41

You look like a worn-out dollar bill.” Mr. Walcott stood in the open doorway of Darius’s office, his arms crossed.

“Didn’t get much sleep last night,” Darius muttered.

“Me neither.” He entered the office and perched on the edge of Darius’s desk. “I know you’re officially off the Bennington case, but I assume you’ve heard about the city council meeting scheduled for the sixteenth of this month? The neighbors will be presenting their petition to have the home closed.”

Knots tightened in Darius’s neck. “I just heard they’d set the date.” He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to loosen the tension. He’d already had disappointing news this morning. Salvatore had called earlier to tell him that his visit to the Children’s Aid Society had been unsuccessful. He wasn’t able to get any information on either Matteo or Abigail, effectively destroying Darius’s hope to give Olivia good news.

“Caldwell is out sick,” Walcott continued. “And the other staff members are tied up on important projects. You’re the only one who seems to be at loose ends.”

Darius couldn’t deny the statement. With the loss of the Peterson contract and Mr. Cheeseman still in mourning, Darius’s major accounts were presently inactive. Sure, he’d been doing the basics—collecting the rents, arranging for repairs that were needed, and finding new tenants for any vacant building space. But over the past weeks, he’d lost his initiative to drum up new business. In short, he wasn’t doing much except the bare minimum to earn his paycheck these days.

Walcott leaned toward him. “I want you to round up more people who oppose the home and who’d be willing to testify at that meeting. Preferably local businessmen since their word will carry more weight.”

Was he serious? Darius had been very clear about not wanting to take action against the maternity home. Yet could he refuse a direct order? His gut clenched as the answer became clear.

Darius pushed up from the desk. “I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

“Why not? There’s nothing intrinsically immoral about canvassing support.”

Darius walked to the window and stared out. “I happen to think Bennington Place is an excellent facility. And I also know how much that house means to Ruth Bennington. I’m not going to help anyone take it away from her.”

At the unnerving silence behind him, Darius turned to face his boss.

“It’s that pretty partner of hers, isn’t it?” Walcott sneered. “I saw you talking to her at the fundraiser, and if memory serves, it was because of her that you burned our bridges with Elliott Peterson.” He stood up, his eyes narrowing. “I can’t believe you’d risk your career over a skirt.”

“My feelings for Miss Rosetti are irrelevant. I’ve made my position clear. I don’t feel right about trying to manipulate a widow out of her home.”

Walcott’s mouth twisted into a grim line. “If you refuse to do this, then you leave me no choice but to terminate your position.”

Darius stared at the man he’d once considered a mentor. “That’s all our association means to you? One disagreement and I’m out?” A twist of disappointment tightened his chest. He’d thought their relationship stronger than that. One based on trust and mutual respect.

Apparently he was wrong.

“It’s more than a simple disagreement, Darius. I thought you were a team player, someone I could count on to get the deals done. But if you’re going to always let ethics get in the way, you’re in the wrong business, my friend.” He pointed a finger at him. “Think long and hard about this. You have until tomorrow to start canvassing those neighbors.”

Darius let the waves of hurt and anger roll over him. He’d expected this confrontation would happen at some point, but it still irked him that Mr. Walcott couldn’t see past his own greed to recognize the inappropriateness of his actions. “I don’t need more time to think about it,” he said. “Consider this my official resignation. I’ll have a letter on your desk first thing tomorrow.”

Walcott blinked, then his expression turned thunderous. “I never took you for a fool, Reed. Seems I was wrong about you after all.” Then he strode out of the office and slammed the door so hard that the frosted glass rattled.

On a loud exhale, Darius sat down and dropped his head into his hands. Had he just thrown away his whole future? He had Sofia and his parents to think about. And without a stable source of income, he’d have nothing to offer Olivia. No way of passing the requirements to adopt Abigail, if that ever became a possibility.

I need your help, Lord. I’ve made a mess of everything. Please show me a way to make things right.

Walking into St. James Park, Olivia marveled at the hidden beauty tucked away in this corner of the city. A sea of multicolored flowers flanked the walkways that led to a central stone fountain and a gazebo in the distance. Huge trees that were just beginning to change color provided shade for multiple seating areas. Olivia scanned the park for her brother. More than likely she’d beat him here since she was early for their meeting.

She found an empty bench and sat gingerly on the edge, her purse on her lap. She’d donned her best dress and hat, wanting to make sure she looked respectable when in a priest’s company. She’d thought it better to meet out in the open, rather than in a restaurant or at the rectory, where her presence might cause too many questions.

