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“I love her,” he said with a certainty that couldn't be questioned. “Always have. Always will. I want to make a life with her. I want to take care of her when she’s sick. I want to exchange vows with her and make her happy every day of our lives. I want to see her reflected in the eyes of our children.”
“You're going to have to do a bit of groveling, son. Olivia is a proud woman. She's not going to make this easy for you.”
Hunter shrugged. “Whether it’s easy or difficult, it doesn't really matter, Mama. Because no matter what it takes, I'm going to earn her forgiveness.”
“We all fall short, son. We all are sinners, saved through God’s grace. He has already forgiven you.” Mae grinned at her son, her pretty face lighting up with happiness. “Now you just have to make sure Olivia is on the same page. After all, Jack and I are itching for some grandbabies.”
Hunter placed a kiss on his mother's forehead, then gently pushed her back into the ballroom so she could continue celebrating with all of her friends and the happy couple. As the ballroom door swung open he caught a glimpse of Olivia dancing cheek to cheek with her father, her sage green crepe de chine dress swinging around her calves. His heart swelled with immeasurable love for this woman who owned his heart and held the keys to his happiness. Somehow, even if it took him the rest of his life, he was going to make things right.
“Forgiveness is the best gift you can ever bestow on someone.” Miss Hattie
Chapter Fifteen
Olivia had been up half the night, tossing and turning as she relived the events that had unfolded during the wedding reception. Hunter had turned out to be a snake in the grass, she realized. A man without a shred of honor or decency. He certainly wasn't a man she should give her heart to. Too late, a little voice in her head whispered. She was already head over heels in love with him. Already? Who was she trying to fool? She had never stopped loving him or wanting him back in her life.
This past week had been a romantic fantasy come to life, and although she wasn't naïve enough to believe in Prince Charming, Hunter had played the role to perfection. He'd been sweet. Funny. Charming. Inspiring. In so many ways, he'd forever changed the landscape of her world. And for that reason, she knew he'd always own a part of her soul. Forever.
At seven o'clock this morning Daddy and Mae had left Savannah for a golf outing in Bermuda. Despite Hunter's devastating betrayal, the couple was still over the moon about their engagement and looking forward to a special vacation. A car service had picked them up at the house and whisked them off to the airport as a bleary eyed Olivia stood at the front door and waved them off with well wishes.
Three hours later she was still in her pajamas, determined to hide out at home until Hunter went back to New York City. She didn't need to run into him in town and run the risk of bruising her heart any more than he'd already battered it. She felt a little guilty about deserting the kids at the center, but in her current mood, she'd be as much fun as a root canal. Her fingers were itching to pick up her cell phone and dial Callie’s number, but her best friend was en route to Bali for her honeymoon. Olivia let out a sigh. She wasn’t going to bug Callie about her pathetic love life. Or moan about Hunter’s betrayal.
As she sat on her bed thinking over the events of the past few days, she kept reliving the moments she's shared with Hunter. The most poignant had been finding out about his deep sorrow about losing his father. Although she'd sworn she wasn't going to shed any more tears over him, she felt moisture pooling in her eyes. Shoot! Did it have to hurt this much to lose him all over again? She'd done this once before, and it wasn't any less painful now that she was a grownup. In fact, it hurt more, because she harbored no illusions about the two of them ever getting back together again. All she could do now was allow the passage of time to mend her shattered heart.
She heard a plunking noise against the large bay window next to her dresser, providing her with a momentary distraction from her situation. Thinking that a random bird might have crashed into the glass, she got up from the bed and peeked out the window. Hunter was standing outside in the yard, mere steps away from the spot where he'd stolen her heart all those years ago. He was dressed simply in a sweater and jeans, yet he looked so heartbreakingly handsome that she wanted to race down the stairs and throw herself into his arms. Rascal was sitting next to him on the grass, panting like crazy and looking up at Hunter with clear puppy worship. Rascal had a big red bow tied around his neck. She opened up the French doors and stepped out onto the balcony, shivering as the crisp Fall wind blew straight through her pajamas.
She affected a disinterested look and called out, “What do you want, Hunter?”
He craned his neck to look up at her. “To see you. To talk to you.”
“We've said all that needs to be said.”
“Not really, Liv. Not by a long shot. I've already apologized to Jack. He forgives me, if you can believe that. Quite a class act, your Dad.”
She frowned at him, not quite sure whether or not she believed him. “When did you talk to him?”
“I saw them off to the airport this morning. It gave me a chance to talk to Jack and make things right.”
“How did you do that?” she asked flippantly. “Did you give him his company back?”
“Better,” Hunter said with a cheeky grin. “I drew up papers so that we could run Renault together...fifty-fifty, Liv. And I’m going to help turn things around. I promise.”
Her heart began to beat wildly within her chest as his words penetrated her heart. Had she heard him correctly? Fifty-fifty. A partnership?
“You did what?” Was this another ruse?
“I made your Dad an offer he couldn't refuse. I'm going to take over the reins at Renault and we'll split the profits right down the line
. That way Jack will be able to retire and spend more time with Mama.”
Suspicion crept along her spine as her mind tried to figure out all the angles. Hunter lived in New York City where he ran his own multimillion dollar corporation. How was this even possible? “Why would you do that? You went to so much trouble to swoop down and buy the company out from under him. It doesn't make sense.”
Hunter raised his hand to his neck and began kneading the muscles. “Liv, I'm getting a crick in my neck looking at up you. Please come down.”
She hesitated for a moment, then dashed inside where she threw on her floral bathrobe and fuzzy slippers before flying down the stairs. The moment she walked outside insecurity seized her. What was she doing out here? After what Hunter had done to her and her father, how could she ever trust him again? Ten minutes ago she hadn't ever wanted to see his irresistible face again.
Hunter took several long strides toward her until they were standing face-to-face. Up close he looked as if he hadn't slept last night; He had slight shadows under his eyes. Dark stubble had sprouted on his jaw and above his lip. He looked slightly dangerous and extremely appealing. When he met her gaze she saw a flash of something that resembled fear. Was it possible that he was just as frightened as she was at this moment?
“Hunter, I'm glad you fixed things with daddy, but that's between the two of you. It has nothing to do with me.” She was standing with her arms folded across her chest, her posture rigid and unyielding. She wasn't going to make this easy for him. If he wanted her, he was going to have to fight hard for her forgiveness.
