Dating Daniel (Cloverleaf #4) (8 page)

Daniel smiled broadly. “So, I think Daniel is a very nice name.”

Patrick shook his head. “I disagree. Patrick is perfect. It would sort of stick with tradition, you know.”

Maggie bit her lip and looked up at the ceiling. “Um, how do you figure that would stick with tradition? Patrick, you would have had to name one of your boys Patrick.”

Daniel chimed in, “That would have been Finn. He’s the oldest. So, yeah, how come you didn’t?”

Patrick’s expression soured. “Because that isn’t what Beth wanted them to be named.”

Maggie looked down. She had a feeling the very mention of Beth’s name would cause some sorrow for Patrick. It had been over four years since she’d died at the hands of a drunk driver. Patrick was barely beginning to heal, thanks to Amber.

Daniel swept his gaze away as well. “Hey, I didn’t mean…”

Patrick stopped him. “It’s okay, Daniel. If you had asked me a couple months ago, I wouldn’t be.” A crooked and goofy smile appeared on his face just as Maggie felt brave enough to let her gaze meet his. “I think I’m starting to fall in love in with Amber.”

Maggie and Daniel both let out a laugh. A confused expression flashed across Patrick’s face, which was quickly replaced by anger. Maggie cupped her mouth and fanned her hands at her eyes to stop the tears. Every time she looked over at Daniel, she broke out in another round of uncontrollable giggles. Daniel and Maggie had had this same problem when they were kids, but it was their closeness in age—they weren’t even two years apart—which made them what some considered
Irish twins.

“I don’t see what’s so funny. This is exactly why I never tell either of you anything.” Patrick glared at them as they tried to compose themselves.

“Oh, big brother, it’s just funny that you’re barely admitting you think you love Amber. Come on, you guys are practically a married couple.”

“Maggie, I’m not that transparent,” Patrick said, defending himself.

“Oh yeah, you are,” Daniel added as he caught his breath.

“Well, you two wait right there.” Patrick jogged back to his office and quickly hurried back. Daniel was bent over the counter, and Maggie tried to stay focused on Patrick. She didn’t dare look at Daniel or another eruption of laughter might start again.

Maggie moved to the counter. Daniel straightened up, and they both watched as Patrick revealed a small velvet box. “How transparent am I again?” Patrick asked.

Daniel raised his eyebrows in surprise. Maggie wasn’t completely shocked, but at the same time she had a little bit of a hard time processing what it all meant. Patrick was going to ask Amber to marry him.

“Oh, Patrick.” Maggie waddled to the other side of the dividing counter and grabbed Patrick. She wrapped her arms tightly around his waist. She felt Daniel join in the embrace. This tender moment would always stay lodged in her mind. Maggie felt tears roll down her cheeks. She had only wanted her brother to find happiness again. This meant Patrick had finally moved on and her prayers had been answered.

***

They all took Patrick’s SUV to go to lunch at Herrick’s. Maggie tried to encourage the guys to walk to the best place to eat in Birch Valley.

“You need to quit walking so much. Won’t the baby, like, come out if you keep doing that?” Daniel asked from the backseat as they pulled into the full parking lot of the diner. It was just a little after one in the afternoon, but the lunch rush was still in full force.

“Is Amber working today?” Maggie asked. Amber’s family had made this diner into what it was well known for—great food and great company.

Patrick parked and shut the car off. “Probably.” He swiveled around to look at both Daniel and Maggie and leaned in closer, as if to tell a secret. “You better not breathe a word.” He hissed, just like he always had when they were kids. He had always been taller than them and he was the oldest, so it went without saying that when Patrick told them something, they listened. Maggie, being the youngest and the only girl, enjoyed challenging her oldest brother. She responded with a smirk that left Patrick shaking his head as exited the SUV.

As they entered, the bell on the weathered yarn rung. The diner was filled with loud chatter of so many residents of Birch Valley enjoying lunch, mixed with the strong aroma of French fries and something else that Maggie couldn’t quite place. But her stomach growled and her little baby boy squirmed.

“Hey, guys,” Amber greeted them with a wide and happy smile. She had her dark hair pulled up into a ponytail, making her brilliant lagoon-colored eyes stand out. Immediately, Amber pulled Maggie into a hug. “I’m so happy for you.”

News traveled fast, especially in this family. Michael had wanted to keep the gender a secret and do some grand stunt to tell everyone. The only other person Maggie had told was Rachel, and she had kept her mouth closed. It was Maggie who had slipped up; she had told her mother one morning last week when they had met for tea. Well, there went the plans for surprising everyone. Everyone was thrilled, especially Melanie, who had hoped and prayed for a little brother. Rachel and Liam were now more anxious to find out what they were having.

