The Man She Should Have Married (4 page)

“No. Problems with Mom.”

His father frowned. “Matt, you know I try to stay out of—”

“This isn't something you can ignore.”

His father pointedly looked at his watch. “I only have about twenty minutes.”

Matt waited until they were seated and had ordered their drinks before telling his father an abbreviated version of the story.

Hugh toyed with his drink. “Is Thea okay?”

“Thea's fine. She didn't even know anything was wrong.”

“Well, then—” Hugh shrugged. “All's well that ends well.”

Matt stared at his father. “All's well that
ends well
? Dad! Olivia was sick with worry. So was her family. And possibly a hundred other people, not to mention the police, were involved. This time, Mom's gone too far.”

His father didn't meet his eyes.

After a few seconds of silence, Matt said, “Don't you think we need to do something? You know she won't listen to me, but can't you make Mom understand that she can't continue this vendetta against Olivia? You know, if Olivia wanted to, she could get a court order barring both of you from even
seeing
Thea. Any judge, hearing about today's incident, would be hard-pressed
not
to rule in Olivia's favor if she decided to go that route.”

His father finally looked at him. “Would Olivia do that?”

“In her shoes, I would.”

“You haven't suggested anything like that, have you?”

Matt shook his head. Not that he hadn't felt like it.

His father sighed heavily. Drank more of his Scotch. Then turned worried eyes to Matt. “I just don't know what you want
me
to do.”

“Confront Mom. Tell her you won't stand for any more of this unfair treatment of Olivia.”

“Easier said than done,” his father muttered.

“C'mon, Dad. Can't you at least
try
?
Maybe if you tell her what could happen if she doesn't stop this behavior, she'll think twice next time she's tempted to do anything else.”

His father still didn't look at him. “I can't promise anything, but I will try.” So saying, he finished off his drink and looked around for their waiter. “I need to get going. Your mother will be upset if I don't get home soon. She said the Hoopers were coming for dinner, and I still have to shower and change.”

Matt said he'd settle the bill and watched as his father left. A few minutes later, as Matt left, too, he didn't feel optimistic. Oh, he figured his father
would
try, but Matt could pretty much predict that his mother would roll right over Hugh and, ultimately, nothing would change.

* * *

Olivia and Eve and their children went to nine o'clock Mass at Saint Nick's, the church where they'd both made their First Holy Communion and their Confirmation. It was also the church where Eve and Bill Kelly, her first husband and the man who had raised the twins as his own, had been married, and where the twins and Thea had been baptized.

After Mass, Eve and the twins left to meet Austin Crenshaw for breakfast, while Olivia and Thea headed to the activity center where coffee, juice and doughnuts were being served. Once they got there, Olivia looked for her mom and Eve's mom.

“You know, honey,” Olivia's mother said once they were all seated at one of the tables, “I've been thinking about what happened yesterday, and it really bothers me.”

Olivia shook her head in warning. “Little pitchers,” she said under her breath.

“I just think you should do something about it.”

“Mom...”

“Okay, fine. But let's talk later.”

Olivia should have known her mother wouldn't be content to drop the subject. And, as it turned out, neither was Eve. Later that day, after Olivia and Thea were back home and Eve and the twins had returned from their breakfast with Austin, Eve suggested they drop the children off at the local multiplex, where a new Disney film was showing. “We can sit in the food court while they're seeing the movie,” she said, “have something to drink and be free to talk.”

Olivia wasn't surprised to find Vivienne was the subject uppermost on Eve's mind.

“I can't go back to California unless I know you're going to be okay,” she said once they were settled with Frappuccinos from Starbucks.

Olivia sighed. “Eve, please stop worrying. I can handle Vivienne. Haven't I
been
handling her for years now?”

“Seems to me her campaign against you is escalating. What she did yesterday is atrocious. And both your mom and mine agree with me. That woman is out of control.”

“She does seem to be getting worse.”

“At least Matt is on your side,” Eve said. Then, shocking Olivia, she added, “You do know he's in love with you?”

Olivia stared at her. “That...that's crazy. He's just a friend. He's...he's Mark's
brother
!”

