Page 24 of Forbidden Hearts

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Asher

I didn’t write it . . .

I grin at Olivia.“Mr. Pips?”

She nods vigorously, as any nine-year-old should. Mr. Pips is the best ice cream in the county, and it’s within walking distance of the school.

The two of us walk, and she fills me in on her day. Apparently, it was very stressful. The teacher wanted her to explain something, but she was nervous to sign in front of the class.

I wish I could go in there and give her support. At her age, no one wants to be called on in class, but couple it with having issues with hearing, it’s a lot. She most likely feels different already, and to have her stand up and try to answer questions probably doesn’t help.

As a kid who struggled with a crippling fear of public speaking, I can empathize with her.

“I’m sorry it was a rough day,”I tell her.

Livvy’s smile is reserved.“Mommy says bad days pass.”

“She’s right.”

Lord knows I’ve had enough of those in the last week.

When we get to Mr. Pips, it seems as if the whole town is here.

“Phoebe!” Devney Arrowood calls with her hand high.

“Hi, Devney, how are you?” I smile as I approach and Olivia follows. She’s sitting at the table with a blonde woman I’ve never met.

“Good, I heard you were back. This is my friend Addison, and her peanut is Elodie. Hi, Livvy. You look very pretty. I love your nails.”

I turn to Olivia and sign what she says.

Olivia holds up her hands to give Devney a better look, and she coos over them.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I say to Addison.

“Nice to meet you as well. Your dad is such a great guy and has been so much help with my organization. He talks about you nonstop. He’s very proud.”

He wouldn’t be if he knew why I was home.

“Thank you. What has he been helping with?”

Olivia tugs on my arm.“Can I color with Elodie?”

I say the words, and Addison smiles with a small nod.

“I’m sure Elodie would love you to play,”I say aloud as well as sign.

Devney winks and tilts her head to Olivia, handing her a crayon to color with. “I really thought you met Addison when you were home the last time.”

I shake my head. “Nope.”

Addison purses her lips. “Hmm, I think I was back in Oregon when you were home last time. I spent the summer in Oregon.”

“Oh!” I say, thankful she filled me in since I was kind of lost. I’ve heard her name, of course, but last summer I worked in Iowa as I was preparing for grad school, so I didn’t meet her. “Well, it’s great to finally meet you. I feel like I’ve missed so much. Do you like Sugarloaf so far?”

“Yes, I love it here. The people are wonderful and your dad has offered a lot of his resources to our foundation.”

“Really? That’s great, what exactly do you do, though?” I ask.