by Lois Richer
Olivia jerked away, shifting her head so her hair covered the scar.
“Sorry. You had some blue chalk there.” His smile didn’t alter, which allowed her to relax a little. “Are you able to go house hunting this afternoon? I have a lead—”
“Victoria and I have a staff meeting at two o’clock,” Olivia explained. “It should take about half an hour.” Funny how much she wanted to go with him to look for a house. Why did it matter to her where Gabe lived?
For Eli’s sake, she told herself. Her brain scoffed. Eli. Right.
“Meaning you’ll be free after two thirty?” Gabe smiled at her nod. “Good.” He stood there, studying her.
“What?” she demanded, suddenly uncomfortable.
“You know you want to ask,” Gabe shot back with a smirk.
“Oh, brother.” Olivia rolled her eyes. “Okay, the aunts say everything else is progressing well, so how’s Eli doing with his painting on Art’s outbuildings?” Truthfully? She was very curious, especially now because Gabe had insisted she see nothing until they were finished the entire job.
“Doing well.” He burst out laughing at her disgust. “Patience isn’t your strong suit, is it, Olivia?”
“Usually I’m a very patient person,” she insisted. “You have to be when you work with logistics. It must be your effect on me.”
“Sure,” Gabe said.
Ignoring his amused chuckle, Olivia turned her back and sauntered toward the picnic table to fetch herself a hamburger. It didn’t seem as if Adele had an overabundance of cooked burgers ready for the growing crowd of kids. She’d just selected a charred burger, intending to eat only the center when a long arm reached around her and replaced her meat patty with a less burnt one.
“What are you doing?” she demanded, whirling to glare at Gabe. “I like well-done burgers.”
“That one passed well-done and moved into the ‘ash’ category a while ago. It’s inedible.” His grin somehow made her day brighter. “Mustard?”
“No, thanks. I prefer relish on my burgers.” She moved her plate when he offered a scoop of raw onions. “No, thank you.”
“Your loss.” Gabe selected a serving of every single condiment offered, added a bag of chips and a glass of lemonade before following her to a grassy spot in the shade under a tree where Eli was eating with Mikey.
“Olivia, did anyone ever tell you you’re not very adventurous?” Gabe asked in a mocking tone.
“No,” she assured him, hiding her smile when he bit into one of the hot peppers her sister always served.
Gabe’s eyes stretched wide. He stopped chewing, gulped, then grabbed his drink and downed the entire contents.
“Mostly people compliment me on avoiding the pitfalls of taking chances,” she said smugly before holding out her own untouched glass. “Go ahead.”
Gabe didn’t refuse, simply took her glass and emptied it. She calmly ate her hamburger while he regained his breath. Then he carefully set aside the rest of the pepper. Finally, voice hoarse, he spoke.
“I still say you miss out on all the fun parts.”
“Like you just did?” Olivia giggled. “Some things are missable, Gabe. Like Adele’s ultrahot peppers. Is your painting going well, Eli?”
The child managed to utter about three words before Gabe reminded him that the painting was supposed to be a surprise. Eli shrugged at Olivia before returning to his lunch and Mikey’s explanation about monster trucks.
“Good try,” Gabe murmured. “Plying innocent kids with questions isn’t very nice.”
“Why is it such a secret? It’s just an outbuilding.” Frustrated by his refusal to tell her anything, Olivia huffed a sigh and concentrated on her lunch.
“Your strong suit is patience, huh?” Gabe laughed, then finished his hamburger. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Plying me with questions isn’t nice, either,” she shot back, surprised to find she enjoyed verbally sparring with him. “But you will anyway.”
“Why don’t you like to try new things?” Gabe set aside his empty plate and leaned back on his elbows.
“I am trying new things. I’m starting a new job in a new city, finding a new home and learning new skills. You’re the one stuck in a bunkhouse, remember?” She shouldn’t have said that, but Olivia knew exactly where his questions were leading. And she didn’t like it.
