Page 118 of Goode Tidings

Oliver shakes his head. "No way. That would be the worst thing I could do. The second he hears he's done something someone he loves doesn't like, he runs away. He can't face them."

I try not to show my shock at what Oliver has just said, but it's running amok inside me. He's perceptive, and while that's a good skill to have, it's too bad he had to develop it so early.

"Oliver, this is not an excuse, but I think your dad's dad hurt him a lot when he was young, and your dad hasn't worked through that yet."

Oliver's lips push out, like he's contemplating what I've said. "Do you remember that happening?"

My tongue presses against the inside of my cheek as I nod. The anecdotes are Justin's to tell, not mine. Oliver thinks this over, then says, "I asked him to get you so I could say thank you."

This perplexes me. "For what?"

"For possibly saving my life. Or, telling them what was wrong and helping them get me to a hospital. It really hurt."

Oh, right. That. "You're welcome."

"Mr. Pettit had you on speaker. How did you know to ask all those questions?"

"I was with your dad the day his appendix nearly burst."

Oliver's mouth hangs open. "I never knew that happened to him."

"Yep. We were fourteen. Home alone. I called an ambulance."

"That must've been scary."

"For both of us, yes."

"I wonder why my dad never told me that happened to him?"

"I don't know your dad very well anymore, so I can't say for certain, but it seems to me that your dad has a hard time letting people get to know him. The real him."

I don't like Justin, and I probably never will, but as an adult in Oliver's life who cares about him, it's my responsibility to make sure Oliver gets every chance to have a good relationship with his dad. I've watched Eden do it countless times over the past few months. That's what true love is.

Do I love this kid?

Do I love his mother?

Yes. Absolutely, without a doubt.

"My mom likes you," Oliver says, as if reading my mind. "She likes you the way you like her. Must've been all that pheromone maxing." He snickers.

I bite the inside of my lower lip to suppress a grin.

"I like you for her," Oliver admits, softer now. A little vulnerable. "It's ok with me if you date her."

He may be young, but his permission feels a bit like an honor being bestowed upon me. Still, I say, "Are you sure this isn't some pain medication doing the talking?" It would be ok if it is. It just means we'll need to have this conversation again once the medication has worn off.

He snorts. "They didn't give me anything that good."

Now I'm the one snorting a laugh.

Eden appears, her gaze swinging between me and Oliver. "What's going on in here?"

"Nothing," Oliver says quickly.

Eden gives him a look that makes it clear she doesn't believe him. "Well, I hate to interrupt, but there is a long line of people in the waiting room who can't wait to see this guy."

"Who else is here?" Oliver asks, interest piqued.