Dating Daniel (Cloverleaf #4) (9 page)

Finally, after they had all stuffed themselves well beyond their fill, her father rose from his seat and started to excuse himself. “Well, Daniel, it would seem a farmer’s work is never done. It was great sharing breakfast with you.”

Daniel stood and extended his hand and sheepishly said, “Thank you, Mr. Belsky. If it’s okay with you, sir, I would love to take your daughter out.”

With a curt nod, her father responded, “That would be fine, son.” He nodded again, this time at Hannah, who had remained in her spot.

Daniel waited to sit back down until her father was out the door again, with his straw hat in hand. “Hannah, breakfast was so good.”

“Thanks.” She eyed him cautiously, then asked, “So what’s the game plan here, mister?”

Daniel smiled, his eyes twinkling softly. “I’d like to spend some time with you.”

“Well, what did you have in mind?” Now she was curious. It was one thing to eat breakfast with her father, but now the two of them were going to be alone.

He looked at her. She could practically see the gears in his brain moving as he tried to come up with an answer. “I have an idea.”

***

Daniel

The idea, well, he hoped she’d like it. It would really tell him whether or not their relationship could be pursued any further. Daniel helped Hannah into his truck but had a little difficulty jogging to his side. He was stuffed. Hannah’s breakfast had been incredible, and he’d enjoyed that her father was there, acting as a chaperone in a way. Even as much as Daniel would have loved to be alone with Hannah, he felt it was important to connect with family. He wanted to make Mr. Belsky comfortable with him taking Hannah out. Even though they were both nearly thirty, it was still the proper thing to do. People might call him old-fashioned, but that was fine by him. Daniel considered himself a gentleman, and that’s why seeing Nina had been difficult. She was looking for the typical bad boy, and Daniel was anything but that.

He started the truck and looked over at Hannah. She smiled shyly at him as she ran her hands along her jean-clad legs. Every time they connected with a swift glance, he was moved by how simply pretty she was. She seem to sparkle in a way he didn’t quite understand.

“So where to, Captain?”

Daniel laughed as he headed away from the farm. “Well, you’ll find out soon enough.”

Hannah frowned and stated firmly, “You have no idea where to go or what to do.”

“No, well, I mean…” He found himself stumbling over his own words. He actually had no idea where to take her. Daniel could think of fun outdoorsy stuff, but was that really a first date type of thing to do? He listened to Hannah exhale loudly and was instantly swarmed by nerves. Maybe this had been a bad idea. Daniel feared that maybe Hannah was more like Nina than he realized.

“Daniel, drive me to the grocery store,” Hannah ordered.

She would probably try and phone for her father to come get her. How had this ended before it even started? Disappointed, he headed in the direction of the single grocery store in Birch Valley. They drove in silence and as they approached the store, Daniel broke the awkward tension. “I’m sorry. I, uh…”

Hannah wore a confused expression as he pulled into an empty space in front of the grocery store. “What’s wrong? We needed to stop here to get stuff for our date.”

“Date?”

“Um, that’s what we’re on. So, let’s get what we need and head out.” Hannah unbuckled her seat belt and started to open the door.

“Where are we headed?” Daniel asked as he prepared to get out as well.

“We’re going fishing,” she stated matter-of-factly with huge grin on her face.

Fishing? If he’d had a ring in his pocket, he’d probably propose to her right then and there.

***

After they grabbed a couple things from the deli inside the grocery store and a couple of other odds and ends, they were on the highway headed the way Hannah had told him to go. Daniel was confused and not aware of any good fishing spots in the direction they were headed.

“Are you sure?” Daniel asked again as they traveled further along.

“Yes, positive. Look, there’s the road. Turn right.”

He did, and they were now on a rough stretch of road riddled with enormous pot holes and rain ruts. His truck crawled over the rough terrain, and they easily continued down the way. Hannah suddenly gave him a confident smirk. “Right there.” There it was, glittering under the sun, a small lake nestled around tall grasses. Lily pads floated near the bank and willows mixed with pines surrounded the water. A river otter’s home, which was made of sticks and debris, was clearly visible in the center of the dark water. The area was gorgeous.

