She dashed to his window and knocked on the glass. “Jacob!”
He started the engine, ignoring her.
She smacked the glass with her palm. “It’s not her fault! Don’t shut her out. Talk to her.”
Kyle circled the tiny house and called out, “What’s wrong?”
Jacob inched the SUV forward until Tess backed away, dangerously close to traffic swooshing past on the interstate. He had enough space to coast into the slow lane and drive away. In the rearview mirror he saw Kyle pulling Tess out of harm’s way.
During the long ride home, resentment boiled in his blood, gut, and conscience. The sun had set, shrouding him in a cloudy cold night. He concluded he had to confront Olivia and put this situation behind him before he could face another day. Taking the New Bridgeport exit, he wound his way to the historic district and parked down the road from her apartment. He sat in his vehicle, scrolling through her texts under the street light.
Jacob: Are you home?
She immediately responded.
Olivia: Yes! Where are you?
He sprang from the SUV and trudged toward her place, needing closure.
Jacob: Downstairs, at your door.
He sent the text when he reached the alcove where the building door was inset from the brick sidewalk.
The hall light switched on, and the door popped open, Olivia standing on the other side.
“Oh, Jacob! I’m relieved you came.” She moved toward him.
Seeing the wash of relief on her stricken face, he almost caved, but the cut was too deep.
“Olivia.”
His harsh voice stalled her momentum; she stopped, visibly trembling. She took a steady breath. “Come up. Let’s talk.”
Pedestrians approached along the sidewalk, so Jacob stepped into the vestibule and closed the door behind him. He stood there. Olivia had begun ascending the stairs, but she paused when he didn’t follow. She returned to the bottom step, so they were eye to eye.
“I came by to tell you…I can’t do this.” He pointed between them. “Us.”
“I swear to you—”
“Look, whatever happened, it made me realize I’m not ready for this drama so soon after…before…why I left Denver. Let’s go our separate ways.” With a harsh sigh, he finished, “It’s not like anything really began between us.”
The crestfallen expression on her face and her sharp inhale made him hate himself for breaking his own rules, hate himself for falling in love with her. It didn’t matter. How could he stay with someone who brought familiar false accusations to his door?
Olivia turned abruptly and dashed up the stairs.
What a mess—a whopping shit storm! How could this have happened to me—again? Can’t a guy catch a break? He flung the door open to leave, startling a couple passing by, and he blazed past them.
Olivia
In bed, Olivia tossed and turned, unable to get comfortable. It was past midnight, and her hand throbbed as much as her head. She swallowed two pain killers and rested her head on the pillow, finally drifting into twilight.
Her cell phone woke her. She cracked an eye and realized it was still dark outside. Disoriented, she answered. “Mmmhelloo?”
“Honey, it’s me.”
“Dad?” She stretched the phone away from her ear and focused on the time. Tapping the speaker, she set the phone on her bedside table and said, “Why are you calling me at four-thirty?”
“I’m at the hospital with your mother. She’s had a mild heart attack.”
The fog in her head began to clear, and she sat up, clutching the phone. “Oh my god! Is she okay?” Her hands trembled. She remembered three years ago, a night much like this one, when her dad had called to tell her Aunt Edie had passed away.
“They’re going to prep her for morning surgery. She has two clogged arteries,” he said, his voice hollow.
“Oh, Dad. What can I do?”
“Yes.” He sounded a bit dazed. “Could you stop at the house. Pack some things for your mother, and bring Dylan with you to the hospital?”
“Of course. How are you holding up? Can I bring you anything?”
“No. Just try and hurry…get here before she goes into surgery.”
She wanted to ask him a million more questions, but he sounded urgent…and lost. “I’ll get there as soon as I can.”
Her bandaged fingers were a hindrance while she dressed and it was impossible to do anything with her hair. She phoned Dylan as she grabbed her keys off the counter, wondering if he knew what was going on.
He answered on the first ring. “Hey, Liv.”
