Chapter 20
Olivia could take the hard work–she wasn’t afraid of it—but that didn’t mean she was going to
settle for a life stuck in the middle of nowhere forever.
She was going to prove to everyone that even out here in Lakewood County, she could still thrive.
Soon, she began brainstorming ways to make money.
The real reason folks in the village stayed poor wasn’t just the lack of resources–it was their mindset. Most believed the only way to survive was to till the land.
But Olivia had grown up in a different world. Her relationship with her father might’ve been strained, but she still picked up a few things from his capitalist ventures over the years.
She just hadn’t quite figured out how to get started–when an unexpected visitor showed up.
A compact sedan rattled its way down the dirt road into the village, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Holy smokes, that’s a real car!”
“Who’s driving that? Some big–shot from the city? You don’t see cars like that around here, not
unless you head into town.”
“If I had one of those, you’d better believe I’d be the king of this village!”
The gossip buzzed through the air as the car came to a stop near the village entrance. A tall man in uniform stepped out, and the murmurs only got louder.
A soldier.
Some of the elders hadn’t seen one of those in decades, and most of the younger folks had only heard stories. To them, anyone in uniform was a real somebody.
The village chief, Mr. Melvin Tate, hurried forward with a big grin.
“Sir! You looking for someone? These roads are not that great–we can help with whatever you
need.”
There was a deep–rooted respect here for the military. Most of their fathers or grandfathers had fought in wars. Soldiers were honored guests.
Jack took in the rundown surroundings, his jaw tightening. He couldn’t believe Richard had really
sent Olivia to a place like this.
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Even Camp Liberty–basic as it was–had running water and electricity. But here? You had to haul water in buckets, patch power from neighbor to neighbor, and every bulb felt like it cost a fortune
to turn on.
He swallowed his frustration and turned toward the chief.
“I’m looking for Olivia Hart.”
Chief Tate blinked, then lit up.
“Oh, you mean Charlie’s wife? She’s out in the fields with the others. I’ll take you.”
Jack’s expression turned stone–cold. Olivia was working the fields?
The same Olivia who once refused to walk through a puddle in designer heels?
He clenched his jaw and followed the chief down the narrow muddy path.
The closer they got to the fields, the messier the terrain became uneven, soggy, downright impossible to walk without sinking into the muck.
But Jack didn’t hesitate.
His polished combat boots plunged into the sludge without a second thought. He stepped over holes and slogged through knee–deep ruts until they finally reached the clearing.
There she was.
Sleeves rolled up, sun beating down on her shoulders, skin slick with sweat. Olivia’s fair arms glistened in the sun, her brownhair twisted into a messy knot, and her clothes–cheap and ill–fitting–clung to her frame.
Jack’s chest tightened.
The chief was still chatting cheerfully beside him. “She showed up here out of nowhere, says she’s Charlie’s wife. We all thought she was some rich girl from the city, but you wouldn’t believe how quick she got used to life here. Doesn’t complain, doesn’t slack off–cooks, works the fields, even helps the older folks. Real sweetheart.”
“She’s got the whole village talking. Charlie hit the jackpot with this one.”
Jack wasn’t listening anymore. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.
Just then, Olivia raised a hand to wipe the sweat off her brow. Before she could, Charlie hurried over
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with a rag and gently dabbed her forehead. She let him. Even smiled.
Jack’s stomach twisted.
That smile used to be his.
He couldn’t hold it in anymore. He stepped forward, voice sharp and cutting through the summer
air.
“Olivia!”
She froze. Her hand dropped, and she turned around slowly, wide–eyed.
“Jack?”
What the hell was he doing here?
Before she could say anything else, Jack spoke again–louder, firmer.
“You don’t have to stay here anymore. I talked to the general. Your family doesn’t have to follow through with the relocation. You’re free to come home.”
