Read the book: «The Man She Should Have Married»

Chapter One

Crandall Lake, Texas

Mid-October...

Olivia Britton grinned at her cousin, the newly married Eve Crenshaw. “I’m so happy you’re here!”

Eve laughed. “You’ve already said that at least ten times.”

“I know. But I am. I’ve missed you.” In fact, Olivia couldn’t believe how much she’d missed Eve.

“Oh, come on, Liv. I’ve only been gone six weeks. And we’ve texted and talked on the phone almost every day.”

“It’s not the same,” Olivia insisted. “You’re not here. We can’t meet for lunch or have dinner together or just sit and talk for hours. And Thea misses you, too!” Thea, short for Dorothea, was Olivia’s four-year-old daughter.

Eve nodded. “I know. But no matter where I am, I’ll always be here for you...and Thea. You know that.” She drank some of her wine, then reached over and squeezed Olivia’s knee. “And I’m here now.”

The cousins were sitting on either end of the sofa in Olivia’s living room. Their children were settled upstairs for the night and it was blessedly quiet, so Olivia hoped they were all asleep. They should be. It was after eleven, and she and Eve could finally talk without curious ears.

Olivia sighed. Eve wasn’t just her cousin. She was also her best friend, someone Olivia had always looked up to, someone she’d known was just minutes away for a hug, a shoulder to cry on or a listening ear. The only person in the world who knew everything about her—well, almost everything—and could be completely trusted.

But now Eve would be spending the majority of her time in either Los Angeles or Nashville, where her new husband (and the twins’ birth father), the famous and fabulous Adam Crenshaw—composer and lead singer of the band Version II—had two magnificent homes.

Eve, along with her twins Nathan and Natalie, had come back to Crandall Lake for the weekend to join in the family celebration of Olivia’s mother’s birthday.

Olivia sighed again. She was thrilled for Eve. Her cousin had waited a long time for some true happiness. But Olivia also loved seeing her daughter with her older cousins, both of whom Thea adored. And now that Eve and the twins had settled in Los Angeles for the school year, nothing would ever be the same again, no matter what Eve said.

Eve was still talking, still making an obvious attempt to reassure Olivia. “I’ll be coming to Crandall Lake a lot. And you’ll be visiting us wherever we are. And you know, I’ve been thinking. If you want to, you and Thea can even travel with us when Adam has a concert and we’re able to go with him.”

“I have a job, you know.” But wouldn’t it be wonderful to be free of everything tying her down and just take Thea and go, the way Eve was suggesting? “Besides, I don’t think I should leave my mom.” Norma was newly diagnosed as a diabetic—something their family seemed to be genetically disposed to—and was having some trouble dealing with the disease.

Eve gave Olivia a sideways look. “Stella’s here.” Stella was Olivia’s younger sister and she lived within walking distance of their family home. “You said yourself she’s really stepped up to the plate and has educated herself about the disease so that she can help your mom.”

“I know, but...” Olivia evaded Eve’s gaze.

“Let’s talk about the real reason. You’re afraid Vivienne would make trouble for you if you moved.”

Olivia made a face. Her mother-in-law hated her in direct proportion to the possessiveness she felt for Thea, her only grandchild, the daughter of her perfect younger son, who had died so tragically in the crash of his Black Hawk helicopter in Afghanistan.

“Am I right? Or am I right?” Eve pressed.

“You’re right.”

“She’s a piece of work, isn’t she?”

“That’s a kind way of putting it.”

“I’ll never understand her.” Eve finished her wine and set the glass on the coffee table in front of them.

“I’m not sure anyone does.” Olivia got up and retrieved the still-half-full bottle of Merlot she’d opened earlier. She poured more into Eve’s glass. “Even Matt says she’s just used to getting her own way, and when she doesn’t, look out.”

She was referring to Matt Britton, her brother-in-law, Vivienne’s oldest son. He’d always been good to Olivia, in spite of his mother. In fact, since Mark’s death, Olivia wasn’t sure how she’d have coped with her mother-in-law if not for Matt.

From day one, Vivienne Britton had been furious that Mark, her obvious favorite child, had wanted to marry “a nobody” like Olivia Dubrovnik instead of Charlotte Chambers, the daughter of the Brittons’ oldest friends. Charlotte was “our kind” and “perfect for you” as she’d told Mark many times, once even in Olivia’s hearing. It still amazed Olivia that Mark had defied his mother, because in all other things he had always done what she wanted him to do.

“Let’s not talk about her anymore.” Olivia poured more wine into her own glass and sat down again, curling her bare legs under her.

