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Olivia placed a hand on his arm. The sweet touch sent his cells humming with attention. “You’re not omnipotent. No one could expect you to know someone was hiding behind the drapery.”
“Baloney. I’m a Texas Ranger. It’s my job to know these things.”
He shook off her comforting hand. Self-loathing coursed through his veins. What if the chandelier hadn’t been meant for him? What if it’d been meant for Olivia? The very thought sent a chill racing down his spine. She wouldn’t have been able to escape in time. And Cole would’ve been to blame.
Olivia stepped into his line of sight. She met his gaze. “You’re an excellent Texas Ranger, but again, you’re not omnipotent. You can do everything right and still things can go wrong.” She arched her brows. “Maybe the person you should point a finger at is me. I insisted on following through on my commitments to my clients. We wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for me.”
Cole narrowed his gaze. “You’re not responsible for what your stalker does.”
“Neither are you.” She let those words hang in the air between them for several beats before adding, “God protected everyone in that room, especially you. And I’m grateful.”
Olivia reached for him and then hesitated, likely because he’d brushed off her touch moments ago. Cole couldn’t stand the flicker of uncertainty flashing in those enchanting blue eyes. He gently grasped her wrist and pulled her into his arms. Olivia sighed as she rested her head against his chest. Her hair tickled the bottom of his chin. Cole took a deep breath. His first since the chandelier fell. The feel of her nestled in his embrace slowed his heart rate and took the edge off his anger.
Somehow, some way, Olivia had gotten under his skin. She’d awakened desires Cole thought he was immune to. And he didn’t know how to stop it. Or even if he wanted to.
There was only one thing Cole was certain of. Olivia’s stalker wasn’t giving up.
And he would kill anyone standing in his way.
SEVENTEEN
Olivia hummed along with the gospel song on the radio as she iced a chocolate cake. The coffee machine gurgled as it brewed and the faint sound of her grandfather’s television show filtered in from the living room. A few dirty dishes still littered the kitchen table. Dinner had been a welcome retreat from the hectic and horrifying events of the day. The familiar routine, and cheerful conversation, had eased some of Olivia’s stress.
Granny, her hands tucked into yellow gloves, looked up from doing the dishes and smiled. Her eyes crinkled at the corners. “Happiness suits you, baby girl.”
Happiness? Olivia paused, spatula loaded with thick icing. Considering everything that was going on, the last thing Olivia should be was joyful. She grimaced. “In about five minutes, a group of Texas Rangers are going to be in this kitchen to discuss my stalking case. It’s probably poor form to be singing along with the radio.”
“Nonsense. When things are bleak, we need to find moments of happiness where we can.” Granny’s gaze turned speculative. “In fact, I wonder if your good mood has anything to do with one particular Texas Ranger.”
Her cheeks heated. “Granny…”
“Don’t deny it. I’ve known you since the day you were born.”
Olivia glanced at the kitchen doorway. Cole had eaten dinner with them, but had gone outside to do a perimeter check before the rest of the rangers arrived. He wouldn’t overhear their conversation. “Admittedly, there’s a spark.”
Her grandmother gave a dainty snort. “If the electricity company could use the heat between you two for power, no one in Serenity would have to pay their light bill. Has he kissed you yet?”
“Granny!” The flush in Olivia’s cheeks spread down her neck. She focused on icing the cake. “No. Of course not. Cole hasn’t even hinted at wanting anything more than friendship. I think he’s been burned by love in the past. And to be fair, I’ve had my own heartache.”
Granny’s expression turned sympathetic. “Aaron would want you to be happy.”
“I know.” Olivia didn’t have guilt about moving on. “It just feels weird to have feelings for someone new. Exciting too. And scary. It’s been so long since I was interested in anyone… and I don’t know if Cole feels the same way… It’s all jumbled together. I forgot what it was like to have butterflies one minute and uncertainty the next.” Her nose wrinkled. “Add in the stalker and things are very complicated.”
Her grandmother hummed. “I don’t think they’re that complicated. Take it from me, Cole’s interested. That’s not the problem. The timing may not be perfect, but God works in mysterious ways. Just be open and see where this leads.”
It was good advice. Olivia tossed the spatula into the empty bowl. “I will.” The song changed on the radio and she squealed. “I love this one.”
Granny’s grin widened. “So sing your heart out.”
Olivia laughed as her grandmother began crooning off-key. Together, they filled the kitchen with their voices, drowning out the radio. The music made Olivia’s heart lighter. She danced between the table and the sink, removing the last of the dirty dishes. On one turn, she caught sight of Cole. She bumped into the island with her hip as embarrassment heated her cheeks.
He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed over his broad chest, a smile on his lips. When his gaze met hers, his dark eyes sparkled with amusement. “Don’t stop on my account. I love a good concert.”
She threw a kitchen towel at him. Cole surprised her by catching it with one hand. Then his rich baritone voice mingled with her grandmother’s. Granny tugged off her cleaning gloves, laying them on the counter, as Willie entered the kitchen. His wrinkled face split into a grin as Granny extended her hand. The two of them began dancing.
Olivia’s heart swelled at the obvious love between her grandparents. Cole joined her at the island, still singing. He wrapped an arm around Olivia’s waist. His touch sent a zing of exhilaration through her. She smiled up at him, loving the way their voices melded together in perfect harmony. Together, they serenaded the couple.
When the song was over, Willie kissed Granny. “It’s time for bridge, darlin’. You know how Margie gets when we’re late.”
