Page 16 of Second Chances

“Sure. I suppose I can leave cleaning the rest of the windows until tomorrow.” He shrugged.

Crystal smiled. “It’s about time that place was enjoyed. I’m dying to see what your plans are for the place.” She wrapped her arm in his and started walking out of the gym. He wouldn’t have been able to get out of going even if he’d wanted to. Crystal was a very persuasive person.

An hour later, he stood in the dining room of her massive mansion. He’d never stepped foot in Holley Hall before, but since his return, he’d driven past it several times. After the first few moments in the three-story Colonial home, he understood from Rowan, Crystal’s nephew and husband to Kayla, that the place was a historical landmark.

Crystal had given him a quick tour through the main floor, with its high archways, decorative molding, and dark cherry floors. The impressive twisted staircase led up to what he’d been told were several guest rooms. Crystal and Rory used the top floor for themselves, except for Rory’s office, which was on the second floor.

He couldn’t imagine having this much space all to himself. Then again, Crystal pointed out that there wasn’t a day of the week that they weren’t watching her grandkids.

From the way the kids hung on her and called her MeMa, he understood that all kids were hers.

“Sorry you were dragged along,” Olivia said to him as he stood in the dining area, holding a cold beer.

“I’m not.” He ran his eyes over her. “I’m enjoying myself.”

She laughed. The soft sound caused his heart to warm.

“This”—she motioned around them—“can’t be much fun for a single guy like you.” She leaned closer to him. “You do realize it’s a kids’ party.”

He wiggled his beer. “With adult beverages.”

She laughed again. “I guess there are some perks.”

He ran his eyes over her slowly, enjoying another perk of coming along. She knew instantly that he was assessing her, and she tilted her head slightly.

“Cake. Cake is a perk,” she blurted out.

He held in a laugh. “I like cake,” he said smoothly.

She took a deep breath and glanced around. “Did you meet everyone?”

He tore his eyes from her and glanced around. “Kayla.” He motioned with his beer. “Rowan, their son CJ.” He leaned closer and lowered his voice. “The bane of your daughter’s existence.” She chuckled and nodded. He glanced around. “Their daughter Willow is around here somewhere.”

“In the kitchen with Crystal,” she supplied.

“Right. Then there is Lilith and Adam, who is head chef at East Haven. Lilly, as she asks to be called, used to run the place but now plays mom to their three kids. Alex”—he motioned to a three-year-old napping on the sofa— “Brooke, who is two, and Emylia, who is three months old.” He glanced around. “That’s JT and Emma Wilder.” He lowered his voice again. “Famous author and movie star, not that I gushed over either of them, thanks to ironclad restraint.” She giggled again and he smiled, enjoying the sound very much. “Their twins, Sophia and Liam.” He motioned to another man and woman, much younger than the rest and without any kids. “Calvin Winters, the new head of East Haven, and his new wife, Bella, who happens to be Ben’s sister.” He motioned to the two siblings, who were laughing about something one of the kids had said.

“Wow, you have a really great memory,” she said before taking a sip of her wine.

“It helped with the job.” He shrugged and watched her eyebrows lift.

“Job? What did you do in the…” He could tell that she was searching her memory. “Army?”

He nodded. “Special Operations Forces, Rangers” he said quickly. “This and that.” He shrugged.

“Wow, I guess I just assumed…” She shook her head. “Rangers. That’s like the elite team, right?”

He nodded again, not really wanting to talk about his past much. “So, I take it Simona’s father isn’t around much?”

Olivia glanced down into her wine glass. “He’s not.”

A look crossed her face, and he knew that just like his past, this area of her life was off limits. At least for now.

Chapter 5

There was no way for Todd to know just how much Olivia wished she could open up to him about her past. But this early in the game—and she knew it was a game—she wasn’t going to spill all her dark secrets. Not since it was clear that he had some of his own.

Rangers? She was going to have to do a little more research on just what that meant. From what she knew, he was part of a top military group, the guys and gals that went in and did the jobs no one else could.