“Best kept secret, right?” Hannah asked when they starting pulling out the fishing poles and gear he always kept in the bed of the truck.

“Yeah, how do I not know about this place?” Daniel handed her the two poles they were going to use.

“Well, first, it’s a place where Russians hang out, so I’m pretty sure that’s one reason. Two, well, it’s the same as the first.” Hannah led Daniel to a shady spot under a weeping willow that had started turning a golden color, its long branches sweeping the ground. “This is perfect.”

“It sure is.” He was still stunned he hadn’t known about this lake. He also could tell it was probably loaded with fish. He’d kill to take his boat out to the middle of the water. He would bet there was bass out that way.

They sat their poles down and went back to the truck to lug an ice chest filled with the impromptu items Hannah had grabbed at the store. When they returned, Daniel watched Hannah, her golden hair flowing in the slight breeze. She was staring out at the lake with her hands on her hips and a happy smile perched on her face. She must be pretty darn proud of herself because he sure was. Never in a million years would he have guessed she’d want to go fishing. Talk about a perfect date.

“Well, I’m not hungry yet. Why don’t we see if they’re biting?” Hannah suggested.

“Sounds great.” Daniel started to fix up their poles. Hannah placed a hand on his arm.

“I can do mine.” She grabbed a fat worm from the white plastic container Daniel had just opened.

“You sure?” He eyed her curiously.

“Yes, I can bait my own hook.” She stuck the worm quick, looping and securely it in an expert fashion. Daniel was in awe. “Ye of little faith, I told ya I could take care of mine. You better hurry.”

Hannah raced to the edge of the shore. Daniel watched as she kicked off her shoes and went into the water. She pulled her pole back and whipped the line out far into the water. Daniel grinned. He just might believe in love at first sight.

He soon stood next to her, launching his own line out. The sun was warm but not harsh as it sat high in the brilliant blue sky. Birds chirped as the two of them waited quietly.

“I had no idea you liked fishing,” Daniel finally said as he reeled his line in.

“There’s a lot you don’t know about me and vice versa. That’s the beauty of first dates.”

Daniel cast the line back into the water and said, “Yeah, but it’s pretty awesome you like to fish.”

“It’s one of my favorite things to do. I can’t explain it, but just being outside and near the water, it’s the best feeling in the world.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

They discussed everything under the sun, literally. Daniel learned a lot about Hannah and found himself more enthralled by each passing second. She was nothing like he had imagined. She was perfect. They took a brief break to eat the snacks they’d purchased, and then they headed back into the water. Hannah insisted that Daniel roll up his jeans and join her.

“Oh, I think I got one.” Hannah yanked hard. Daniel put his pole down carefully, anchoring it in the sandy shore.

“Here, let me help.” Daniel reached for the pole, his arms circling around her. The closeness sent a spark through him. She must have felt it too, because she tensed.

Daniel felt himself starting to lose his footing, and before he realized it, he was down in the water and soaked. He wasn’t the only one, because he apparently had brought Hannah down with him. He could hear her angelic laugh, the sun casting a near halo around her as it sat low in the now late afternoon sky. She had changed from pretty to downright beautiful in that instant. Daniel grabbed her, bringing her closer to him, and stared at her rosebud soft lips. Before Daniel’s brain could catch up to what he was doing, he kissed her. There it was. That spark that he knew existed but hadn’t felt with Nina or any other girl he’d ever kissed before. Now he knew what people meant when they said there would be fireworks. He looked into her shocked eyes as he moved away from her tender mouth. As they stayed partially submerged in the cold water, Hannah wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging to him. She kissed him. There it was again—that spark.

Chapter Nine

Maggie

“I think that looks good there, don’t you?” Maggie asked Amber, who was nailing up a picture in the now fully transformed nursery.

Rachel sat in the corner on a wide, sliding rocking chair. “It looks so cute in here. Oh, I can’t wait to get started on their room,” Rachel commented as she rubbed her large belly.

