Olivia (Logan 5)

"I don't know his first name, ma'am."

"He's not an older man, is he?" I snapped at her impatiently. How could she live in Provincetown and not know who Nelson Childs was?

"No," she said.

"Very well, send him up," I said. "No, wait. Hand me that mirror there," I said pointing to the small silver-framed mirror on the vanity table. Because I was confined to home, I did little or nothing with my hair and wore no makeup. I knew my face was rounder, my lips looking like they were filled with air. I hadn't washed my hair for days. It resembled a mop with the strands hanging limply. I had Loretta get me a scarf to hide most of it, and then I put on some lipstick before I sent her out to send Nelson up to me.

What a surprise, I thought. Did Samuel know Nelson was coming? He didn't mention it on the phone. Why did Nelson come without his wife? I heard his footsteps on the stairway and straightened out my blanket as I sat up in anticipation. Nelson and I hadn't been alone together for some time. I couldn't stand how nervous I was. I was like some schoolgirl. My fingers were actually trembling.

Get hold of yourself, Olivia Logan, I ordered. He's only a man.

"Olivia," he cried coming through the doorway. He wore a dark blue, double-breasted pinstripe suit with a bright blue tie. His hair was styled and full and he looked tan, his eyes more hazel than ever. "I'm so sorry I haven't been to see you before this," he said approaching the bed. He leaned over to kiss my cheek.

"Hello, Nelson."

"I've been involved in a complicated case that took me to the Bahamas for weeks."

"I didn't know you were away," I said. "The Bahamas? No wonder you look so healthy."

He laughed.

"Well, all work and no play makes for a dull attorney." He stood back and shook his head, a big, fat smile on his face.

"What?"

"It seems so incongruous to see the iron lady of Cape Cod laid up," he declared. "I must say you look better than I had expected."

"I'm no iron lady, Nelson," I replied. "I'm made of flesh and blood and have feelings like most women you know."

"Don't be silly. You're not anything like most women I know, Olivia. Most don't have half your capabilities." He looked at the chair. "Mind if I sit awhile?"

"No, please," I said and he pulled the chair closer. "How is Louise?" I asked.

"Oh, she's fine. She would have come along too, but she's busy with the children. One right after the other," he said with a shrug. "That's the way she wanted it."

"Really? Then it was all planned?" I asked, thinking about my own situation.

"Oh yes," he said, crossing his legs and sitting back.

"Well," I said after a pregnant pause, "I appreciate your stopping by, Nelson, but," I continued, studying him a little more intently, "why is it I have the feeling you've come for more than just to see how I am?"

He shook his head and laughed.

"You are amazing, Olivia. I am here to discuss something, but you're wrong, too. I was concerned about your health and the baby and I did want to stop in and see how you were. So wipe off that mask of suspicion and widen those narrow eyes." He laughed, nervously. "You make me feel like a teenager caught smoking in the boys' room or something."

"Well, go on, say your piece, ask your question, make your proposal, whatever," I ordered.

He straightened up.

"You know I handled the Bennington

distribution deal for your company, something your father had begun with my father and something I finished."

"Yes, I'm aware of that," I said disappointed that I had been right about him coming for something other than a personal call.

"I stopped at the office this morning to say hello to Samuel and bring some papers over and he told me I might as well bring them here. You won't let him sign anything."

"I haven't given him that authority, no," I said. "Where are the papers?"