Page 24 (1/2)

Chapter One

Noah

The doorbell rang as I headed for Olivia’s room My friend Darren was a little earlier than expected, but it wasn’t a proble the aet out here in the mountains Travel depended on the weather, and for people who didn’t make the trek often, they tended to et too many visitors — not for the past couple of years, anyway I liked it that way It htforward in the emotions departhter, and I kept myself pretty closed up, so Olivia was my main worry

I almost said no to Darren when he asked to visit, but we hadn’t really hung out with one other in a while, and he said he’d bring his son along Bryant was the saht it could be a good idea My daughter didn’t get to see too h Bryant and Olivia were friends, their playdates weren’t exactly frequent Usually, I would drop her off at their place This was our first ti

“Olivia, Darren and Bryant are here”

My young daughter looked up fro, excitement in her eyes “Really?”

“Mmhm,” I nodded

She put her crayons away and then carab my hand, and I took her tiny palm in mine

“Are we going to play?”

“If that’s what you want”

Olivia nodded I could see the exciteelic s ItDarren over Hopefully, this was a good choice

Ever since Kylie,people into our hoer sister, Scarlett, stayed with us for a year, helping e and look after Olivia, but for… reasons, I had to ask her to leave It’s just been Olivia andokay

The two of us got to the door, and there was Darren with Bryant

“Noah! It’s great to see you!”