Remember This Heart by A.E. Cassianfrost

Author:A.E. Cassianfrost
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary romance, Family duty and love, Veterinarian romance, Event planner romance, Small-town romance, Emotional women’s fiction, Heartfelt journey, Imperfect love
Publisher: A.E. Cassianfrost
Published: 2025-04-17T00:00:00+00:00

​Chapter 10

​Small Moments

"You're distracted," Michelle observed, catching Olivia checking her watch for the third time in twenty minutes. "He'll be here."

Olivia returned her attention to the sauce she was preparing for the evening's special. "I'm not distracted. I'm multitasking. Thursday dinner service starts in three hours, and we're short-staffed because Mrs. Zhang has her grandson's piano recital."

"Mmm-hmm," Michelle hummed skeptically, chopping scallions with practiced efficiency. In the six weeks since Elijah's first visit, her sister had become increasingly involved in the restaurant's operation, filling gaps in the schedule around her nursing studies. "And your extremely precise time management has nothing to do with Elijah's regular two o'clock arrival."

"He's coming to check Charlie's progress," Olivia maintained, though the excuse was wearing thin after six consecutive Thursday visits. Charlie's ear infection had cleared within the first two weeks.

The restaurant's back door opened, admitting a gust of October air and the subject of their conversation. Elijah entered the kitchen carrying his usual small medical bag and a bakery box that had become a standard feature of his visits.

"Fresh apple hand pies," he announced, setting the box on the counter. "The orchard outside Westport had their harvest festival yesterday."

"Right on schedule," Michelle commented with a knowing smile at her sister. "Dad's upstairs with Charlie. They're napping, but he'll be thrilled about the pies when he wakes up." "Don't let me interrupt your preparations," Elijah said, his eyes meeting Olivia's with a warmth that had become familiar. "I'll check on our patient and come back down to help."

After he headed upstairs, Michelle nudged Olivia playfully. "Still maintaining the 'just Charlie's doctor' fiction?"

Olivia concentrated on her sauce, ignoring her sister's teasing. The truth was more complicated than either the fiction or Michelle's romantic interpretation. Over the past six weeks, Elijah had become a fixture in their Thursday routine—checking Charlie's health, joining them for dinner, and increasingly, finding ways to spend time with Olivia in the hours between.

Small moments stolen between her responsibilities: walking Charlie together through Maplewood's historic district while discussing her father's progress; Elijah helping in the restaurant kitchen, revealing an unexpected aptitude for food preparation; quiet conversations after dinner while her father dozed in front of the television. Nothing as grand or uninterrupted as their perfect night in Westport, but meaningful nonetheless.

"We're taking things slowly," Olivia finally said, stirring the sauce with unnecessary focus. "There are still complications."

"Like the fact that you're splitting yourself between two towns, two businesses, and about fifteen responsibilities?" Michelle suggested. "Or the fact that you're terrified of admitting how important he's becoming to you?"

"Both," Olivia admitted quietly. "Mostly the first one."

Michelle's expression softened. "Have you considered that maybe the complications don't have to be solved all at once? That maybe it's okay to figure things out as you go?"

"That approach goes against everything in my professional DNA," Olivia replied with a half-smile. "I plan. I organize. I anticipate problems before they arise."

"And how's that working out in your personal life?" Michelle asked gently.

Before Olivia could respond, Elijah returned to the kitchen, Charlie trotting happily at his heels.

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