Eve smiled. “Good idea. Instead, let’s talk about you dating again.”

“I’m only thinking about dating again,” Olivia corrected. “I haven’t really decided. Besides, it’s not like there’s a line of eligible men out the door.”

There was one person who interested her, and for a moment, she was tempted to tell Eve about him, but pushed the urge away, because the situation was impossible. She felt a bit guilty about not telling Eve, because normally she told her everything, but in this case, her gut told her it was best not to put her feelings into words.

“The reason guys aren’t lining up is because no one knows you’re ready,” Eve said.

“I can hardly make an announcement.”

“No, but I can get the word out.”

Olivia stared at her. “What are you going to do? Put a notice in the Courier?” Eve had worked for the Crandall Lake Courier before marrying Adam in August.

Eve grinned, a sly look in her eyes. “No, but I just might mention it casually to Austin when we see him Sunday morning.”

“Austin!” Olivia was startled. Austin Crenshaw was one of Adam’s younger brothers. A successful lawyer, he took care of all Adam’s personal and professional legal and financial matters. “Why would he care?”

“Surely you saw how he was checking you out at the wedding,” Eve said. Austin had been Adam’s best man, and Olivia had served as Eve’s matron of honor.

“That’s ridiculous!” Olivia said. “He was just being polite to his new sister-in-law’s cousin.”

Eve shook her head knowingly. “Nope. He’s interested. I know the signs. And he’d be perfect for you.”

“That’s crazy. I am so not in his league.”

“Why are you constantly putting yourself down? He couldn’t find anyone better if he tried!”

Olivia loved that her cousin was always so loyal, but she had to face facts. “C’mon, Eve. If he’d really been interested, as you say, why hasn’t he called me or something?”

“I don’t know. But I’m going to find out.”

“No, no. Please don’t say anything to him.”

“I’ll just casually bring up your name Sunday.”

“No! Please, Eve. I really don’t want you to.”

“It’s not a big deal,” Eve insisted. “Austin and I have a great relationship. Since Adam and I got married, I’ve really gotten to know him. We’ve sort of bonded. And he’s a really great guy.”

Olivia knew, just from the determined look on Eve’s face, that she was not going to be dissuaded. It was useless to keep trying. Because, if she did, Eve would eventually wonder why. “Okay, but don’t say anything in front of the kids.” Eve and her twins were meeting Austin for breakfast Sunday.

“Don’t worry.” Eve smiled, happy now she’d gotten her way. “I’ll be discreet. The kids won’t hear me.”

“Thing is, I don’t want him to think I put you up to talking to him.” The very idea made Olivia cringe. Why had she even mentioned she was thinking about dating? She should have known Eve would latch on to that and start suggesting possible candidates. She gave a mental sigh. Austin did seem nice. Plus he certainly was easy on the eyes. All the Crenshaw men were. And since the one man who did interest her was completely and totally off-limits...

“Quit worrying,” Eve said. “That’s my job, remember?”

Olivia smiled. Worrying was Eve’s job, always had been. She was the conservative one, the cautious one. Olivia had always been more impulsive, more willing to take a chance.

But that was before she’d had Thea.

Before she was a mother.

Now her first priority would always be her daughter, and that meant she had to think carefully before she did anything that might negatively impact Thea’s life in any way.

“Seriously, Eve,” she said, “I’m not in any hurry. If I do get into another relationship, he’d have to be pretty special...after Mark.” It made her sad to think about Mark, who was her first love. They’d only been married months before he went to Afghanistan. They’d had so little time. His life had been cut so short, and he’d died so young. And without ever holding or knowing his daughter, except for photos and images on Skype.

“I know,” Eve said. “You have plenty of time, and I’m sure, once the guys around here—Austin included—know you’re ready, there’ll be no shortage of possible candidates.”

Olivia rolled her eyes. She wasn’t anywhere near as confident as Eve that men would be lining up to take on a widow with a small child.

The cousins continued to talk for another hour or so, but when the Wedgewood clock on the mantel chimed one o’clock, Eve yawned and stretched. “I’m beat.”

“Me, too. We’d better get to bed. Tomorrow’s a big day.” Olivia got up and took Eve’s glass. “You can use the bathroom first. I’ll take these out to the kitchen and be there in a minute.” The cousins were sharing Olivia’s bedroom and the king-size bed she and Mark had so happily purchased together.

As she rinsed out the wineglasses and put them in the dishwasher, Olivia decided she was going to make the most of the weekend. She wasn’t going to think about her mother-in-law or about Eve going back to LA or the way Olivia’s own life had not turned out the way she’d once imagined it would.

