Olivia gave her husband a flirty wink. “I won’t change my mind, Paul. You see, I have a secret I want to share with you.”
“Oh yeah? Tell me now,” he ordered as he tried to kiss her again. She pushed him away.
“I shouldn’t but I know you’ll pester me until I give in. Okay, here it is.” She paused as he eyed her expectantly. His gaze narrowed and grew watchful as she clutched her fingers together with sudden nerves.
“Liv? Tell me.”
With a deep breath she nodded. “How do you feel about turning the guest bedroom into a nursery? We have about seven and a half months to get it ready. What do you say?” Olivia laughed as Paul’s eyes widened in surprise. It wasn’t often he was struck speechless. Not many things caught him off guard but she’d leveled him with a big one. “You okay? Maybe I should drive? Let’s go home and get you changed.”
Paul blinked a few times then grinned. “You’ve got it, Liv honey.” He put his arm around her shoulders and hustled her out of the studio. The little girls filed out too. “Wow, I’m really going to be a dad?” he asked softly, still looking shocked but pleased as he made his way to the front doors. Parents gave them curious looks but none intercepted them. It wouldn’t have mattered if they tried.
Olivia nodded as she hugged him close and grinned. “Yeah, we’re going to be parents.” She never would have believed it possible two years ago while still dealing with Ethan’s terror.
Life was good since the nightmare was finally over.
***
Thank you for reading Keep Me Safe. It has been a work in progress for a long, long time. I wanted to show how Olivia started beaten down and afraid, yet with the help of a kind and patient man, she found she was stronger than she realized. I think we all need to realize that – we’re strong and we can do anything despite the odds. I hope you enjoyed it. If you did, will you consider giving a review? Your kind words mean so much to me and will help others find this book as well. And just maybe, it will encourage and empower someone who needs it.
While stories like Sleeping with the Enemy and Safe Haven are intriguing, relationship abuse is a real and serious issue. If this story hits close to home for you personally, please take courage. You are not alone. There are people who want to help you. Don’t keep your pain a secret, but please reach out and get help.
Keep Me Safe Page 17
