9. Dawson

Sitting at home alone was boring. Dawson had flipped through every channel on television and thoroughly lost at half a dozen game shows.

When his phone dinged, he lunged for it on the small table beside the couch. It was a text from Asa.

Asa: Lyric wants to know if you want to have dinner with us tonight.

Dawson's thumbs flew over the screen as he replied.

Dawson: Absolutely.

Asa: You need a ride?

The doctor said to hold off on driving for a few days since the injury was to his right leg, but he could probably manage.

Dawson: I think I can make it. Jeremy is coming by later. He might give me a ride.

Asa: He's invited too.

Dawson: 10-4.

When another response didn't come immediately, Dawson set the phone on the couch beside him and groaned. The short conversation wasn't enough to fend off his boredom.

He could always call his mom again. She never ran out of things to talk about.

The front doorknob jiggled and turned. There was a quick rap against the wood before Olivia sang, "Hello?"

Dawson was on his feet in an instant. The sight of Olivia always sent his pulse into overdrive. "My queen!"

"Your food courier," Olivia quipped, holding up a bag. She was still wearing her purple scrubs and white sneakers from work, and, if anything, the basic outfit brought out her beauty.

Dawson carefully balanced on his good leg. "I don't need food. I need companionship."

"I'm not sure there are any escort agencies around here," Olivia said.

Dawson turned to her and opened his arms. "Come here, woman. I haven't touched another human being since you left yesterday."

Olivia sighed but put the bag on the table and lifted her arms. "I'll bring you a body pillow tomorrow."

Dawson folded Olivia into his frame and inhaled the sweet smell of her hair. The scent tingled in his nose. "I missed you."

"It's only been a day. Not even twenty-four hours," Olivia said.

"I don't care. I miss you when you're gone."

Olivia pressed her cheek against his chest and squeezed him tight. "I missed you too."

The urge to wrap her up and never let go flared hot inside him. He did more than miss her when she was away. He was half empty without her.

Every moment he was with her was like water racing down his burning throat. When she was gone, the flames were left to rage until he was back in her orbit.

She pulled out of his embrace and pushed her hair out of her face. "Food first, then I'll check on your stitches."

She picked up the bag of food, but Dawson reached for it. "Let me get that for you."

She handed over the bag. "Thanks. It's barbecue."

Dawson inhaled a deep breath of the spicy meat. "You are an angel. I'm starving."

Olivia headed toward the bathroom, and Dawson pulled out the boxes and tubs in the kitchen, sampling onion rings and pickles as he went.

Olivia returned from the bathroom a few minutes later and walked behind him. He held out an onion ring toward her, and she bit off a piece and kept walking toward the cabinets where she pulled out a couple of paper plates.

"You figure out what to do for Barry?" Dawson asked as soon as he blessed the food.

"Oh, we're doing a car wash. Next Saturday at the church."

"I'm off work that day. What time do I need to be there?" Dawson asked.

"Whenever you want to bring your truck by. The youth are doing the work."

"I'll help wash cars. More hands mean quicker service."

"If you could ask everyone at the station to bring their vehicles by, that would be great."

"Consider it done," Dawson said as he tore into another bite of his sandwich. "How are the kids?"

Olivia rolled her eyes. "Giving me fits. Herbert was in the coop-ula this morning with Genella. She didn't seem to mind, but the other hens were bothered."

"He's just looking for friends," Dawson said.

"He's also stressing my laying hens. There's a reason we have the best eggs around, and it isn't because I let my ladies get terrorized."

"I'll have a talk with Herbert. And I'll issue a formal apology to the chicks."

Licking the barbecue sauce from her fingertips, Olivia eyed him warily. "I'll believe it when I see it. Herbert is a menace."

"He loves you. Just embrace it."

Olivia scooted her chair away from the table and looked down at Dawson's leg. "How are your bandages?"

He pulled up the leg of his sweatpants to show her the small bandage on the side of his calf. It covered the broken skin that hadn't required stitches. "Perfect."

"Does it need changing?" she asked.

"Probably, but I can take care of it."

Olivia stood and headed for the box she'd bought and filled with bandaging supplies. "I'll change it."

Dawson wasn't about to protest. Olivia loved taking care of people, and it was always nice to be on the receiving end of her attention.

Maybe one day she'd let him take care of her.

She gathered the supplies she needed and arranged them on the table.

"Do the patients at work know how lucky they are?" he asked.

Olivia rolled her eyes. "I'm the lucky one. I get to do what I love every day."

Dawson pulled another chair up beside him and rested his leg on the seat. "You know, not many people think your job is fabulous."

She currently worked as a geriatric nurse at an assisted living facility, but she'd been through the emergency department and a private practice since getting her degree. She made it clear she had no plans to leave geriatric care.

Dawson's chest warmed every time he heard about something Olivia did. Her caring heart was one of the many things he loved about her. She'd been that way since they were kids.

Olivia washed her hands and slipped them into a pair of gloves. "Some people say the same thing about your job."

"Fair enough. But the people I work with don't usually care for me much."

Olivia grinned. "See? At least I chose a career where people are happy to see me."

