Page 126 of His Greatest Treasure

I make note of the tidbit of information and pay attention to anything else that can give away our location. A long sidewalk and noisy street that smells like freshly ground coffee . . .

“Is he done with his work now?” Nova asks, her Crocs making scuffing noises on the sidewalk.

“He’s done, sweetie pie. I’m sure he won’t leave the two of you alone now until he has to go back.”

I don’t make a habit of pulling Nova out of school early, but when I stepped onto the porch this morning to a box of Nova’s favourite cookies and a bouquet of flowers so massive they were hardly contained in their crystal vase, I would have said yes to just about anything.

He didn’t have to ask me to pull her out early, and I doubt he ever would. The moment I saw the handwritten note tucked into the flowers with all of the information for today, I made that choice all on my own.

I want her to be here for whatever it is he has planned, and she didn’t have any arguments about a half day of school.

“Okay!” Nova squeaks. Her pace quickens.

A warm, dainty hand wraps around mine and leads me forward until we come to a stop. My heart jumps into my throat when I hear the sound of a door opening and feel the brush of wind on my face from its swing.

The scent of lemon hits me first. It’s a gut feeling, a tingle at the back of my neck that tells me where we are. A sense of rightness fills me, and I smile without hesitation.

“Hi, Ollie!” Nova shrieks, hands falling from my back as her shoes scuff the ground again.

Oliver’s low, gruff laugh brings goosebumps to my arms. “Hey, peanut. Thank you for getting your mom here for me.”

“You’re welcome,” Nova says before a soft jingling fills the shop. “I made this for you, Ollie.”

A pause. “For my keys?”

“Yep. Mom has some too. I made you a blue one!”

My throat tightens. Without looking, I know she’s handed him the key chain she made last night before bed.

“I love it. Thank you, Nova.”

“You’re welcome!”

What do you say we take her blindfold off now? Then you can help me put this on my keys?”

“Can I?”

“’Course you can.”

More shoe scuffing, and then I feel her behind me. I bend at the knees so she can reach the tie of the blindfold easier. She gives it a tug, and it falls to the floor.

Blinking at the sudden light in my eyes, I release a laugh. “Thank you, Nova.”

“Look, Mom. Look!”

I search for Oliver first. He’s already looking at me when I find him, his eyes bright and clear. There isn’t a smirk or a scowl on his lips, but a smile. A wide, happy one that spears right through my chest.

“Princess,” he murmurs.

“Butternalle.”

“Did you like the flowers?”

“There were no roses again,” I tease.

“I’ll tuck one inside next time if you’re missing them that badly.”

“Next time?”

---