“Thank you both for coming over today and helping me. Now I just need those curtains from Hannah, and it’s all set.”

“You are really going all out with this theme.” Amber held up a blue, stuffed monkey. “I mean, this is a lot of blue.”

“Gosh, what if they are wrong, Maggie?” Rachel asked, the sound of slight panic in her voice.

Maggie hadn’t really considered that. She and Michael were so thrilled at the prospect of having a boy, they’d sort of went a little crazy. They had been buying everything in blue: sheets, blankets, clothes. Just about anything they needed was in some pretty shade of blue. Looking at the room now she could see how she may have went a bit overboard.

“I mean, blue can be used for a girl too,” Maggie defended as she folded a fuzzy, pastel-blue blanket.

Amber looked at Rachel. “Well, maybe, if it turns out that it’s a girl, maybe one of Rachel’s will be a boy.”

“Hey, speaking of which, when are you guys going in for your next ultrasound? You guys wanted to find out the gender, right?” Maggie asked, attempting to redirect the conversation. She didn’t want to think about the possibility of her not having a boy. She rubbed her belly, willing the squirming little baby to be a boy.

“We go in next week, actually. Liam is super excited to find out. He thinks we are probably having one of each.”

“What do you think?” Maggie asked, lowering herself onto the carpet to sit. Amber joined her, and they both looked at Rachel. Maggie loved how well the three of them got along, and knowing Patrick’s secret, she couldn’t help but feel a little closer to Amber.

Rachel sighed. “I don’t know. I had a dream that they were girls, but they each looked so different.”

“Girls, huh? They say when you dream about the gender that’s what you are having,” Maggie responded. She stretched her legs out in front of her.

“Nope. I dreamt that Dylan was this gorgeous little girl, but that didn’t quite happen.” Amber laughed.

“There’s still time,” Maggie said.

Amber gave her a curious look. “Yeah, that’s doubtful. I mean, it’s not out of the realm of possibility, but I’m getting a little old, and well…” Amber trailed off and looked away. “Oh, never mind.”

“No. What?” Maggie insisted, poking Amber gently.

“Nothing.” Amber smiled and started to pick at the carpet.

“Oh, come on. Spill it. You preggers?” Rachel didn’t beat around the bush.

Amber shook her head. “No, but not that I’d mind.”

“So, what then? You’re acting weird.” Rachel moved forward in the rocking chair and rested her hands on her round belly.

“I think I love Patrick.”

Maggie couldn’t help but laugh. Did Patrick and Amber think they were concealing some huge secret? Of course they were in love; everyone could see it as clear as day.

“Why are you laughing?” Amber had an unsure look in her eyes.

“Nothing. You and Patrick, I swear.” Maggie attempted to get up off the floor. Amber saw her struggling and quickly popped up to help. “Thanks,” Maggie said once she was up.

“Hey, I heard that Daniel was going over to see Hannah. What’s that all about?” Rachel asked, leaning back in her chair, letting it gently glide. “I need one of these for sure.”

“I love that chair. When I had Melanie, I’d rock her to sleep and pass out right along with her.” Maggie could remember the long nights she’d spent alone and tired. She shivered at the memory and was thankful that this time around would be different. Michael was a wonderful father; he’d always had the potential to be, but when she’d had Melanie, his priorities were screwed up. That was no longer a problem, however, and as Maggie stood there with her sister-in-law and soon-to-be sister-in-law, she knew Michael was taking Melanie out for ice cream, being the perfect dad.

“So what’s the deal with Hannah? You guys know anything about this?” Rachel asked again, readjusting her position in her chair, snuggling deeper into it.

“Well, my mom says that he was going over for breakfast.” Maggie shrugged. She honestly had no idea.

“Wasn’t Daniel seeing that awful Nina girl?” Amber asked with a scowl.

“I think that’s over. Isn’t it? But who knows? Maybe that’s why he’s going over there,” Rachel offered with a frown and unhappy stare.