The autumn sun warmed her shoulders as she waited, yet it did nothing to settle her nerves at having to confront Sal. He’d seemed puzzled when she asked him to meet her here, but she’d explained that she had something she wanted to discuss face-to-face.

“Livvy.” Sal’s booming voice reached her before she saw him approaching.

“Hello, Sal.” She hesitated, not sure of the protocol of greeting a priest who happened to be her sibling.

But he lifted her into a warm hug, easing her nerves. “It’s good to see you. You look lovely.”

“Thank you.”

He wasn’t wearing his clerical collar today, which made their meeting less conspicuous, allowing her to relax.

“So, what’s on your mind?” Sal asked. “Is this about your visit to the store? Mamma told me how Mrs. Ceruti caused a scene.”

Olivia squared her shoulders. “No. It’s about your visit to the Children’s Aid office.”

A pained expression crossed his face, and he regarded her with guilt-ridden eyes. “How did you find out about that?”

“One of the caseworkers told me when I went to try and find out some information about Matteo. Apparently we had the same idea.” She tilted her head. “But why would you go without telling me?”

A beat of silence followed. “It wasn’t my idea,” he said at last. Two lines formed between his brows. “Darius Reed came to see me. He asked me to make the inquiry, thinking I’d have a better chance at getting an answer. He wanted you to have peace of mind about your son’s well-being.”

Her heart kick-started at the mere mention of Darius’s name. He was behind this? After everything she’d done to push him away, he was still trying to help?

“It was a waste of time, though,” Sal said. “The lady wouldn’t tell me anything. I’m sorry.”

She nodded. “I know.”

“How about you? Did you have any luck?”

Olivia hesitated, remembering Mrs. Linder’s words about keeping the matter confidential. “Only that Matteo’s with a good family. They couldn’t tell me much more than that.”

They sat in silence for several moments, watching people pass by on the sidewalk.

“Did it help, Liv?” he finally asked.

She took in a breath and slowly released it. “It still hurts a lot. I doubt that will ever change. But knowing he’s in a loving home is some consolation, at least.”

He laid a hand on her arm. “I’m glad. And I hope you’re not angry with me.”

“No. You were only trying to help.” She frowned. “I just can’t understand why Darius did this.”

Sal’s lips twitched into a smile. “I think it’s pretty obvious. The man’s in love with you.”

Heat scorched Olivia’s cheeks, and she swallowed against the sudden rush of emotion. How could he still love her after everything he knew about her?

“He seems like a decent guy, Liv. Is there some reason you won’t marry him?”

She stared at him. “He told you he wanted to marry me?”

“He did. He also said you didn’t believe you deserved to be loved.”

A shaft of pain spiked through her chest, radiating down to her toes. She bit her lip and stared out at the happy people coming and going through the park. “It’s not about me,” she finally said. “Darius deserves someone better. I’d only bring shame to his family.”

Sal remained silent for several minutes. “Do you remember one of Mamma’s favorite verses? ‘As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.’ God wouldn’t want you to remain a prisoner of your shame, Olivia. You are His beloved child, forgiven and redeemed. Be brave enough to claim the happiness He has in store for you.”

Her throat tightened as Sal’s words found their mark. He made it sound so easy. “Do you really think I’m worthy of Darius and his daughter?”

“Of course I do. But what really matters is how Darius feels.” His voice gentled. “If he knows everything about you and loves you anyway, isn’t that your answer?”

Tears burned her eyes. It was true. Darius knew all her shortcomings, every one of her flaws, and despite the seemingly insurmountable obstacles to their relationship, he still held out hope. He’d even tried to find Matteo for her when he had nothing to gain by it. His love was evident in his words and deeds, but could she really accept it? Was that what God wanted her to do?

She drew in a ragged breath. “Thank you, Sal. Your support means a lot to me.”

“That’s what big brothers are for.” He pulled her into a hug. “And don’t worry about Mamma and Papà. They’ll come around eventually.”

She heaved a great sigh. “From your lips to God’s ears.”

With a somewhat lighter heart, she bid her brother good-bye and began the walk home. Sal had given her a lot to think about. Could she really cast off her mantle of shame and accept that she was worthy of love? If she believed the residents of Bennington Place deserved happiness, couldn’t she allow herself the same grace?

Perhaps once the council meeting was over and the fate of Bennington Place had been decided, she could figure out whether she was truly brave enough to take her brother’s advice and face Darius again.