But that was later. Right now was a different story…
Chapter Fourteen
I SAW WHAT YOU DID.”
Olivia stopped, her sandwich raised to her open mouth, and stared at her sister. Grace sat beside her on the hardware store’s rear steps, the girl’s feet dangling over the side, a half-empty bottle of Coca-Cola in her hand. Every so often, Grace would come to share lunch with her, the two of them trading the latest in town gossip, listing their complaints about their mother, and wondering when the war might end. Today, Olivia had noticed that her sister wasn’t as talkative as usual, that she was more subdued. Now, she had a clue why.
Deep down in the pit of Olivia’s stomach, she knew what Grace was talking about, but she asked anyway. “Saw me do what?”
“Kissing the guy who saved you,” she replied, the words not accusatory, but almost matter-of-fact. “Peter…”
Olivia’s heart pounded. Ever since she and Peter had kissed, her mind had been topsy-turvy. It had been a struggle not to stare at him across the dinner table. Purposely, she’d avoided going to his room, fearful that she wouldn’t be able to control her urges. Instead, she’d lain in bed, staring up at the ceiling as the hours crawled slowly by, thinking about what she’d done, as well as what she had to do. By morning, she was no closer to a decision.
“I was coming back from the creek,” Grace continued. “Me and Joe Griffin had been down there lookin’ for frogs and I knew I had to get home quick ’fore Mother started yellin’ to beat the band. I came ’round the corner by the Kilmeades’ place and there the two of you were.”
While Olivia had enjoyed kissing Peter, it had been brazen to do so out in the open. She’d tried to comfort herself with the fact that it had been late in the day, a time when most folks were just home from work and getting ready to sit at the dinner table. Still, it had been risky. If one person with loose lips had seen them, the whole town would soon know, including Billy. But Olivia had never imagined that it would be her sister who discovered them.
Olivia didn’t know what to say. Lying wasn’t an option; not only had Grace seen them as plain as day, her sister already knew of her doubts about marrying Billy. As different as they may have been, Grace was still one of her closest friends.
“There’s somethin’ I just gotta know,” her sister began, smiling mischievously. “Who kissed who? Was it you who made the first move or did he come over and take you in his arms like they do in the movies?”
“He did,” Olivia said. “When it started, I was a little surprised.”
“Didn’t look that way when I come along.”
“How long did you watch us?”
Grace shrugged. “All the way back to the house,” she answered. “I wasn’t gonna let a show like that go without gettin’ my money’s worth.”
Olivia flushed with embarrassment. “Did you tell anyone?”
Her sister turned to glare at her. “Of course not,” she said, looking more than a little put out that Olivia would worry she had. “Who would I blab to, anyway? If it doesn’t involve mud or dead animals, Joe doesn’t care, and it’s not as if I’d say anything to our folks.” She paused. “’Course, when they find out, the fireworks are gonna fly.”
“I know,” Olivia answered; all night, she’d thought the same thing.
“So what does this mean for you and Billy?”
Olivia felt queasy. “It means we have to have a long talk.”
“Yeah, you do,” her sister said, echoing Peter’s sentiments. “I wouldn’t wait too long, neither. Waitin’ will only make it worse, especially ’cause you’ve been friends forever!”
“Which is what makes telling him so hard,” Olivia said with a pained smile.
Grace lifted her soda bottle and took a long swig. “So is it serious?”
“Between me and Peter?”
Her sister nodded.
“Yes, it is,” Olivia admitted; to her it was and, when she recalled how out of sorts Peter had been to learn that she was engaged to another man, she believed he felt the same. “Whenever I’m around him, I don’t want our time together to end. When we’re apart, I count the hours until I see him again. Sometimes, I find myself staring at him, my heart beating faster. And when we kissed, I couldn’t help but think that we were the only two people in the whole world.”
