Page 101 of Noble Neighbor
“Thank you, Oliver.” She flung her arms around his neck, squeezing hard before letting go. “And I also love you,” she called out as she joined Aleck and Molly.
“Love you, Princess,” Oliver whispered, rubbing a hand over his face as he straightened.
Then it was just the two of them. Their gazes collided across the room.
Sunny’s shifted weight from one foot to the other, uncertain, apprehensive, wanting to flee, to hide from this moment, but also wanting to copy Molly and beg him to not make them go.
Her shock was real when Oliver stormed to her and his arms banded around her, tight as steel, crushing her to him.
He held on, his head to her shoulder, face pressed in her neck, breathing deeply. And she clung, dazed, herfingers clutching at his side, his shirt, confusionreplacing shock. The tension that fisted deep in her gut eased, releasing delicate tendrils of hope. For the first time since she knew who Christie was, Sunny felt the suffocating despondency ease.
He stepped back, and they stared at each other, eyes searching, emotions roiling, before he grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the bedroom and down the stairs.
“Oliver—” she started, but he placed a finger over her lips, moved to one of the large armchairs in the living room, and tugged her onto his lap.
She opened her mouth again, but he stopped her once more. “Shh. I need a moment. Just a moment, Sunny. To hold you before we … talk and figure out what’s next.”
She could do that. And expelled the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. Eyes closing, she lay her head beside his on the wide, upholstered back. His hands still held her close, one on her hip, resting over the injury from the accident, the other on her thigh, soothing up and down her leg.
Beneath her palm, his heart was slowing its frantic thump, just as her own started to return to a normal beat.
Oliver was holding her, not pushing her away.
Sunny took solace in that.
She moved closer until her forehead pressed against the side of his head. Even though she was on his lap, in his arms, she needed the extra connection. The hand on her thigh lifted, curling around her nape, his thumb a gentle caress along her jaw, and that tiny movement settled the last of the gnawing anxiety.
How long they sat like that, Sunny wasn’t sure, but she savored the peaceful pocket of normalcy. The storm was coming, and she’d weather it when it broke over her. But for now, the man she loved above all else held her close to his heart.
*
Until he’d turned off Chicory Lane, Oliver had been confident of his decision, positive Sunny and the girls were part of his future, but as he neared the white house, uncertainty took hold, and he admitted a measure of doubt to his reaction.
Would seeing Sunny, with the knowledge that she was Savannah Randolph, make a difference? Even climbing out his truck, watching her wait in the entrance of her home, he hadn’t been entirely sure of his next move.
But hearing Kenzie insist she did not want to leave again, followed by Molly throwing herself at him, the true reason — one he’dknowndeep down — of Sunny’s actions slammed into him.
It had all been for Kenzie and Molly.
Savannah Randolph had moved mountains to protect her daughters. She’d distanced herself from her family, undergone plastic surgery, taken on a new identity, given up her career. All for her girls.
He’d’ve done the same in her position.Haddone for Clement, only on a lesser scale.
Oliver gathered his thoughts, his breath. He twisted his torso, grabbed hold of her face between his hands, and fixed his gaze on hers. The uncertainty, thefearin her eyes, pained his heart.
“I love you, Sunny.” He pressed his lips to her forehead before pulling away to look at her again. “We’re going to talk aboutthen, abouthim, once. Today only. Then we’re going to put it away. For good.”
“I never knew, Oliver.” Sunny’s hands latched on to his wrists, clenching tight. “I never suspected. You must believe me.Pleasebelieve me.”
“I believe you, Sunny. I really do.”
“You believe me,” she whispered. The wonder in her voice undid him, and he felt the burn of emotion in his eyes.
“Yes.” Oliver grabbed her hand in his, skimming her knuckles with his lips.
She placed a palm on the side of his face, holdinghis gaze. “I’m sorry, Oliver,” she said softly. “As SavannahRandolph, I want to offer my condolences for your loss, and beg forgiveness for the despicable actions of my husband.”
His heart bled for the humility and sincerity pouring from her. “There’s nothing to forgive, Sunny. But …” He faltered. Was it really, really necessary to know how she’d missed the signs?
