by Jean Oram
10
Devon had gone in to work and Olivia was currently trying not to admire her new ring while hiking through the forest with local guide Jen Kulak. The day was bright, her hope like a bubble in her chest, ready to expand to the point of lifting her feet off the ground.
She was happy. Happy.
She hadn’t felt this way in a very long time.
It’s not real, she reminded herself. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t allow herself to savor it, roll the treat around in her mouth, tasting and exploring it in wonder.
It wouldn’t last. She knew that. But right now it was wonderful and perfect. Just like last night had been.
Smiling, she hustled after Jen, a new mom who was chatting up a storm, while taking on the trail like a mountain goat, scampering up the inclines even with the added weight of a chubby baby strapped to her chest.
“What a view,” Olivia said halfway up, turning to look out over the forest, hands on her hips as she struggled for breath. There was no view. Just trees. Lots and lots of trees. Although on this particular hill, about twenty minutes into the hike, all plant life was short, waist height or less. That was odd. Clear-cutting? Fire? Mudslide?
Jen came back down the trail to stand beside her.
“How are the new hikers?” She looked down at Olivia’s tan-and-blue hiking shoes. “Any rubbing?”
“No, they’re great, actually.” Olivia wiggled her toes. When Jen had picked her up at Devon’s that morning, she’d taken one look at Olivia’s outfit, driven her to the sporting goods store she ran her excursions out of, and outfitted her from head to toe.
And Olivia had to admit, the clothing was all great and very comfortable. Even the brand-new footwear was surprisingly comfy. Most of her heels needed days of breaking in before she could trust spending hours in them. Unlike these shoes. She could practically live in them.
“Good. I thought so.” Jen began walking again, slower this time. “I love the forest. Did I tell you I once thought I’d burned this part of it down? Oh, man. The whole town was full of smoke and there was a voluntary evacuation.” She had a purple streak in her blond hair and part of it had escaped her ponytail. She brushed it out of her eyes and laughed. “But it turned out to be arson, not me. That’s how I met my fiancé, Rob.”
Jen became unusually quiet and Olivia looked at the ring on her own finger. Fiancé.
The word and the ring felt foreign, yet right. She couldn’t imagine how much Devon, a student at the time, must have spent on the ring. That was likely the real reason he’d saved it all these years. Not out of hope or anything else. He’d probably planned to give it to the first woman who came along and declared herself his fiancée.
That thought hardly sat well.
“You okay?” she asked Jen, focusing on the woman’s frown and silence, instead of her own muddled thoughts.
“Yeah, yup,” Jen replied with false cheer. “He was the fire investigator sent to check me out, if you can believe it. Totally doomed relationship situation, but it somehow worked out in the end.”
Olivia twisted her ring, wondering how she and Devon were going to end their relationship and when. Maybe she could just go home and avoid a public breakup. They could eventually let the word out that they’d been unable to do the long-distance thing.
She’d miss him, though. She liked feeling as though someone had her back. Joking with her, lightening the mood, accepting her, flaws and all.
“When are you and Devon getting married?”
Olivia’s head snapped up. Wedding. Right.
She took a deep breath to steady herself.
“We haven’t chosen a date,” she said carefully. “The election is keeping him pretty busy right now.”
“I never thought I’d get married,” Jen said soberly. “I promised myself I wouldn’t…but after having Finn…” She gestured to the sleeping baby strapped to her. “It just felt like the next logical step. We were already living together and it was good. So, you know?”
Olivia nodded as if she understood, but there was something in Jen’s eyes that looked an awful lot like fear.
Jen started laughing as she turned to head back up the path that wound its way through the shrubbery. “I tumbled down this hill once. Oh, man. That’s when I realized I was falling in love with Rob. You can’t slide down a mountain with just anyone without realizing you have feelings for them.”
Olivia tried to figure that one out as Jen continued, “I guess I’m just saying you never know what’s going to bond two people together.”
