You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 417

“Half a million? If your dad broke your legs, that wouldn’t even pay the hospital bill.”

Oliver was just trying to find someone else to take the blame, anything to get Atticus off his back.

Patricia’s words had barely left her mouth when Mr. Padilla gave her a look, lingering and full of meaning.

She dropped her eyes, not daring to meet his gaze.

Chelsea looked at Oliver like he was some dried-up old gourd, then nodded seriously. “Dad’s right. You’ve got more sneaky tricks than a family of mice.”

“If you’re brave enough to marry Patricia, you’d better be brave enough to take the heat. Just get used to it.”

After dinner, Chelsea headed out for a walk. It was late March in Cloud Peak, a little chilly at night, but the air felt fresh and the view was peaceful.

Upstairs, Patricia went into the closet and pulled out a gift bag, still wrapped up pretty from the store.

She opened the elegant packaging, checked to make sure she’d grabbed the right thing, then tried to put the bow back the way it was. After a few failed attempts, she was ready to just give up.

That’s when a pair of big, warm hands landed gently on her shoulders. “Let me do it.”

She turned, surprised. “You know how?” She’d always felt like the bows the shop assistants made were on a whole other level.

Mr. Padilla nodded. “Got another one that’s still wrapped? Let me see.”

Patricia handed him another untouched box from the closet.

He untied it, watching how the ribbon was done, then with a couple of quick moves, tied it back into a perfect bow.

Patricia just stared at him, totally stunned.

“It’s not hard. Just follow their steps,” he said, finishing the bow and glancing over at his wife, who still looked like she’d seen a magic trick. “How’s that?”

Patricia nodded fast, grinning wide. “It’s perfect.”

“Silly girl.” He hadn’t really come up just to tie a bow. Downstairs, he’d overheard her whispering to Chelsea about sharing a bed that night.

He was a grown man. Was his wife really planning to kick him out of bed?

Oliver shifted his weight, one hand tracing circles on Patricia’s waist, the other on the edge of the kitchen island. “So you’re sleeping with Chelsea tonight?”

“Chelsea’s staying home with me, so if you’re busy, go on and do your thing.”

“You kicking me out?”

“Not at all. Mr. McKee called first thing to yell at you. I heard the whole thing.”

Oliver lifted her onto the kitchen island, leaning in close with a smile and kissing her cheek. “Let’s see if my Pattie’s got super-hearing.”

As soon as he said it, he brushed a light kiss against her ear.

Patricia shivered all over.

Her legs almost gave out and she nearly slipped right off the counter, but Oliver caught her in time.

He looked at her, eyes shining like he’d just discovered something new. “Well, well…”

Patricia didn’t say a word. She just rubbed her ear, cheeks burning.