Page 48 of Love for a Lifetime

“I will. Annie is going to love the pink ones.”

Olivia chuckled. Annie was too young to care, but it was wonderful seeing Levi excited about the eggs. She’d been afraid her episode had ruined the afternoon, but the kid still had a smile on his face.

Dawson stepped up beside Levi and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. “And don’t forget to tell your mom and dad about the best farm tour guides ever.”

“I will.”

The porch light was on at the main house, and Mama Harding stepped outside. “You have fun?”

“You bet. Look what I got!” Levi held up the eggs for her to see.

“They’re so pretty! Are we having eggs for breakfast?”

“Oh yeah. I want the green ones, please,” Levi said.

Mama Harding patted Levi’s back. “Say good night to Dawson and Olivia and put those eggs in the kitchen.”

Levi turned and snuggled up against Olivia’s side, careful to keep his eggs out of the way. “Thanks for everything.”

“You’re welcome to come hang out anytime,” Olivia said. Man, Levi radiated happiness, and she wanted to wrap him up and take him home with her.

This was only a taste of what she’d be missing if she couldn’t ever have kids. She swallowed the thought as soon as it climbed up her throat, and it slashed at the sides like razor blades on the way down.

“Can you hold these for a second, please?” he asked Olivia.

“Sure.” She took the eggs as he turned to Dawson and held up a fist.

Dawson bumped it with his, and the two dove into a series of hand gestures ending by knocking their forearms together.

“Catch you later, potato,” Dawson said.

“Bye, squash!” Levi replied as he gathered his eggs from Olivia and darted inside the house.

“Squash?” Olivia whispered.

“Had to be there,” Dawson answered.

Mama Harding clasped her hands together in front of her chest. “Thanks for letting him hang out at the farm. It’s all he’s talked about lately.”

“We really enjoyed having him around,” Olivia said.

“See you later, Mama,” Dawson said with a wave.

“You two be careful!”

Dawson stepped off the porch and turned back to Mama Harding. “Always. I have precious cargo.” He jutted his thumb toward Olivia.

Oh, man. She was in trouble. Did he have to be so sweet all the time? So caring and attentive? So ridiculously thoughtful?

And so good with kids? That one tore her up more than the others.

Dawson followed her to the passenger side of the truck but didn’t open the door for her. Instead, he put his hands on her arms and rubbed up and down, soothing the tension she hadn’t realized she’d been holding onto.

“Are you feeling better?”

“Yeah. Thanks for taking care of me tonight.”

She did feel better compared to earlier, but she’d smiled through the pain a few times.

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