As Amber led them to a table toward the back of the diner, affording them a little more quiet, she asked, “Names? Have you and Michael started arguing over that yet?”

Patrick pulled Amber close to him and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “They are going to name him Patrick.”

Daniel pulled out a chair for Maggie and helped himself into one. “Uh, wrong, we are going with Daniel.”

Maggie started laughing. “Oh stop, you two. Melanie and Michael already decided on a perfect name, and we will announce it on Sunday at dinner.”

“What? My favorite little niece better have picked her uncle’s name,” Daniel said with bravado.

“Yeah, her Uncle Patrick, duh?” Patrick added as he sat down.

Amber playfully slapped his arm. “Leave Maggie alone. Gosh, you guys act like children when you are together.” She turned her attention to Maggie. “I’m excited to find out the name on Sunday.”

“Oh yeah, Amber, are you free on Saturday?” Maggie asked hopefully.

“Sure, what’s up?” Her brow twitched with concern.

“I wanted to see if you and Rachel can come over and help me get that dang nursery in order. I’m running out of time.”

“That would be fun. Just call me later and tell me what time.”

Maggie smiled. “Thanks. I will call Rachel later too.”

“Great,” Amber responded before she threw her hands on her thick, jean-clad hips and faced Patrick. “So the usual for you?”

“Bring me what whatever you want me to eat.” Maggie watched as Patrick gave Amber a sinful grin accompanied with a wink.
Gross.

Amber turned a pretty shade of pink as she quickly asked, “You, Daniel? Anything special today?”

“Nah, I’ll take the patty melt,” he answered, completely oblivious to the naughty, but thankfully brief, interaction.

Amber’s cheeks were still flushed with embarrassment as she faced Maggie. “How about you, Maggie? Does your lil man want anything special?”

She considered for a moment and rubbed her belly and felt him shift, stretching in his tight quarters. Maggie quietly asked her son—
her son
.

Chapter Eight

Daniel

Daniel held the phone in his hands, his gut twisting with nerves. Why was he worried? Hannah had said she would go out with him. What if she changed her mind? He had been avoiding this call. It had been almost two weeks since he had enjoyed her delicious blueberry pie, since they’d laughed so hard together, so why was he worried? He wanted this, right?

He swallowed hard and waited as he heard the line ring. After a moment, he heard her sweet voice answer, “Hello?”

“Hannah?” Daniel asked.

“Daniel. How are you?” There was a pause and some rustling sounds in the background. “I figured I would never hear from you again,” Hannah boldly stated.

He ran his free hand through his hair. Now he was worried. Maybe he had upset her by waiting so long to call. “I know. I’m sorry. I have been working, and with back to school, we actually have more work than normal. Last-minute projects that folks want done before fall gets here,” Daniel said, trying to explain. He was afraid she would see right through his excuses.

“I see. Well, you’re calling now. So, what’s up?” Her voice was still sweet, but there was a sassy undertone which told him she could easily call his bluff, but she was too polite to actually do it.

“I wanted to see if you were free tomorrow. I thought it might be fun to go to breakfast. What do you think?” Daniel suggested. He could think of a million things he’d like to do with her, but his brain was frozen in fear and his thoughts were a jumbled mess.

“Hmm, breakfast? I have a better idea. Why don’t you come over here? I’ll make breakfast.”

“You sure? That doesn’t sound like much of a date,” Daniel stated.

He could hear her sigh. “Well, if you’d rather not.”

“No, Hannah, that’s not what I meant. I was trying to say…”

Hannah interrupted him with such speed he was taken a little off guard. “Daniel, I know what you meant. I’m offering you breakfast, and then we can maybe go do something. I just like cooking for you, and you haven’t had my huckleberry pancakes yet.” She laughed. The sound was angelic and beyond comforting to his ears.

Relieved and starting to feel his nerves calm, he responded eagerly, “That sounds really good.”

“Of course it does, silly. We are talking about huckleberry pancakes.” He couldn’t argue with her there. Huckleberries were worth their weight in gold, especially this time of the year. The delicious berry was well sought after high into the mountains, where pickers brave enough to get them sometimes had run-ins with bears, who equally enjoyed the tiny fruit.

“Can I bring anything?” Daniel asked, feeling completely at ease with her now.

“Just yourself.”