“You’ve helped a lot with the program here. Don’t you want to stay at The Haven and be part of the foster kids’ ministry?” Gabe pressed curiously.
“I don’t belong here. I’m only staying long enough to streamline things for Vic. When I’m finished, I’ll go.” She crunched on her chips as she surveyed the groups of kids chattering around them. “I’m not good with children, Gabe.”
“Not true,” he asserted. “You’re very good with Eli.” They watched as Eli and Mikey ran off.
“Not really. Eli’s mostly self-sufficient. He doesn’t tell me much. When we’re alone together he doesn’t talk about whatever’s bothering him, and though I’ve tried, I haven’t been able to elicit any information about his former circumstances.”
“Me, neither,” Gabe said glumly.
“You will.” Olivia shrugged. “But kids and I just don’t mesh. Never have.”
“I think you could, but you won’t let yourself unbend enough to get close to them.” Gabe’s blue eyes narrowed as he studied her. “I can’t help wonder why that is when you’re so competent at everything else.”
“You know I’m competent how? Because you’ve seen my fabulous sewing and cooking skills? As if!” She hooted with laughter, hoping to divert him. “You don’t know that much about me, Gabe.”
“I know some,” he defended. “Your aunts told me you took a nothing job in the military and turned it into an example for other administrative assistants. I know the colonel you worked for was so impressed with your work that he signed off on you taking a bunch of courses that others were not offered. I know you were awarded several service honors and that you set up two other offices—”
“Enough. Let’s agree that the aunts told you some stuff about what I do. Did.” Olivia looked directly into his eyes. “Now add this to your knowledge. I freeze up around kids. I do stupid things and sometimes they get hurt. I’m lousy with responsibility for children so I avoid them. That way they don’t get hurt.” Irritated, she glared at him. “Can we drop it now?”
“For now.” He grinned. “What kind of houses do you think we’ll find this time?”
“I already know.” She smiled triumphantly. “I’ve done some research.”
“Ah, so you were intending to go house hunting with me again.” He looked a little too pleased with himself.
“I was hoping you’d locate something you’d consider buying so Eli could have a home,” she corrected. There was something about this cowboy with his pretense of slow-wittedness that annoyed Olivia no end because she knew Gabe was smart as a whip. “As I’ve said before, that kid needs his own home. And I need to get to work if I’m going to be able to leave with you after the meeting. Excuse me.”
She rose and walked toward The Haven, fully aware that Gabe’s blue eyes followed her and eager to escape that pensive stare. But the aunties stopped her before she could enter the office.
“Livvie, dear, we fear we may have bragged on you a little too much with Gabe,” Tillie said, looping her arm through Olivia’s.
“It’s just that we’re so proud of you. But, well...” Margaret’s voice dropped away.
“We know you like your privacy,” Tillie finished.
“Yes, I did prefer that when I was with the military. And Gabe’s just informed me of all the details you shared.” She smiled at their worried looks. “Don’t worry, Aunties. It’s fine. But, please, don’t tell him anything more, okay?”
“Why not?” Margaret frowned. “If he already kno
ws most—”
“A girl should have some secrets.” The moment she said it, Olivia wished she hadn’t. Her aunts glanced at each other, speculative looks filling their faces. Looks Olivia knew too well. “Not that it matters one little bit,” she quickly backtracked. “There is no relationship between us. I don’t know Gabe very well and—”
“Not to worry, dearie. You’ll get to know him a lot better now that you’re home. Meantime, your secrets are safe with us.” Tillie made a zipping-the-lip motion and winked.
“So, you’re going house shopping—with this man you hardly know? How exciting.” Margaret chuckled aloud as Olivia rolled her eyes. “We do love having you girls back with us at The Haven. It’s such fun.”
“I’m only home for a short while, remember. I can’t stay.” Given her aunts’ glazed expressions, Olivia could only hope her cautioning words sank in.
