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While she was contemplating possible subjects, Riley and Annie video-called to see if she was still alive. Olivia had only sent them a few tired texts since she left. Most of her evening time had been spent talking to her mother—Olivia had convinced her to schedule and keep her next doctor’s appointment—and checking in on Matt.
“I have an idea to help you,” Riley announced. Her auburn hair was cut in a sleek shoulder-length bob that emphasized her dark eyes. She was the youngest of the roommates, but you wouldn’t have known it by the way she always assumed the leadership position. The woman was organized, outspoken, and could wield a spreadsheet on any subject. “We need to go public about your problem.”
Olivia began drawing the outline of a cat in her sketchpad. “Oh, I’m pretty sure everyone in town knows enough about my problems already.”
“I’m not talking about Lark Springs,” Riley said. “I’m talking about football-loving America. We’ll start a Go-Fund-Me to pay off Matt’s debts. Once people know that an NFL player is holding you prisoner, the story will go viral.”
Olivia penciled in eyes on her cat. “And once people know Carson Clark is that football player, women will start volunteering to take my place. It could work.”
Riley waved away her words. “No sane woman would volunteer to work the hours you do.”
“Unless,” Annie put in, “Carson is working shirtless. Does he do that? I might have to come help you sometime if he does.” Annie was the opposite of Riley in a lot of ways. Not only was she blond-haired and blue-eyed, she refused to get worked up about most things. She was the sort of woman who breezed through life on looks and charm.
Riley glared at her, then turned back to Olivia. “So should I put together a Help Free Olivia campaign?”
Annie leaned closer to the phone to get Olivia’s attention. “I told her you would hate it, but you know how she is once she gets an idea.”
Riley held up a hand. “We don’t actually have to do it. But you should definitely let Carson know we’re planning it. Maybe that way he’ll cut you some slack.”
Olivia flicked whiskers onto the cat. “The last thing I want to do is make Carson mad at me. He could fire me and press charges against Matt.”
Annie nodded. “Then I guess theHelp Save OliviaT-shirts are a no as well?”
“I’m still going to wear mine,” Riley said.
Were they serious? “You didn’t actually order T-shirts, did you?”
“What you need,” Annie said, ignoring the question, “is a girl’s night out. And when I say girl’s night out, I actually mean we go somewhere looking for men. How about we pick you up on Saturday after you finish work? We can go to Legends.”
Legends was a country western pub in Lark Springs that hosted dancing on the weekends. Olivia had never been a fan. Too many older couples went, many of whom were her students’ parents. It just wasn’t the place she wanted to have parent-teacher conferences.
She shook her head. “I need to start working on my artwork in the evenings.”
Riley and Annie exchanged a look. “You need to get over Miles,” Riley said.
“I am over Miles.” Funny, Olivia hadn’t thought of Miles once since she’d started working at the cabin.
“Then it’s time to put yourself out there again,” Annie said. “You know it always takes you a while to find a guy you click with.”
Riley nodded sympathetically. “Tall girl problems.”
Sadly, yes. A lot of guys were intimidated by her height. She had a smaller pool to choose from.
“If you don’t keep trying,” Annie added, “you’ll never find a guy you want to stay with for more than four months.”
Riley was still nodding. “Trust problems.”
“I don’t have…” Olivia started, but she knew the denial wouldn’t stick. “Can you blame me for having trust issues after Miles cheated on me?”
“Well, no,” Riley said, “but that doesn’t explain all the guys before him who didn’t make it past the four-month mark.”
There hadn’t been that many to begin with. “It’s hard to meet men in my profession, especially since I live in a small town.”
Riley raised her hand in agreement. “Me-also problems. For once I’d like to meet an interested guy who isn’t a tourist just passing through.” Riley worked at a bed and breakfast near the river. “I’m tired of being the summer fling.”
“That’s why,” Annie said, “we need to put ourselves out there more.” She turned to Riley. “Maybe we can research where the single tech guys from Bozeman hang out. They’re a stable demographic.”
“That’s what we’ve stooped to?” Olivia asked. “Stalking electrical engineers?”