“Right.” That she could understand. Like her and Devon. First they’d bonded over a hellish management class, and now over a fake engagement and a mutual need for a stinky flower she hoped to find more of on this hike.
“So you two used to date?” Jen asked.
“We were pretty serious in school.”
“What happened?”
Olivia shrugged. “Life, I guess.” Literally.
“Was he your first serious guy?”
“Yeah,” she said softly.
“Those ones always leave a funny hole, don’t they?”
“Yeah, they do,” she agreed, not wanting to dig into all of that. “Are we almost there?”
“Just over the top of this rise.”
Olivia had wanted Vintra to join them, but he’d protested, saying he needed to finish up the tests in his little hotel room, which he’d managed to score for another night, keeping them in Blueberry Springs for at least another day.
And the clock was ticking for Olivia to fix things so her father didn’t turn off the lights.
But she had a plan. As always. She would collect the valerian for Vintra, meet with the protesters’ leader at one. Help Devon with his campaign, as well as write a few press releases for both of them.
They reached the top of the incline, and before them stretched an area that had been burned and was now filled with small trees and plants trying to outdo each other in the cleared space. And lots of white flowers glowing in the sunshine.
“Ta-da,” Jen said lightly.
Olivia inspected one of the closest plants. It was the valerian strain she was looking for. “This is it. Thank you.” She stood, stretching, mentally counting how many plants filled the clearing. At least two hundred. Not enough, but it was a decent backup plan, and they could mine a few seeds and roots before the area became overgrown again, choking out the valerian.
Jen’s son woke up, his perfect mouth puckering before a large, toothless yawn overtook half his face.
“He’s adorable,” Olivia said.
Jen smiled. “We named him after the movie star Finian Alexander. His new wife has ties to Blueberry Springs.”
“It’s a nice name.”
Olivia stepped off the path to inspect the valerian and Jen released her baby from the gadget that had him strapped to her. “Can you hold him for a second? I need to use the bushes. Childbirth is torture on the bladder.”
Olivia accepted the baby, blinking at him in surprise.
She stood, bouncing him on her hip while chatting, careful to keep her back to Jen, who was searching for a bush.
“Do you like hiking? Hmm?” she asked Finn. The boy reached up, placing a hand on her cheek, his eyes so large, wide and trusting. “I’m Olivia.” She shook his tiny hand and he rewarded her with a gummy smile that made her heart tug. She inhaled his scent, holding him close while looking out over the field of valerian. “I’m going to create a product that will keep all the women in your life safe, okay, Finn? I’m looking out for them.”
“Hey, thanks,” Jen said, returning to them and reaching for her child. “So? It’s the right valerian?”
Olivia nodded and they set to work selecting a small plant to take to Vintra.
“Devon’s helped me out with a ton of stuff, and it’s nice to be able to help out his fiancée,” Jen commented.
Olivia nodded, absorbing the reference. She was going to have to get used to being called Devon’s
fiancée, and the little blood rush that followed.
She packed up her bag and they headed back down the mountain.
Jen’s brow was furrowed again and Olivia wondered what was on her mind.
“When are you getting married?” she asked.
Jen inhaled sharply. “This weekend.”
“Wow. That’s exciting.”
Jen smoothed her child’s hair, quietly taking extra care with her steps down the trail.
Olivia pictured something small, outdoors, casual, but full of love. “An intimate affair?”
“Yeah. I don’t really have a lot of family to fill my side of the church, so we’re doing something outdoors. But it’s supposed to rain and the music festival has everything booked up and I lost weight and my dress is floppy and horrible. I wanted to elope, but everyone in town just kind of started inviting themselves and planning it all.” Jen sat heavily on a boulder and sighed. Olivia winced, worrying about the woman’s tailbone.
“That sounds stressful,” she said, sitting beside her. They were in the shade, the rock cold under them.