She was just going to relax, have fun, eat some salty and sugary junk food, and thoroughly enjoy having Eve and the kids home again.

No matter what.

* * *

“It’s a gorgeous day, isn’t it?” Eve exclaimed. “I love autumn in the Hill Country.”

“Me, too,” Olivia said, linking her arm through Eve’s.

The cousins were strolling through the grounds where Crandall Lake’s Fall Festival, an annual celebration featuring music, food, games and rides as well as various craft items for sale, took place every October.

Norma Dubrovnik, Olivia’s mother, and her older sister, Anna Cermak, Eve’s mother, were walking up ahead. Between the older women and the two younger women were Nathan and Natalie, with Olivia’s Thea between them. Each twin had one of Thea’s hands, and every few steps they’d lift their little cousin and swing her out, then set her back on her feet again. Thea’s delighted giggles peppered the air.

“Liv, Eve, hurry up! You’re so poky!” Olivia looked around to see her younger sister Stella waving and calling to them.

“We’re coming,” Eve said as they caught up to where Stella stood.

“I thought you’d gone home or something,” Olivia said. “You disappeared.”

“I spied my boss by the pizza booth, and I went over to talk to her,” Stella said. She was laughing, her fresh face and bright eyes a clear sign that life hadn’t yet dealt her any devastating blows. Olivia hoped it never would.

Just as Eve and Olivia reached the rest of their group, who were now gathered by the crowded booth where hot funnel cakes were cooked and sold, Olivia’s mother said, “It’s so hot.” She was mopping at her forehead with a tissue.

Olivia frowned. It wasn’t hot. In fact, the weather was perfect. Sixty-eight degrees and sunny, according to her phone just thirty minutes earlier.

“I don’t feel good,” her mother continued. Her face had drained of color, and she swayed.

“Norma,” Eve’s mother said, reaching out to put her arm around her sister. “C’mon, let’s go sit on that bench over there.” She met Olivia’s eyes. “She’s shaking.”

Alarmed, Olivia said, “Mom. What’s wr—” But she never had a chance to finish what she was going to say because at that moment Norma just seemed to fold in on herself and slumped to the ground. “Mom!” Olivia dropped down to where her mother lay.

“Norma!” This came from Eve’s mother, who knelt next to Olivia.

People around them buzzed with concern and several onlookers crouched down.

“Mom,” Stella said, patting Norma, who was struggling to sit up. “What happened?”

“I—I don’t know. I just feel so weak.”

“Did you eat breakfast this morning?” Olivia asked.

“What’s going on here?” said an authoritative male voice.

Olivia looked up. She knew that voice. It was Dr. Groves, Thea’s pediatrician. “Dr. Groves, this is my mother. She said she was hot and she was sweating, but her face was white. Then she just collapsed. I think it’s a low blood sugar reaction. She’s a diabetic. Newly diagnosed.”

“On oral meds or insulin?”

“Oral,” Stella said. “She takes them in the morning and again at night.”

“When did she eat last?”

“I—I had some toast for breakfast,” Norma said weakly.

“Nothing since? No protein?” Dr. Groves asked.

Stella shook her head. “I don’t think so. We’ve been here since ten o’clock.”

Olivia mentally sighed. Her mother still didn’t seem to realize the importance of eating at regular intervals and keeping her meals balanced, even though they’d already had several discussions about the potential consequences.

“She needs sugar, fast,” Dr. Groves said. “She’s having a low blood sugar reaction. This happens when diabetics are on meds and don’t eat the right things often enough.”

“She can have my funnel cake,” one of the onlookers said. The woman, someone Olivia didn’t know, thrust forward her paper plate containing a sugared funnel cake. “I just got it.”

“That’s good,” the doctor said, “but some orange juice would be faster acting. Once we get her blood sugar stabilized, she’ll need something more substantial, with protein, like a hot dog or one of those chicken drumsticks they’re selling.”

“I’ll go get some orange juice,” Nathan piped up. “There’s a juice stand right over there.” He pointed to one about a hundred feet away. “I have tickets!” He held up a strip of the tickets used in lieu of money at all the booths.

In all the confusion Olivia had lost track of Thea, and she looked around as Nathan ran off, and Dr. Groves continued to monitor her mother, but she didn’t see Thea. She saw Natalie, though, and called to her. “Where’s Thea, honey?”

Natalie frowned and looked around. “She...she was just here.”

