Page 89 of The Making of Marnie Jones

Cute or nauseating?

Olivia kept glancing at them.

“What is it?”

She met his gaze, uncertainty clouding her features. “I’m a freak.”

“Oh, sweetheart, you’re not a freak.” The need to wrap his arms around her arced through him, fierce and sharp. Despite the fact they were identical in height, she was a little girl lost, and he desperately yearned to reach her. “You’ve been through a horrible experience, but it doesn’t define who you are.” Anxiety clawed at his throat. “You know I tried. I tried to find you. I kept calling the police, reminding them to keep looking for you.”

“You didn’t even know me.” Her voice was thick with emotion.

He scanned around, wishing there was a more private place to have this conversation.

Fuck.

“I knew you existed, but you’re right, I’d never met you. I wish I’d kept in touch with your mother, Olivia, but I was ten years old when she left home for good. When I turned eighteen, I contemplated it. Then I started at the university, and time slipped away. I never forgot about you, though.”

Her brow furrowed.

Lay it on the line. This isn’t about you.“I was in Afghanistan when they reported you missing. I flew home as soon as the news reached me, and I tried to find you. I did everything possible. The police told me they checked out Demeter Anton, and he wasn’t under suspicion. God, Olivia, I believed them. When there was nothing more I could do, I headed back to Kandahar. I was such a mess, but the chaos of war seemed like a good place to be.

“Eventually I transferred to the Congo, and I met Wolf. He kept me sane. He was convinced you were alive. Hurting, but alive.” He swallowed, desperation clawing at his throat. “When your mother called to say they found you, I was in Yemen. By that time, Wolf was in South Sudan. We both flew back, but I couldn’t get to you. Every time I called, your mother made up excuses. Then we barely met, and I was so excited when we all got together at Jess’s place. I wanted to see more of you, but I was afraid to ask. I was a stranger to you, and you had no reason to trust me.”

“I wanted to see you more, but Mom said you weren’t a good guy. She said you were like your parents.” Her eyes rolled upward as she searched for the right word. “Judgmental. She said I disgusted you.”

“Never.”Jesus Christ, Lydia, what were you thinking?“I never felt that way. Your mother…I don’t know what to say.”

“It’s the drugs. They make her paranoid—crazy-like. Uncle Jake, I feel safe with you and Marnie. Please don’t make me go back to Mom’s.”

Her broken whisper was almost his undoing. “You’re an adult, Olivia, you can do whatever you choose.”

“I want to be with you.”

Except that.

His lifestyle was not conducive to having company. Since Jess was back in town, he’d been relegated to the chair in the den. He was grateful she planned to head back to Pakistan tomorrow night. This was a temporary situation, however. The elections would be over soon, and she might be in Canada for a month or two before her next overseas assignment.

Maybe he could find a two-bedroom apartment. That was the least of his worries, though. His job wouldn’t allow him to remain in Toronto, and even more important, there was no way to predict how Olivia would cope without Marnie as an intermediary. Living alone with him—a virtual stranger? She was already hurting so much. What he knew for sure was Lydia was no longer part of any potential solution. Miracle of miracles that Olivia hadn’t become a drug addict. Maybe she was like Marnie. Maybe she had to be in control at all times.

“Hey, buddy.” The young man with the clingy girlfriend caught Jake’s attention. He turned and found the line had advanced significantly. By his calculation, they’d be on the next elevator.

“Uncle Jake?”

“Yes, Olivia.”

“Thank you.”

“Whatever for?”

“For not giving up on me.” She tilted her head. “I think I knew. As soon as you brought Marnie, I knew. And thank you, by the way, for Marnie. I don’t care what that stupid psychologist guy said, wearegood for each other.”

Yet again, he was glad he’d decked Phil Turner. If he ever got hold of Dr. Cornelius Green, it wouldn’t be pretty. This time, his instincts had been right—Olivia and Marnie needed each other.

“Marnie’s never been up the tower, eh?”

“Well, neither have you.”

“It’s a good day to try something new.”

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