When he looked up, he blinked. Then blinked again. Olivia stood on the sidewalk, holding Sofia by the hand. When Olivia gave him a tentative wave, he couldn’t respond. Couldn’t make sense of her presence here.
Then a sudden, irrational fear gripped him. Was something wrong with Sofia? Or had Mamá called Olivia with some bad news? He’d left Mrs. Bennington’s telephone number on the kitchen table for his mother so she wouldn’t worry when she returned. A thousand thoughts raced through his mind as he forced his feet into motion.
Sofia’s big smile eased some of his panic. “Hi, Daddy. We came to cheer you up.”
He swallowed and gave Olivia an inquiring look. “Is everything all right?”
“Everything’s fine. We thought you could use some friendly faces when you came out of the service.” Her brown eyes, wide and luminous, shimmered with sympathy and possibly something deeper.
Sofia waved a piece of paper at him. “I made you a drawing, Daddy. Like I did for Miss Olivia.” She held it out to him. “You can open it later.”
“Thank you, Mouse.” He attempted to smile but couldn’t quite manage it.
Olivia glanced at the crowd behind him and frowned. “Do you have to go to the cemetery or the reception? I should have considered that.”
“No. I don’t think I could bear going back to their house right now. And Mr. Walcott doesn’t expect me in the office either.”
“Well then, if you have no plans, I thought we could take Sofia down to the harbor to look at the boats.” Olivia smiled up at him, and the horrible grip of sorrow that held his lungs in a chokehold released long enough for him to take a full breath.
“I’d like that,” he said. He inhaled again, deeper this time. “I’d like that very much.”
As he led them down the sidewalk toward his car, he realized that he’d never been more grateful to see anyone, and he thanked God for sending this angel to his rescue.
34
Olivia leaned her head back against the front seat of Darius’s Ford, the warmth of the sun spilling through the window making her drowsy. They’d spent a lovely afternoon eating hot dogs by the water, watching the big boats come and go, and skipping stones over the lake. The long walk had tuckered Sofia out, and she was fast asleep in the back seat as they pulled up in front of the maternity home.
“Thank you again for watching Sofia today.” Darius turned off the engine. “I really didn’t want to bring her to that funeral.”
“I understand. It’s not the place for a child.”
Darius gave her a sideways look. “I’m sure she must have asked you a hundred questions.”
“She did, but don’t worry. I managed to deflect most of them.”
His mouth twitched. “And thank you for this afternoon. It was exactly what I needed.”
She smiled, glad to see the easing of the haggardness from his features. “You’ve done so much for me. I’m only happy I could return the favor.”
“Olivia.” On a sigh, he leaned closer.
She held her breath for a moment, thinking he might kiss her, but he nodded toward Sofia in the back seat.
“There’s so much I want to say, but now’s not the time. Could I . . .” He hesitated. “Would you go to dinner with me one night soon?”
Her breathing hitched in her chest. Was he asking her on a date?
Her head told her it was foolish to even consider such a thing, but her heart leapt at the chance to spend more time with him. She was tired of fighting her feelings. Tired of denying herself. She drew in a breath and nodded. “I’d like that.”
The lines in his forehead eased. “All right then. I’ll make arrangements and call you.”
He got out of the car and came around to open her door, then helped her out, holding her hand a minute longer than necessary. Nerves danced in her stomach, and when she looked into those captivating blue eyes, she couldn’t seem to look away.
She cleared her throat. “Um, I should tell you that Sofia invited me to her birthday party, but if that would be too awkward, I can give her an excuse why I can’t make it.”
“No, I’d love for you to come. As long as you think you can handle a Greek celebration.” His eyes glimmered with a hint of his usual teasing.
“Should I be nervous?”
“I’m not sure what Italian parties are like, but ours are boisterous affairs. Loud singing is usually involved, and sometimes dishes get broken. On purpose.”
“Oh.” She blinked. “You might need to give me a lesson in Greek culture before then.”
He laughed out loud. “I could tell you more, but I wouldn’t want to scare you off.”
She grew serious, mesmerized by the way his thumb caressed her palm. “If my past hasn’t scared you away, I think I can handle some singing and a few broken dishes.”
He gave her a long look that ignited her pulse, then slowly brought his mouth to hers. Her heart fluttered in her chest, her body heating from the delicious warmth of his lips and the strength of his arms around her.
“Aha! I knew I was right about you people.” A hostile male voice broke through the bliss of their embrace. “Nothing but brazen hussies living in that so-called ‘maternity home.’”
Olivia jerked out of Darius’s arms, horrified to see Mr. Simmons standing on the road, scowling at them.
Heat flooded her face. They’d been kissing in broad daylight on a public walkway. How could she have been so careless?
Darius stiffened and moved in front of her as though to shield her. “It was a simple kiss good-bye, sir. But I apologize if we offended you in any way.”
“Darn right, I’m
