Olivia’s gaze slid to the bound tablet. “What is it?”

“I think it’s your sister’s drawing tablet. There are kids’ drawings in it.”

“Neve’s?”

“No, your other one. Marley?”

Her therapist’s eyes softened as she looked back at the sketchbook. “Oh, okay. Thanks.”

“Sure. I’m going to finish packing. I guess everyone else will leave when we do?”

“Except Neve. I think she’s going to stay here for a while.”

Chase widened her eyes. “Really? She’s moving here or something?”

Olivia looked slightly annoyed, but her gaze kept finding that sketchbook as if it were a flower delivery and she hadn’t read the card. “Maybe. We’re not sure, but she’s asked to stay and oversee the renovations we’re doing. She got a job today, so she’s committed to staying in Cotter’s Creek for a while.”

Strange how Neve and Olivia’s relationship had changed during their time at the cabin. Hell, funny how hers with her life coach had changed, too. Maybe there was a truth here that wasn’t as easy to find in their normal lives. Mountain air, gurgling creeks, and simple living seemed to provide answers to questions she didn’t know she had. “That’s cool. You two seem to be getting along better. Well, I probably need to let Spencer know we’re heading out tomorrow . . . unless you want to tell him?” Chase wasn’t sure how Olivia was handling the whole Spencer/Conrad thing. The director had made sheep’s eyes at Olivia while Spencer brooded.

“Uh, you know, you might want to tell him. I need to gather my things together myself.”

“Chicken,” Chase said.

“Maybe so.” Olivia turned from her, effectively dismissing the conversation.

Normally, Chase might have teased her, but her own heart felt tender, and it didn’t seem wise to poke at a hornet’s nest. So instead she backed out of the room. “I’ll go pack.”

“Great.”

Chase stopped when she reached the door. “Are you sure I’m ready?”

Olivia turned back around. “You’re ready. We have a few more issues to clear up and can address that on the drive. Just some self-evaluation, nothing you can’t handle. I’m proud of you, Chase. I really didn’t think you would do as well as you did. I mean, you literally ran away, but once you set your mind to get better, you did. And that tells me so much about you.”

“What do you mean?”

“That when you want something, you get it.”

Chase nodded. “That’s true, but my issue is sometimes I don’t know what I want.”

Olivia smiled. “Kid, that’s living life. Most everyone doesn’t know what is right or wrong. We have to live life to find out.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER
TWENTY-ONE