“Well, I suppose he’s handsome enough, although I still have trouble believin’ that boys grow up to be men you’d want to do that sort of thing with,” Grace said. “Whenever I look at Joe, I can’t imagine that the day would ever come where I’d want to get within’ kissin’ range of his lips.”
Olivia couldn’t help but laugh.
But then, just as she was about to ask Grace for advice on how to talk to Billy, the shrill sound of a siren unexpectedly rose, growing louder by the second. Moments later, the two sisters watched as their father’s police car roared past, kicking up dust as it headed out of town.
“I wonder what that’s all about,” Grace said.
“An emergency, I suppose,” Olivia answered, thinking about what had happened the day before with the fire that had burned Peter.
“People here have it good,” her sister said, pausing to drain the last inch of her Coke. “Whenever they need help, Dad comes runnin’.”
Olivia nodded.
Unfortunately, her problem wasn’t one for which she could call the sheriff. For the most part, she was on her own.
Peter placed the last of the dirty dishes on the kitchen counter, pausing to linger beside Olivia. She stood next to him, her hands submerged in the soapy water that filled the sink, scrubbing away what was left of their meal. Careful not to stare right at her, Peter instead looked at her reflection in the window, at the stray strand of hair that dangled across her face, the thin smile on her lips.
What I wouldn’t give to kiss them, right here, right now…
He had surprised even himself by kissing her. It hadn’t been his intention; what he had wanted was to know how she felt about him, and to then consider revealing his true identity. But when Olivia had admitted to being attracted to him, Peter had been overwhelmed. It had been bold, maybe even brazen, but when she had returned his passion, her body pressed against his, their lips touching, everything had changed. He hadn’t slept well last night; between the dull ache of his burns and the memory of Olivia’s kiss, he’d tossed and turned until dawn. Even now, thoughts of her consumed him.
“When can I see you again?” he whispered.
“How about right now?” she teased.
“That’s not what I mean.”
“I know. I’m just trying to be careful,” Olivia said. “Someone saw us yesterday…”
“Who?” he asked, his heart pounding.
“Grace,” she answered. “She told me she saw the whole thing.”
Peter didn’t dare look at himself in the window; he was sure the embarrassment he felt would be written across his face. Suddenly, the way that Olivia’s sister had been stealing glances at him during dinner made a lot more sense. Fear filled him that the Marstens would find out what had gone on between them. He’d heard bits and pieces of Olivia’s conversations with her mother and had little doubt Elizabeth wanted him out of her house sooner rather than later.
“Did she tell anyone?” he asked nervously.
“She told me that she didn’t.”
“Do you believe her?”
Olivia turned to look at him. “I do.”
Her certainty made him feel more at ease, but he wasn’t free from worry.
“I need to talk to you,” he said. “Soon.”
Olivia glanced up at him. “I bet you do.”
Peter knew what she was thinking; that he wanted to kiss her again, which he indeed did. But she could never have guessed his actual reason; that he needed to tell her the truth about himself.
When she finds out, I doubt she’ll be as happy as she expects to be…
But before Peter could say more, the kitchen door opened and O
livia’s father entered. John looked out on his feet. His eyes were underlined by dark circles. His clothes were filthy; there was even a streak of grime across his badge. Without a word, he dropped wearily into a chair.
Olivia was shocked. “What happened?”
“Another fire,” he answered. Nodding to Peter, he managed a smile. “I thought we’d used up a year’s worth of excitement yesterday, but then I got a call that Carter Fredette’s place was burning and we were off and running again.”
“Grace and I saw you drive by around noon,” Olivia said.
Her father nodded. “Been there ever since.” Again, he looked toward Peter. “Be glad you got to sit this one out.”
“That bad?” Peter asked.
“The Fredettes’ place isn’t like out at Roy’s. It’s right up against its neighbors. We spent hours just trying to keep the blaze from spreading. Somehow, we managed, although I reckon Carter doesn’t feel as good as I do about it, what with his place no more than a pile of burnt wood and ashes.”
