Page 29 of Save Me
Oliver’s family had moved to the Keys long before Brock’s had. Brock and Ollie had filled the top spots in all the sports and social clubs. Between the pair of them, they’d earned most of the medals and awards at school.
Ollie was easily the happiest person Brock had ever met. The man constantly laughed and joked about everything.
It had been no surprise to anyone that he’d taken over his father’s famous restaurant, named after him, his one and only son.
“How’s the business going, Ollie?” Brock asked as he shook the man’s hand after he’d given his daughter a hug and his wife and son a kiss.
“Great. How’s the cop life?” Ollie asked.
Brock smiled. “Great.”
“I heard you were taking a little sabbatical. Your parents were in my place last night,” Ollie said.
“Yeah, I’m not sure you can call it a sabbatical, but it beats driving around Miami and dealing with drug busts and traffic stops.”
He had an enjoyable time catching up with his old friend while Crissy and Beth chatted and kept the kids entertained.
Ollie had to leave and head back to work shortly after downing a slice of pizza.
“He normally gets more time with us, but they’re short a few kitchen staff right now,” Beth explained as they walked back home.
He stopped when they passed the center of the market. “I bet you could sell your paintings here,” he told Crissy, motioning to the art supply store. In the large glass window hung more than a dozen large paintings, all claiming to be from local artists.
“This is where Mama gets her paints,” Emma chimed in.
The store was currently closed, but the lights in the windows highlighted local art for sale.
“I…” Crissy started.
“You paint?” Beth asked.
“Just as a hobby,” Crissy said as her cheeks turned slightly pink.
He hadn’t meant to embarrass her, but it had just come out when he’d seen the sign touting the local artists.
“I know Carrie, the owner of the store. We went to school with her daughter Lisa,” Beth said. “If you want, I can put in a good word for you?”
“No, that’s...” Crissy started to say, but then she looked at him.
“They’re really good. Who knows, maybe you’ll make enough to pay for some bigger canvasses or more paint supplies?” He shrugged.
“Okay,” Crissy said with a nervous laugh.
“Great.” Beth took Crissy’s arm and started walking again. “I can’t wait to see what you’ve painted.”
He followed the pair, pulling the wagon behind him. By the time they made it back to the house, both girls and the little boy were fast asleep.
“They look so cute snuggled together,” Beth said easily. “Why don’t you let Emma spend the night?”
He could tell Crissy was about to deny her, but then she nodded. “Okay.”
“I’ll carry Tilly in, you get Emma,” Beth told him as she set Johnathan’s stroller just inside the door.
He easily lifted the sleeping girl in his arms and followed Beth inside the home. The place had been remodeled when he and his dad had been building the rental property. He could see the last owners had done a fine job as he weaved his way into the little girl’s bedroom and gently set Emma down next to Tilly on the little girl’s bed.
“I’ll let Emma borrow some PJ’s. Go on,” Beth said, motioning to the door. “Go have some adult fun. God knows you both need it.”
“What?” he asked her.
