Til Debt Do Us Part (Married At Midnight #4)

Chapter 16

Sixteen

Talia

I duck into the bookstore, escaping the cool spring breeze and the pangs of anxiety Dare's withdrawn mood has stirred. The familiar scent of aged paper and fresh coffee washes over me.

Olive stands behind the counter, eyebrows pinched in concentration as she taps on the register. No sign of Aunt Minnie.

I slide onto a stool. "How's it going?"

Olive's head jerks up, eyes flashing with surprise. "Talia! I didn't hear you come in." She blows out a breath, shaking her head. "University cut our funding again. I picked up a few shifts here to make ends meet."

I purse my lips, anger simmering in my gut. Of course the university slashed Olive's budget. Again. "Take as many shifts as you need. I worry about Aunt Minnie running this place alone."

"You haven't talked to her?" Olive frowns. "Minnie will throw a fit if she thinks I'm trying to take over."

"Things with Dare have been..." I trail off with a sigh. "I haven't found the right time."

Olive's eyes soften with understanding. She knows how complicated things have become between Dare and me since I told him about the baby. "You should talk to Minnie. Let me know what she says."

I nod, throat tight. Between Dare's moods, the baby, and now Aunt Minnie and Olive, I'm drowning in worries. But I can't avoid this conversation any longer.

After tidying the counter, Olive comes around and wraps me in a hug. "It'll be okay," she murmurs. "You've always handled Minnie, and Dare will come around. He loves you."

I cling to Olive, breathing in her familiar scent of cinnamon and sandalwood. She's right. I can do this. I have to. For the sake of my family, I must stay strong.

I release Olive and square my shoulders. "You're right. I should go talk to her now."

"That's my girl." Olive squeezes my arm. "Call me if you need anything."

With a nod, I head to the back room where Minnie does the books. The door is ajar, and I rap my knuckles against the wood. "Aunt Minnie? Can I come in?"

"Of course, dear, come in." Minnie looks up from her ledger, lines creasing her forehead. No doubt going over the finances again. She gestures to the chair across from her desk. "What is it?"

I perch on the edge of the seat, clasping my hands in my lap. How do I bring this up gently? There's no easy way, so I blurt, "Olive has been helping out more in the shop. I wanted to see how you felt about that."

Minnie's eyes narrow. "Has she now? And when were you planning to discuss this with me?"

"I'm discussing it now. I know you value your independence, but the shop has been struggling lately, and with the baby coming, I worry about the extra burden on you." I rush to add, "Olive only wants to help. She's not trying to take over."

"I don't need help." Minnie's tone turns sharp. "Especially not from Olive. I've run this shop for over thirty years and done just fine."

I swallow hard against the lump in my throat. I knew this wouldn't be easy. "You have, but you're not as young as you used to be. Let Olive help. For me, if not for you." I place a hand over my stomach, hoping she understands. "I need to know the shop—and you—will be okay when the baby arrives."

Minnie stares at me for a long moment, anger etched into the lines of her face. But beneath the anger, I see something else: fear. Fear of aging, of losing independence and control. I understand that fear all too well nowadays.

Finally, she sighs and looks away. "I suppose a little help won't hurt. But the moment she tries to take over, she's out."

Relief floods me as the tension seeps from my body. "Thank you, Aunt Minnie. You won't regret this."

I rise and bend to kiss her wrinkled cheek. She pats my hand, a smile peeking through. "You're a good girl, Talia. Now go on—I have books to balance!"

Chuckling, I head out with a lighter heart, ready to call Olive with the good news. Stronger together, we'll get through this. We have to. For the baby, for our family—and for the future.

Olive and I arrange the new releases in the front window, sunlight dappling the aged wood floor. "Did you speak with Minnie?" she asks, not meeting my gaze.

I nod. "She's agreed to accept your help."

Olive's shoulders sag with relief. "Thank you, Talia. I don't know how I can repay you."

"You're family," I say simply. "We help each other."

We fall silent, and an awkward tension stretches between us. I think of her words from before, wondering if there's truth to them. Have I really built my identity around tragedy? Around being an orphan and coming from nothing?

Shaking off the thought, I glance out the window. "Another shop closed down the street. If things keep going like this, there won't be any small businesses left in Harwicke."

"I know." Olive sighs. "So much history, gone in the blink of an eye. All to make way for bigger chains with no soul." She shakes her head. "Sometimes I think the only thing keeping this town alive is your husband's family money. What will happen when he moves the company away?"

I frown, a knot forming in my stomach. It's something Dare and I have discussed, but I'm not ready to face that reality. "He's not set on moving yet. His grandfather is still CEO, and Dare wants to make the transition smoothly."

"His grandfather won't last forever, Talia." Olive's gaze is gentle but knowing. "You should start preparing now. For the move, and for taking on a role you never imagined."

Irritation flares. I'm well aware of the challenges ahead; I don't need reminders. "Dare will do what's best for the company and for our family. I trust him."

"I don't doubt that. I just want you to trust yourself, too." Olive smiles softly, but I can tell she's holding back. And I realize, with a pang of sadness, that the distance between us is more than physical.

We've been friends for as long as I can remember, but maybe we've grown apart. Maybe the paths we've chosen in life have led us to different places, and there are things about my world now—a world of wealth and privilege—that Olive will never fully understand.

The thought brings tears. I blink back furiously. Our friendship has endured for so long, but will it survive the changes to come? I cling to the hope that love and honesty will see us through. They have to, or I'll be adrift with no one to rely on. And this baby needs a family, a community, to call home.

Olive and I finish the display in silence. But before we part, I pull her into a fierce hug. "Thank you," I whisper. "For everything."

She hugs me back just as tightly. "Always, Talia. Always."

And I believe her. Our paths may diverge, but our bond remains. Stronger together—yesterday, today and forever.

I leave the bookstore with a heaviness in my chest. Olive's words echo in my mind, a refrain of doubt that threatens to drown out all else.

Am I enough for Dare? Can I overcome the scars of my past and be the partner he deserves?

The questions plague me as I make my way down Main Street, the quaint shops and cafes a blur. My steps slow when I come upon the children's park, empty at this late hour except for a few teenagers loitering near the swings.

The sight of the park fills me with longing for the child who will soon be mine to love and protect. I place a hand over my swollen belly, taking comfort in the strong, sure beat of my baby's heart.

Whatever comes, this new life is a gift. A chance for me to build something lasting and true. To forge the family I've always yearned for.

My doubts begin to fade, replaced by a fierce surge of determination. I will be enough. For my child, for Dare, for the life we're creating together each and every day. The past can no longer haunt me if I choose to leave it behind.