Jen tightened her ponytail with a ruthless yank. “I can handle it.” The way her brow furrowed told Olivia otherwise. “I mean…Rob. It’s not like if we’re married anything’s going to change. And so what if there’s a party? It’s nice that people want to celebrate with us, right? Yeah, it’s totally fine. Good. Great.” She stood up, heading down the trail again.
Olivia had the feeling the woman would break out into a run if she was alone.
“Can I help?” Olivia asked, catching up.
“It’s just jitters.”
Jen had saved her bacon, giving her a viable backup plan for the valerian. Olivia wanted to help her, wanted to fix things for her. Be the kind of woman Devon deserved. “What about your dress?”
“I’m still losing baby weight.” She rested a hand on top of Finn’s powder blue sunhat. “It’s too big and Ginger’s seamstress is out of town until next week.” She muttered under her breath, “I knew we should have eloped.”
Ah, Jen was Ginger’s bride in a pinch, the owner of the gown Ginger had asked Olivia to alter. A few days ago she’d been afraid to allow her old dreams back into her life, but now she was confident she could face a minor alteration without losing track of herself or her current goals.
“Maybe I can help. I used to sew.”
Jen frowned doubtfully, taking in Olivia’s crisp new hiking outfit. Yeah, she looked a poser. Someone who bought all the right stuff to look the part, not someone who could actually create something with her hands.
“I’m only a few classes away from a minor in fashion design,” she said. “I designed and created wedding gowns from scratch for a drama production.”
Jen was considering her and Olivia held her breath. Her little résumé didn’t sound too bad, actually. But as Devon had mentioned, she’d given up her dreams and now here she was.
“I’m pretty sure I still remember how to take in a dress,” Olivia added. “Ginger can vouch for me.”
“You know, she’s the second Ginger I know?” Jen was relaxing now, her assessment of Olivia seemingly over. “Are you sure you don’t mind trying?”
“What’s the worst that can happen? You still don’t have a dress and we have to beg Ginger to find something super last minute?”
Jen turned to face her, suddenly engulfing her in a hug, little Finn sandwiched between them. Olivia smiled, feeling more like herself than she had in eons.
Devon pushed his papers into the new leather briefcase Olivia had found for him and stretched. It felt foreign and grown-up, but it was nice. Surprisingly soft and definitely professional. He checked his watch. He’d grab a quick lunch, then join her for her meeting with the protesters’ leader, Muriel Rossis. Logan had promised to continue tailing her today, as well as be present for the meeting.
Devon paused, absently tapping his desk. Last night with Olivia had opened up the past. Their anger and hurt had been put deeper into storage, its power waning. Olivia seemed to be slipping into his life as if she’d never left.
He’d been able to successfully push it all away until he’d seen her face when he’d given her the ring that morning. She’d looked so…honored. Delighted. Like the piece of jewelry represented much more than a discarded relic that had been lying around in his room. It had been almost as though it had settled a long-standing turmoil inside her.
Devon tugged at his tie. The whole thing had felt…it had…
Man, he couldn’t breathe in here. He opened his office window and gulped in the fresh mountain air.
He ran a hand through his hair, grumbling at its shortness. He needed this week to be over. There were too many things to worry about, too many things to keep an eye on—including his heart.
“Hey!” Don, an older man on staff who had bounced in and out of retirement a few times, paused in his doorway. “I hear congratulations are in order.”
Devon turned from the window. “Right. Are you and your wife coming to the candidate dinner on the weekend?” It was an event he was dreading. Speeches. Boring, boring, boring. It was like painting walls white, then watching them dry so you could put on a second coat. Pointlessly boring. Who actually changed their mind after a dinner like that? It was a big fuss for nothing.
“We haven’t decided yet. Are you bringing Olivia?”
“I’m not sure. Her office is actually out of town.”
The man considered his reply. “Priscilla wants to meet her. She’s heard the rumors about how she’s made you a changed man and wants to see for herself.” He gave Devon a wink. “You know, taming the wild stallion of Blueberry Springs.”