"I bet those people think you're the sweetest person to walk the planet," Dawson said.

"I am," Olivia said as she worked intently.

"I can't argue with that."

Olivia's phone rang in her pocket, but she didn't lift her head.

"You need to get that?" he asked.

"Not while I'm working," she answered, lifting up her gloved hands.

Dawson reached for the pocket on the side of her pants, and she shifted so he could pull the phone free. Anna Banana was written across the top of the screen with a photo of Olivia and Anna pressed cheek-to-cheek in a hug. He turned the phone around to show her.

Olivia nodded. "Can you answer it on speaker?"

He pressed the buttons and laid the phone on the table.

"Hey, girl," Olivia said as she continued working.

"Hey. So, I talked to my brother about Mark, and–"

"Who?" Olivia asked.

Dawson remembered Mark. The random guy Anna had found on social media who was somehow in the running for Olivia's wedding date. Dawson squirmed just thinking about it, and his hand fisted on the table.

"Your wedding date," Anna said.

Dawson's brows rose as if they had a mind of their own. What did she just say?

"He's not yet," Olivia corrected.

"Well, Drake said he's known him for a while, and he's a good guy."

Olivia sighed low. Dawson couldn't be sure, but she didn't look like she wanted a date.

"He has your number. You two can talk about it," Anna said.

"No, no. Don't do that," Olivia sputtered.

Anna sucked in a breath through her teeth. "I may have already given it to him."

"When?" Olivia asked, looking at the phone on the table as if Anna could see her glare through the device.

"Just now. Right before I called," Anna muttered.

Olivia's shoulders sank. "Fine, but I can't promise–"

The phone dinged and lit up with a text. A series of numbers showed up on the screen with a message underneath.

"Was that him?" Anna asked.

"It seems so," Olivia said before clenching her jaw. "Why did you give it to him?"

"Because you weren't going to do it. Come on, Liv. I want us to have a good time at the wedding. Our friends are getting married, and that's a great reason to celebrate."

"I can celebrate without a date," Olivia reminded her.

One point for Olivia. Anna was the influential one in their friendship, and Dawson always liked seeing Olivia stand up for herself, even if it was with her own friend.

Baby steps.

"I know, Liv, but you work so hard for everyone but yourself. Don't spend the whole wedding and reception running around checking everybody's work. You're a good planner. Things will fall into place. Plus, you promised to let me help you, so don't try to do it all yourself like I know you want to."

Dawson had to agree. Olivia worked from sunup to sundown, and she never turned away anyone who needed help.

"Please just relax a little," Anna begged. "Chat with Mark over a meal, dance with him a couple of times, and see where things go. You're a catch, and any man worth his salt would go out of his way to make sure you have a good time at your friend's wedding. It's one night."

Dawson didn't dare breathe as he waited for Olivia's response. Anna was right, again. Olivia deserved someone who would care for her the way she cared for everyone else.

He wanted to be that guy, but it seemed the wedding wasn't going to be his chance to prove it to her.

Olivia stood and gathered the scraps of packaging. "I'll think about it."

"That's all I ask," Anna said. "Let me know how things go with him. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Love you. Bye," Olivia said as she pulled off her gloves and tossed them in the trash.

"Love you more," Anna said before ending the call.

Dawson didn't say anything, and Olivia continued putting things back into the kit and tidying up.

Once everything was back in its place, Olivia turned around but didn't look at him. "I have to go. I'll check on it again tomorrow after work."

Dawson sat up straighter, not ready to let her go. "Where are you going?"

"I have to get back to work."

"What are you doing after?" he asked.

Yes, he was desperately trying to claim some of her time, and he didn't care if he was groveling.

"Cleaning at the church," she said as she put the first-aid kit away and started washing her hands.

Olivia made use of every second of her days. If she wasn't at work, she was at the church or organizing some fundraiser. She sold eggs, goat milk, and butter while she was doing everything else. She dedicated most of her life to serving others.

"Do you ever take time for yourself?" Dawson asked.

Olivia looked over her shoulder at him. Her brows were lowered. "No. Why would I do that?"

"Um, because everyone needs a break."

She turned back to the kit. "People don't help each other anymore. I don't have tons of money to donate to charities and causes, but I have my time, and I choose to give it."

He'd talked to his mom about how Olivia was overworked and underappreciated. His mom claimed Olivia was fine because service was her spiritual gift.

Looking at Olivia now, she didn't seem to be bothered by the work she did. Still, he worried she was stretching herself too thin.

When he didn't say anything, she went on. "The older ladies in our church are getting too old to do everything, and younger people aren't stepping up. We need to be active in the community and taking care of our members, and I won't let those things slip."

Wow. Olivia was quite a motivational speaker when she was fired up about something. "You're absolutely right. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"No, I've got it covered. Thanks for the offer though."

Typical. Olivia never wanted help. He loved her independence, but he wanted her to share the load. In the little time she had left of her days, she took food to Beau and her dad.

"At least let me come to the church with you. I can dust the pulpit. I'm dying to get out of here." He stood on his good leg and took a step toward her, pleading, "Please."

