“Livvy.” Sal’s booming voice reached her before she saw him approaching.
“Hello, Sal.” She hesitated, not sure of the protocol of greeting a priest who happened to be her sibling.
But he lifted her into a warm hug, easing her nerves. “It’s good to see you. You look lovely.”
“Thank you.”
He wasn’t wearing his clerical collar today, which made their meeting less conspicuous, allowing her to relax.
“So, what’s on your mind?” Sal asked. “Is this about your visit to the store? Mamma told me how Mrs. Ceruti caused a scene.”
Olivia squared her shoulders. “No. It’s about your visit to the Children’s Aid office.”
A pained expression crossed his face, and he regarded her with guilt-ridden eyes. “How did you find out about that?”
“One of the caseworkers told me when I went to try and find out some information about Matteo. Apparently we had the same idea.” She tilted her head. “But why would you go without telling me?”
A beat of silence followed. “It wasn’t my idea,” he said at last. Two lines formed between his brows. “Darius Reed came to see me. He asked me to make the inquiry, thinking I’d have a better chance at getting an answer. He wanted you to have peace of mind about your son’s well-being.”
Her heart kick-started at the mere mention of Darius’s name. He was behind this? After everything she’d done to push him away, he was still trying to help?
“It was a waste of time, though,” Sal said. “The lady wouldn’t tell me anything. I’m sorry.”
She nodded. “I know.”
“How about you? Did you have any luck?”
Olivia hesitated, remembering Mrs. Linder’s words about keeping the matter confidential. “Only that Matteo’s with a good family. They couldn’t tell me much more than that.”
They sat in silence for several moments, watching people pass by on the sidewalk.
“Did it help, Liv?” he finally asked.
She took in a breath and slowly released it. “It still hurts a lot. I doubt that will ever change. But knowing he’s in a loving home is some consolation, at least.”
He laid a hand on her arm. “I’m glad. And I hope you’re not angry with me.”
“No. You were only trying to help.” She frowned. “I just can’t understand why Darius did this.”
Sal’s lips twitched into a smile. “I think it’s pretty obvious. The man’s in love with you.”
Heat scorched Olivia’s cheeks, and she swallowed against the sudden rush of emotion. How could he still love her after everything he knew about her?
“He seems like a decent guy, Liv. Is there some reason you won’t marry him?”
She stared at him. “He told you he wanted to marry me?”
“He did. He also said you didn’t believe you deserved to be loved.”
A shaft of pain spiked through her chest, radiating down to her toes. She bit her lip and stared out at the happy people coming and going through the park. “It’s not about me,” she finally said. “Darius deserves someone better. I’d only bring shame to his family.”
Sal remained silent for several minutes. “Do you remember one of Mamma’s favorite verses? ‘As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.’ God wouldn’t want you to remain a prisoner of your shame, Olivia. You are His beloved child, forgiven and redeemed. Be brave enough to claim the happiness He has in store for you.”
Her throat tightened as Sal’s words found their mark. He made it sound so easy. “Do you really think I’m worthy of Darius and his daughter?”
“Of course I do. But what really matters is how Darius feels.” His voice gentled. “If he knows everything about you and loves you anyway, isn’t that your answer?”
Tears burned her eyes. It was true. Darius knew all her shortcomings, every one of her flaws, and despite the seemingly insurmountable obstacles to their relationship, he still held out hope. He’d even tried to find Matteo for her when he had nothing to gain by it. His love was evident in his words and deeds, but could she really accept it? Was that what God wanted her to do?
She drew in a ragged breath. “Thank you, Sal. Your support means a lot to me.”
“That’s what big brothers are for.” He pulled her into a hug. “And don’t worry about Mamma and Papà. They’ll come around eventually.”
She heaved a great sigh. “From your lips to God’s ears.”
With a somewhat lighter heart, she bid her brother good-bye and began the walk home. Sal had given her a lot to think about. Could she really cast off her mantle of shame and accept that she was worthy of love? If she believed the residents of Bennington Place deserved happiness, couldn’t she allow herself the same grace?
Perhaps once the council meeting was over and the fate of Bennington Place had been decided, she could figure out whether she was truly brave enough to take her brother’s advice and face Darius again.
42
On the morning of September sixteenth, Olivia held Ruth’s arm as they climbed the stairs to city hall. Nerves rioted through Olivia’s stomach, and she prayed she could hold on to her composure during her planned speech. Only the assurance that God was with her gave her the courage to do this at all.
They entered the building and followed the signs that led to the council chambers. Olivia tried not to let the official atmosphere overwhelm her as she stepped inside the impressive assembly room. A raised platform dominated the front area with three throne-like seats. Below the platform were tables and chairs, presumably for the council members. The rest of the room was filled with public seating, along with an upper viewing gallery overhead. Many people had already filled the room, a fact that made butterflies take flight in Olivia’s stomach.
Sensing
