The One to Heal by Liz Lovelock

Author:Liz Lovelock
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General Fiction
Publisher: Liz Lovelock
Published: 2022-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

STANDING OUTSIDE THE LITTLE VACATION care granny flat we have, I grip Olive in my hands. She wasn’t great for Isla. What if she’s just as bad with Mabel? Have I conditioned her to only want me? There wasn’t much I could do about that, considering it’s only been her and me since Eli died.

“Are you planning to stand and stare at the building all day?”

Whirling around, I come face to face with Sebastian, Rylee, and Ruby, all bright-faced and grinning.

“Hey there. Yeah, I’m deciding if I want to take her in today or not. She’s not been herself lately.” I can’t take my eyes from his—they captivate me in a way Eli’s never did. There’s a tenderness in his gaze. Maybe even some vulnerability.

“Well, perhaps we could do it together? Rylee wants to hang with Ruby today in here for a little while, so I’ll have a little time to myself, and I’m not sure what to do.”

I take in the beautiful girls. Rylee’s hair is up in a high ponytail. She holds onto Ruby’s foot, which dangles by Sebastian’s hip. Ruby rubs her eyes, and I smile at her, which she returns. She’s the same age as Olive, give or take a few days.

“Let’s get this over with, and maybe, if you’re interested, I can show you around,” I offer, even though my entire body is trembling at the idea of hanging out with a guy again, just him and me, for the first time since Eli. Am I betraying him because it’s only been six months?

“Sounds like a good idea.” His words snap me from my worrisome thoughts.

Sebastian makes the first move toward the front door, and I follow. The moment I step in, I want to run back out and just cart Olive with me everywhere. I felt the same when I left her with Isla, but then I had no choice. Now, I do. A gentle touch on my arm startles me and draws my attention. Sebastian gives me an encouraging smile. His hand drops from my arm. Its warm presence and gentleness soothe my worried soul.

“Look who we have here.” Mabel’s high-pitched teacher voice sounds from the corner of the room. “Little Olive and Ruby.”

Mabel comes closer and takes Olive and then Ruby, balancing them both on her hips. They eye each other off before Ruby giggles, and then Olive follows suit. A bit of my worry slips away—only a little, though. “Oh, they’re going to get along great, and are you going to help me out with these terrible two?” she asks Rylee, who grins eagerly.

Mabel’s eyes flick between mine and Sebastian’s. “Run along, kids. We’re going to plan a double birthday party for these two.” She shuffles a little, causing the girls on her hips to laugh more. “Rylee’s going to help me, aren’t you?”

“Yay, party time,” she cheers.

We say our goodbyes, and Olive doesn’t even cry or reach for me. We walk outside the granny flat and into the early morning sunshine.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.