“So?” Eve said. “It's not like he's
your
brother.”

“You're wrong,” Olivia insisted. “He doesn't think of me that way.” But inside, she was trembling. Did he? Was it possible?

“I'm not wrong, and you're blind. Actually, your mother agrees with me.”

“My
mother
? When did you talk to her about this?”

“Yesterday, before you arrived at the house. She said she's been thinking this for a while now. My mother agreed.”

“No. It's crazy
.
”

“Why is it crazy?”

“Because...it just is. He...he's never acted like anything but my brother-in-law. Anyway, even if he
was
interested in me, in that way, it could never work out.”

“And why not?”

“You know why not. One word.
Vivienne
.”

Eve laughed. “Oh, Liv, think about it. It would be so perfect! I can't even imagine the look on her face if you and Matt should—”

“Stop it!” Olivia said. “Just stop it. Matt is
not
in love with me.”

“Actually, I'd be surprised if he
wasn't
in love with you. After all, you're beautiful and smart and the two of you get along like a house afire. Plus, he adores Thea...”

Olivia scoffed. “Matt is around beautiful and accomplished women all the time. Much more beautiful and accomplished than
me.
” She couldn't help but think of Jenna Forrester, a fellow attorney whom Matt had dated for nearly a year until their breakup in the summer. Jenna was gorgeous!

“Why are you constantly putting yourself down?” Eve persisted.

“I'm not. I'm...just being realistic.”

“Uh-huh, just like you were being realistic when you said Austin wasn't interested in you. And you were totally wrong there, too.”

“What do you mean? Did you
say
something to Austin today? Eve, you promised you wouldn't.”

“I promised I wouldn't mention you were ready to date again. I did not promise I wouldn't even mention your name.”

Olivia closed her eyes. What had Eve said?

Eve started to laugh. “Come on, Liv. It's no big deal. I didn't say anything other than telling him what happened at the festival.”

“You told him
that
?”

“Why not? It isn't as if no one else knows. There must have been a hundred people involved in looking for Thea.”

“I know, but—”

“Don't you want to know what he said?”

Olivia sighed. “What did he say?”

“He said if you have any more trouble with Vivienne—anything at all—to call him. He said he would be happy to represent you, if it ever came to that.”

“Why would he say
that
?”

“Why?” Eve said. “Because he's a nice guy.”

“No, that's not what I meant. Did you somehow
suggest
I might take legal action against Vivienne?”

“Liv, you know I wouldn't do that. It's just that he's a lawyer. That's the way lawyers think.” Eve smiled. “He also asked if you were dating anyone.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“What did you tell him?”

“I told him you hadn't been, but I thought you might be ready.”

Olivia guessed she couldn't be mad at Eve for that. But still, she felt uncomfortable.

“Don't you want to know his reaction to that?”

Olivia rolled her eyes. “Whether I do or not, I'm sure you're going to tell me.”

“He asked me if I thought you'd go out with him.” Eve grinned. “See? I told you he was interested in you.”

Olivia wasn't sure what to think. “And what did you say?”

“I told him I didn't know, that he'd have to call you and find out on his own.”

Olivia had begun to feel as if everyone, Eve included, was pushing her in a direction she wasn't sure she wanted to go. Unfortunately, she also didn't know how to stop this momentum.

“What's wrong now?” Eve said.

“Nothing.”

“Look, no one's forcing you to do anything. If you don't want to go out with Austin, just say no when he asks.”

Olivia bit her lip.

Eve frowned. “What?”

“I don't know. I guess I'm just feeling a bit pressured.”

Eve threw up her hands. “I don't understand you, Liv. What's the problem? Honestly, I don't care if you go out with Austin...or anyone, for that matter. I just thought that's what you wanted.”

She hadn't said,
make up your mind
, but Olivia knew that's what Eve thought. And actually, she'd have a right to feel that way. Because Olivia
had
been blowing hot and cold. Trouble was, she just wasn't comfortable moving back into the world of dating. In fact, it scared the you-know-what out of her to even contemplate dating again.

She made a face. “I'm sorry, Eve. You're right. And I'm not mad at you or anything. I guess I have to make up my mind what it is I really want right now.”

