Page 34 of Hold My Heart

The days were getting shorter, the nights longer, and the breeze colder with the approach of winter. Piles of orange and red and brown leaves were heaped in the lawns they passed. Soon, he knew, they wouldn’t be able to walk outside anymore. He wanted to make the most of it while they could.

What would he do, he considered, gripping her hand, if he didn’t have this little girl in his life anymore? A wave of sickness took him by surprise. Hewantedher in his life. Somewhere in the past few weeks, yes, the lines had blurred when they probably shouldn’t have, when he should have been strong, not given in, and maintained boundaries. He’d gone from simple affection to love. And he couldn’t see a future that didn’t include Renee and Olympia. They were a package deal. Harlan knew he wanted the whole package and nothing less.

Olympia was going tohateit when he spoke to her later. Told her the truth she probably already knew but didn’t want to admit. A triumphant smile split his face at the thought. Yes, she was going to hate it, and she was going to argue with him until she turned red. But he figured after he told her about handling the issue with Renee, she would be willing enough to hear him out.

He hoped.

His mother came by briefly and dropped off a jar of her homemade marinara sauce—along with a toy for Renee and another invitation for family dinner—and in the evening Harlan got to work on dinner. He had the baby fed, bathed, and ready for bed by the time Olympia dragged herself through the door.

She gripped the kitchen table with fingers turned white at the knuckles. Her hair, tucked into a neat bun when she’d left in the morning, was now limp around her face, pieces hanging down to her shoulders.

“You look exhausted,” he said before he could censor himself. Correction: She looked like she’d come in last place for a triathlon in Hell.

The grin she shot him didn’t meet her eyes. “Gee, thanks. Exactly what I wanted to hear right when I get home. And whatever it is you made for dinner, it smells great. That’s how you compliment someone, Harlan.” She groaned, stretching her back and placing her hands on her hips.

“How about you sit down, grab a plate, and try to relax.” He kept his tone light and without demand.

“I think I’m just going to pour some wine. Maybe soak in the tub for a little bit. It was a hell of a long day at work. They’re really pushing my buttons since I put in my notice.” She bent to kick off her heels, knocking them into the corner near the coat rack. “Carl has been on my ass about firing Paolo since the incident the other day. I’m trying to save him but it isn’t an easy argument to win. Is Renee asleep?” Then she answered her own question. “Sure she is. Why would I even ask?”

“You know, you don’t have to save everyone,” he said casually. The marinara got one last stir in the pot he’d kept warm for her. “One of these days, it might be okay to lean on someone else.” Pasta next. Parmesan cheese on top. There was nothing like a good plate of spaghetti and Mom’s homemade marinara sauce at the end of the day.

“Oh? And who would that be?” Olympia asked.

“Someone you know, maybe.” He followed her down the hallway and into the den, where she flopped on the couch with her arms above her head. Instead of leaving her room to breathe, he made himself comfortable at her feet. “Paolo doesn’t need you to fight his battles. Carl doesn’t need you to fighthisbattles.”

“If not me, then who?”

“They have to do it themselves, I would imagine. They’re adults. Paolo is capable of making his own decisions, and it was his decision to come in to work piss-ass drunk.”

“Maybe so. However, he’s been a loyal employee to the company, and he’ll be able to do great work once I’m gone.”

“Ah. You’re worried about what’s going to happen after you leave.”

“I am, I admit. I don’t want it to go downhill just because Ashleigh thinks she knows what she’s doing.”

“Is she taking your spot?” It annoyed him when his voice came out frustrated.

“I have a feeling she is,” she tossed back. “I caught her in my office the other day with swatches of paint colors and fabrics. I have the sneaking suspicion that had I not put in my notice on my own, they would have found a way to bump her up regardless. Her up and me down. Or out. I just wish I knew why.”

“What you’re saying is it doesn’t matter how good a job you do on this fundraiser, because there wasn’t going to be a promotion for you anyway.”

The observation hit her hard and Harlan felt guilty when Olympia winced. “You know, that’s a horrible way to look at it,” she griped.

“Because I’m making sense,” he insisted.

“I don’t want to hear it. Sorry. I’m done talking about it.” She snuggled closer to the throw pillow beneath her head, eyes closed. He let her ramble on about the rest of her day. There was distress, frustration lying just beneath the surface. He listened to the story unfold. Carl apparently had planned on serving crab wontons for a fundraiser appetizer while Ashleigh had decided they should cater to guest allergies and stick with vegetable crudités.

Harlan wondered at Olympia’s reaction through their conversation and then tried to dismiss his concern. She looked too frail. Too worn and pale and exhausted. He didn’t want to push her any further than he had to.

Then he remembered the phone call. “Well, maybe you want to hear about the mess I dealt with today,” he began.

“Is Renee in bed?” she asked again, rubbing her cheek against the pillow like she was scratching at an itch.

Harlan shifted, attempting to grab her feet for a rub. Disappointed when she moved them away. “Yes, sound asleep. Your lawyer called earlier.”

“I don’t have a lawyer.”

“The one who was handling the adoption?”

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