chapter 4

The house had never been so silent as it was then. She longed for her father. Henry Reed had been a single parent after Olivia’s mother had died of cancer when her daughter was seven. He could take your breath away with one of his many architectural landscape designs. Transforming aches of barren land into a magical oasis, help her with her homework or bake cupcakes for her school fete. After school and on weekends, she spent time at the Landscape company her father owned, the same one she now owned and operated.

What a hypocrite she was missing her own father and at the same time wishing Eli’s had never shown up in town.

She couldn’t help but wonder, once Jack was back behind bars, would Dean once again leave Valley Mills?

She had to believe that he intended to be a full-time father. She also had to believe he’d protect Eli at all costs. She was going to give him the benefit of the doubt until he showed otherwise.

The hours of the afternoon crept by slowly. She did a pilates workout. Took a long bubble bath, got dressed in a fresh shirt and pair of jeans.

After that, she headed back to the kitchen, made herself a salad for a late lunch, and then made Eli’s favourite cookies.

She sat down at the table. The smell of freshly baked cookies made its way through the kitchen. She found her mind racing with so many questions. Was Dean married? Was Eli his only child, or did he have a family? She told herself that her intrigue had nothing to do with how the very sight of him had aroused old memories. The only reason she was curious about his life she needed to know how Eli fit in to it?

Would Eli’s custody agreement involve long summers with Dean and a stepmother? Would Christmas, Easters or Thanks giving be without her son?

And what about his father, who was still on the run from the authorities? She couldn’t think about Jack getting anywhere near her son.

She would find out tonight exactly what Dean planned. At that moment, everything felt out of control. She knew one thing was certain: she would not let Dean Grayson leave tonight until he answered her questions.

Dean found Eli bright, curious, and extremely well mannered. He enjoyed Eli’s laughter. If he had imagined the kind of son he would want, it would have been just like Eli. He was engaging, easygoing and a real pleasure to be with. He had to give Olivia credit for doing a wonderful job of raising their son.

As Dean pulled up in Olivia’s driveway. Eli looked up at him and said. ‘I had so much fun today.”

“Me too.” Dean smiled. “I’d like to spend more time with you. Would that be okay with you?”

“That would be cool, as long as it’s okay with mom.” Eli agreed. “Oh, I have a feeling it will be fine with your mother.” he replied.

As they walked up to the door, Dean placed a hand on Eli’s shoulder. He felt full of emotion; it had been a day of wonder for Dean. He dropped his hand back to his side as Eli went through the door.

He looked back at Dean with a wide grin. “Hmm, she must have made cookies.”

Dean followed Eli inside. He had to admit the house smelled good, the way a home should.

Olivia stepped from the kitchen and into the living room. Her face lit up as she leaned down to give Eli a hug. “Just looking at you, I can tell you had fun today.” She said, then looked up at Dean.

Dean’s breath caught in his chest for a moment. Her shining dark hair fell in soft waves, long and loose. The flash of those beautiful eyes, which held a depth he wanted to explore once more. She looked bewitchingly Femmine, in a casual crisp white blouse loosely tied at the waist and a pair of faded jeans that hugged her long slender curves. The open collar revealed a delicate neck, highlighting her warm, glowing complexion.

“Mom, we went horse riding at Michael ranch. Dean is a great rider. Then we went fishing and…” Eli stopped for a breath.

She laughed. “Lets go into the kitchen and have some cookies and you can tell me all about it.” Once again, she looked at Dean.

“I made a fresh pot of coffee.”

“Fresh coffee and homemade cookies? Count me in.” He replied. He followed her and Eli into the kitchen, where they sat at the dining table.

“So you were saying something about a fish riding a horse..?” she teased as she put down the plate of cookies and pot of coffee on the table.

Eli giggled. Dean poured himself a coffee from the pot and selected two cookies. He sat back in his chair and watched mother and son interact.

She paid him all of her attention and was so patient as he excitedly relayed the afternoon’s activities between gulps of milk and bites of cookie.

“Sounds like you had a full day of fun.” she said. “And now it’s bath and bedtime.” Eli had eaten two cookies, drank his milk, and finished his stories.

“Mom, before that, can Dean come up and see my room?” he asked.

“Alright, but only if it doesn’t take too long. Remember church in the morning and a growing boy needs his sleep.” Olivia replied.

Eli looked at Dean with a grin. “She is big on a good night’s sleep.” he hurried off his chair and eagerly grabbing Dean by the hand he said “Come on, you’ll like my room. Ive got the best horse figurine collection, and my granddad built the best bunks ever.”

“I’d better take a look then.” Dean replied.

He looked at Olivia. “Are you coming up too?”

“Ive seen his room before, besides ill sit here and eat another cookie.”

Dean followed Eli up the stairs. They passed one doorway and Dean glanced in. He knew it had to be Olivia’s bedroom. An elegantly made bed complete with cushions and a throw like out of a magazine, long white curtains swayed in the evening breeze. He imagined himself in that bed with her, remembering how they used to lie as one, completely sated, completely at ease. What was wrong with him? How was it possible to want a woman he had every reason to dislike?

Eli’s bedroom was definitely that of a horse lover. The shiplap walls displayed several horse pictures. Floating timber shelves proudly displayed his horse figurines. Navy and white curtains hung at the window with palomino horses riding the boarders. Coat hooks fashioned from timber and real horseshoes made home to his cowboy hat and a sign saying GONE RIDING.

“Do you think my room is cool?” Eli asked as he climbed up the ladder to his top bunk. At either end of the top bunk hung a stable door. When closed together, they formed the best cubby house a boy could imagine.