She turned at the exact moment he moved. Olivia crashed into his chest with an "Oof." Dawson tipped back and hit the counter behind him. Olivia toppled off-balance and fell into him.

Dawson wrapped his arms around her until she settled. She looked up at him with wide eyes. Her mouth hung open slightly in surprise.

"We have to stop meeting like this, Liv," Dawson joked with a wide grin. Any chance to have Olivia in his arms was a win.

The knob on the front door jiggled, and the door creaked open.

Olivia jerked back, straightening her shoulders in an instant.

Dawson laughed. "Wow, Liv. Not sure I've ever seen you move that fast."

"Dawson!" Jeremy yelled from the living room.

"Kitchen!" Dawson responded.

Olivia swiped a hand over her hair, looking thoroughly flustered. "Jeremy is in town?"

"Just for a few weeks."

Jeremy walked into the kitchen, and his neutral expression morphed into a mischievous smile when he spotted Olivia. "Chicken chick!"

"Hey, bubba," Olivia said, opening her arms for a hug. Most everyone in Blackwater called Jeremy bubba, and while he disliked the nickname, he never corrected Olivia.

Dawson crossed his arms over his chest. "What am I? Chump change?"

Jeremy released Olivia from the hug, looking a little too happy to see her. "Sorry." He turned to Dawson and wrapped him in a man hug with a few slaps on his back.

"Long time, no see," Dawson said. "Glad you made it home."

Jeremy's grin faltered but only for a second. "You and me both."

"How is Mongolia?" Olivia asked as she pulled out a chair at the table.

Guess Olivia's work could wait now that Jeremy was here. Dawson and Jeremy had always been close, and the nagging pang of jealousy watching Olivia smile up at Dawson's brother was new.

"Pretty calm right now. Though, I don't expect it to last through the winter." Jeremy took a seat beside Olivia and leaned back, stretching his long legs out under the table.

Jeremy and Dawson definitely had the family resemblance. They were both tall and lean, but where Dawson had blue eyes, Jeremy's were green. Jeremy also preferred facial hair.

"Did you get the church finished?" she asked.

"If all goes well, it'll be up and running next month."

"That's exciting! I'll put that in the missions newsletter," Olivia said.

"How did you know he was building a church on the other side of the world?" Dawson asked.

"He sends me a letter every month," Olivia answered. "Haven't you seen them on the bulletin board at church?"

"There are a lot of papers on that board." Dawson looked at his brother. "How come I don't get letters?"

"Olivia is the head of the missions committee."

Okay, that made sense. Maybe Dawson needed to pay more attention.

Olivia looked at her watch and stood. "Oh, I really have to go. We'll talk more soon?" she asked Jeremy.

"Sure. Dinner next week?"

Oh, good gravy. Dawson couldn't watch while his brother asked Olivia out. He already wanted to handcuff Mark to a light pole. He didn't need to be jealous of his own brother.

"Sure. Thursday?" Olivia asked.

Jeremy stood. "Sounds good, and do you have a date to Asa and Lyric's wedding?"

"She does," Dawson blurted.

Olivia narrowed her eyes at him. "I don't, but Anna is trying to get me to go with someone her brother knows."

Jeremy glanced at Dawson with a teasing grin. "Lucky guy."

Olivia huffed. "Considering I'm organizing most of the wedding and reception, he'll be on his own quite a bit."

"Well, if you hear of anyone in need of a date, keep me in mind," Jeremy said.

"Will do. I'll see you two later," she said with a wave.

"I'll walk you out," Jeremy offered, following her from the kitchen.

Drat. Dawson wanted to walk her out. He had some scratches, not a pegleg. "I will too."

"You rest that leg," Olivia said. "I'll check on you tomorrow."

Dawson threw his head back and sighed. Why did Olivia keep dancing just out of his reach? He busied himself unloading the dishwasher and wiping down the countertops that were already spotless.

A few minutes later, Jeremy walked back into the kitchen. He pointed to the spread of food on the table. "Lunch?"

"Help yourself," Dawson said as he tossed the cleaning rag into the sink.

"So, you didn't get to Olivia first?" Jeremy asked.

"Not because I didn't try. I asked Olivia, but somehow I ended up with Anna."

Jeremy was reaching for a plate, but halted when he heard Dawson. "Anna?"

"Yeah. It's a long story."

"Are you two together?" Jeremy asked.

"Nope. And we're not gonna be," Dawson added for good measure. "I like Anna, but not the way you're thinking."

"Does she know that?"

"Surely she does, right? I mean, we've never had any sparks."

"Is that what Olivia thinks about you?" Jeremy asked.

"Way to kill my hopes and dreams," Dawson said. "You really think Olivia doesn't like me at all?"

Jeremy shrugged. "Who knows? It's not like you two haven't had plenty of time to figure it out by now."

"I've tried asking her out plenty of times. She always brushes it off like I'm joking."

"Maybe she needs to know you're serious."

Dawson rubbed his chin. "How do I do that?"

"Beats me."

He couldn't make any major moves until after the wedding. He'd made a promise to take Anna, and he'd follow through with it, but he needed a plan to show Olivia how he felt.