Dating Daniel (Cloverleaf #4)

by Gloria Herrmann

  “Aww, your knight in shining armor, well, baseball cap. I bet it was a Seattle Mariners hat. Liam and Michael love them.”

  “Yeah, that’s the team. So then this guy is like so hot, Rachel, like seriously smoking hot.”

  “Nice. Boy, you sure know how to find them.”

  “Oh please, you got yours.”

  Liam shouted from the kitchen, “I can hear you both, and yes, Chelsea’s right, you got yours, so quit drooling.”

  “Leave us alone and keep grading those papers,” Rachel teased back. “Okay, so tell me more about Mr. Mariners-baseball-loving hottie.”

  “Oh there’s so much to tell you.” Chelsea was practically bouncing the recliner in excitement. “He introduced himself and told me that he would ignore the fact I had on an Angels shirt and had caught a ball from his team. I noticed a little girl was next to him. She had on the same hat and looked so sad. So I offered her the ball.”

  “Look at you, being all sweet. Wait, you own an Angels shirt?” Rachel asked, knowing full well that Chelsea pretty much despised children. They were not an accessory she wanted to wear.

  “Well, turns out the little girl is his daughter. And, well, Kimberly gave it to me, it’s super cute.”

  “Oh no, deal breaker?” Rachel groaned.

  “Hell, Rachel, if you saw this guy, you would understand why I don’t care. But anyway, so Ian introduces himself and his little girl, Mackenzie. How adorable is that name?”

  Rachel was shocked to see Chelsea so affected by this guy. This was so unlike her.

  “So, then we get to talking, and he asks me for my number when the game is over.”

  “Who won?” Liam called out again from the kitchen.

  “I don’t know, Liam. I wasn’t paying attention,” Chelsea shouted back to him.

  “Never mind him. Okay, so you guys obviously hit it off. What’s his deal?” Rachel asked.

  Chelsea rolled her eyes. “Well, get this, his sister owns a modeling agency down in LA. Ian lived in Spokane his entire life. His sister moved, started this business, and eventually convinced him to sign on with her.”

  “What? He’s a model?” Rachel choked on her tea. “Chelsea, show me a picture of this guy.”

  “Yes, he’s a model. But he does some other job. I think like a motorcycle mechanic or something. But he’s a model, Rachel,” Chelsea emphasized.

  “So, like, the perfect abs and all sexy and stuff?”

  Chelsea nodded and handed Rachel her phone. “Look for yourself.”

  Rachel couldn’t believe what she was looking at, and she had grown up around beautiful people her entire life. To say this guy was gorgeous was an understatement, from his muscular physique to the sexy smile and perfectly white teeth, he was a beautiful specimen of a man.

  “Wow, Chelsea.”

  “I know, right?” Chelsea grabbed her phone back and went back into the recliner. “The thing is, he is so nice.”

  “What’s the deal with the little girl?”

  “Her mom and her actually live in Spokane, or maybe it’s somewhere else. I’m not too sure. He flies her down once a month, and then has her, like, during the summers,” Chelsea explained.

  “How long have you known him for?” Rachel was curious why Chelsea hadn’t bothered to mention Ian or his daughter, Mackenzie, until now.

  “Gosh, I think the game was last month. It’s still really new.”

  “That’s so cool, Chelsea. I’m thrilled you met someone. Hopefully things get a little more serious, you know?”

  Chelsea swatted at her playfully and shrugged as she said, “Rachel, I wouldn’t go that far. I am just thrilled to have landed a model. He even had me come to one of his shoots they were doing for a book cover, so hot.”

  “You just never know.” Rachel took a sip of her tea and eyed Chelsea, who had already started to go back on her phone. Yeah, it isn’t serious at all, Rachel thought. You’re just completely infatuated.

  ***

  Mary and her mother had done an incredible job. They had used the cafeteria to host the shower, and Rachel honestly couldn’t recall having more fun. They played games, snacked on all sorts of delicious treats, and there were presents—tons and tons of presents. But the one thing that stood out, above all the pink streamers and balloons, was how nicely her mother and Mary got along. They almost seemed like old friends, and they were inseparable the entire time. It made Rachel sad that her mother would be leaving in the morning.

  “Rachel, where do you want me to put these extra diapers? The changing table basket is full,” her mother asked as they sorted all the gifts into the nursery, which her mother had magically transformed into an organized and beautiful space during her visit.

  “In the closet is fine, Mom.” Rachel rocked in her new gliding chair, a gift from Maggie, who obviously took notice of how much Rachel loved hers. “Mom, thank you so much.”

  “Oh, sweetie, I’m happy to help. I wish I could be here for the birth of those precious girls.”

  “I know. I’m sad you’re leaving tomorrow.”

  Chelsea was leaving as well. She seemed eager to get back to explore her new relationship with Ian, and Rachel was excited for her. They’d discussed her coming up to visit the babies over the holidays, and Chelsea loved the idea of coming up for Christmas. Rachel’s mother had promised to try to come up as well, but she wanted Rachel to get into the swing of things before bombarding her.

  “Well, I think I will aim for the holidays. It would be wonderful to be here for their first Christmas,” Evelyn commented as she emptied a shiny pink gift bag, separating the contents.

  “I never realized you needed so much baby stuff.”

