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He frowned. “Are you saying they didn’t love each other?”
“Maybe they did, but it was a toxic situation. Jealousy, anger, accusations, and drama were the foundation of their marriage. Not love. Not the kind of lasting affection, trust, and loyalty needed to make a long-term relationship work. It was doomed to fail before it even started. Then they got pregnant with you.” Nana gazed at him with warmth. “I thank God for you every day, but I’ll admit that I cried the day my son told me he was going to be a father. The situation between your parents… it was no place for a child.”
Something inside Cole twisted hard. He knew Nana loved him deeply, but she was right. The household he grew up in had been a war zone. It wasn’t any place for a child, and it was validating to hear someone else acknowledge how awful it had been. “Did they ever love me?”
“They did.” She took his hand in hers. “But they were so wrapped up in controlling each other, neither bothered to take care of your needs. I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I should’ve fought harder to get you out of that situation. Your dad threatened to keep you away from me for good, and the lawyers didn’t think I would win a custody fight, so I played along.”
“You have nothing to apologize for.”
His parents could act properly in public. His dad was a successful carpenter and his mom had worked in a hotel. They’d had friends and knew how to be charming. It was only in the privacy of their home that the masks came off and their actual feelings came out.
Back then, emotional abuse wasn’t spoken about, and grandparents didn’t have the right to visitation in Texas. Nana had done the right thing by staying quiet. “The summers I spent with you were some of my happiest times.”
“They were some of mine too. I wish… I wish your grandfather had lived long enough to help raise you. Walter was the best thing that ever happened to me.” She squeezed his hand. “Not all marriages are like your parents. Walter and I had decades of happiness together. He was my best friend, and even though losing him broke my heart, I wouldn’t have traded the time we spent together for anything in the world.”
“I know sometimes it works out. Many of the rangers on my team are happily married.” Secretly, Cole wanted that for himself, but not just with anyone. With Olivia. “But how do you know if it’ll last? Some people are in love when they get married, but still end up divorced.”
“That’s true. But Cole, love isn’t just a feeling, it’s an action. A thousand small decisions made every day. You choose to compromise, to listen, and to grow together. It’s about facing life’s challenges together with respect and consideration for each other. Walter and I didn’t always see eye to eye, but we talked through our differences until we found a solution that worked for both of us. You can’t predict the future, but you can commit to make the choice to fight for your love every day.”
His grandmother’s words echoed Olivia’s. You have to choose it. You have to work for it. Cole let those words finally sink into his soul, let them wash away the hurt of the past so he could see a future that was happy. One full of love. “Olivia essentially told me the same thing. That with work, and God as our guide, we can build something together.”
“She’s a smart woman.” Nana grinned. “You didn’t ask, but I’ll say it anyway. Olivia is someone who will stand by you when things get hard. She risked her life to save yours, just like you did to save hers. That’s the kind of selflessness and courage that forms the basis for a lasting relationship. You two have already proven you can support each other through hard times. So if you love her, then I recommend you tell her. And hold on tight. She’s worth it.”
Olivia was absolutely worth it. He couldn’t wait to talk to her.
Cole rose from the window seat and kissed his grandmother on the head. “Thank you, Nana.”
She beamed at him, the light from the window hitting on the cross attached to her rosary. It struck Cole then, in that moment, that God had heard his prayers. And answered them. He’d sent Nana to advise him with her words of wisdom.
No. It was more than that. The good Lord had been listening all along. Not to the words coming from Cole’s mouth, but to the cries of his heart. For love and happiness. For someone to share his life with. He’d sent Olivia, the perfect partner for Cole, a brave woman who’d pushed him to face his fears and embrace the love they could have together.
What had he told Olivia? Their relationship was divinely guided. The incidents pushing them together were too perfectly aligned to be anything but the good Lord’s handiwork. At the time, Cole believed it was so he could protect Olivia from the stalker. And that had been part of it. But God had a bigger plan.
I’m following, Lord. Lead me and I will follow. And thank you. For everything.
The phone at Cole’s bedside rang. He’d been fielding calls from friends for the last two days. He picked up the receiver. “Donnelly.”
“Cole, it’s Eli. Where’s Olivia?”
His tone was clipped and controlled, but there was an underlying urgency that sent Cole’s heart rate spiking. “She’s in the cafeteria with Jackson.”
“No, she isn’t.”
Cole whirled to face his grandmother. “What do you mean? She left forty-five minutes ago to join you and Jackson for breakfast.”
Nana’s eyes were wide as she registered the panic in his expression. “She never showed up there. Jackson saw a friend he went to college with, so I left him in the cafeteria and came back up here. Olivia wasn’t with him when I left. Is it possible I missed her somehow?”
At that moment, Jackson strolled into the hospital room. He took one look at Cole’s expression and the smile instantly fled his lips. “What is it?”
“Olivia’s not with you?”
“No. I thought she was with you.”
“We need to find her.” Eli had obviously overheard the entire conversation. “ASAP. Bryce just admitted in questioning that he wasn’t working alone, but he won’t tell us who his accomplice is without a firm plea bargain in place. The District Attorney is hashing out the details, but if Olivia is missing, that changes everything.”
It sure did.
Olivia was still in danger.
