Ruth rubbed a hand down Olivia’s back. “Remember the joy you felt when you held Abigail? That’s how life is meant to be lived. You can hide from love and live an empty, joyless existence, or you can open your arms wide and embrace it.
“Does it mean you’ll never have heartache? Unfortunately, no. Everyone experiences loss and grief. I lost my son and daughter-in-law, then my husband, and, in another way, my grandson too. And yes, I wallowed in that state of numbness for longer than I care to admit, wishing for death. But then God brought you into my life. You made me remember how good it felt to care about people again.”
Spasms wracked Olivia’s chest as tears slowly slid down her face onto the pillow. “I can’t do it. I can’t take any more pain.”
Warm arms surrounded her as Ruth pulled her close, rocking her like she was an infant herself. “The heart has an amazing ability to heal, my dear. If you’ll only let it.”
Olivia buried her face in the woman’s shoulder, clutching Ruth’s arm as though anchoring herself to the room, to the world.
“There, there,” Ruth murmured against Olivia’s hair. “I’m here to help you through this if you’ll let me. And God is with you as well. He will sustain you in your sorrow and grant your heart peace. I promise you.”
As her tears subsided at last, Olivia absorbed the shelter of Ruth’s embrace, allowing her soothing words to sink deep into her marrow. She’d never had a grandmother, not one she could remember, but in this moment, she had an idea what having one would feel like.
Olivia raised her damp face to see Ruth wiping her own eyes.
“I’m sorry I let you down,” Olivia whispered. “I thought I’d be strong enough to handle being around mothers and their babies. But I don’t know if I am.”
Ruth shook her head. “You did not let me down. It’s only natural to go through a period of adjustment. The next babies who come along will be easier. You won’t expect to keep every one of them.”
Olivia’s lips twitched as she dried her eyes. “That probably wouldn’t be wise.”
“Nor very practical.” Ruth helped her sit up. “Now, I’m going to prepare you a nice hot bath and bring you up a sandwich and some tea. And maybe tomorrow you’ll feel like joining us in the dining room.” She kissed Olivia’s cheek, then moved off the bed.
“Ruth?”
“Yes, dear?”
“Would you ask Darius to come back tomorrow? I might be up to seeing him then.”
“Certainly.”
“And Ruth?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you.”
Ruth pressed her lips together, sorrow and relief reflecting in her eyes. She nodded once, then slipped out the door.
Darius wasn’t sure what to expect when he arrived at Bennington Place the following afternoon. It had been five days since Ruth Bennington had called to give him the news that Abigail had been taken from the home and to ask that he come by the house in an effort to coax Olivia from her room. And so, every day he’d gone over, and every day Ruth had sadly shaken her head. Olivia refused to leave her room, seeing no one, barely eating or drinking. Darius had been beside himself with worry, yet all he could do was pray that Ruth could get through the wall of Olivia’s grief. To his great relief, yesterday Ruth told him that Olivia might be ready to see him.
Now he had to figure out what to say to her. Olivia was suffering, and he had no idea how to ease her pain, especially when he felt a measure of guilt about the whole situation.
“I know you were recently planning to marry Meredith. I was wondering . . . if you’d consider marrying me instead.”
Rather than hearing her out, he’d been consumed with making her pay for the hurt she’d inflicted on him. Not one of his finest moments.
This morning, as he was getting ready to leave, however, he’d had the brilliant idea to bring Sofia along. From experience, he knew that a child’s exuberance could do wonders to cheer a person, and Sofia had been asking when she could go back to see Miss Olivia. Perhaps having his daughter there would ease the tension between him and Olivia as well. He’d already prepared Sofia for the fact that baby Abigail had gone to a new home, and he prayed the girl wouldn’t bring up the subject in front of Olivia.
As they reached the gate to Bennington Place, he looked down at Sofia, who clutched a folded piece of paper in her fingers, apparently a drawing she’d made for Olivia. “Remember, Mouse, Miss Olivia might be a bit sad today, so we won’t mention baby Abigail, right?” It couldn’t hurt to remind her one more time.
“I remember, Daddy. That’s why I made her a picture.” Sofia smiled, a dimple winking in one cheek.
“That was very thoughtful.”
“Is that why you brought her flowers?” She pointed to the colorful bouquet of carnations and daisies in his hand.
“That’s right. Most ladies like getting flowers.”
He went up to the door and knocked, a habit he’d started so the bell wouldn’t wake the babies.
Ruth opened the door. “Darius. It’s good to see you again.” Somehow over the last few days, they’d moved to a first name relationship. “And who is this darling girl?”
He smiled. “This is my daughter, Sofia. Sofia, this is Mrs. Bennington, the owner of this residence.”
“Hello,” Sofia said. “I like your house. It’s pretty.”
“Why, thank you.” Ruth’s eyes gleamed as she gazed down at Sofia.
Once again, his daughter had instantly won someone’s heart. How he envied that skill.
“We’re here to see Miss Olivia. I have a picture for her.” Sofia waved the folded page in front of her.
“I’m sure she’ll love it. Won’t you come in?” Ruth moved aside as they entered. “I believe Olivia’s in the backyard. If you’d like to go out, you can get there through the kitchen.”
“I know the way, thank you.” Darius took Sofia’s hand