“Dylan, I spoke to Dad. I’m on my way over there to get you.”
“How’s Mom?”
He’s up to speed. Good. Telling him Mom had a heart attack wouldn’t be easy. “Okay, but they’re prepping her for surgery. What happened?”
“Don’t know. She complained about chest pains on the ride home last night but said it was heartburn from the pizza. Around ten, Dad came into my room and said he was taking her to the hospital. He said the pain was radiating down her left arm.”
“Have you been awake all this time?”
“Dozed some. Dad told me to stay here.”
“Well, he wants us there now. I’m going to run in and get a few things for Mom, and then we’ll head right out. See you soon.”
***
Olivia arched her back and repositioned her body in the stiff padded chair. The room smelled of disinfectant; the heating system pumped in dry air. She and Dylan had made it to the hospital in time to observe their mother being wheeled into the elevator. There was enough time to kiss her and wish her well before they were shown to the waiting room.
Olivia tapped to like Tess’s recent photos on social media, nearly smiling at the silly road-trip shots. Tess had phoned last night after Jacob’s abrupt departure to check on her. Tearfully, she’d filled Tess in on her heartbreak over how Jacob had ended things. No texts or FaceTime could compare to Tess’s warm, comforting hugs, especially now, while she waited for her mother in surgery. I wish you were here.
After a short and fitful night’s sleep, Olivia rubbed her burning, dry eyes. She glanced up from scrolling through her phone to look at her brother. Dylan, wearing earbuds, stared at his phone. Dad sat beside him, staring out the window. She stretched her leg across the tiny private waiting room and tapped Dylan’s Chucks with her boot.
He popped out an earbud and looked at her expectantly.
“Dylan, are you hungry? I can get us something from the cafeteria or the vending machine. Dad?”
The door opened, and a doctor dressed in scrubs entered. “Mr. Ward.”
Allen stood, as did Dylan and Olivia.
“Your wife did well. She’s resting and should recover as expected. You’ll be able to see her very soon.”
They thanked the doctor and hugged each other.
Hours later, long after her mother had woken in recovery, Olivia sat by her side. She’d convinced her dad to take Dylan home and get some rest, promising she’d stay until they returned.
“Mom, you really scared me.” Olivia scooted the chair closer and reached out to clasp her mother’s fingers.
“I’ll be fine, don’t you worry. It was a mild heart attack, and we caught it in time. Maybe you’ll have to bring me some of those healthy snacks Coach Dodge mentioned.”
Half-smiling to hide her fear, she nodded. Tears filled her eyes.
“Olivia, I told you I’m okay…oh, I see. Does this have something to do with Jacob? He spoke rather highly of you.”
She shrugged. She’d never talked to her mother about her love life, among other things. They didn’t have that kind of relationship. The tiny tube taped to her mother’s hand seemed a good place to rest her gaze.
“You know, I never told you, but you remind me so much of Edie.” Cecilia paused.
Olivia took the bait, lifting her gaze to regard her mother.
“You have her sense of humor and vitalit
y for living.”
The mere mention of Aunt Edie surprised her, but that statement floored her.
“I miss her a lot.” Cecilia flattened her lips together.
She studied her mother, who looked less harsh without makeup, her natural hair with barely a wave resting against the pillow.
“Why don’t you ever talk about her?”
“Too difficult.” Cecilia faced the window, darkened by the evening outside. “She was headstrong. Did whatever suited her. But she was happy. When she was diagnosed, she told me if it was her time, then so be it.” She sniffed. “We argued even then. But she said I should lighten up and cherish the family I had. Especially you, Olivia—you were her favorite.” She smiled, her eyes shimmering with tears. “I often see her in you. This little scare has made me realize how right she was.”
“Mom, I—”
“No. Honey. I’ve been hardest on you. I’m sorry. I thought it was my duty to tell you right from wrong, but I realize you’re grown now. You make your own decisions. You decide what is right or wrong for you.”