Olivia’s mother was now sitting on a nearby bench, with her sister, the doctor and Stella in attendance. They were feeding her some funnel cake. Olivia, who wasn’t yet alarmed, figured Thea was simply hidden by one of the members of the group of people waiting on funnel cakes or lured by the earlier commotion of her mother’s collapse. She headed toward Eve, who still stood near the booth with Natalie. At the moment, the young girl seemed a lot older than her almost-twelve years, with her worried face and frightened eyes. She took her responsibility of watching after Thea very seriously.

“Thea!” Olivia called as she walked through the clusters of people. “Thea, honey, where are you?”

Eve frowned and hurried toward Olivia. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t see Thea anywhere.” Now Olivia’s voice held an edge of fear.

“Natalie?” Eve said, eyeing her daughter.

Natalie looked stricken. “Mom, I—I don’t know where she is.”

“But you were holding her hand, honey. You and Nathan said you were going to watch her today.”

“I know, Mom, but Auntie Norma fainted and...and I must have let go of her hand. I—I don’t know where Thea went.” The last word was a wail, and Natalie’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry.”

“Oh, my God,” Olivia said. Her heart had begun to hammer, and full-blown panic had set in. Now she looked around frantically. “Thea! Thea! Where are you?”

By now, several people had stopped whatever they were doing and were staring at her. One of them said to Eve, “What’s wrong?”

Eve quickly explained. “She’s probably just wandered off, but–”

“But what if she hasn’t?” Olivia cried. “What if...” She couldn’t even finish the thought. Horrible images flashed through her mind in the space of seconds. Thea was so little. So sweet and innocent and trusting. And so very beautiful with her blond curly hair, the exact shade of her father’s, and her shining brown eyes, just like Olivia’s own. Olivia closed her eyes, also thinking how inquisitive her daughter was, how interested in things, the way she would talk to strangers. “Please, God,” she whispered. “Please, God, let her be okay.”

Her greatest fear was losing Thea. Losing Mark had been hard enough, but losing Thea was unthinkable.

“Liv, she’s okay, I know she is,” Eve said. “Let’s look methodically. Think, Natalie, did she say anything?”

Natalie’s tear-stained face screwed up in thought. “I—I think she said something about a kitty right before Auntie Norma said she didn’t feel good.”

“A kitten!” Olivia said. “Maybe...maybe she saw a kitten.” She looked at Eve. “You know how she loves cats. She...she’s been begging for one for months.” Olivia had been waiting, thinking she’d surprise Thea at Christmas.

“Let’s get some of these people looking. She can’t have gone far,” Eve said. She turned to one of the nearby groups. “Her little girl’s wandered off. We need help looking for her.”

“I’ll notify security,” a man said, taking out his cell phone. “I know the man in charge. What’s the little girl’s name?”

Within moments, Eve had organized a search party armed with Thea’s description and information, the head of security had arrived and been briefed, and 9-1-1 had also been called.

Olivia felt sick with fear. It was all she could do not to break down completely, but she knew if she did, she’d be useless. She forced herself to take deep breaths...and think. Thank God for Eve. And thank God, Olivia’s mother didn’t know what was happening, because Thea was her only grandchild, too, and totally adored.

But it wouldn’t be long before Norma would find out about Thea, because Olivia could see two police officers coming toward them, and the head of security here at the festival had just told her they were going to get an announcement on the loudspeaker so that everyone attending the festival would be on the lookout for Thea.

“Olivia?” The oldest police officer, a man Olivia recognized as Tom Nicholls, looked at her. His wife, Betty, was a nurse at the Crandall Lake Hospital where Olivia worked in Admitting and Registration. “It’s your daughter that’s missing?”

“Yes.” Olivia stepped forward, with Eve and Natalie right behind.

For the next five minutes they gave Tom Nicholls all the information he asked for. Natalie was also questioned, and then Nicholls got on the phone and fired off orders. A dozen more search parties were organized, and throughout, Olivia fought against the panic threatening to paralyze her. She very nearly gave in to it when she wanted to join one of the search parties and Nicholls wouldn’t let her.

“You need to be at the security tent,” he said. “That’s going to be our command post and where Thea will be brought when she’s found. And she’ll need you then. You can’t be off somewhere searching.” Without waiting for her to protest, he beckoned to another officer. “Officer Wilkins here will take you to the security tent.”

“I’ll go and tell your mom and the others what’s happening. Then I’ll find you,” Eve said, giving her a quick hug. “It’s going to be okay, sweetie. I love you.”

Olivia bit back her tears and allowed herself to be led off. She couldn’t help remembering how, the night before, her last thought before going to bed had been about how much fun today was going to be.

What a fool she was.

She had tempted fate.

And now fate was showing her, once again, that she had no control over anything.