“Two days of fires in a row?” Olivia observed.
“Here’s to a better tomorrow,” John said with a chuckle.
“But doesn’t that seem strange? What are the odds of that happening in Miller’s Creek?”
“I’ve seen some mighty bizarre things over the years,” the sheriff answered. “I’m not much surprised by anything anymore.”
Peter could see that the fires were worrying John more than he wanted to let on. Olivia was right; what were the chances of fires on consecutive days? Of course, it could be a coincidence and the blazes were unrelated, but Peter’s gut said otherwise. In fact, his worrying even had a name.
Could it be Otto…?
Up until now, Peter had allowed himself to believe that the dangerous Nazi would be far away from Miller’s Creek or that he’d been captured. But what if he was wrong? What if Otto had never left? If he was still out there? Hadn’t he promised a campaign of terror against the Americans he so deeply despised? Wouldn’t arson be a way to obtain his vengeance?
Suddenly, there was a knock on the kitchen door.
“That’s probably Huck,” John explained. “He said he was going to stop by on his way home.”
But when Olivia opened it, she stiffened.
As soon as Peter saw the man, noticed the way he smiled at Olivia, the way he tried to look past her and inside, he knew who it was.
This was the man engaged to the woman he was falling in love with.
Olivia stood at the kitchen door and stared out in surprise. Billy grinned up at her, acting as if there was nothing strange about his being there, as if he was showing up as invited. But that wasn’t the case. After her lunch with Grace, Olivia had spent the rest of the day thinking about her two relationships; the unexpected, newly passionate one she’d begun with Peter, as well as the muddled mess of her own making with Billy. Eventually, she’d come to a decision.
She needed to break off her engagement to Billy.
To that end, Olivia had phoned him from the hardware store. She’d told Billy that they needed to talk and they had agreed to meet the following afternoon. Still, he must have heard the disquiet in her voice; she’d had to fend off plenty of questions. She’d wanted some time to figure out just what to say.
Clearly, Billy hadn’t wanted to wait.
“What…what are you doing here?” she asked a bit more brusquely than she had intended. “I thought we agreed to meet tomorrow at lunchtime.”
“Sorry,” he answered. “I didn’t think you’d mind. I can leave…”
“No, no…come in…” Olivia answered, her heart beating faster knowing that Peter was just behind her.
When she moved away from the door, Billy stepped inside. His eyes immediately found Peter, his smile faltering for a second before he looked away, his attention turning to her father. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
“Of course not,” the sheriff replied. “I’ve been expecting you.”
“You have?” Billy asked.
John nodded. “Back in my day, it was customary for a young man to ask a girl’s father for permission before he proposed…”
“I’m…I’m sorry, sir…” he stammered. “It wasn’t my intention. Your blessing is important to me, but with training coming and all I have to get settled at the bank, not to mention trying to figure out when to—”
“It’s all right, son,” John interrupted with a tired smile. “I’m just giving you a hard time. Heaven knows you’ve got plenty on your plate. Besides, if you had asked, I hope you know by now that my permission would’ve been granted.”
Olivia quietly stewed; she couldn’t help but feel as if they were discussing her future as if she wasn’t even in the room. She knew her father had always liked Billy, but she also remembered the conversation they’d had just after she’d accepted the proposal. Her father knew she had her doubts; wouldn’t he understand if she ended the engagement?
Out of the corner of her eye, Olivia noticed Peter’s reaction to the conversation. He appeared uncomfortable. He kept looking Billy over, as if he were measuring the man; she wondered if he found her fiancé lacking. She’d hoped to spend some time with him that night, to hear what he wanted to say and to steal a few more kisses, but with Billy here, all of that was out the window.
