The Man She Should Have Married by Patricia Kay Page A

man who interested her in that way, and that man wasn’t Austin. But how could she?
    If only things were different.
    If only Matt wasn’t a Britton.
    If only Vivienne was a normal mother-in-law, someone who loved her and wanted her to be happy.
    Much of Olivia’s happiness faded. Vivienne wasn’t normal. And Olivia wasn’t free to love Matt. To even hint at how she felt. Her love would cost him his family. And possibly his career.
    Don’t ever forget that.
    Perhaps her eyes or her expression betrayed her thoughts, because Matt’s eyes met hers and he frowned. Olivia made a determined effort to smile and pretend everything was just as good as it had been moments before, but she was afraid she hadn’t succeeded, because his eyes remained curious and his own smile seemed strained.
    Thank goodness for her mother. Norma stood and said, “Is everyone ready for dessert?”
    â€œIce cream!” Thea shouted.
    â€œNot ice cream,” Norma said. “Kolache.”
    â€œKolache!” Now Thea laughed happily. “ Kolache and ice cream!”
    â€œShe’s got you there, Mom,” Olivia said. Turning to Matt, she added, “You’ll love my mother’s kolache , Matt. She makes one kind with walnuts. And another kind with apricots. They’re both wonderful.”
    â€œAnd sometimes poppy seed,” Norma said.
    He grinned, the strain gone. “I can’t wait.”
    Olivia got up and began clearing the table. Surprising her, Matt stood, too, and helped.
    â€œSit, sit,” Norma said. “Our guests don’t do kitchen duty.”
    â€œThis guest does. I invited myself, remember?” He turned to Thea. “Let’s get you cleaned up a bit, princess.”
    â€œYou’re silly. I’m not a princess.” But she allowed him to wipe her face and hands.
    â€œYou’re my princess,” he said, ruffling her hair.
    Thea giggled.
    Olivia’s heart squeezed at his tender words. He would make a wonderful father because it was easy to see he loved Thea. In fact, he’d shown time and again that he really liked kids, not just Thea. Some men only pretended to, but with Matt it was genuine, and kids responded accordingly. He even helped coach a Little League baseball team and had once said he couldn’t wait until he had a son of his own to coach. Yes, he’d make a terrific father.
    If only... But she cut the thought off. “Time for dessert,” she said brightly instead.
    Minutes later they were all settled around the table again. The adults had fresh coffee with their slices of kolache , and Thea happily ate Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice cream to go along with hers.
    â€œThis is the best kolache I’ve ever had,” Matt declared.
    â€œIt’s different than what you usually find in Czech communities,” Norma said, “but it’s the way my grandmother made it.”
    She was referring to the fact she baked long jelly-roll-like pastries, then sliced individual servings. Most Czech bakers made stand-alone fruit kolaches , with a well in the middle containing fruit or jam.
    â€œWell, they’re wonderful,” Matt said.
    Olivia made a determined effort not to let her thoughts stray into dismal territory again, and for the most part, she felt she was successful. After they’d finished their dessert, Olivia and Matt cleaned up the kitchen. He even allowed Olivia to give him an apron.
    â€œI’m not going to be responsible for you ruining that suit,” she said, knowing it was expensive.
    â€œSlave driver.” But he was laughing.
    She laughed, too, especially when she saw how cute he looked in the frilly apron. “That suits you.” She pretended to reach for her phone. “I think I need a picture. To post on Facebook.”
    â€œI’ll kill you if you take one.” He wielded a wooden spoon as if it were a weapon.
    Still laughing, she mock-ducked.
    After more silly