***

Hannah

When she’d answered the phone and heard Daniel O’Brien’s voice, she’d nearly dropped the basket of fresh laundry she had been carrying. Hannah had figured the afternoon they had spent laughing together over pie was a fluke, him just being polite, her just being overlooked as usual. But now she knew otherwise, and she felt a little nervous as her tummy twisted in queasy knots. She hoped she had played it off well, trying desperately to sound cool. Hannah didn’t want him to think she’d been sitting by that darn phone for nearly two weeks in sick anticipation, like she actually had. She’d kept hoping that it would ring and she’d hear his voice, the one she dreamed about.

As Hannah readied for bed, brushing her teeth, her mind was completely occupied with thoughts of Daniel. She loved his eyes, but all the O’Brien kids had been known for those windows of green, deep and soulful, but Daniel’s held a different hint of something special. He was different than the rest of his brothers. Not that Patrick or Liam weren’t attractive men; the whole town of Birch Valley would have no problem defending that fact. Yet there was a unique light that came from Daniel. She had felt it the first time she had seen him working at her family’s farm. He seemed to radiate good-natured joy; something that seemed rare in people these days. He wasn’t moody like Patrick, who had a darkness about him, a shadow which drove a little fear into Hannah when she had met him the first time. She knew he was widowed. The storm that hovered over him, she recognized it all too well in her father—grief.

Hannah exhaled as she pulled the lilac-colored sheets back and fluffed her pillow before climbing into bed. She had a game plan for tomorrow morning. She wanted to impress Daniel with her breakfast-making skills. Hannah considered how her father might feel about this man being brought into their home, so she had decided to ask him over dinner that evening, just loud enough so that Nina could hear. She wanted to be clear that she was inviting Daniel over to eat with them. Nina had acted cold and aloof, but Hannah worried that it did bother her sister. Her father’s reaction had been indifferent; he’d grunted his response and had continued to eat his meal. He probably wasn’t thinking she had any hopes of this being the start of a relationship with Daniel. Little did either of them know, Hannah had been carrying a secret crush since the very moment she had seen him. It had nearly tore her heart to shreds when Nina went in for the kill. As Hannah muttered the last of her prayers, feeling her mind tire and her eyes grow heavy, she thanked God for this second chance.

***

The bacon sizzled in the cast iron skillet on the stove, filling the kitchen with its glorious smell as she stirred huckleberries slowly into her batter. Hannah looked out the window. Even though it was early, the sun was shining brightly, and fluffy cotton ball clouds hung near the rolling hills. Today was going to be beautiful, and she felt positive that it would be, in more ways than one.

“Did you make coffee yet?” Nina appeared, rumpled from sleep, her pale hair in a loose and untidy bun on top of her head.

“Yeah, I just made it.” Hannah grabbed a mug out of the cupboard and filled it with the dark liquid, steam rising from it in magical circles. “Here you go,” Hannah said as she handed the mug to Nina.

“Do we have any creamer? I don’t like it black,” Nina complained. Hannah was already grabbing the plastic container with the sweet milky mix out of the fridge. “How much longer until Daniel is here?”

Not a thank you or anything. Why was Hannah ever surprised at her sister’s lack of manners?

“I told him to come a little after nine.” Hannah eyed the kitchen clock mounted on the opposite wall. It was after eight.

“So, like, what? Are you guys dating now?” Nina sipped her coffee and glared harshly at her.

Hannah flipped the bacon and shrugged. “I don’t know about that.” She felt a sneaky smile grow on her lips. Hannah wished she could say that, but this was simply a matter of testing the waters, and she hoped that Nina would keep her distance.

“So why would you invite him here to eat? Gosh, that’s like all he thinks about too. You guys are probably perfect for each other.”

Her words sliced through Hannah, cutting her deep. Hannah was nearly as thin as Nina, just shorter and stockier. Nina’s build had always been a source of envy. She wished her frame was long and lean, but she had inherited a completely different makeup. Nina had height, perfect cheekbones, and long legs. She was willowy and looked as though she could conquer any runway. Her pale blonde hair, sun-kissed skin, and blue eyes only magnified her beauty. Nina had always described Hannah as homely, and Hannah didn’t see herself as much better than that. Her hair was a heavy golden blonde, like a mix of wheat with sun-bleached bits from working outside. Her skin was fair but smattered with freckles. Hannah’s limbs were not willowy nor graceful, but they were strong and created for hard work. She hadn’t bothered with makeup. What was the point? She feared that masking her plainness would only make it worse somehow. Besides, when she was out milking the goats or feeding the chickens, makeup was not part of the job requirement.

She decided not to answer Nina and started to warm the griddle for the pancakes. Nina leaned against the counter, watching her work. Hannah turned to face her and asked, “Want to help make pancakes? I can show you how to make these, if you’d like?”

“Uh, no thanks.” Nina continued to stare silently as she drank her coffee.

“You know, someday you are going to need to learn to cook, Nina.”

