Escape A Barson story

Chapter 3

Olivia decided to walk with Noah the short distance from Catherine's to The Garland Family Cabin, there was no way she would ever call that cab driver again. Neither mother or son had ever seen a cabin up close and personal. It was impressive. and larger than Olivia had pictured in her head. It was made of very dark wood, Olivia guessed it was Cedar wood. She and Noah walked up the 3 steps leading to the front door. Olivia knocked gently once. "Olivia is that you?" Lamai Garland asked, from behind the door.

"Yes, Lamai, it's Olivia, and I'm with Noah." The door opened. "Olivia, I wish you would have called when your flight got in. We would have picked you up at the airport." Lamai said, stepping aside to let the captain, and her son in.
"You're so kind to invite us, I didn't want to bother you." Olivia replied, finally stepping inside with her son.

She saw Christian Garland, running to them. "Let me help you with your bags." He said. He quickly took Olivia's big suitcase from her hands, Lamai took Noah's medium sized suitcase. The couple placed both suitcases down on the floor beside one of the navy blue couches in the living area. Olivia and Noah followed their bags. They stood by the couches.

"Sit down." Lamai instructed. "You must be exhausted— and starving."Happy that she received permission, Olivia sat down, and Noah followed her lead. "Thank-you, it's nice to see you both." Olivia said. "You have been here for a week right? How has it been?""Great!" Lamai answered. "Abby has a ton of friends here."
"Where is Abby?" Noah asked,"You'll see her tomorrow, Noah. She's sleeping. She wore herself out sledding." Lamai replied.
"Can I go sledding, mom?: Noah asked, looking at his mother."Yes, Noah, you can go tomorrow.""You can go with Abby and her friends." Lamai added."This vacation is gonna be fun!" Noah said, excitedly.Lamai and Olivia smiled. "I'll be back soon", Lamai said. "Is it OK if Noah helps me, Olivia?""Yes." Olivia answered. Noah jumped off the couch, and followed Lamai into the kitchen, hoping for a cookie.
"How are things at work, Chief?""Good, Captain." Christian Garland, answered. "But I'm not your chief anymore.""I know— sorry, old habit..""You're a family friend, captain. Call me Christian.""Call me Olivia.""Olivia, you're on vacation, enjoy it.""I'll try, I'm not used to it." Olivia replied
Christian nodded in understanding. Lamai walked out of the kitchen with Noah, and walked over to Olivia. She was holding a bag of food. "Christian why don't you take Noah and the suitcases over in the car in a little while? I want to talk to Olivia. Olivia, are you up to taking a short walk? If you aren't, we can all take the car.""No, I can take a walk with you." Olivia said, feeling nervous, but hiding it. She never thought Kathy liked her, but she thought Lamai did. She stood up from the couch, and followed Lamai out of the door, she knew that Noah was safe.Lamai and Olivia walked a short distance until they reached another cabin. Lamai took a key out of her pocket. "Follow me." She said, and Olivia did. They walked up 3 steps, and Lamai unlocked the front door. Olivia followed her inside. It was slightly smaller than The Garland Family Cabin, but it was almost identical. "This is where you and Noah will stay whenever you visit." Lamai said. "It has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.""Lamai, I have to pay you rent for the time I'm here. ""You will do no such thing, Olivia." Olivia followed her into the kitchen. Lamai put the bag she had been carrying on a kitchen counter, took the food out of containers, and warmed the food up. She then took the warmed food and announced. "We ate already, I would have loved to have you at our table. I made a pot roast. Tell me how you like it, there's plenty here for you and Noah."
"Lamai, thank-you so much! You didn't have to give us any of your leftovers, you didn't have to do any of this."
"I wanted to." Lamai reassured the captain. "I understand you're tired, you probably don't want company right now. I'm sure you and Noah, just want to eat together, and go to bed."
"Lamai, you said you wanted to talk to me. Is everything OK?"

"Yes." I work in a firm with mostly men, I don't have many female friends. I like and respect you. Do you mind having some girl talk?""I would like that. " Olivia answered.

"Good." Lamai replied with a bright smile. "So how is your love life?"
"That's an easy question. I don't have one."

"Christian said you were close with Rafael Barba."

"He was my best friend.

""Nothing romantic?"

"No." Olivia answered, quickly."Christian told me your ex partner is a hothead.""Sometimes." Olivia said.
Lamai could see from her body language that Olivia didn't want to talk about her ex-partner. "What can you tell me about Rafael Barba?"
"He's a brilliant attorney." Olivia answered."Lamai!" The 2 women heard through the door. Recognizing her husband's voice, Lamai opened the door, and he walked in with Noah beside him. "I called Mrs. Johnson to sit with Abby, but we have to get back soon." Christian strode to Olivia's bedroom, and deposited her suitcase on the floor, he then dropped off Noah's suitcase in his room. He returned to his wife's side. "We'll see you tomorrow." Christian said to both Olivia and Noah."Olivia. I want to see you and Noah at our cabin for lunch tomorrow at 12:30. I won't take no for an answer!" Lamai said."We'll be there, Olivia answered. Won't we Noah?""Yes!" The boy answered, happily."Good. " Christian and Lamai said in unison. Christian opened the front door, and the couple walked out. Seconds later, Olivia closed and locked the door behind them."I'm hungry, mom!"
Olivia turned to her son. "Well you're in luck sweet boy, we have pot roast.Minutes after Olivia's pot roast announcement, mother and son were eating. A very short time after dinner, Olivia said good night to Noah. It took the boy only 5 minutes to fall asleep.
Olivia walked quietly out of Noah's room, and into her own. She found her suitcase, took out a novel, and read until sleep claimed her.