“Yeah, you do.”

Olivia took a deep breath. “And I will.”

“Good. And, Liv...”

“What?”

“Austin's a good guy. You could do a lot worse.”

“I know.”

“But if you decide you're not interested in him, it's okay. I won't be upset with you. Just...be nice. Let him down gently.”

“I promise I will.”

“Okay, good.” Eve looked at her watch. “And now I think it's about time to go get our kiddos.”

As the cousins headed toward the theater, Olivia's thoughts were all over the place, and she wasn't sure about much. But one thing she
was
sure about was how her life was changing, whether she wanted it to or not.

Chapter Four

“M
ommy?”

“Yes, sweetie?” Olivia finished tucking Thea into bed. Eve and the twins had left for home earlier, and Olivia had just finished giving Thea her bath.

“Nathan and Natalie have two daddies.” She pronounced Natalie's name “Natlee.”

Gazing down into her daughter's brown eyes, Olivia felt her heart swell with love. “I know.”

Thea's forehead knitted in thought. “Why do they?”

Olivia sat on the side of the bed and took Thea's hand. “I explained that to you, honey. It's because their daddy Bill married someone else and now their mommy is married to their daddy Adam.” Olivia had decided this was the only explanation Thea could understand right now. When she got older, Olivia would explain the situation properly.

Thea thought about this for a few minutes, then said, “My daddy died.”

Olivia swallowed. “Yes, he did.”

“But he loved me a lot.”

“Yes, honey, he did. Your daddy loved you so much.”

“Mommy, tell me the story about my daddy.”

By now Olivia had to blink back tears, but she managed to keep it together and launch into the familiar story of the handsome daddy who was very brave and very strong and who had loved his little girl more than anyone else in the world. “And your daddy is now watching over you from Heaven,” she finished with a tender smile.

“He's my garden angel,” Thea said, beginning the ritual that always followed the “daddy story.”

“Yes, he's your guardian angel.”

“And he'll always keep me safe.”

“Always.”

“I have his hair.” Thea touched her golden curls.

“You do.”

“And his nose.” Now Thea was giggling, pointing at and mashing down her nose.

“Except it's not as big,” Olivia said, laughing in spite of the lump in her throat.

“And his ears!” Thea tugged at both her ears.

“Except they're not as big, either.”

“If he was here, he'd smother me with kisses!” Thea exclaimed, an expression of delight already on her face as she waited for what was coming.

Olivia drew back. “I'm his messenger. Ready or not, here they come.” Then, with an exaggerated laugh, pretending to be a dive-bomber, she buried her face in her daughter's warm neck and began kissing her.

“Mommy, that tickles!”

Olivia finished by kissing the tip of Thea's nose and murmuring, “Good night, sweetheart.”

Thea sighed happily. “Good night, Mommy.”

“And good night to Daddy...” Olivia began.

“Up in Heaven,” Thea finished.

Olivia got up and dimmed the carousel lamp on Thea's dresser. She stood there for a long moment watching her child drift into sleep. Then, whispering softly, “Sweet dreams, my beautiful girl,” she left Thea's bedroom and headed downstairs.

* * *

Matt waited until nine thirty Sunday night before calling Olivia. He knew Thea's bedtime was normally at eight, but figured he'd give Olivia some time to unwind from her hectic and emotionally chaotic weekend before fulfilling his promise to check in with her.

“How are you?” he asked when she answered.

“I'm okay.”

But he could tell just by her tone that she wasn't okay. He wasn't surprised. Olivia was strong, much tougher than his mother imagined, but she was only human. It would be hard
not
to be affected by the treatment his mother had dished out.

“Eve and the kids get off okay?”

“Right on time. She was anxious to get back to Adam. Newlyweds, you know.”

In her voice, he heard many things, and he knew she was already missing Eve, but more than that, there was a deeper sadness. “What's wrong, Olivia? Did something else happen since I saw you? Or are you thinking about my mother and what she did?”

Silence greeted his question, followed by a barely perceptible sigh. Just when he thought she wasn't going to answer at all, she said softly, “When I was putting Thea to bed, she asked me why Natalie and Nathan have two daddies.”