What Olivia didn’t want was trouble. Billy had always been self-conscious about his looks; being thin and gangly had gotten him plenty of teasing when they’d been children. Now, looking at him as he stood near Peter, the difference between the two men was striking; Peter’s broad, muscular physique and handsome, almost movie-star good looks stood in stark contrast to Billy. Olivia hoped that Billy wouldn’t feel jealous or threatened. She recalled the things he’d said about Peter, how dismissive he’d been, wondering and worrying about the stranger who’d suddenly entered her life.
If only she could keep them apart…
“You must be Peter,” Billy said, ruining her plan as he extended his hand. “I’m Billy Tate.” He paused for a moment before adding, “Olivia’s fiancé.”
Peter took the offered greeting. “Nice to meet you.”
“I suppose I owe you my thanks. From the way everyone in town is talking, if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be about to get married. You’re a hero.”
“You don’t owe me anything. I just did what had to be done.”
“I’ll give you my gratitude all the same,” Billy insisted.
By now, their handshake had gone on far longer than would have been considered polite. Olivia felt the tension in the room rising. But then Peter glanced at her, holding her eyes for an instant before releasing his grip; Billy smiled triumphantly, as if he had won something. Olivia hoped that that would be all to pass between them, but before she could suggest to Billy that they go outside and talk, he again spoke to Peter.
“So what is it that brings you to Miller’s Creek?” he asked. “I hope you don’t mind my curiosity, but with all of the war’s travel restrictions, it’s been a long time since we’ve had much in the way of visitors.”
Watching him, Olivia could see that Billy was out of sorts. As he spoke, he puffed himself up, trying to be bigger than he really was, both in stature and in voice. On the other hand, Peter appeared calm; she couldn’t help but wonder if it had anything to do with the fact that it was his lips that had touched hers last.
“I’m not really at liberty to say,” Peter answered. “What I do for a living is important to the war effort. I have an occupational deferment.”
“Really?” Billy answered, clearly skeptical. “And this…important job…somehow brought you here, to this small town in Wisconsin?”
Peter glanced at Olivia, her eyes lingering. “In my life, the one thing I’ve learned is that you go where the road takes you.”
Unfortunately, Billy had noticed the look they shared; the shocked expression on his face when he stared at Olivia had transformed into a glare by the time his attention returned to Peter.
&nb
sp; “What branch of the service do you work for?” he asked.
“I can’t tell you that,” Peter answered.
“Do you spend your time out traveling the countryside or do you have an office you work from? Superior officers?”
“I told you, I can’t—”
“Then what can you tell me?” Billy interrupted. Smiling mischievously, he stepped closer to his rival for Olivia’s affection. “Am I the only one of us who finds it strange that so much of this man’s life is a secret? The only thing we have to go on is his word. For all we know, everything he’s said is a lie.”
“Billy!” Olivia hissed, shocked by his rudeness.
“Now, hold on there, son,” John added.
Ignoring them, Billy looked Peter up and down with an expression of disdain. “Would you like to know what I think?” he asked.
Peter didn’t react.
“I think that you’re a coward.”
Olivia gasped. Billy had gone too far; an insult like that should have been enough to rile Peter, maybe even make him take a swing at the other man.
Instead, he stayed still and silent.
Encouraged, Billy kept going. “My guess is that you’re so afraid of going off to fight for your country that you’re on the run, hiding, and taking advantage of whoever is foolish enough to take you at your word. You happened to stumble across Olivia, saw your chance, and took it.”
“How dare you say such a thing,” Olivia snapped. She looked at her father; she’d been wondering why he hadn’t jumped in and put a stop to all of Billy’s spiteful claims; it made her wonder if it was because he was tired, or if he’d maybe had some of the same doubts. Either way, he remained silent.
“It’s all right,” Peter said; from the calm expression on his face, it would’ve been hard to tell that he’d just been insulted.
“No, it isn’t!”
“It’s nothing I haven’t heard before.” Turning to Billy, Peter said, “You speak like you can’t wait to go and fight.”
“It can’t come soon enough,” the other man said proudly.
Take Me Home (9781455552078) Page 15
