“I’m here for Jenny.” Beneath the porch light, the man’s features were visible. He had a round face, a blunt nose, and piercing eyes. The distinct odor of stale liquor wafted toward them.
Under Darius’s arm, Olivia stiffened. “Men aren’t allowed here without prior authorization,” she said in a clipped tone.
The man scowled. “You can’t keep me from seeing my wife.”
His wife? Why would a man’s wife come to a maternity home?
Olivia pulled herself up tall. “Unless Jenny wants to see you, you’re not welcome here. You may telephone the directress in the morning and discuss the matter with her.”
Veins stood out in the man’s neck, and his face turned a mottled shade of crimson.
Darius moved between Olivia and the stranger in case things got out of hand. “If I were you, I’d take the lady’s advice. There’s no need to disturb the women and children inside.” He kept a steely eye on the man.
At last, the fellow stepped back. “I’ll go for now. But you’ve not heard the last from me.” With a final glare, he stomped down the stairs.
Darius remained on the porch beside Olivia until the man was through the gate and out of sight. Then he turned to study her. “Are you all right?”
“Yes, he just startled me is all.” She let out a breath and shivered.
It took all his willpower to resist pulling her closer, but he’d promised to respect her wishes, and he would keep that promise. Reluctantly, he put some space between them. “I’ll wait until you’re inside before I leave. Make sure all the doors and windows are locked in case he decides to return.”
Her brown eyes met his. “I will.” She hesitated. “Thank you, Darius. You’ll never know how sorry I am . . . about everything.” Sorrow flashed over her lovely face.
“I am too.” He reached out a hand toward her, the longing to touch her nearly slaying him, but at the last second, he shoved his hands into his pockets. “I can’t imagine my life without you in it, Olivia. And I’m definitely not ready to give up hope yet.”
She gave him a sad smile. “Good-bye, Darius.”
He waited until she went inside and he heard the lock click into place, then he turned and walked slowly away.
Only as he climbed into his car did he realize that she’d said good-bye and not good night.
38
Olivia squeezed her eyes shut at the sound of Darius’s car pulling away, then waited with her back against the door until her heart rate slowed to near normal. Once she had herself under control, she opened her eyes. The house sat in shrouded darkness, with only the faint glow from the porch light illuminating the hall. The downstairs seemed quiet, but just to be certain, Olivia glanced into the parlor. It appeared everyone had already retired for the evening.
She sighed as she started up the staircase, mustering all her strength just to lift her feet. She couldn’t think about Darius right now, or the fact that she would never see him again. If she did, her last thread of control might snap, sending her into another abyss of despair. After losing Abigail, she’d promised herself that she would never become so consumed by darkness again. And though she craved nothing more than to crawl into her bed and sleep for the next two days, she owed it to Ruth and Jenny to warn them about the strange man’s unwelcome visit. If he returned unexpectedly, they needed to be prepared.
She headed to Ruth’s room at the far end of the house and gave three sharp raps on her door.
“Come in.”
Olivia opened the door. Ruth sat in an armchair with her Bible open on her lap.
“Oh good. You’re still awake. I didn’t want to disturb you.”
“You’re home earlier than I expected.” Ruth took off her reading glasses to study Olivia. “From the look on your face, I don’t think you have good news.”
“I need to tell you what just happened.” Olivia walked in and took a seat on the ottoman. “When I got back a few minutes ago, a man was waiting on the porch. He claimed to be Jenny’s husband.”
Ruth went still. “Oh dear. I was afraid something like that might happen.” She closed the Bible on a soft exhale. “We had our suspicions when Jenny first arrived, but recently she confided that she left an abusive husband, who is also a heavy drinker, because she was worried that his violence would escalate and harm the baby.”
A chill slid down Olivia’s spine. Thank goodness Darius had been with her. “I told the man he’d have to call and talk to you if he wanted authorization to visit. He wasn’t happy, but he finally left. I thought you and Jenny should know.”
“I’m glad he didn’t give you too much trouble, but you’re right. Jenny needs to be told.” Ruth got up from the chair. “Let’s do it together, with as little fuss as possible. Then, once the three of us come up with a strategy to deal with him, we’ll tell the others in the morning. No need to disturb everyone in the house at this hour.”
“I agree,” Olivia said as she rose. “Besides, I doubt he’d have the audacity to come back again tonight.”
At least she fervently hoped not.
The next day, Olivia rose just after dawn and went downstairs. Between the heartache over ending her relationship with Darius and worrying about Jenny, Olivia had suffered another restless night. The talk with Jenny had been unsettling at best. Olivia hated causing the girl such distress and only hoped she wouldn’t become even more withdrawn now. They would have to keep a close eye on her in the days to come and assure her that she was safe, that she wasn’t alone.
Olivia found