Devon let out of a bark of laughter. “Stallion, huh? I’d need to have had a lot more successful dates in my past to make that name anywhere near realistic.”
Then again, if Don’s wife wanted to meet the new woman in town—the one who had hooked Devon, tamed the untamable and all that—maybe the dinner was a good idea. He hoped Olivia was still around by then.
Don had a hint of a smile as he took in Devon’s uncharacteristically subtle, plain necktie. Self-consciously, Devon smoothed it over his chest. It was a pricey silk item Olivia had picked up along with the briefcase.
She’d informed him that the tie would bring out his eyes, and his manhood seemed to be in question because every time he looked in the mirror he saw it. Eyes brought out, shining like those of a dimwitted fool who’d become smitten by a woman who had no intention of sticking around long-term.
Then again, neither did he, and at least they both knew it this time.
“It looks good on you.” Don nodded with pride. “Clothes make the man.”
“Yeah.”
“So wedding bells?” Don asked.
“Yup.” Devon latched his briefcase, shaking his head when he discovered he was smiling. He let out a chuckle of disbelief. “Crazy, huh?”
He thought of Olivia’s glimmering eyes so full of…whatever it was. Thought of her trusting smile, their session in bed. It really wasn’t so bad pretending to be engaged.
Don just raised his eyebrows with a knowing grin and disappeared down the hall, calling out, “See you at Brew Babies.”
“What?” Devon asked, leaning out of his office.
“For lunch. A bunch of us are meeting up in ten.”
Devon checked the time. Sweet deal. An early lunch with the guys—exactly what he needed to get his head on straight and Olivia out of his mind so he could concentrate.
“Be there?” Don asked, walking backward.
“Promise no ribbing from the guys over my engagement?”
Don just laughed and Devon went back for his briefcase, knowing his sudden hookup was definitely going to be the focus of a lot of teasing. Brew Babies was only a five minute walk, but arriving a bit early would give him a chance to settle himself before the friendly firing squad let loose.
As Devon closed his window he saw Barry Lunn’s son, Pete, cross the street, a ream of p
apers in hand. Devon peered closer. Were they from the same batch that had plastered Olivia’s car? Was there truly a connection between the protesters and the current mayor, or was Devon becoming paranoid?
“Howdy, stranger.”
Devon turned to see Jill Armstrong smiling in his doorway. Ex-girlfriend, fellow employee and valerian expert.
“How was your weekend?” he asked, knowing she’d planned to do some hiking and flower investigating after meeting up with him and Olivia.
“Great. I found more flowers I needed for the creams and a healing balm.”
Just another reason to save the meadow. Jill had found more than valerian there and was building her own skin care line that she hoped to expand next year. Maybe even with a firm like Carrington. Although the chances were the two weren’t quite a fit unless Carrington expanded their own product line into lotions and creams. Luke Cohen’s firm would be a good match—assuming the guy wasn’t currently plotting Devon’s demise due to scooping his woman out from under him. Not that Devon planned on keeping Olivia, but the man didn’t know that.
Devon still couldn’t believe how Luke had just let him have her. Olivia deserved a man who’d at least fight for her, fight for love. Devon nearly snorted in disgust, surprised by his feelings of protectiveness for her.
Wait one hot second. Olivia had taken Devon to bed. Did that mean she wasn’t serious about Luke?
Aw, man. That actually made him feel a bit bad for the guy.
Which meant, again, he needed lunch with the guys to help get his head back on straight. Too much thinking. Too much worrying about other people. He had an election to win.
“The balms are coming along?” he asked Jill, realizing he’d tuned out what she’d been saying about plants.
Her eyes lit up, her passion evident. “I’m going to sell my first entire skin care line at the farmers market this weekend.” She reached over and snagged his tie, flipping it over with a frown. “Where’s the cartoon character?”
“There isn’t one today.”
She was still frowning, her expression floating somewhere between unhappy and, well…unhappy.