She always knew her mother to be a strong, domineering person, persuasive to a fault. Hearing her say these things and apologize was, she suspected, beyond a humbling experience for her. The struggle showed on her wise face.
“Thank you.” Simple acceptance bonded them, and Olivia felt the universe shift.
“You are a beautiful young woman. And I am proud of you.”
They were words every daughter wanted to hear. Olivia lost it then. Her plump tears splashed against her mother’s hand. “Enough crying! I’m not dead,” Cecilia joked.
“Mom!”
“Hand me a tissue, please.”
Olivia leaned to pull some from the box and claimed two for herself.
“Now, tell me about you and Jacob.”
Olivia started from the beginning, the day they’d met in the Athletic Club, when she’d been late for Tess’s class, all the way to what had really happened when the police showed up. “Mom, I really care for him, but he thinks I somehow betrayed him. I swear I never indicated he’d hurt me—he never would. You know how clumsy I am.”
“Olivia, he’ll realize his mistake. Some men are bull-headed. Always think they’re right—until they’re not, and then it takes them a while to figure it out. He’ll come around. And when he does—well, that’s the amazing thing about you—you are a forgiving person. I wish I were more like you in some ways.”
“How so?”
“Well, I was angry after Edie died. She was one of the good ones, you know. It shouldn’t have happened to her.” Pausing, Cecilia swallowed and steadied her wobbling chin. “I’ve been carrying that anger for too long.”
“I’m sorry. I wish I knew.”
“Like I said, this heart attack sort of woke me up. Made me realize I still have beautiful children and a great husband. I have you, Olivia. And I want us to spend more time together. Put our differences in the past.”
“Me too, Mom.” Somehow Tess leaving hurt a little less.
Chapter Twenty
Jacob
Three weeks later, on a glorious spring day, Jacob left Good Blends with a protein smoothie. Trees were studded with near-bursting buds. Birds sang with a joy Jacob did not feel. Tables were clustered outside the café on the brick sidewalk for the lunch crowds flocking the historic riverside town. He passed them by.
He’d been working sixty-hour weeks at the Athletic Club, where he’d been since six that morning. While sipping his smoothie, he contemplated driving out to Plum Island for a boardwalk stroll. Maybe it would clear his mind. Could he not be conscious of Olivia every hour? To his surprise, he hadn’t seen or heard from her in weeks, so when he ran into Dylan on the sidewalk, he had to stop him.
“Dylan. How’ve you been? I haven’t seen you around.”
“Oh, hey, Coach.” Dylan lifted his palm skyward. “Yeah, the weather’s been nice, so we’ve been shooting hoops at the school.”
“I’m glad to hear you’re still practicing.” A sudden nervousness came over him, and Jacob cleared his throat. “Ah, so how’s Olivia?”
“Fine.” He shrugged. “She’s been spending every day with my mom when she’s not traveling for her job. My mom had a heart attack a few weeks ago. Actually, the night we won the championship. Anyway, she’s recovering. Liv’s there now, making a mess in the kitchen. It’s a good thing my mom’s in bed.”
“I’m sorry to hear it.” Jacob had messed up. Days after the police showed up at his job asking questions to determine if he’d hurt his girlfriend, a secretary from the department called.
“Mr. Dodge? I’m calling to inform you that the hospital made a mistake. Apparently after the insurance claim was denied following Miss Ward’s concussion, the billing department realized there were two Olivia Wards in their system, and their files had been combined. The nurse who had suspected and reported abuse would be justified under those circumstances. Due to this information, your record is cleared of all accusations.”
Was it bad luck? Was the universe testing his patience and willingness to commit despite any challenge? He should have gone to her the moment he knew of the error. But he’d hesitated. Now, after all this time, he figured Olivia was avoiding him—avoiding his rejection. Could I be more callous and selfish? I have to do something to make it up to her.
“I hope your mom feels better soon. Take care, Dylan, and keep practicing.” Jacob strolled past several shops until he reached the flower shop. He entered with renewed spirits.
