Page 59 of Finally Home

“I know, I know.” It’s now I can truly hear the stress lacing her voice. I don’t know if she’s only now allowed it to come through or what. “We had a photographer booked for months now, but she went into early labor. As a mom, I totally feel for her, I do. My daughter, Eva, is my world. But being an already overstretched business owner, I’m about to go crazy. Is there any chance at all that you could be available? I know it’s incredibly last minute, but I’m willing to pay double your rate. Please.” Desperation lingers between us.

“Yes, of course. Can you email me all the details? Please don’t worry, I will be there.”

“Oh my God,” she sighs. “Thank you so much, Holland. Truly, you are a lifesaver.”

“Well, a knight in shining armor, so to speak, recently saved me, so it’s only fair I return the favor.” Ollie’s face comes to mind.

“I’ll get this information right over to you. Again, thank you so much. Looking forward to working with you. Bye.”

I hang up the phone and set my laptop on the coffee table with my phone and stare at the screen until a box appears witha new email [email protected]. The details are all pretty straightforward. In fact, her organization of everything makes me smile. The retreat starts Saturday and will run to the following Friday. I’ll have to leave here tomorrow so that I can get settled before the start of the event.

My stomach churns as I realize I will have to go straight from Willow Creek to the next job. My lip trembles as tears fill my eyes when the realization hits—my time in Elmhurst has come to an end. I try to push the emotions away, but there’s no stopping the tears from falling. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. It wasn’t supposed to hurt. But the thought of leaving here has me torn in two. One form of me is so excited to go out and experience all these adventures. But the other doesn’t want to leave. But I can’t let Brynn down.

Now, I just have to figure out how to tell Ollie that I’m leaving tomorrow.

Chapter 26

Hollie

I’m pretty sure I’ve chewed every fingernail down to the cuticle as I sit up and wait for Ollie to get home from work.

My last night here, and I miss out on my favorite part of every night. Most nights, I’m already asleep by the time Ollie gets home. He showers, climbs into bed, and wraps me up in his strong arms. Some nights, it’s as simple as a kiss on the shoulder and a whispered good night, while others, I’m fully awoken by wandering hands slipping between my thighs or playing with my nipples.

But none of that tonight.

I debated grabbing my keys and going to the bar to tell him in person. This sort of news isn’t something to be shared via text or a phone call, and I knew if I had, Ollie would have cut out early. So instead, I’m currently curled up under my favorite blanket on the couch—just waiting.

My eyes are puffy and sensitive from hours of crying while packing, so the only light on is coming from the television. It’s nothing more than just background noise.

It’s just after midnight when headlights light up the large window. Time slows as I hear his car door shut, the keys jingling in the door and the front door opening.

I watch him with his back still to me as he slips off his shoes. When he finally turns around, he jumps when his eyes lock on mine. “Oh, hey, baby. I didn’t expect you to still be up.”

“Hi.” My voice is quiet and raspy.

Ollie closes the distance between us, and even in the low light, I can see concern lacing his features. If I can see his expression, then I know he can see mine.

“What’s wrong?” He takes my hands in his as he takes a seat on the coffee table in front of me.

I glance down at my lap, struggling to find words.

“Holls.” His voice is as unsteady as mine. “Talk to me, baby. Did something happen?”

“I got a call tonight.”

“Okay,” he draws out. “Is it your family? Did they do something? I swear to fucking God—”

With my head still hung low, I shake my head.

“Please, I need you to start talking, sweetheart, because you’re freaking me out. And I need you to tell me what happened so that I can fix it.”

God, this man. This beautiful man in front of me, ready to slay all my dragons. His protective nature has tears streaming down my cheeks.

Ollie brings his palm to cup my cheek and swipes the tears with his thumb.

“Don’t cry, please don’t cry, baby.” In a flash, he moves and pulls me onto his lap. “Whatever it is, we’ll get through it, I promise.”

I chew the inside of my cheek to bite back the sob and soak in the moment of being just us before everything changes.

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