While Elms's social event of the year went on Nelly Jade smiled apologetically at the lady standing next to her. She lifted the hem of her dress and walked across the room toward her oldest son, and stopped when she saw that their neighbour, Matt Ewans, was faster. The business she had with her son was a private matter. 

Matt Ewans worked his way from one of the side rooms that led to the garden area. Austin and Olivia hadn't seen him until he came closer. He said a warm hello with a shake of a hand and a pat on the back to Austin and then turned his attention to Olivia.

"I was fond of your father, Ms. Tanner. He was a great fellow. It was an unfortunate accident that happened." There was sincerity in the tone of his voice. Olivia appreciated his efforts to comfort her.

Austin swallowed, trying to ease his discomfort. When he heard the mention of Olivia's father the uneasy feeling rose in his chest. That was the subject he avoided at any chance. 

"Thank you, Mr. Ewans. I appreciate your kindness." Olivia's eyes moistened with tears at reminder of her father.

Mr. Ewans smiled at her with sympathy. Austin got saved when an elderly gentleman approached them in clear attend to ask Matt about ranching. Matt made his apologies, and he walked away still talking to the other gentleman. Austin breathed a sigh of relief. That was too close for comfort. 

Nelly saw her chance and hurried to her son's side, "Austin, wouldn't you introduce me?" She asked while looking at Olivia. 

"Olivia, this is my mother." Austin glanced at his mother with a worried look in his eyes.

"Olivia, aren't you Albert's daughter? He was our hired hand. Your papa worked for us, didn't he?" Nelly clearly tried to intimidate Olivia.

"Yes, Mrs. Jade. My papa earned an honest living," Olivia replied in calmest fashion possible. Her hand squeezed the fan so hard causing the white marks to appear on her knuckles. She looked at Nelly with contempt. Austin shifted on his feet and gave his mother a stern glance. 

"Mother, this wasn't necessary." 

Olivia took a window of opportunity, excused herself and slipped away. She made her way across the room back to Wilma.

"Would you like to leave? Are you ready to go, child?" Wilma who observed the scene from the place where she stood was full of concern for ashen Olivia.

"Yes, if you don't mind, grandma. It's getting uncomfortable in here. Mrs. Jade is obviously not happy with me." Olivia felt her whole body tremble.

Austin stood beside his mother, but he carefully watched Olivia. He regretted that his mother's comment caused such obvious distress to her. 

"Mother, that was uncalled for. She is the only one I want! There is no other. Victoria will never be my wife." His father joined them in time to hear Austin's last angry remark. 

"What is this all about?" He was more than curious. 

"Mother is undermining my future wife." Austin tried to control his fury while he answered his father.

Roy looked at his wife, "What did you do? Nelly!"

He knew all of his sons very well. Also, he knew Austin had a mind of his own, and he had never seen his son so determined about anything so far. When Austin was angry at his mother, Roy was aware, the matter was serious.

Austin spotted Wilma and Olivia going towards the door. They were on their way out. He without a second thought rushed outside and caught up to Wilma on the stairs.

"Mrs. Rows, you're leaving?" It was more of a statement than a question. 

"Yes, Mr. Jade we are." Wilma gathered her shawl together. "Olivia felt hostility towards her by certain individual. You and me both know who I'm talking about. I think it's best for her if we go now." 

"I never meant to upset her. I love her." Austin tried to rectify his part in upsetting Olivia. Wilma's face had the traces of hard work and time left on it, but her still beautiful violet eyes were the same as Olivia's. 

Now they looked at him accusingly, "You left her to the wolves! If I hadn't found her, cold, wet and hungry by the road to Kenth with nowhere to go, she would have died. Where were you and can you call that love?" She accused him.

His heart sank and his face lost all the colour. He didn't know about details of the events that occurred after she got dismissed from her employment. The inner feeling in his gut told him he had a lot to be grateful for to this old woman. After she said what she thought was necessary Wilma walked away and left him standing on the stairs.

He could only watched after the coach. The party lost all its appeal to him. There was so much he had to think of. Austin swiped his face with his hand.

Olivia dabbed at her eyes, "I'm sorry, grandma. I didn't mean to cause trouble."

"What are you talking about? Liv, you didn't cause trouble. They did!" Wilma patted Olivia's hand while she tried to comfort her. It took Olivia some time to calm herself. She couldn't wait to go back to her daughter. Her sweet Grace waited for her.

They stayed in the same lodging in Elms as the last time. The next morning they returned to Moncotton.

***

Austin arrived at "Estate" unannounced. He rode his horse under the sign and observed the beautiful place. Wilma spotted the rider and recognized him and before Olivia knew he was at the ranch she came out to meet him. 

She looked at the man in front of her, "I would like you to leave, Mr. Jade. You have no business here. She suffered too much already! It's time for her to heal."

"I want to see them! I want to meet my daughter!" His voice was steady and determined. 

"Mr. Jade the way you treated her, there would be no Olivia and no daughter. Just leave them be. She's found peace. If she wants, she'll contact you. I will let her know you were looking for her." Wilma fiercely protected her granddaughter. 

"Please, Mrs. Rows. I need to see them." he pleaded. 

"I don't think it's a good idea." Wilma stood her ground.

He saw that old woman had made up her mind, so not wanting to argue with her he reluctantly headed down the driveway. Olivia who got back from her walk came around the house and approached her grandma in that moment she spotted Austin as he was riding away. Grace peacefully slept in her arms. Olivia noticed how his shoulders were hunched over.

Austin sensed she was there. He stopped and turned around. Olivia stood there on the porch holding their baby daughter. It rose the protectiveness in him he never knew before. Leaving wasn't an option anymore. He lightly dashed the reins of his horse nudging him to go back. When he reached them he dismounted and made his way to the stairs.

To him at that moment Olivia looked like a vision, and her violet eyes were pooling him in. He got lost in them. Her honey hair braided and her lips were like a rose bud asking to be kissed. His eyes slowly shifted down to the bundle in her arms where his daughter peacefully slept in her mother's arms. Her cheeks were rosy, but the strands of dark hair visible under her baby hat were typical Jade's. He couldn't resist and extended his hand to touch her soft skin. His daughter felt warm, and she was adorable. He didn't think he'd ever seen anything so precious and beautiful. 

Olivia's eyes searched his face. There was so much emotion on it he couldn't hide.

"Can I hold her?" He said with a plea. 

The instinct told her to get Grace away from him, but she couldn't do it, after all he was Grace's father.

Olivia wanted to say no, but she imagined Grace alone in the world. She carefully moved not to wake Grace and handed her to her father. Austin stood there with the precious bundle in his arms. His daughter! He could hardly believe it. Her warmth spread the deep feeling through him. 

Wilma watched them from the top of the stairs. Her old wisdom advised her to let things resolve in their own way. Her aches and pains were getting worse, so she walked back in the house and left them alone