Chapter 18
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But Olivia didn’t last long.
After standing in the rain for two days at Camp Liberty, then enduring the grueling trip to Lakewood County by bus and ox cart, her body was done. Her immune system was shot.
Her face burned, breath came in gasps, and before she could even splash water on her face, she collapsed.
When she woke, she was in bed, a cool washcloth on her forehead.
“You’re up,” Charlie said, perched nervously by her side. “Doc came by. Said you’ve got a bad fever. You need rest.”
Olivia tried to sit up, then froze–she was in fresh clothes. Her eyes flicked to Charlie.
He turned red as a beet. “It wasn’t me! I swear! I got Mrs. Clark from next door to help. Doc said your fever was too high, you needed to be changed. I didn’t touch you!”
His panic was so earnest–flailing like he needed ten mouths
“You’re my husband
now
explain that Olivia let out a soft laugh.
she said gently. “Even had, it’s fine. Thanks for looking out for me.”
TH
Charlie rubbed his neck, sheepish. “Just doing my part. You being here like this… it’s gotta be tough. Sorry it’s not better.”
His awkward grin stirred something in Olivia, and she smiled back.
She was bedridden for days. Charlie never left her side–bringing water, wiping her sweat, making sure she took her medicine on time, even calling the doctor back multiple times. He never made a move, never hinted at anything.
Olivia had accepted her fate; if Charlie had pushed for more, she’d have gone along. But he didn’t. That alone made her start to let her walls down.
When her fever finally broke, she was done with bed.
She might look like a city girl, but the military had toughened her up. Village life meant field work, and though she’d never farmed, she was ready learn.
She tied her dark hair into a bun and slipped into rough cotton work clothes.
“Charlie,” she called, “heading to the fields? I’m coming.‘
He shook his head fast. “No way. You rest. I’ve got this.”
Olivia flashed a sweet smile. “We’re married now. If you’re working o
so am I. If I’m beat, I’ll head back. Promise.”
Charlie couldn’t argue. After a slew of warnings, he caved and let her tag along.
The sun was brutal. Sweat soon dripped down Olivia’s face, soaking her clothes. But military drills had taught her to push through worse.
Kneeling in the dirt, pulling weeds, her simple outfit hugged her frame, highlighting her elegance. Her fair skin and sharp features gleamed like a gem in the mud. Nearby villagers whispered to Charlie.
“Where’d you find a wife like that? She’s a knockout! No wedding bash?“.
“If I had a girl like her, she wouldn’t lift a finger. You treating her right, Charlie?”
Charlie’s face burned red.
Olivia, catching his embarrassment, stood and wiped her brow.
“I’m helping because I want to,” she said smoothly. “A wedding’s just fluff. Why waste cash? We’d rather save for a real house someday.”
Her words won them over. Even the older women, who’d been eyeing her all morning, nodded, murmuring about how grounded she was.
Chapter 18
