Olive let out a humorous sigh and nodded. “We had a good chat, yes, and I’m pleased to say I helped calm him down. In the end, the whole thing was a storm in a teacup, and just a minor hiccup with some of the wedding reception organisational details that was relatively easy to sort out once my grandson Blake and his fiancé Kylie realised they’d both have to compromise a little. However, the stress of organising a wedding, not to mention still adjusting to being parents of a growing and increasingly active child, is enough to put even the most level-headed of people on edge, and I think they both just buckled under the pressure. They had a big argument about itall, and said some silly things to one another, but I succeeded in persuading my grandson that no couple in the history of the world has ever made it to the altar without saying at least a few choice words to each other.”
Courtney laughed. “I’m sure he appreciated talking to you about it all.”
“I was glad to help, and I’m happy to say all is now well. Living so far away from my immediate family, it’s not often I have the opportunity to help out in a crisis. While I naturally wish my poor grandson hadn’t been so upset in the first place, I was pleased to do my bit and help pour oil on troubled waters.” A wry smile crossed the older lady’s lips. “Although, if Blake and Kylie had waited just a few more days before having their epic argument, I would have been there in person to help smooth things over.”
“You’re flying over there soon, isn’t that right?” Courtney asked, remembering some of the details Olive had shared about the extended trip she was about to take to Toronto.
“The day after tomorrow,” Olive agreed, with a nod. “The wedding doesn’t take place until next month, but I wanted to get myself over there well in advance to make sure I recover from any jet lag or cabin bugs I might have the misfortune to pick up while flying there. I’ll have almost eight weeks with my family in total, with the wedding in the middle, and I can’t wait to get there and see everyone.”
“I hope you have a wonderful time, Olive. I’ll miss seeing you out and about at the park while you’re gone.”
Courtney had only been staying in Hamblehurst for a little over two weeks, but had come to look forward to bumping into the kindly older lady and her scruffy canine companion when she was out and about.
“I shall miss seeing you, too, dear, but I’ll be back before you know it.” Olive’s eyebrows lifted, and she glanced at Courtney’sbaby bump. “And I dare say you will probably have your little one with you by the time I return.”
“You’re right,” Courtney said, smiling as a tingle of excitement ran along her spine at the prospect. “She’ll probably be a few weeks old by the time you get back to Hamblehurst, depending on whether she arrives late or on time.”
Olive reached out and squeezed Courtney’s hand. “I will keep you in my thoughts while I’m gone. You have my phone number, so be sure to send me a message to let me know when your little baby is born. I’ll want to know you are both well.”
Touched by the older lady’s thoughtfulness, Courtney nodded. “If I don’t see you before you leave, I hope you have a wonderful time.”
“Thank you, dear. Take care of yourself.”
Courtney smiled as Olive squeezed her hand one more time before tugging gently on Elsa’s lead and resuming her walk towards the park exit. She continued her own walk, making the most of the cool day to get some extra exercise without ending up in a sweaty heap, and congratulated herself for managing two loops of the duck pond before deciding it was time to return home.
Home, she thought. Even although the guest room at Rosie’s house wasn’t technically her home, shefeltat home there. She felt at home on Foxglove Street, and felt at home in Hamblehurst, felt comforted and known andloved, all things that had been missing from her life since her mother’s death.
And she no longer felt so desperately alone here, either. She was under no illusions about the challenges she still faced and the difficulties that might lie ahead for her as a single mother with no job. But those challenges no longer terrified her the way they had only a few weeks ago.
Now she had hope—hope that things would turn out alright in the end.
These thoughts were swirling and lifting her spirits as Courtney left the duck pond behind and saw Travis Stone walking towards her from the other direction. Her stomach did a strange little flip as she watched him draw near, his gaze distant as he peered off into the trees on one side.
He’s day-dreaming again about the book he’s writing,Courtney thought.Off in his own little world.
And on the back of this thought came another.
Why does it thrill me to think about how his mind whisks him off to those distant places in his imagination? Why does it thrill me to know that about him?
And why is my stomach doing somersaults with every step closer I get to him?
She would’ve liked to chalk it up to the baby being active, but that had nothing to do with it. Something about Travis Stone just made her heart hammer a little harder inside her chest, even although she knew it was stupid and pointless and downright ridiculous to even think such a thing about him.
As if he’d be even remotely interested in her, waddling along with her huge baby bump and her disastrous life and an idiot grin plastered across her face.
“Hi, Travis!” she called out, once she got a little closer, adding a wave to make sure she caught his attention.
Travis blinked, pulled out of his thoughts. He peered at her for a beat, as if remembering where he was, and then smiled.
“Courtney, hello,” he said. “How’s things?”
“All good. I was just out for a walk and now I’m on my way home. How are you?”
“I’m fine. Just getting some fresh air and plotting a new scene.” He glanced over his shoulder towards the park exit. “I can walk you back, if you like?”
“Don’t cut your walk short on my account.”
He shook his head. “I took the long way here along the high street and up the hill, so I’ve had plenty of walking time. I stopped off at the baker’s before I came here and bought some treats,” he added, holding up the paper carrier bag in his hands. “Would you, er, like to stop by the house for a coffee and help me eat a few cakes?”