“Nah, I think we have seen the last of her. Mom says she talked to Daniel, and it sounds like that is dead and buried.”

“Liam said the same thing after he went fishing with him, but you know how guys are. Especially if they get a taste of something like Nina,” Rachel said, seemingly trying to make a point.

Maggie knew Rachel could be right, but she just hoped she wasn’t.

Amber piped in, “Well, I know that Daniel didn’t sleep with her, if that’s what you mean.”

Maggie felt her mouth open, and Rachel wore a shocked expression. “How do you know?”

“Patrick, of course. He actually asked Daniel,” Amber replied as she started to straighten a stack of diapers on shelf below the changing table. “He did say that Daniel acted really weird about the entire thing.”

“I mean, I wouldn’t want to talk to my brother, Ethan, about my sex life with Liam or anyone else,” Rachel explained.

“Yeah, I know, me neither, but you know how men are.” Maggie folded a tiny onesie, which was a deep navy blue, and added it a pile of freshly laundered clothes. “I’d just like to know what he’s doing with Hannah.”

“She’s quite sweet. I like her. Would it be so bad if he ended up with her instead?” Amber asked.

“Yeah, I mean, at least we’d be rid of Nina. Amber’s right. Hannah is lovely, completely the opposite of her sister.”

Maggie blinked. An idea swarmed in her mind. “It wouldn’t be bad at all. In fact, I think we need to try and help Daniel out.”

“Oh no, I’m not getting involved. Nope.” Rachel hefted herself out of the chair and waved her hands in defense. “Remember last time? Oh dear, Patrick was furious.”

“What happened?” Amber’s face lit up with curiosity.

“Well, as you know, Patrick hadn’t dated since Beth died,” Maggie started to explain.

“So our girl here thought going behind his back and making him an online dating profile was a foolproof plan.” Rachel gave Maggie a smirk before continuing, “Patrick found out and nearly disowned her.”

“Oh, wow, really? Hmm, he never mentioned that, just said that you had been in his business. I suppose that’s what he meant,” Amber responded.

“Well, Patrick is difficult. I mean, no offense. You just declared your love for him, so you probably think he’s like the best thing ever, and he is, to a degree. But I was just trying to help. Daniel, however, is the complete opposite and he would totally appreciate the help,” Maggie said confidently, then looked down at the floor. “I think.”

Amber and Rachel looked at Maggie as she started to devise a plan. At least she wouldn’t have to go online and search for a girl. They already had found the perfect one for Daniel. They just needed to convince him of that.

***

Patrick

“You want another beer?” Patrick offered Liam as he got up to get another one for himself. The twins were playing in the yard, and Patrick and Liam enjoyed sitting in the shade. Amber and Rachel were helping Maggie with the baby’s room, and that gave Patrick a lazy afternoon and some much-needed time with Liam.

“Sure, thanks.”

Patrick handed him a cold bottle sweating with condensation and took his seat. “So did Daniel or Maggie tell you yet?” He wouldn’t be surprised if they had. The excitement and desire to share the news with him would’ve been more than they could bear. He wanted to include Liam as well, but it just so happened he felt the need to make a point right then at the shop. Patrick was touched by how moved his siblings were, and they were beyond happy for him.

“No, what?” Concern laced Liam’s voice. He sat his beer down on the small patio table between them and eyed Patrick with worry. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes. Great, in fact.”

“Okay, well, that’s a relief. So what’s up?” Liam retrieved his beer and took a swig from the brown bottle.

Patrick exhaled and got up from his seat again. “I’ll be right back.” He quickly returned with the little velvet box. He dropped it in Liam’s lap as he took his seat and swallowed a cold gulp of beer from his own bottle.

“Holy crap, are you serious?” Liam was wide eyed as he examined the small box, gingerly prying it open. “Wow, Patrick.”

“I know.”

“Man, I never would have guessed you’d rush into something like this. I mean, I know you care about her and you seem so happy now, but marriage?”

