“Then we’d better go inside and say hello.” Lourdes said that so sweetly Kyle was probably the only one who understood her motivation. She was reminding him that she wanted to meet Olivia. But he wasn’t keen on that. He’d admitted to Lourdes what he hadn’t admitted to anyone in the past six years—because he hadn’t expected the two women to ever meet.
Problem was...he couldn’t get out of going inside, not without hurting his mother’s feelings. “Fine. Just a quick hello. We only have a second,” he said, but once they were inside, it was clear that he wasn’t going to get Lourdes out anytime soon. His stepmother recognized her—whether Olivia had anything to do with that or not, he couldn’t tell. Paige was almost beside herself with excitement even before his father could boom out her name.
“I love your voice. You’re so talented,” she said.
Lourdes allowed a hug, but that much enthusiasm made Kyle uncomfortable. Surely Lourdes got tired of people wanting to touch her.
She did nothing to imply that, however. “Thank you,” she said. “You have a lovely place.”
“It’s nothing fancy, but we like it.”
Lourdes focused on Olivia. “And you are...”
Kyle stifled a smile—because it was obvious to him that Lourdes was far more interested than she was letting on. “This is Brandon’s wife.”
“Olivia.” Brandon, who’d followed them in, along with his father, added her name.
“Good to meet you,” Olivia said.
“Likewise,” Lourdes responded. “So...do you live close by?”
“Not far,” Brandon replied. “Maybe five minutes.”
Once again, Lourdes attempted to draw Olivia into conversation. “I believe I’ve met your sister.”
Olivia glanced at Kyle. No doubt she was wondering how much Lourdes knew about their situation.
“Noelle dropped dinner off to thank me for the water heater,” he explained.
“Oh.” Olivia sighed. “I’m sorry. I keep telling her to quit bothering Kyle, but...”
“It was delicious,” Lourdes said.
Kyle thought of the odd comments Noelle had made when they were on the phone this morning but chose not to mention them. He figured it was just more of Noelle doing what Noelle did. Her emotions carried her in all kinds of different directions. She was in love with him one minute; she hated him the next.
“Would you like a piece of fudge?” Paige asked. “It’s homemade.”
“How can I refuse anything that’s homemade?” Lourdes said and let Paige talk her into sitting at the kitchen table and sampling one of everything.
Lourdes seemed more comfortable as time passed, but her gaze kept drifting to Olivia, who seemed to be at least as curious about her. Whenever their eyes met, they’d both smile and shift awkwardly, and Kyle would make a renewed effort to get Lourdes out of the house. But Paige thwarted his every attempt by pressing some new treat on Lourdes. So then he’d have to wait a few minutes longer.
Finally, he stood. “Why don’t you make a little plate for us to take home?” he suggested. “I’m afraid Lourdes is going to be sick if she eats any more right now.”
“Great idea!” Paige exclaimed.
While his mother bustled about the kitchen, Olivia walked over and sat next to Lourdes. “How long will you be in town?”
“I’m not sure, to be honest. I’ve got a lot of work to do. When I finish it, I’ll go back.”
“It’s lonely being away from home, especially during the holidays. I know I speak for Kyle’s parents when I say that we’d love to have you come over for Christmas dinner.”
This kindness seemed to take Lourdes by surprise. Kyle had made the same offer, but that was different. This was coming from Olivia. “Thank you. I’ll definitely consider it.”
“I hope you’ll come,” Olivia said, and then, at last, Paige was done.
Armed with a mountain of fudge and cookies and directions on where to find the extra Christmas decorations in the garage, Kyle motioned Lourdes ahead of him.
“Aren’t you sorry you went in now?” he murmured once they had the ornaments and garland and were in the privacy of his truck.
Lourdes looked a bit baffled. “No. Not at all. I just wish I hadn’t liked her so much.”
“Olivia?”