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CHAPTER SEVEN

Olivia followed her usual routine and woke up at six a.m. to start the day.

She couldn’t get last night out of her mind, however.

First, finding the nightlights missing. Then Tyson coming to reassure her.

He’d surprised her—in the very best of ways. Something about his demeanor was so calming. And something about his strength made her feel strangely safe.

She pulled her hair into a ponytail and threw on some maroon shorts and a black tank top. Then she grabbed her Bible and went outside.

Thirty acres of North Carolina splendor stretched beyond the doors of Tyson’s estate. It was a private kingdom carved from the rolling Piedmont countryside outside Charlotte.

The centerpiece was an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Its sapphire waters glimmered beneath the early morning sun, bordered by travertine tile that Olivia would bet remained cool even in the summer’s oppressive heat.

Olivia sat on a lounger to enjoy the solitude.

Though she now lived in New York City, she’d never enjoyed the bustling city. She preferred open spaces, and Tyson’s patio was the essence of that. It was big and wide with different layers. The best part was that it looked out over miles of nothing.

Even though she was out here alone, it didn’t scare her.

Only small, enclosed spaces did.

Being out here was a breath of fresh air.

She opened her Bible to Proverbs and read a new chapter, absorbing the words.

She’d only become a Christian a little more than a year ago, and she already found Christianity to be a solitary place in life.

There was no place for it in Hollywood or the entertainment industry. When she told people in the business that she was a Christ-follower, the news was always met with ridicule.

In many ways, she’d never felt so alone. Plus, after her ordeal she’d felt like there was no one who understood what she’d been through and how terrible it had been.

It was generally just Olivia and her Bible. Every day she tried to find meaning in what she read. Every day she wished she were close to someone who shared her faith. And sure enough, every day there was no one. Even though she went to church, her schedule didn’t allow her to make very many connections.

Just then, a footstep sounded behind her, and she froze.

Someone else was out here with her, she realized.

Immediately, her mind went into panic mode.

What if The Admirer had a minion finishing what he’d started?

As the question echoed in her head, she waited to smell the fragrance of roses.

She waited for her terror to begin again.

* * *

Body still in fight or flight mode, Olivia looked over her shoulder.

Tyson stepped out the back door, holding his cell phone to his ear.

Relief swept through her.

It was just Tyson.

Of course .

Who had she expected? Brian Elliot to return from the dead and follow her here?

The thought was ridiculous.

She let out another breath and glanced at Tyson again. He hadn’t seen her yet.

She smiled at the confident air with which he walked. His presence seemed to command attention, and his large frame made it hard for anyone not to notice him.

Breezing past her shadowed chair, he strode to the other side of the patio and continued his conversation.

Olivia squirmed, feeling like she was intruding. She’d assumed he would see her.

But he clearly hadn’t anticipated anyone being out here.

“Why don’t you move out here with me?” His hand went to his hip. “I know I keep asking, but it makes sense. I have plenty of room at the house.” He paused. “You wouldn’t be imposing.” He paused again. “At least promise me you’ll come visit.”

Did Tyson have a secret girlfriend? Olivia’s interest perked.

The man was supposedly single. However, there were rumors linking him with a reality show actress. They’d been spotted together at a restaurant and a football game.

Part of Olivia hoped he was dating someone. That would make him less intriguing to her. Then he’d be totally off-limits.

A few moments passed as Tyson leaned against the railing and scanned the nature surrounding him.

Then he spoke again. “I’ll call this morning and buy a plane ticket for you.”

Although Olivia knew she shouldn’t, she leaned in.

Tyson’s voice lowered. “I know. I miss you too.”

Guilt suddenly jarred her, and Olivia sat back, determined to mind her own business.

What was she thinking?

Tyson was having a personal conversation and thought he was alone out here. She shouldn’t be listening.

Olivia was about to clear her throat when she heard his next words.

“I love you too, Mom. I’ll see you soon.” He then said goodbye and disconnected the call.

Olivia almost laughed.

Not a girlfriend. His mom.

Hearing how tender he was with his mother was touching.

So, he had muscles, brains, and a heart. Impressive.

Tyson pocketed his cell phone and looked out over the land.

He obviously still had no idea Olivia was there.

Her guilt pounded harder.

“Good morning,” she called, waving her hand.

He turned to her, his eyebrows flicking up in surprise. Then recognition crossed his features, and his shoulders relaxed.

“Olivia . . . good morning. I didn’t see you out here.” He paced toward her.

There was that signature walk again—the stride of a man comfortable with himself.

Or maybe Olivia had read too many romance novels when she was younger. However, she didn’t think she’d ever actually seen a man who’d stepped off those pages and into real life.

“I wasn’t expecting to see you up so early.” He paused near her chair. “Did you sleep okay?”

“I slept fine after I got settled down. I’m an early riser, so I thought I’d come out here and enjoy the morning. I didn’t mean to intrude on your conversation.”

He waved her off. “There was no intrusion. Just talking with my mother.” His eyes wandered to the Bible in her lap, and approval stretched through his gaze.

Approval? Had she misread that?

She wasn’t sure.

Certainly a man like Tyson Stone felt pretty self-sufficient.

“Doing some reading?” he asked.

She nodded unapologetically. “Just trying to get my day started right.”

It was a risky admission to make in her line of work. At first, she’d tried not to tell people about the changes in her beliefs. Then she’d realized she couldn’t stay quiet—nor should she have to.

If people asked about her faith, she’d tell them. She wouldn’t hide the only hope she’d found. And she’d tried everything to fill those voids in her life. Nothing else had worked.

Until she’d found Jesus.

Tyson slowly nodded his approval. “Sounds wise.”

She smiled. “Are you always an early riser?”

“I’m up at 5:30 every morning.” He glanced back down at her Bible and nodded toward it. “I didn’t mean to interrupt you. I’ll let you get back to your reading. But I’ll see you inside for breakfast soon?”

“I’ll be there in a few minutes.” Olivia nodded to him as he walked away.

Warm but distant, she mused. Pleasant yet focused. Quite a combination.

She found herself wanting to know more about this man than she should.

However, Olivia desperately needed to nip those thoughts in the bud and focus on her work.