Patrick scowled. Why wasn’t Liam as thrilled as Maggie and Daniel had been? But then it dawned on him how much grief he’d given Liam when he’d wanted to propose to Rachel. He recalled how he’d begged Liam to wait, to reconsider jumping into something so quick. Patrick looked at his stunned brother. “I know what I told you. If anything, Liam, you taught me a great deal. You showed me that sometimes how long you know someone isn’t a factor in happiness.” Patrick took another sip of his beer and continued, “Look at how happy you guys are. You’re about to be a dad, and before you married Rachel, I had never seen you more excited or content. I was wrong.” Patrick looked out into the yard and watched his two sons chase each other.

“Wrong? Nah, you were just looking out for me,” Liam responded, also looking out at the boys playing. “I have always looked up to you—”

Patrick laughed, cutting Liam off. “Well, I am, like, a hair taller.”

“You know what I mean. The way you love your sons and what a great dad you are. I really hope I can be like you.”

“Liam, you’re going to be an incredible dad, and I’m here if you ever need advice or help—anything.” Patrick didn’t doubt that statement for a moment. His brother was a great guy, always loving and thinking of others. He was an amazing uncle to Finn and Connor. Liam was patient, kind, and, without a doubt, meant to be a father.

This time Liam let out a laugh. “You just said you were wrong. So, I’m kind of wondering if I should steer clear of your advice from now on.”

“Take it or leave it, man. Either way, it’s always going to be there for you.” Patrick turned to face Liam. “I’ll always be there for you.”

***

Maggie

“Mom, we’re home.”

Maggie turned off the faucet and dried her hands on a nearby dishtowel. “You guys have a good time?”

Melanie ran to her, wrapping her little arms around Maggie. Melanie kissed Maggie’s belly and whispered something to it, then looked up at Maggie. Looking down at her daughter, Maggie felt her heart swell with love. She smoothed her Melanie’s red hair under her hands. She wondered what her son would look like. She hoped he was every bit as sweet as her daughter.

“Hi, hon.” Michael kissed her as he walked by. He looked exhausted, but spending the day with a six year old could do that.

“We had so much fun, Mom.” Melanie started to recount the entire day, sharing every detail, down to what kind of soap the restroom at the ice cream shop had. Maggie went back to washing vegetables in the sink, half listening to Melanie, who now sat on a barstool by the granite countertop.

“How was your day?” Michael asked, leaning against the kitchen island as Maggie started to work on prepping a salad for dinner.

Instructing Melanie to grab some more carrots from the fridge, she answered, “Productive. We got a lot sorted in that room.” Maggie turned to face Michael, shaking a bright red bell pepper in her hand as she spoke, “But you know, the girls pointed something out today. What if they ultrasound is wrong? What if it’s not a boy?”

“It’s a boy, Maggie. Trust me.”

“Mom, Dad’s right. That’s my little brother in there.” Melanie pointed to Maggie’s overwhelmingly round belly.

Maggie smiled at Melanie. “Well, it’s just that we pretty much bought everything under the sun in blue.”

“But, Mom, blue can be for a girl too. It’s my favorite color.”

“I know, sweetie.” Maggie looked up at Michael, who only shrugged. “It almost makes it harder knowing.” He nodded.

“I already knew it was a boy, Mom. I can’t wait for Max to be born,” Melanie said with amplified enthusiasm.

Max—the name Melanie and Michael had decided would be best suited for their new addition. Maggie wasn’t completely sold on the name at first, but the more they tossed it around, the more she got use to the sound of it. They would be telling the family at Sunday dinner tomorrow, and she wondered what their thoughts would be. Maggie had never planned on naming her children something that began with the letter M, but somehow Michael had insisted. He thought it was the coolest thing, stating that no matter what, they’d all at least have one thing in common. Maggie thought it made them a little weird, but she loved the name Melanie and couldn’t imagine her precious daughter being named anything else. Picking out the perfect baby name was so difficult. She remembered scouring through books and going online to find one that was just right. Then, one evening, as she and Michael were laying in bed, he said the name. Maggie had instantly known that it was the one.