“Yes, but now you can do that whenever it’s convenient for you today. I don’t want to be more of a bother than I’ve already been.”

“Whoa.” I swallow against the lump in my throat. “You aren’t a bother. Ever.”

“In that case…” She lifts a foot, still swimming in my crew sock, but now crammed back into her sandals. “Can I leave these socks on for now? They’re keeping my feet warm. I promise to wash and return them later.”

“Of course,” I say. “You could’ve kept the other stuff on, too.”

In fact, I really want you back in all my clothes now.

“Thanks.” Her shoulders creep up. “I took a peek out front on my way in here,” she says. “Everything looks so green and fresh after the rain. The inn will be beautiful when Link and Hadley show up tomorrow.”

“Beautiful,” I repeat. Like a parrot with a limited vocabulary. But not as beautiful as you.

“So I’m going to head home to shower and change,” she says. “I’ll be back later with your clean socks.”

As I process her statement, a couple of words she used pop up like a neon sign flashing in my brain. “You said you’re going to head home.”

“I guess I did.” She tips her head. “But it’s just a figure of speech.”

“Sure.” My shoulders pitch up, then drop. “But it also means you’re starting to feel more comfortable living at your grandmother’s house. Scary mannequins and all …”

Olivia’s lip quirks. “They’re dress dummies, remember?”

“Yes. Darby and Tess.”

“Exactly.” She huffs out a small laugh. “And you’re right, I am more comfortable.” She shifts her weight. “But I should be, right? I’ve been at Big Mama’s for weeks now.”

And maybe not much longer.

I work my jaw to loosen the tension. This isn’t a position I expected to be in, and it’s one without a winning outcome. On the one hand, I don’t want Olivia to leave town. But asking her to stay in a place without better career options doesn’t feel fair either. My only choices are to hold her back or to let her go.

Hey, Hudson, a voice booms in my brain. What Olivia does is her choice, not yours. This sounds like my dad. But it could be Teller. Or maybe it’s just me. Either way, my only role here is to be honest about my feelings. Then Liv can decide for herself what she wants to do. She’s a strong woman. I won’t go underestimating her, too.

She blinks at me now, stifling a yawn. “Sorry.” She covers her mouth. “I’m just really tired. But I’ll catch a nap and get back here as soon as I can.”

Right.

I shouldn’t unload my feelings and put her on the spot. Not while she’s standing here in a bathrobe and crew socks yawning at me. “You know what?” I say. “Don’t worry about coming back today. You deserve a break. Tomorrow will be busy enough with Link and Hadley coming, and I think we’ve got everything squared away for now. The grounds crew and housekeeping are scheduled to arrive early. The chef will be here for meals. I figure we probably don’t need a full kitchen staff.”

“I’m sure you’re right. Not if it’s just the two of them.”

Ah. This reminds me. “How would you feel about another couple coming to stay here later this week before the reopening? I’ll make sure they don’t show up until after Hadley and Link leave Friday.”

Olivia scrunches up her nose. “Who? Why?”

“My best friend and his girlfriend. The inn’s totally booked up for the reopening, but Teller and Winnie really want to see the place.”

Olivia chews her lip for a moment. “If you want them here, that’s all that matters.”

I shake my head. “Your opinion matters, too, Liv.”

At this, her face softens. “In that case, I was thinking Brady and Natalie should be here at the inn when Hadley and Link arrive. That way, the four of us could be a little welcoming committee for them.” She takes a beat and tosses me a half smile. My chest expands at the thought of us being a party of six at the inn.

Almost like a triple date.

“Anyway.” She darts her eyes at the door. “I’ll probably just wait for my mom out front. That way I can check the porch swing cushions to make sure they’ll be dried out by tomorrow.”

“Good idea.”