Page 45 of Hold My Heart

Epilogue

Summer was finallyin the air. They pulled into an already crowded parking lot, with the sun streaming down on them between puffy white clouds. The perfect day for an outing. The perfect day to break away from the comfortable routine she’d established for herself over the past few months.

“I bet you used to be fun,” Harlan was saying, pulling the bag of beach towels closer and shifting his grip on Renee’s tiny hand.

Olympia shook her head like she was denying the earth was round. “I’ve had plenty of fun in my life. Trust me. I didn’t just used to be fun. Iamfun.” The look in her eyes told him what he already knew. She’d proved how fun she was last night, and he’d loved every minute of it.

Still, he couldn’t help teasing her. “You’re going to have to prove it to me. To us,” Harlan insisted. “Because from where I’m standing you look like an old fuddy-duddy.”

She spared a smile at Renee, stomping her feet and shaking her bottom to show off her brand-new mint-green bathing suit. “Please don’t insult me in front of the kiddo. She’s going to pick up your foul language and then where will we be? I’ll be trapped in a house with two foul-mouthed individuals!”

“Who’s insulting you? You positively insisted that you were fun. We just haven’t seen it yet. Have we, darling?” Harlan looked down at Renee, who was tugging his hand in her eagerness to get going. “Come on. It’s a beautiful day and I know for a fact you want to race me down the Challenger.”

He used his head to gesture toward the dual water slides that looked like they were four stories tall.

Olympia followed his gaze. Swallowed hard. “Don’t you think Renee is a little young for the water park? Maybe we should come back when she’s a little older and can enjoy it.”

“I’ve never been to a water park before, but I’m old enough.” Her sweet voice still held the hint of a French accent, and although she said the words with her little nose in the air, it was adorable nonetheless.

“I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. There are pools to swim in, new friends to play with, and these giant slides where you can go really fast.” He looked back at Olympia. “And she won’t be let out of our sight. I think you’re stalling because you know I’ll win,” Harlan teased.

Both woman and girl eyed each other. Skeptical of how this would play out. “Do you think Harlan can beat me to the bottom on that big slide?” Olympia asked Renee.

Renee shook her head. “No way. You’re the fastest!” Then she jerked away from Harlan’s grip, leaping ahead, bound and determined to splash around in the kiddie pool. “Come on, Oly.” She still couldn’t pronounce Olympia. “I want to go play!”

Olympia and Harlan set off at a jog to keep up with the little girl, who more resembled a roadrunner than a child. “What time did your mom say they were getting here?”

“We’re supposed to meet them by the hot dog stand at ten thirty. We have a few minutes to splash around in the kiddie pool. I don’t think we’re going to be able to keep Renee from it even if we tried,” he said.

“Hey, hey, don’t go out of my sight!” She lunged forward and took Renee by the hand. “I think I see them. Isn’t that Reggie?” Olympia gestured toward a familiar head of hair. “They’re early.”

“They’re never early.”

“Well, they are today.”

“How about this. Let’s pretend we don’t see them,” Harlan said, letting his gaze linger on her. “Have a little alone time to ourselves.”

Harlan couldn’t take his eyes off of her. She was glowing, her hair left down in a loose braid flowing past her shoulders. It hadn’t taken much effort to get her out of her shell, not once she’d committed to the idea. To the idea of growth and change and, yes, even love.

And every day had been a beautiful adventure.

Olympia’s face warmed. “You’re serious?”

“Oh, I’m deadly serious. A little family time. The three of us. My parents and siblings can wait for a little while.” Harlan shifted to her other side, gripping her hand and pulling her closer. “I want to savor this moment.”

“I think you want to be able to take pictures of Renee’s first time at the water park without anyone getting in the way.”

It was true. Since he’d moved into the house with them six months ago, he’d done nothing but take photos to commemorate everything. Her first time trying boxed macaroni and cheese, haircuts, Christmas together...there was nothing he didn’t capture. Today was no exception.

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