Page 18 of Olivia
What’s gotten into me?
Olivia nodded, swallowing hard.
The corner of his mouth slipped upward, as if he was trying not to smile. He opened the gate and gestured for her to step inside. Once they were through, he closed itagain behind them and tested the latch to be sure it wouldn’t fall open again.
He’s definitely in security.
They walked together to the big front porch. The roar of the water filled the silence, and she was relieved not to have to make conversation.
Two chairs on the front porch overlooked the creek and woods, one big enough for the warrior and one Terran sized. Stark moved past them to open the front door and Olivia stepped inside.
The decor was wood on wood on wood, and she loved it. The ceiling was high with exposed framework. Soft area rugs defined the open space into a kitchen, dining area, and family room with a crackling fireplace and a wall of glass overlooking a balcony and one side of the waterfall.
Above, there was an interior balcony along the right side of the ceiling that she guessed led to the bedroom. Skylights along the peak of the roof let in the last of the rosy light.
Olivia was blown away, This place was probably a hundred times the size of her apartment and every inch of it shared the beautiful view. She turned to Stark and saw that his expression was as fierce as usual.
“You’ve probably never been in a place like this,” she realized out loud.
The humble pine and glass materials and open layout of this house probably paled in comparison to the over-the-top mansions of marble and gold she imagined he had always called home. A man like Stark Rawling had clearly been born with every advantage.
“I grew up in a place a bit like this,” he said with a faint smile, his eyes far away. “It was much smaller and didn’t have many amenities - more of a true cabin.”
She only stared at him, unsure if he was being serious or not.
“That surprises you?” he asked.
“A little,” she admitted, nodding.
“My parents owned a small farm,” he said. “I had six brothers and sisters.”
“Wow, seven kids,” she said enviously. “It must have been so much fun.”
“We spent most of our time working,” he said with a shrug, the ghost of a smile gone from his face. “Farmers have big families for extra labor, not for fun.”
There was longing in his voice and she wondered if it was for the straightforward hard work of his youth, or for something else. Before she could ask, there was a chime that could only be the comms for the door.
She headed over quickly and grabbed the handle to open it, eager for a meal after the long day of travel and adventure.
“Stop,” Stark said with such authority that she froze in place without thinking about it.
“Is that how you answer the door at home?” he asked sternly, sounding none too pleased.
“Pretty much,” she said.
“Wouldn’t it make sense to look and see who it is before throwing the door open?” he prompted her.
“We’re in a closed clinic simulation,” she reminded him. “It’s going to be the staff with our dinner. No one else can get in.”
“How do you know?” he asked.
“Areyouactually worried about it?” she asked incredulously.
“Of course,” he told her.
“Do you know something I don’t?” she asked, pulling her hand away from the door as it chimed a second time.
“Why do you ask?” His brow was furrowed.