***
Jacob rang the doorbell, eying the historic home. The narrow cobblestone street fronted residences graced with plaques indicating the dates they were built, giving this area a prestigious elegance. When the door opened, his heart squeezed at the sight of Olivia, with her hair in a messy bun, flour gracing the curve of her cheek. Baking again. She’s adorable.
“Jacob? What are you doing here?”
“Hi, Olivia.”
She blocked the doorway, staring at him in confusion.
“Um. I ran into Dylan a little while ago, and he told me about your mom.” He held up the substantial bouquet of assorted spring flowers. “I thought she might enjoy these.”
Clearing her throat, Oliva stepped down onto the granite step and accepted the bunch. “Thank you. You’re thoughtful. I’ll make sure she gets them.”
Before she could retreat, he clasped her elbow, keeping her at arm’s length. “Look, about what happened—”
“Jacob. Tess told me what you said. I know you think I said something to the nurse to make her suspicious. But the hospital called me weeks ago and apologized for their mistake. Something about combining my records with another patient.”
“Yeah, the police department called and told me too,” he admitted, shame-faced.
They regarded each other.
She stammered. “So…I can understand that your first reaction was feeling angry and betrayed, but it’s been weeks. I haven’t heard from you.” She jerked her elbow free and backed into the doorway. “I’m not at fault. I’m sorry for what happened to you in the past, but I can’t be in a relationship where you blame me for something that is out of my control.”
“I don’t blame you,” Jacob blurted. He lifted his hand to his shoulder and stretched his neck, adding honestly, “At least I don’t anymore. You’re right. I felt hurt and betrayed, but it wasn’t your fault. I’m sorry I haven’t called. And I’m really sorry you had to go through this with your mom…alone after Tess was gone. I should have been here for you.”
“A nice sentiment, but I’m doing fine without you. Thanks again for the flowers.” She retreated and shut the door.
Birdsong filled his ears. He cursed the glorious day as he drifted along the narrow sidewalk to where he’d parked his SUV. I treated her unfairly. Of course she doesn’t want anything to do with me.
He yanked the door open and heaved himself into the seat. He sat there a long while. At her rejection, his gut had been ripped open
, and acid rose up his esophagus. He never considered she would reject him.
He expected to see her cheery face at the gym within days of the incident. When she didn’t turn up, he threw himself into work. He stayed there those many hours hoping she’d drop in. Every lunch break and evening, he visited the eateries around her apartment.
No. I can’t live with this. I have to win her back. I have to.
Olivia
After eating dinner with her parents, Olivia returned home. Trudging up the steps to her apartment in the dimly lit hallway, she mourned her short-lived relationship with Jacob. Like her mother said, she could forgive him—and she did. But he kept her at a distance, an emotional distance, the whole time they’d known each other. Even the one week they were dating, some of which she’d been out of town, he’d held back. She should have told him she’d fallen in love with him when she had the chance, but now it was over. If she revealed her love, it would make getting over him substantially harder.
Reaching the landing, a thud above her made her jump. A man rounded the upper stairwell and rushed loudly down the corridor.
“Hey, girl, how’s your mom feeling?” The man paused steps from her door.
“Oh, Donny!” She released a breath. “You startled me. Um, thanks for asking, yes, Mom’s feeling better. Getting stronger.”
“Wonderful.” He placed his hand on her arm in friendly support. “I’m out for the rest of the evening. Meeting my man and friends for drinks. You have yourself a nice quiet night.”
“Okay. You too.” She eyed Donny as he parted, humming a tune. Weird.
She opened the apartment door, crossed the threshold, and came to an abrupt stop. She blinked, her jaw hanging.
Helium balloons in every shade of blue, their matching ribbons nearly reaching the floor, filled the entire ceiling of her apartment. Faux candles around the room added warm light. In the center of the romantic setting stood Jacob, dressed in a suit, holding a bouquet of red roses.
Defying Gravity (Landing in Love Book 1) Page 15