“We know that’s what you said, dear. Later.” Tillie looped her arm in Margaret’s and the two strolled away, whispering and giggling like girls.
“Olivia, you need to learn to shut up,” she scolded herself. To enforce the words, she closed the office door and forced herself to concentrate on finishing the schedule plan. She intended to hand it out at the meeting later.
But it wasn’t that easy to muffle the giddiness that burbled inside when she thought about the upcoming house hunt with Gabe. He was going to be so surprised.
* * *
Something was up.
After a quick glance at Olivia’s face, Gabe took the back road as directed. She looked smug, too satisfied with herself.
“This track leaves something to be desired,” he muttered as his truck almost bottomed out on the ruts.
“Once you’re living here I’m sure the county will maintain the road.” Olivia pressed her lips together firmly, stifling her smile.
Definitely something up, Gabe decided.
“Turn left here.”
He obediently turned, rounding a huge grove of massive spruce trees. His foot fell off the gas pedal.
“Isn’t it gorgeous?” Olivia whispered. “Forty acres. On the crest of the hill, protected against the north winds, facing south so you get the best light—well?” She studied his face eagerly.
Gabe parked, got out of the truck and soaked in the view. Green rolling hills undulated all around, perfect for a few horses to graze in. Trees, deciduous and evergreen, lay scattered in bunches here and there, offering shade. A small river dissected the land on the lowest level. Outcroppings of granite rock someone had piled here and there added to the variety of the scene.
“Outbuildings?” he managed to croak, shocked that he hadn’t known about this lovely piece of land. “House?”
“There’s a barn there.” She pointed.
The reserve in her voice made Gabe study Olivia’s face.
“Needs work,” he grunted after a quick appraising glance. “And the house—” Words failed him at the sight of a burned-out black skeleton of what might once have been a two-story home. “Talk about a fixer-upper.” Gabe frowned at her. “You were the one who said I need time with Eli. If I bought this place I’d spend ages building a house and we couldn’t live here in the meantime, so—”
“That’s the beauty of my plan.” Olivia looked anything but defeated. “You don’t have to.”
“Good thing Eli didn’t come,” Gabe muttered, squinting at the charred ruins. “The kid would be terrified imagining living in that horror house. So am I.”
“It’s a teardown for sure.” Olivia grinned as if that was perfect. “Come on. Let’s take a closer look and I’ll explain.”
“This had better be good,” he warned, slightly annoyed that they’d wasted time driving here.
“Oh, Gabe, it’s very good.” She stood in the sunshine, eyes sparkling, trim and neat in her jeans and red cotton shirt, looking as if she belonged on this land. “Look around. The ranch part is perfect, right?”
“Yes, but—”
“Great, we agree on the land. And the price?” She named a figure that made him blink.
“That can’t be—”
“It’s correct.” She grinned, obviously delighted with her find. And why not? The setting was gorgeous.
“Great. Except for the house,” he muttered.
“True. But what if you moved in a house, one that’s mostly completed?” The silver sparkle in Olivia’s gray eyes transmitted her enthusiasm. “A ready-to-move house.”
“An RTM?” Gabe struggled to visualize it.
“It wouldn’t be hard to move one onto the foundation once that road was taken care of.” She held up a hand, forestalling his next comment. “RTMs aren’t prohibitive costwise and they’re well built. In fact, I got the idea from the aunts when they mentioned a man in the congregation who builds them. Apparently, he’s trying to cut down on his stock to get some cash flow. Here, look at these.”
Gabe stepped forward to look at the tablet she’d lifted from her purse.
“I chose two different styles that I thought might suit what Eli wants and what you need. Eighteen hundred square feet in the first house and twenty-five hundred in the second.” She pointed out a variety of features in each, ending with, “Both have a big wall of windows that would overlook the valley and that magnificent view.”
The cost was printed beneath each house.
“Affordable, right?” Olivia shrugged at his raised eyebrows.
“How—?”
“I did some research.” She grinned. “It’s what I do.”
