The look Jake gave her was confusing, like a combination of guilt and relief. Which made no sense to her at all.
“You fainted.”
Fainted?That couldn’t be right. “I what?”
“You fainted,” Jake repeated. “You don’t...remember?”
He sounded hopeful. Or did he? Damn, she was confused.
“Quit messing with me, Jake. What really happened?”
He shook his head. “I’m not messing with you, Liv. You fainted. I got to you just before you landed. You’re okay, though.”
Olivia was getting aggravated. Mainly at herself, because she couldn’t remember.
“People don’t just faint for no reason, Jake. I certainly never have.”
“Well, you know what they say. There’s a first time for everything.”
The low voice came from behind her, and suddenly, Olivia was back at the barn.
She was standing just inside the door, and someone else was inside. Standing next to Jake.Mikey was in the barn with Jake.
“It’s not possible.” She stared into Jake’s eyes.
Jake whispered a curse before glaring at whoever was standing behind her. “I told you to wait.”
In her peripheral, Olivia saw a man walk around the end of the couch and stop next to where Jake was still squatted.
She licked her dry lips and swallowed hard, too terrified to look up. Jake reached for her hands, which were now in a white-knuckled grip on her lap.
“I promise I can explain everything, Liv.”
Slowly, Olivia moved her eyes upward, her breath catching in her throat as she made eye contact with...him.
She couldn’t bear to even think his name because it was impossible to believe. She swallowed again before speaking, trying to stay strong, but her shaky voice betrayed her.
“W-who are you?”
The man smiled, making him appear younger. “It’s me, Junebug. Mikey.”
Olivia’s eyes shot back to Jake’s. “Is this some kind of sick joke?”
His swallow was audible, his eyes too serious. “No, sweetheart. It’s no joke.” There was no mistaking the guilt in Jake’s eyes.
Her questions came out one right after the other. “What is this, then? What’s going on, Jake? I...I don’t understand. Why would you do this to me?”
The man pretending to be her brother stepped forward. “Junebug listen, I—”
“Stop it!” Olivia yelled. “Stop calling me that! Mybrotherwas the only one who called me that, and he’s dead!”
Hearing this man—whoever he was—use the nickname her brother had dubbed her with as a young child was unconscionable.
She was suddenly dizzy and nauseated and...confused. Why would Jake pull such a cruel, hateful joke on her?
Olivia felt her eyes fill, and when she stood too quickly, she started to sway. Jake stood with her, gently grabbing her elbows to keep her from falling.
“Baby, I know this is a lot to take in, but I promise, if you’ll just let us explain...”