The words, filled with pain, hit Matt somewhere in the vicinity of his solar plexus. He didn't know what to say. Groping clumsily, he finally said, “Life sucks sometimes.”

“Yes,” Olivia said in a weary voice.

“Liv, do you want—”

“You know what,” she said before he could finish his half-assed question, “I can't talk about this right now. I'm so tired. I just want to go to bed. I'm sorry, Matt. I'll call you tomorrow.”

And then she was gone.

Matt sat staring into space for a long time after that disconnect. Two emotions were warring inside. The first was anger at his mother and the second was the fierce love he felt for Olivia and Thea.

When he finally got up and went into the compact kitchen of his mid-rise condo near the county offices where he spent most of his waking hours, he had made up his mind. No matter what the outcome of his father's attempt to talk some sense into his mother, Matt would do whatever it took to protect Olivia and Thea from any more pain...or loss. And if that meant a complete break from his family, so be it.

* * *

Olivia had a hard time falling asleep. She kept thinking about Thea and reliving the day she'd gotten the news about Mark and his death. She'd thought she was recovered from his loss, and had accepted what had happened. She'd believed she was fully ready to move forward.

But tonight's bedtime ritual with Thea, always bittersweet, had been more painful, more filled with an almost overwhelming sense of loss. Was it always going to be this way? Would she never be able to feel entirely happy again?

Of course, you'll move forward. Of course you won't always be sad. This is a normal progression of grief you're feeling. Remember how you felt when your dad died? Magnify that by about ten, and that's what you're dealing with now. When you lose someone you love, it's always two steps forward, one step back.

The voice in her head wasn't hers. It was Eve's. And Olivia's head knew Eve was right. But her heart was having a hard time tonight.

That's because Thea showed you a part of her heart. We can always deal with our own sorrows and regrets, but when it comes to our children, it's tougher. We want to protect them from everything. And we can't.

Eve again.

Olivia almost laughed. Eve was like her alter ego or something. Or her twin. They just understood each other.

Eve was right. Olivia needed to quit beating herself up because she'd taken a step backward tonight. Thea hadn't known it. Olivia had soothed her and reminded her of how loved she was and always would be. By Olivia, by everyone, and especially by the father guarding her.

More tranquil now, Olivia's thoughts finally segued into what Eve had said about Matt. Was it possible Eve was right about that, too?
Was
Matt in love with her?

The idea thrilled her, but it also terrified her. Because she knew she was right, too. No matter how much they might care about each other, nothing could ever come of an attraction between them. It was hard enough living with Vivienne now. If Olivia and Matt should become involved in that way, there would be all-out war. Vivienne would never sit still for another son of hers tying himself to Olivia.

So there was no point in thinking about Matt. If he
did
harbor feelings for her, he'd get over them. Especially if she discouraged him the way she had involuntarily done tonight by cutting off their conversation. She'd felt bad afterward, but now she realized the way she'd ended tonight's phone call might be the first step in distancing herself. Even so, she didn't want to hurt him. So what else could she do? She couldn't say anything, could she? No. Not unless he said something first.

You could date someone else.

Now that voice inside her was Eve again! Yes, Eve, she mentally answered, that would probably discourage him.

If Austin calls you, you should go out with him. And you should make a point of telling Matt.

Olivia closed her eyes. It saddened her to think of doing something so underhanded, but what other choice did she have?

On and on her thoughts went, replaying the phone conversation she'd had with Matt earlier, replaying everything she and Eve had discussed, going over and over the possibilities of how she could move forward with her life, perhaps build a new family with a daddy for Thea, yet somehow keep from causing Thea another loss, this time of her Britton grandparents—until finally Olivia fell into a fitful sleep.

Her dreams were as scrambled with emotions and people and events as her thoughts had been. Thea calling “Daddy!” Eve and Austin beckoning to her. Vivienne spewing hateful words. Her mother fainting. Erotic images of Matt. Those were the most vivid. Matt, kissing her, touching her, making love to her. The images of Matt, so real and coming as they did just before dawn, caused her to awaken gasping, her heart pounding.

