am.”
Jessica smiled. “Finally realizing there’s more to life than your career?”
Oh, no, she wasn’t being led down that bumpy road. “I appreciate there’s a benefit to being in a relationship with the right man,” she countered carefully before darting a look to her mum.
“Good,” her mum said firmly. “Having a career is all very well, but I don’t want you to look back on your life when you’re sixty and realize how lonely you are. How unfulfilled.”
Olivia gaped at her. “How can you of all people say that, Mum? You’re the one who spent your life stuck at home with no escape.” Words she’d thought but never said before now.
Her mother looked at her in astonishment. “You think the reason I stayed home was because I had no career to escape to?” Olivia didn’t have to reply—her mum saw the answer on her face. “Oh, my dear daughter, I stayed at home because Iwantedto. And yes, I know you find that hard to believe, but I loved your father, and I loved bringing you girls up.”
“YoulovedDad?” Olivia couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She’d assumed her parents’ relationship was about habit, convenience.
“Yes, I loved him,” her mum confirmed. “Do I wish he’d been at home more? Of course I do. But I knew he needed me, that you all needed me, and that gave me far more satisfaction than any job would have done.” Her voice shook, and she swallowed, clearly taking a moment to compose herself. “Looking at you all now,” she continued, “I couldn’t feel more fulfilled.You’remy career, my greatest achievement, my biggest joy.”
“You have no regrets at all that you didn’t work?” Olivia pressed, still reeling.
