Page 61 of Enigma

For a moment, watching her father joke with Jessie and Jules while her mother smiled genuinely at his silly gesture, Olive felt something she hadn’t experienced in years.

They felt like a normal family.

“So,” her father said, settling into his chair at the table. “How was everyone’s day?”

“Olive met a boy,” Jules announced before Olive could stop her.

“Jules!” Olive protested, but she was laughing.

Her father raised his eyebrows with mock seriousness. “A boy? Should I be concerned?”

“He’s nice, Dad. His father’s the town doctor.”

Something flickered across her father’s face—the same quick shadow she’d seen in her mother’s expression. But like her mother, he recovered quickly.

“Well then,” he said. “I suppose I should meet this young man eventually.”

As her family settled into the comfortable rhythm of sharing their day—the twins chattering about their new teacher, her mother describing her trip to the local garden center, her father making jokes that actually made them all laugh—Olive felt a warmth she hadn’t experienced in years.

Coming to Oasis seemed like the best thing that had ever happened to their family. Maybe, just maybe, this time they could stay.

CHAPTER 41

The next morning, Olive tried to put her thoughts aside so she could concentrate on whatever former Chief Patterson might have to say.

Today, it was more challenging than usual, however.

She kept thinking about her argument with Jason. That morphed into Simon’s revelation that her mom might not only be alive, but she also might be behind this mysterious organization coming after her and Jason.

It was almost too much to comprehend.

But maybe Patterson would have some answers for her.

She was ready to talk to him. Ready to get out of the Tahoe and the mostly silent ride she’d endured with Jason.

He was clearly still not happy with her, and she couldn’t even argue with him about it. If she was in his shoes, she would feel the same way.

Chief Patterson’s house was a modest two-story home with a large, detached garage on the outskirts of Oasis.

That was where Olive and Jason found Patterson working under the hood of an old Chevrolet pickup truck. The man was in his late sixties, with a weathered face and careful posture. Olive didn’t remember him from her time living here, but Jasonseemed to remember meeting him at a couple of high school football games.

“Dean called this morning.” Patterson wiped his hands on a greasy rag as Olive and Jason approached. “Said you wanted to talk.”

“Yes, sir.” Olive paused in front of him. “I’m Olive Sterling.”

“Related to James?

“I’m his daughter.”

Patterson studied her face in the light from the garage. “I can see the resemblance. You’ve got his eyes.” His expression was unreadable. “Though I hope that’s where the similarity ends.”

Olive bristled—not in offense but with dread. “What do you mean?”

Patterson gestured toward a few lawn chairs arranged near his workbench. “Have a seat. This might take a while.”

They settled into the chairs. She’d been contemplating whether or not to ask him about her mother also. She still wasn’t sure she wanted to put that information out there.

The tenderness of the possibility still felt too fresh.