Read Online Had a Great Fall (An Olivia Thompson Mystery) by Jullian Scott - Free Book Online Page B

eyeing Nate skeptically. “Olivia didn’t tell me that you were coming.”
    “It’s a bit of a surprise,” Nate said. “I was able to get some time off work to be with Olivia.”
    “I hope you’re prepared to do a whole lot of waiting,” Brian said grimly.
    He wasn’t just being facetious. There wasn’t anything for them to do but wait for Ed’s condition to improve. Over the course of the day, his vitals slowly recovered. He was still in a medically induced coma, but the doctor thought he might be able to remove the breathing tube the next day. In the meantime, they were encouraged to go home and get some rest.
    That was easier said than done, however. Brian’s wife, Taylor, had heard about Nate’s arrival and was practically salivating at the thought of meeting him. She insisted they come over to their house for dinner.
    “Taking me to meet the fam,” Nate said as he drove to their house. He was thrilled about meeting the rest of Olivia’s family. “I think Brian likes me already.”
    “Of course he does,” Olivia said, somewhat perturbed. “You always make a good first impression. Just don’t get too cocky.”
    “Me?” He feigned indignation.
    Olivia ignored him. She was still thinking about how fragile her father had looked in his hospital bed. The doctor said he was improving, but she wasn’t so sure.
    “Hey.” Nate grabbed her hand. “Everything is going to be okay. Your dad will be fine.”
    “They lost him twice yesterday,” she said quietly. Olivia hadn’t told Nate just how bad it had been. She hadn’t wanted him to feel guilty for not being there with her. “They were able to bring him back, but he went into cardiac arrest twice.”
    “Shit, Liv. Why didn’t you tell me it was so bad?” Nate squeezed her hand. “I would’ve come sooner.”
    She shrugged. “There was nothing you could do. I also thought you were busy working a serial murder investigation, not busy getting suspended for a childish fight.”
    Nate had the self-awareness to look embarrassed. “I’m a guy. It’s what guys do. We drink too much and do stupid things.”
    “Come on. You’re better than that, Nate.” Olivia was more than a little surprised at his cavalier attitude toward the whole thing. In the twelve years she had known him, Nate had never gotten into a drunken fight. “Something has been going on with you lately.”
    “You noticed, huh?” He smiled adorably. “I can explain- you see, I’ve fallen madly in love with this amazing woman.”
    “You’re not nearly as charming as you think,” Olivia said, already beginning to soften. He really did have an irresistible smile. “Also, for future reference, you might not want to blame me for the stupid things you do.”
    Nate chuckled. “Noted.”
    By the time they arrived at Brian’s house, Olivia was feeling a little better. Nate was always able to make her feel better. Being greeted at the door by her niece and nephew only increased the warm feeling in her chest.
    “Aunt Olivia!” Teddy grinned wide enough to show off his missing front teeth.
    Emma ran forward with her arms out and Olivia scooped her up.
    “You guys have gotten so big!” she said. Even in a few months’ time, both of them had changed so much.
    “Who’s he?” Teddy demanded, eyeing Nate suspiciously. “He’s tall.”
    “He is,” Olivia agreed. “This is my friend, Nate.”
    Emma giggled. “Nay.”
    “Close enough,” Nate said with a smile and a shrug.
    “Olivia?” Brian’s wife appeared in the hallway. “Kids, give her some room so she can come inside.”
    Teddy grabbed at Olivia’s arm. “Come on! I want to show you my room!”
    “Hi, Taylor,” Olivia gave her sister-in-law a hug. “Thanks for having us over for dinner. It’s really very sweet of you.”
    “Are you kidding?” Taylor grinned. “When Bry told me that the boyfriend was in town, I insisted on meeting him.”
    “Wonderful.” Olivia blushed all the way to the roots of her hair.