“Very well done, too.” Gabe couldn’t believe she’d gone to all this trouble for him. And Eli.
“The price may be negotiable if inventory is high,” she suggested as if she knew his focus was on the price and whether he could swing it.
In the end, Gabe didn’t get fixated on the money side of it. He grew entranced by the acres of land, virtually isolated, with not one single neighbor in view. In his brain a dream was forming of what he could create here, with Eli.
“Is this anything like what you wanted, Gabe?” Olivia murmured.
“Yes.” Except that he hadn’t known he wanted it so badly, hadn’t known he’d ever be able to find something as special as this property. He faced Olivia. “Thank you,” he murmured.
“You’ll buy it?” she asked eagerly.
“I don’t know. It’s something to think about.” Gabe watched her excitement fade. “What’s wrong?”
“A beautiful piece of land like this isn’t going to last,” she said quietly. “Once it goes on the market, it will be snapped up in a minute.”
“How did you find out about it?” he asked curiously.
“The aunts. They’d been visiting the fellow who owned this place. He moved into the nursing home in Chokecherry Hollow after the fire ruined his house. That’s why the remains of the building haven’t been cleaned up.” As Olivia gazed into the valley, the sun highlighted her face. “He passed away last week. Tillie and Margaret talked to his only son, Edward, at the funeral. They learned he wants his father’s estate settled immediately. Edward lives in Australia. He wants to get home to his family and his business. This is his phone number.” She handed him a card with a number printed neatly on it. “I’m guessing this place will be listed before the end of the week. If you want it, you need to call immediately, Gabe.”
“I have to think about it,” he protested. “I can’t just buy this place on the spur of the moment.”
“Why not, if it’s what you want and you feel it’s a good price?” She gazed at him, utterly unaware that the wind had mussed her hair and left her scar revealed.
Not that it mattered to Gabe. He thought Olivia one of the most beautiful women he’d ever seen, elegant, sophisticated, talented and very clever. What he didn’t get was why she wasn’t married, or at least engaged. She must have had plenty of chances whil
e working with the military.
“Gabe?” Her soft voice broke through his musings.
“I understand what you’re saying.” He struggled to gather his thoughts. “I’m still going to need a bit of time to think this over, check into some details.”
“Of course,” she agreed, walking back toward the truck with him. “But, Gabe?”
“Yeah?” He had to tamp down his reaction to the intensity of her expression as she studied him.
“Don’t wait too long. Eli needs a home. So do you.” She walked away.
Olivia thought he was needy? Or indecisive? He didn’t like that. Not at all.
Gabe double stepped until he caught up to her at the truck.
“Have you got a few extra minutes?” he asked as they drove away.
“To do what?”
“Might as well take a look at those houses.” He shrugged. “We’ll detour through town on the way back to The Haven.”
“Now you’re talking,” Olivia cheered. “Onward to the RTM builder.”
“I wonder what Eli would think of the place,” he mused.
“There’s certainly a lot of grass.” She winked at him, ticking it off on her slim fingers. “No neighbors to yell. He’d be able to have his tree wherever he wanted it. And he could even raise canaries if you made him a cage.”
Gabe figured her delight was worth the effort of quashing his inhibitions about moving forward so fast.
Who knew organizing, scheduling, bossy Olivia would be the one to help him make a home for his son?
For the first time in years, Gabe was anticipating the future.
Chapter Four
Oblivious to the beauty from her favorite perch overlooking the gorgeous valley spread below her, Olivia tapped her phone several times, trying to make it come on. Finally the calendar flashed on screen. She stared at it in disbelief.
That couldn’t be right. She’d now been at The Haven almost two weeks? That was well past her self-imposed deadline.
She studied the snowcapped mountains to her left. The days had flown past in a rush of activities and she’d loved every minute of being here. But she was getting too involved, and not just with The Haven’s outreach to foster kids. Her heart ached for the quiet, solemn little boy who’d shown up the same day she had.
