Page 90 of Cabin Fever

Now it was my turn to clasp her hand in mine. She loosened the hold she had on the bill and placed it on the table.

"We could have had a date when you come back. Your family needs you."

I didn't want her to make the same mistake I did.

"I know. But since the airport is a two-hour drive, I wouldn't have made it in time for the last flight to DC."

"We should go." I saw our waiter heading to another table and waved at him.

When he came over, I gave him the bill and told him it was urgent. Once I had settled the check, we got our coats and headed to the truck.

The restaurant was a thirty-minute drive from the cabin and Olivia was silent during most of the ride. We were only five minutes away when she finally spoke.

"I want you to come with me."

It felt like a blow to my chest. I tried to keep my voice steady. "I don't think that's a good idea."

Something warm moved on my leg. I looked down and found Olivia's hand gently laying on my thigh.

"Why not? The sheep? Kitty? I'm sure if you called Emily and explained there was a family emergency, she could help for a few days."

Darn. She crushed my excuse before I could use it.

"I can't just up and leave, Olivia."

I had nothing. She knew it. I stiffened, preparing for whatever she would throw at me. Some logic that would only end up making me look like a crazy, reclusive mountain man that prefers the company of sheep over people.

I turned and went up the narrow path to the cabin and stopped the truck. I turned to face her. No matter what she said, I had to fight against it. My father warned me to never go back. I had to honor my father's wishes. I had to honor my heart.

She moved her hand to mine and watched our fingers intertwine.

"Carter, I love you. I want you to come because I want you to meet my family."

She lifted her eyes and what I saw struck me harder than when I fell through the roof. Every part of her face was soft, full of a vulnerable longing I feared if I touched, would melt into nothing.

"But, I'm just a poor farmer."

"I made Bea get two tickets. We can go together."

I was being selfish. She needed to be with her family, and it wasn't as if I had money to sway her to be with me long-term. Olivia belonged in the city, I didn't.

"Maybe it's best you go alone. I don't think your family would approve of me."

"Once they found out you're a Fitzwilliam, I know my parents would love you no matter what."

And that was the problem. That wasn't my world. Where names and what you did for a living mattered more than if the person was good in their heart.

"No one can know who I am, Olivia. I can't go back to that life."

I would never live through it.

Olivia let go and nodded. "I see."

She was silent for a moment, turning so she faced the windshield, staring out at the pines that made up the mountains.

"It's always going to be this, isn't it? To be with you, I must stay here. You can't come meet my family. I have to do what is best for you, but I can't ask you to do one thing for me. Something normal in any relationship, like meeting the parents. I'm not worth the risk that your family might discover you're still alive."

She gulped air and there was a sparkle on her cheek. A reflection of moonlight as her tears fell.

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