Page 28 of Love for a Lifetime

“Hey, Mrs. Keller,” Lyric said as she went in for a hug. The two swung from side to side as they squeezed each other.

Dawson got his larger-than-life personality from his mom, and the woman knew how to work a room.

Olivia slid in for her hug next. “It takes a village to raise a kid, doesn’t it?”

“That’s the truth, and this one has been making me lose sleep for thirty years now.” Judy Keller wrapped one arm completely around Olivia’s neck, pressing their cheeks together. “I knew you’d be here,” she whispered.

“Wild horses couldn’t keep me away,” Olivia whispered back. Dawson’s parents had been like a second family to her growing up, and she’d drop everything in a heartbeat to help the Kellers.

Judy turned back around and grabbed Lyric’s arm. “You tell that man of yours I appreciate him calling me so quickly.”

A warm hand wrapped around Olivia’s arm, and she turned to find Dawson looking up at her with those blue eyes that made her weak in the knees.

“Thanks for coming,” Dawson said low. “You didn’t have to, but I’m glad you’re here.”

His hand slid down her arm, leaving a trail of fire on her skin. He was her friend. Her body shouldn’t react to his touch this way.

When he reached her hand, he turned it over and poured some Skittles into her palm.

Olivia’s chest ached as she remembered the reason she loved the candy so much. They were Dawson’s favorite, and he’d offered them to her once. She’d been ten, and Beau, being the typical older brother, didn’t want her to play with him and his friends.

Dawson found her sitting on the back porch steps and shared his favorite candy with her.

Nothing had ever tasted as sweet as that candy. It wasn’t the taste in her mouth, it was the way her heart recognized Dawson’s kindness and wrapped it up in a memory.

She still got a rush every time she ate a Skittle. Dawson had given her a lasting happiness she could relive again and again.

She looked up at Dawson and swallowed past her burning throat. “Is this a bribe? Are you asking me to take care of you?”

“Would you please? I’ll love you forever?” Dawson crooned.

Olivia grinned and shook her head. “You’re terrible.”

“If my mom stays much longer, I’m going to have to beg someone to bail me out. She says she’s staying overnight. Spare me.”

She chuckled and glanced at Judy Keller. “What’s wrong with having your mom waiting on you hand and foot?”

Dawson leaned closer and whispered, “I love her, but she’s smothering me.”

Olivia covered her mouth to hide her laugh.

“You think I’m kidding, but she likes to watch General Hospital, and she talks through the entire thing. I now know Sonny Corinthos’s entire life story.”

“How are Luke and Laura doing?” Olivia asked with a smile.

“Luke died!” Dawson whisper-screamed.

“No! Not Luke.”

Dawson slapped his forehead and let his hand slide slowly down his face. “Please, help me.”

Olivia turned around to where Lyric and Judy were talking about the wedding. When there was an opening in the conversation, she stepped up to ask, “When did they say the patient could go home?”

“Probably tomorrow morning,” Judy said.

“Why don’t you go on home,” Olivia said with a wave of her hand. “I’ll stay with him tonight, and you can pick us both up in the morning.”

Judy hugged her coffee to her chest. “Oh, I couldn’t ask you to do that. I’ll stay here with him.”

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