Later, after a long shower that soothed her and brought her back to reality, dressed and ready for the day, she stood at the kitchen counter in her blue scrubs waiting for her coffee to be ready and told herself that for her sake and for Thea's, she had to focus on going forward toward what was possible, even if it wasn't what she really wanted.

But it didn't really matter what
she
wanted, did it? Thea's welfare was far more important. So Olivia needed to suck it up and put ideas of Matt out of her mind for good. Because, unfortunately for her
and
for him, if he really did harbor romantic feelings toward her, her association with the Britton family had mostly brought her unhappiness and heartache and it didn't look as if that would ever change. It certainly wouldn't change if she and Matt became a couple.

Olivia was done with unhappiness. Done with heartache. She wanted something different in her life, something that promised peace and calm, happiness and security for both her and Thea.

And the only way to achieve that was to move on.

With someone other than a Britton.

* * *

“Say that again?” Matt couldn't believe he'd heard his father correctly.

“I said, your mother thinks we should petition family court for primary custody of Thea,” his father repeated.

“I can't believe this. What possible grounds could you have?”

“Your mother feels this latest incident at the festival, added to the other incidents she's documented, will show that Olivia is an unfit mother.”

“Other incidents? What other incidents?”

“Your mother's been keeping a list. Dates, times, circumstances, witnesses. She showed it to me, Matt. It's pretty incriminating.”

“Dad, this is ridiculous. I can't believe you're in agreement with this.”

“That list is bad, Matt. Your mother's right. Olivia doesn't seem responsible, just like your mother says.”

Matt was appalled that his father could be taken in so easily. “This is the craziest thing I've ever heard. You know what? I'm coming over. I want to talk to both you and Mom together.”

“Matt, I don't think that's a good—”

“I'm coming.” He broke the connection.

Thirty minutes later, he was knocking at his parents' door. His father answered.

“Matt.” He took Matt's arm, “I really wish you'd—”

Matt shook his father off. “Where's Mom?”

“She's in the sunroom, but—”

Ignoring his father, Matt strode straight back to the sunroom. He found his mother seated at the glass-topped table in front of the windows that looked out over the garden.

“Hello, Matthew,” she said, looking up. She didn't smile.

“We were just about to eat lunch, son,” his father said.

“And you were not invited,” his mother said.

Before she'd finished speaking, Phoebe, their longtime cook, entered the room with a laden tray. “Oh, hello, Mr. Matt,” she said. “I didn't know you were here. I'll get another plate.”

“No need,” his mother said in a clipped voice. “He's not staying.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Vivienne...” his father said.

She gave Matt's father one of her chilling looks, and whatever else he might have said died on his lips. He avoided Matt's gaze.

Matt sighed. He knew his mission was doomed to fail, but he had to at least try. He wouldn't be able to count on his father, though, that was obvious. He waited until Phoebe had unloaded the food: a bowl of shrimp salad, sliced tomatoes, French bread, butter and a pitcher of lemonade.

“That's all, Phoebe,” his mother said, and Phoebe, who had hesitated, nodded and left the room, but not before giving Matt an apologetic glance.

Vivienne began filling her plate. “Sit down, Hugh.”

Matt's father, whose role in their family had been determined long ago, shrugged and took his seat.

Matt, not about to allow his mother to cow him, too, pulled out one of the other chairs and joined them.

She turned toward him and narrowed her eyes. “I thought I made myself quite clear when I said you were not invited to stay.”

“I have no intention of leaving until we talk about this latest craziness of yours.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“I can't believe you are really going to try to take Thea away from her mother.”

“Believe what you want.”

“Mom, this is just wrong.”

His mother put down her fork. “Matthew, I don't really care what you think. I will do what I know is best for my granddaughter. End of discussion.”

“You're really willing to drag the Britton name through the mud? The
Marchand
name? Have everyone in Crandall Lake know your business?” Appealing to her family pride seemed the only avenue open to Matt, since it seemed to be highest on her list of priorities.

“
My
name won't be the one sullied, because I'm not the one who's unfit to raise Thea.” So saying, she picked up her fork again and ate some of her shrimp salad.