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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

“It’s me,” a deep voice said from the shadows. “Tyson. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

As Tyson stepped into the outdoor lighting, relief flooded Olivia.

She glanced at his shadowed figure and sighed. “What are you doing up at this hour?”

He stepped closer, his voice deep but calming. “I might ask you the same question.”

“I needed some fresh air. Besides, I feel safe out here.”

Tyson closed the distance between them, and they both took a seat in the chairs. His hair was tousled as if he’d tried to sleep but couldn’t. Wearing a sweatshirt and jeans, he looked down-to-earth and entirely too handsome.

“This is one of my favorite places also,” he admitted.

Silence fell between them. But it wasn’t awkward as Olivia feared. Instead, it was a comfortable “it’s-okay-to-be-quiet-sometimes” kind of silence.

After listening to the sounds of tree frogs and crickets for several minutes, Olivia asked, “Do you have trouble sleeping often?”

“Only when I have a lot on my mind.” Tyson’s gaze lingered on her as if he was trying to get a message across. “How are you doing? I mean it, Olivia. I want to know how you’re really doing.”

She swallowed hard. “I’m not losing it, if that’s what you think.”

“I never thought that.”

This would be a good time to share her story if she was going to at all.

However, she didn’t like to talk about her ordeal. She’d rather pretend it didn’t happen. But maybe Tyson deserved an explanation.

Despite her reasoning, the words wouldn’t leave her lips. Not yet.

Instead, she held her gaze steady on his. “You deserve an explanation for what happened yesterday. But I just can’t bring myself to talk about it yet.”

If she talked about it, she’d break down into tears. She didn’t want Tyson to see her in that state. She needed to keep things professional. But staying at his house and spending so much time together blurred lines.

Maybe staying here with Tyson had been a mistake. But leaving now would only raise questions. She just needed to be stronger.

“You don’t have to tell me anything.” His voice was gentle and compassionate. “I’ll be here if you ever want to talk. I just wanted to let you know that.”

Relief flooded her.

Tyson was such a patient person. How could someone not admire that quality?

“There is something I need to tell you, however,” he said.

Olivia’s breath caught. She didn’t like that tone.

But now she had to know what he needed to say.

* * *

Tyson shifted uncomfortably, hating that he had to bring up this subject.

“Listen, it didn’t seem relevant to share this information with you at first,” he finally started. “But now it could be.”

“What is it, Tyson?” Fear tinged her voice.

Tyson hated that he’d made her sound that way.

“The truth is . . . that school I’m trying to have built . . . there are people who are opposed to it.”

“You mean from the casino?”

“There are others as well.”

She squinted in confusion. “Why would anyone else be opposed to a new school?”

“Political reasons. Tribal reasons. Greed reasons. Any and all of the above.”

“Okay . . .” Olivia continued to stare at him in confusion. “But I still don’t understand.”

He frowned and gazed into the distance. “I’ve gotten some threats. Mostly empty threats from someone most likely associated with the casino. But that’s not a guarantee. I haven’t taken the intimidation tactics too seriously because nothing has come of them.”

She remained quiet, her gaze quivering. “And?”

“And . . . I’m afraid someone sent you those flowers as a way of targeting me.”

She blinked. “What?”

Tyson nodded slowly. “It must sound crazy. But someone has been trying to get to me using whatever means possible. There’s a chance this person heard you were here and decided to capitalize on your past trauma. Maybe as a way of distracting me. I’m not sure.”

She blinked several times again. “Oh . . . I—I don’t know what to say.”

“That’s why I’ve hired extra security. I just want to be safe.”

“Sounds wise.”

“As long as you’re here . . . I’m not going to let anything happen to you, Olivia. Especially not on my watch.” Conviction hardened in his stomach as he said the words.

Tyson meant them now more than ever.