Chapter 31

Beside Nakos, Nate hoofed it from the barn up to the house and rolled his head to stretch his neck. After the stressful search and rescue for Olivia, followed by a week of reroofing and learning the ropes from the foreman, Nate was ready to dive into a bottle of tequila. Or Pepto. Either would suffice.

Their boots crunched on gravel as a stiff wind pushed from the north. Pine tinged the air and he wouldn't be shocked if it snowed tonight, considering the drop in temp since this morning. Dusk was playing cat and mouse in the cloudless sky, though.

Nakos halted near the mudroom and faced him. "Can I give you a piece of advice?"

Studying the man's cowboy hat and flannel under his wool coat, Nate shrugged. "Sure." Didn't mean he'd take it.

"Olivia has never desired or asked for much in all the time I've known her. Yet fate has kicked her repeatedly on the few occasions she has wanted something." Nakos shifted to his other foot and set his hands on his hips. Near-black eyes leveled on N