Page 33 of Charm (Billionaire Buck Boys #7)

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Greer

“I had a nightmare, Mommy,” Olive pokes a finger into my cheek as I struggle to open my eyes.

“What time is it, sweetheart?” I whisper.

“Late,” she snaps back with a giggle. “I looked out my bedroom window. It’s dark out. I heard Grandpa snoring when I listened at the door of their room, so I let him sleep.”

My eyes pop open. “Your grandparents are up on the third floor, Olive. You went up there?”

My sweet little princess yawns. “Grandpa told me if I ever had a bad dream, he’d tell me a good story. He said that balances it out in the brain.”

She taps the center of her forehead to make her point.

I glance toward my bedroom window. It is indeed dark out, but there’s light filtering in from the massive motion-activated light the neighbors installed on the fence. It’s supposed to light up only their yard at night so their dog can find his way around after dusk. It’s set to light up both yards.

I don’t mind, though. It offers me an extra sense of security, and for that I’m grateful.

Olive looks at my phone on my nightstand next to where she’s standing. She quickly taps the screen with her finger. “It’s two fifteen. That’s like late late.”

“Super duper late,” I add with a grin. “Let’s get you back in bed.”

“I think a piece of cake would make me forget my nightmare,” she says with a fake sniffle.

My daughter knows my weaknesses, including when she pretends she’s about to cry. I usually jump into action to ward off her tears, but this time, I pop up into a sitting position and watch her carefully.

There’s not a tear in sight, but I do see a slow smile creep over her lips. “We’re dressed the same, Mom.”

I glance at her pink and white pajamas. The material is cotton, and it’s a checkerboard pattern that Olive picked out herself.

Martha made Olive a set first, and when I commented on how cute it was, she surprised me with a set, too.

They match Olive’s perfectly, right down to the pink buttons on the shirt.

“We are.” I pat the spot next to me. “Sit and tell me about the dream.”

She climbs onto the bed, dragging her purple elephant stuffed toy with her. Once she’s comfortable, she runs her hand down my forearm. “I don’t exactly remember it all, but I do know there was a scary pumpkin and a big zebra.”

“I scoop her hand into mine, giving it a light squeeze. “It sounds a little terrifying.”

“It was more than a little.” She sighs. “I think I need another night light.”

I can’t say that surprises me. She’s had her eye on a stained glass cat-shaped night light for weeks now. It’s displayed in the window of a vintage shop we pass by almost daily on our early evening walks.

“Maybe a cat shaped one would help?” I ask, holding in a smile.

“I do have enough allowance saved to buy one like that.” She drags a hand through her shoulder-length dark brown hair. “I even made room on the table by my bed for it.”

“Why don’t we go pick it up tomorrow morning when they open?”

She bounces to her knees, almost falling off the side of the bed when she does. I reach out to circle her waist with my hands, pulling her close to me.

“You always save me, Mommy,” she whispers. “You’re my hero.”

“You’re mine,” I say under my breath because she is.

“Grandma will want to come with us to the store.” She snuggles up to me. “She likes looking in there for little treasures she says.”

“We’ll take Grandma with us.”

“I think I can go back to my bed now.” Her words get caught in a big yawn. “Will you tuck me in?”

I hold her hand as she slides off my bed before I swing both legs over to push to my feet. “You know it’s one of my favorite things to do.”

“You’re the best mom in the world.”

I glance down at her before I cup her small face in my hands and kiss the middle of her forehead. “You’re the best daughter in the world, Olive.”

“I know.” She laughs. “I am pretty great.”

“I want to wear my four-leaf clover today!” Olive yells as she enters the kitchen at warp speed. “Is that okay, Mom?”

Before Martha can get to where Olive is now standing, I’m there, taking the four-leaf clover charm from my daughter’s hand.

The small gold charm is unique in that there are two tiny diamonds on it.

Each is in the center of two of the leaves.

When I first gave it to Olive last year, she asked if I had lost the other two “ sparkly jewels .” I smiled and told her it was just like this when I got it.

It’s a beautiful piece and just one of many charms that Olive now owns. It’s been her favorite since I gave it to her, so whenever she asks if she can wear it, I never hesitate to say yes.

“It’s more than okay,” I tell her, glancing at Martha to see a broad smile on her face.

“Can I wear it on a chain around my neck like I did last time?” Olive asks with hope lacing her tone.

Since the charm can be easily strung on a gold chain or the gold charm bracelet Olive has, I nod. “Run back up to your room and get your chain.”

She tugs it out of the front pocket of her denim overalls. “Ta da! It’s magic. I have it.”

Martha lets out a loud giggle.

Olive scoots around me to head right to her grandma to give her a big hug. “I knew you’d like that.”

I turn and watch them embrace each other.

There was a time when I didn’t know if I’d ever feel this level of happiness, but I’m grateful every day that I do now.

“I’ll help you with the charm,” Martha offers. “Mommy is going to drink her coffee and eat the waffle I made her.”

I look at the table and the colorful plate that the waffle is sitting on. It’s adorned with a dollop of fresh whipping cream and a mound of berries. Next to it is a cup of coffee made to perfection.

“Thank you, Martha.”

“I like your pretty dress, Mom.” Olive points at the pale green sundress I’m wearing. “You look like a fairytale princess today.”

Smiling, I push my hair back over my shoulders. “I’m glad you think so.”

“You’re beautiful!” she shrieks. “So is Grandma. So am I.”

“Carry that confidence with you always.” Martha pats Olive’s shoulders after clasping the chain holding the charm around her neck. “If you do that, no one can stop you.”

“No one can stop me from eating my waffle.” Olive jumps up and down. “Will you put extra strawberries on mine, Grandma?”

Tears well in my eyes as I watch them interact with each other.

Martha kisses the top of Olive’s head. “Consider it done, my girl.”