“Totally” Dean replied.

Eli beamed. “Can you see the glow in the dark stickers on my ceiling?”

“Yes, do you sleep on the top or bottom bunk?” Dean asked.

“On the top, you can see the stars on my ceiling. Last year I slept on the bottom, but Mom said I’m big enough now to move to the top.”

Dean smiled. “If I had bunks, that’s where I would sleep. I like stars too.”

His heart soared as Eli shot him a smile.

He wanted to grab Eli to his chest and hug him… protect him from any hurt that might ever come his way. He wanted to claim this child. He wanted the entire world to know this was his beautiful boy.

His bright eyes gazed at Dean eagerly. “Are we going to hang out again?”

Dean cleared his throat. “Absolutely. Now you’d better get yourself into the bathtub and I’ll go downstairs and make some arrangements with your mother.”

Dean went back downstairs with Eli’s words echoing in his head… “Are we going to hang out again?”… Is forever okay?

He hoped Olivia was going to be on board with him, spending more time with Eli.

“Olivia, he is a great kid. You’ve done a terrific job with him.” He said as he re-entered the kitchen.

“Thanks, he is a wonderful boy, but he can have his moments like all children. Would you like another cup of coffee?”

She looked a little shellshocked. “I’ll get it.” He poured himself another cup and then returned to sit across from her. “Ok if I pick him up from school on Wednesday for a few hours? I’ll bring him home after dinner.”

She looked so vulnerable. Oh, no! she was making him out to be the bad guy in this. He wasn’t giving in.

“Are you married?” She quickly grabbed her mug and took a sip.

“Why do you want to know?” He raised an eyebrow at her.

“I just need to know a few details about your personal life if we’re to work out an agreeable custody arrangement.”

“I’m single, and I have never been married. My life these past years has been all about my work.”

“Are you on vacation, or are you actually here in case your father shows up?” She gazed at him curiously.

“My superiors ordered me to take a sabbatical because of my relationship with him. I’d become a difficulty because of his escape from prison.” He leaned back in his chair, attempting to push down a rising wave of resentment in his chest that had nothing to do with Olivia.

Olivia knew Dean well. She studied him for a few moments. “I’m sorry Dean.” She was one of the few people who understood the length of Jack Grayson’s aggressive and malice reach. “Do I need to be concerned about him? I never wanted Jack to know about Eli.”

“The authorities dont believe he’ll show up here in Valley Mills, and I didn’t know about Eli until yesterday.” He replied, “It must have been tough on you as your pregnancy progressed?”

‘yes it was difficult. I heard everything from I got pregnant after an affair with a married man to the father bing after a one-night stand.” She sighed and locked her eyes on his. “Of course your name was mentioned, but when you didn’t return home, the rumour died.”

He didn’t like to think of her going through all that alone, being the object of scandalous gossip.

“Now let’s talk about Eli.” he said. She wasn’t happy, but he couldn’t help that. What he really wanted was to have Eli every day, like a real father.

“He gets out of school at 3.15 and walks home from the bus stop, two blocks away.” She sighed and thought for a moment. “If you have him home by bedtime, you could pick him up here Tuesday and Thursday afternoon.”

“And what about the weekends? I’m flexible with either Saturday or Sunday.”

“I work most Saturdays and Eli usually spends time out at Mia’s farm or comes into the office with me. You could take him on Saturdays.”

Now that was all sorted out, he was ready to leave. He didn’t need anything else from her.

They rose together from the table. Dean carried his cup to the sink. “Thanks for this afternoon and the coffee and cookie. I’ll see you Tuesday afternoon.” He said.

“I’ll let Eli know.” She said.

He was standing close enough to feel the heat from her body. The desire to hold and kiss her was overwhelming. As crazy as it was, he still wanted her. “Good night.” He said and stepped out into the cold night air.

Olivia closed and locked the front door after Dean left. She turned off all the lights and went upstairs to check on Eli.

She got into bed and stretched out, taking a deep breath in. She still entertained some desire for him, but they had their chance together and they’d blown it. Dean was strictly off limits.

The morning sunlight filtering through the curtains announced Sunday morning. Olivia lay in her bed. Thoughts of Dean had kept her tossing and turning all night. Thoughts of Jack somehow discovering he has a grandson hadn’t helped. She did not know how Jack might use that information, but she knew too well not to underestimate the evil of Jack Grayson.

She thought there was a moment when Dean was going to kiss her. What had astonished her was the awareness she had wanted him to. It was as if he’d walked out of one door many years ago, only to walk back in now, and she was still just as crazy for him. How many times did Dean Grayson get to break her heart before she stopped wanting him?

There had been no time in the last eight years to think about dating. She’d had no desire to be with a man. She’d been too busy being a single parent, taking care of her father and stepping up to run the family business. Besides, she hadn’t wanted to bring any man in to Eli’s life. It exasperated her that Dean saunters into town and within minutes of being around him; her sixteen-year-old hormones turn up to run the show.

Eli came running in to her bedroom and sprang alongside of her. “I had so much fun with Dean.” He grinned.

“Well, it looks like we both may have slept in a little this morning, now lets get dressed for church and I’ll see you downstairs for some quick pancakes.” She said, clapping her hands together as Eli jumped off the bed to go and get changed. Olivia knew the mention of pancakes would give flight to his feet.

Their Sunday was perfectly normal, church, catching up afterwards in the hall for refreshments with friends and neighbours. They filled the afternoon with board games, a movie, popcorn and a few tickles on the couch. Her world was back in order for the moment.

S