The July sun got to the point of being unbearably hot. Wilma tried to stay predominantly in the shade, and so did Olivia. The advanced pregnancy made it hard for her to be on her feet for too long. Wilma already arranged that there would be a doctor available for her when she went into labour. Olivia was precious to her, and she wasn't willing to take any chances. 

Olivia went inside with a bouquet of flowers and placed them in a vase on the table in the large lounge room. She looked around to check for Wilma and smiled. Wilma slept, still holding knitting needles. Olivia sat quietly in a chair nearby and watched her. She loved her grandma with all of her heart. Imagining life without her was impossible, and the thought of a new life growing under her heart made her smile. It was a good feeling to have a family. 

She enjoyed their home and the double doors intrigued her, but they were just one thing on the list of things she found fascinating. Somehow she couldn't figure out why would someone have built the house like that. When she wanted to go to the lake, she went to the left if she headed to the stables she took the door on the right side. While she thought about it, the quiet of the early afternoon got interrupted by sound of the horse's hoofs coming up the driveway.

The tall man dismounted and took off his hat. He glanced around and then climbed up a few stairs to the porch. Mr. White, who came from behind the house smiled at him, "Jack, it's good to see you. How are you?"

Olivia relaxed knowing their manager knew who the man was, but she got curious and came out to greet the guest. Mr. White introduced them, "Olivia this is our closest neighbour, Mr. Olsen."

"How do you do, Mr. Olsen?" Olivia asked, politely.

Wilma had awaken from her nap and she also came outside to check what happened.

She stepped beside Olivia on the front porch, and as she recognized the visitor as well she greeted him.

"Jack, good to see you. You are in time for a tea. Come on in let us have refreshment." Wilma invited their guest, " Did you meet my granddaughter?"

"Yes, we were just introduced," he said smiling, looking at Olivia.

She was beautiful, even in her late stage of pregnancy. Her gorgeous honey hair pulled up in a bun at the nape of her neck, with strands of it curling and coming down to frame the sides of her face. The blue dress enhanced her violet eyes.

Jack was in his mid-thirties with curly blond hair and a chiseled chin. He was a fine looking fellow. His smiling eyes followed Olivia.

Jack came in and sat in the lounge, "It is my pleasure to meet you, Olivia. I've heard so much about you from your grandma."

"Thank you, it is nice meeting you too." Olivia was formal. She appreciated her grandma's efforts, but she was leery of any man, and Wilma knew it.

Olivia occasionally talked about Austin. Sometimes she spoke of her love for him, and how that love led to her being betrayed. She will have her baby and she had Wilma that was the only comfort she needed. 

Being busy with the ranch took her mind off of the things that hurt her deep down. If she let herself remember it was too painful.

Their neighbour had tea with them and they chatted for a while, mostly about ranching. Jack proved to be good company. He left with a promise to visit again soon. From their conversation Olivia learned that he was a widower, with no children. He had kind nature and clearly liked Olivia. After Jack's departure they settled in for a nap, but shortly after she felt restless. 

She got ready to go outside when a sharp pain ripped through her abdomen.

"Wilma!" she gasped. 

Wilma lost none of the time and rushed to sent for a doctor. Olivia was in labour all night, with Wilma and the doctor by her side. At seven in the morning she gave birth to a little girl. Grace was a sweet little bundle welcomed to this world by her mother and great grandmother.

Olivia thought of Grace's father, the man who took her innocence and her heart with it. To avoid being hurt again, life taught her an important lesson in trusting others. She had become more cautious. 

Now she had Grace and Wilma. They were like a balm for her wounded heart and the new light in her life. Wilma doted on her great granddaughter; there was nothing too good for her.

The smile Olivia used to carry with her even in the hardest of times was rarely there. It returned with one look at her daughter. Grace inherited her father's dimples, but Olivia was only one that knew that.

***

Austin counted the months, he knew somewhere his and Olivia's baby was born. Was it a boy or was it a girl? Did he have a son or daughter? How he longed to see his baby, to see Olivia. There was no trace of her anywhere. He never stopped looking. Every time he spotted golden honey hair, the trace of hope appeared and died when he discovered it wasn't her.

The time for the rancher's annual ball came, and he didn't want to go. Wes insisted they go to Elms and eventually convinced him to go. Austin knew going to Elms meant he'd have to put up with Victoria. 

***

Olivia got ready for the ball. She looked beautiful in her lavender dress. Evelyn did her hair in stylish hairdo with a little matching bonnet.

Wilma entered the room holding Grace.

"Let me see you; you look beautiful child."

"I have a hard time leaving Grace," Olivia looked at them with warmth in her eyes. Together they were three generations. 

"Don't worry, Grace will be fine. You know how much everyone in this household loves her," Wilma reassured her. Jack offered to accompany them and Wilma eagerly accepted it. 

They were going to attend the yearly rancher's ball at Elms. It held memories for Olivia, but she also knew attending was important for the ranch's business. 

***

Austin noticed Wes stared at the young woman who walked in with an elderly lady and a gentleman. She was the most beautiful lady in the assembly.

Victoria stood beside him and looked in the same direction; she didn't recognize Olivia, but just seeing how Austin looked at her made her green with envy.

He looked again and his heart stopped; it resumed pumping at a faster speed. He couldn't believe, it was Olivia, and she was stunning. When she turned and looked at him their gazes collided. 

Austin thought he must imagine things, and he completely forgot about Victoria. 

He noticed nobody on his journey across the room; his focus was on Olivia. When he reached her, he looked deep into her eyes.

"Olivia!" His deep voice washed over her, his blue eyes shining. Olivia lost colour from her face. It was Austin.

"I have been looking for you! You vanished!" His voice shook with emotions. 

She looked at him with a mixture of feelings. The bile of bitterness rose in her throat; she swallowed, trying to push it down. 

"I'm sure you found another candidate for your proposed position." Olivia found her strength from some place inside of her.

"Olivia, I can't tell you how sorry I am. I was wrong!" he intoned with deep regret imprinted in his husky voice. He had more unanswered questions that troubled him, and he couldn't wait any longer to ask, "What happened to our baby, Olivia? What happened to you?" He wanted to know, oblivious to everything around him. 

"Well, Mr. Jade, you will not pretend you don't know me?" She ignored his questions. 

He swallowed hard; her stance and tone of voice told him it would take a miracle to win her over.