Nina exhaled a laugh. “Why, you got plans to leave?”

Ignoring the rude comment, Hannah let it roll off of her. “What about you? Don’t you plan to get married someday, have a family to care for?”

“God, no. I want to leave Birch Valley, but I have no desire to play up the role of domestic goddess. No thanks.”

Hannah pouted. She figured all women wanted to have families. It had always been a fantasy of hers. “So you don’t ever want kids?”

“I have no desire to change diapers or have some sticky gross kid on me.”

“Wow, that’s kind of sad, actually. What about a man to love and spend your life with?” Hannah almost felt as though she were grasping at straws. Her sister obviously wanted nothing to do with kids and the idea of a family repulsed her, which saddened Hannah. She had failed her mother. Perhaps if she had done more, been somehow more loving and motherly towards her sister, then maybe Nina would wouldn’t feel this lack of desire.

“A man? I love men. That’s not the problem. It’s the husband part. See, they will expect me to do what you do. Which, Hannah, is fine for you and women like you. You guys enjoy cooking and cleaning, all that crap. Me, nope, not interested in the least.” A playful smile showed on her lips as she continued, “I have no problem role-playing, but not in the kitchen.”

Hannah was taken aback. “What?”

“Oh come on, don’t act surprised. I’m not a virgin, Hannah. I’m twenty-two. Everyone I know, like all my friends, none of them are virgins. You’re like the only one.” Nina laughed a little too hard.

Was there anything wrong with wanting to wait until she found the right man, the man who would be her husband? Was it so wrong to want to have a special wedding night? Hannah didn’t think so. She wanted that happily ever after and the magic that goes with finding the right person, the kind she found in the romantic moves she loved.

“Is that a bad thing?” Hannah asked, setting the large mixing bowl near the griddle. She ladled out some of the pink-tinged batter. It bubbled quickly and Hannah flipped it over. The smell was incredible and filling the kitchen. Nina huffed.

“Well, kind of. I mean, I get the whole not wanting to be a slut thing, but come on. You are going to be thirty in a couple of years. Aren’t you curious?”

Of course she was. Hannah wasn’t a nun, and she even suspected they may be curious. But what it came down to was that Hannah was sticking to her guns. There was very little in this world that a person had control over or a choice about, but this was her choice. It was a virtue she had decided to uphold early on. It wasn’t completely influenced by her mother or religion, though those were factors. It was actually the romantic notion of falling in love and being with someone she could trust, to give a gift of herself in such a complete way. Well, in her mind that was the ultimate bond. Then, there was also the fear. The fear of being pregnant, unwed, or unloved. It outweighed any curiosity.

Hannah continued to pour batter and flip it. She removed the perfect circles off the griddle. Nina was bored and left her mug on the counter as she exited the kitchen. Hannah worked on the place settings when her father entered.

“Good morning, Hannah. It smells lovely in here.” He took off his straw hat and went to the kitchen sink to wash up for breakfast. This was their routine—not much conversation, but a pleasant enough exchange. “So, you invited that Daniel O’Brien here to eat with us?”

Hannah nodded. “I did. He should be here any minute.” A knock on the metal screen door indicated she was right. She set down a plate to answer it, but her father dried his hands quickly and stopped her so he could get the door instead.

Her belly tensed up with nerves as she heard her father and Daniel approach the dining area. Her father had a smile, which was not a common sight. Daniel’s face lit up when his eyes met hers.

“Good morning, Hannah,” Daniel politely said as he sat near her father after he had nodded for him to do so. “Wow, everything looks amazing. Oh and the smell, just wonderful. Mr. Belsky, you are incredibly lucky.”

Hannah began to serve the men. Nina still had not returned from wherever she had run off to. She was probably back in bed and waiting for Daniel to leave. That suited Hannah just fine.

“Thank you,” her father replied. Hannah served him two pancakes and went to put some on Daniel’s plate next.

“You did too much. I would have been happy to take you to breakfast. You didn’t need to go to all this trouble,” Daniel rambled as she fetched the coffee pot.

“Dad will tell you, I enjoy it, and this is sort of what I do.”

Her father nodded as he applied a pad of butter to his pancakes.

Hannah finally joined them. Their conversation mainly consisted of Daniel chatting about different things. Her father would actually comment or laugh, but those were both things he didn’t do too often, and it was lovely seeing him so at ease with Daniel. He almost looked happy. The deep creases near his eyes and mouth were bent in happiness as he chewed his food and listened to Daniel recount another funny tale. Daniel’s stories seemed a little larger than life to Hannah, but hearing the excitement and watching how animated he got as he told them had her giggling.