  “The truth of it is you won’t use half of this, or they will grow too fast before they can wear all these outfits. People just can’t help themselves.” Her mother giggled as she held up two glittery pink dresses she had bought for the girls. “Like these, you make sure they wear these at least once, and send me a picture.”

  “Oh, I will.” Rachel started to feel herself grow emotional. “Mom, I’m going to miss you.”

  Evelyn went to Rachel, wrapping her arms around her. “Me too, sweetheart. You, my beautiful girl, you are going to be an amazing mother. Far better than me, I can tell you that.” Evelyn’s eyes were shiny with tears.

  Rachel tried to swallow past the lump forming in her throat. “Mom, you are a good mother, and though we have had some rough times, I’m glad you’re my mom. But you will be an incredible grandmother because you already are.”

  ***

  Hannah

  Liam had asked her to stop by the cabin to check on Rachel. She could only imagine how annoyed she must feel, constantly being watched. Hannah decided to make this fun, and as she knocked on the door to Liam and Rachel’s home, she waited and continued to work out the details of her plan.

  Rachel finally opened the door. Her sour expression told Hannah she was none too pleased to see her or be bothered. “Liam sent you?”

  “Yeah, I’m sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault. I’m sorry for being grumpy.”

  Rachel looked exhausted. The skin under her eyes had a purplish hue. She was wearing an oversized shirt and gray sweatpants, not the most flattering outfit, but the poor woman was also pregnant with twins and due anytime. She was also a prisoner of her own home.

  “It’s okay. I can only imagine how rough this is,” Hannah commented as she followed Rachel inside. Rachel promptly lowered herself back onto the couch.

  “Have you eaten yet?” It was a little after one and Hannah was hopeful that Rachel would be hungry.

  “I did, but I can always eat. That’s all I do now: eat, sleep, pee, repeat. Just keep this in mind, Hannah, when that brother-in-law of mine starts asking for babies. Is this really what you want to become?” Rachel questioned, tilting her head, motioning to her large belly.

  “I can’t wait.” Hannah laughed. “I had an idea, if you’re willing.”

  Rachel
agreed, but she didn’t seem completely sold on Hannah’s idea, which was having a picnic outside. She figured the fresh air could only be good for Rachel.

  “You made all of this?” Rachel’s eyes were wide as looked at the feast that was arranged on the glass patio table on the deck.

  “Yep, a little bit of everything.” Hannah started to name off and point at all the treats she had brought. “There’s enough that you could have leftovers for dinner with Liam.”

  Rachel started to bite into a chocolate-covered strawberry. “Oh, he’s on his own. Actually, no, he can have some since he asked you to come over. I really do appreciate you going to all this trouble. You shouldn’t have.”

  They both were seated, and Hannah poured some sparkling grape juice into two tall plastic champagne glasses she had packed. She wanted to make this seem special. Luckily, the weather was cooperating and the sun was shining, casting a warm glow on them as they dined on the deck.

  “I wanted to do this. I know it has to be terrible, being cooped up in the house. It won’t be too much longer.”

  “Less than a month, but Dr. Salinger says anytime from here on out is okay. But the longer they are in there, the better.”

  “So you think before Thanksgiving then?”

  Rachel popped a large purple grape into her mouth. “Way before then. My due date is like around the tenth or so.”

  “Wow, so not much longer. Halloween is coming up soon.”

  “I know. I’m bummed. I wanted to take the twins and Mel out for trick or treating. I love Halloween and this was my first one here in Birch Valley.”

  Hannah felt awful for bringing up things that Rachel couldn’t participate in. She kept putting her dang foot in her mouth, but Rachel was taking it all in stride. “Hannah, it’s okay. This will pass, and next year, for all we know, you could be preggers.” The thought warmed Hannah. She would love to be carrying Daniel’s child, to experience motherhood. They continued to gorge themselves, not leaving much in the way of leftovers. Hannah enjoyed the rest of the afternoon with Rachel. Keeping her company had been almost more good for her. They laughed and shared details about growing up. Hannah learned so much about Rachel, things she never would have guessed, and found herself truly wanting to be not only her sister-in-law, but her friend.

  ***

  “Oh my God,” Hannah heard Daniel call out, and other loud shouts followed. Mary looked at Hannah. They dropped the spoons they were using on last night’s dinner, and both darted in the direction of the noise. Mary led the way, which took them to the den. It was foggy, and the smell of tobacco hung in the air. Liam, Patrick, and Daniel were all gathered around their grandfather, each of their faces were in varied shades of shock.

  “What is the matter, boys?” Mary demanded.

  Grandpa Paddy, who was sitting in a tattered recliner, looked up at Mary, his eyes bright and glistening with wetness. “I’ve won the lottery, lass.”

  “For Pete’s sake, the lottery?” Mary seemed confused at first, then frowned. “You mean, those awful scratcher tickets that leave their shavings all over?”

  “No, Mom, he bought a ticket,” Daniel explained.

  “Oh dear.” She raised her hand to cover her mouth, and the color drained from her face.

  Hannah looked over at Daniel for him to explain. She didn’t know too much about gambling, other than her father had frowned upon it. He said it wasn’t worth it for a man to spend his days chasing after the impossible.

  Daniel stepped over to Hannah and said, “See, Grandpa Paddy has been playing the lottery for years, mainly scratcher tickets, but he’s been buying the state lotto and even playing Powerball, and, well, he likes to sit and watch them draw the numbers. Liam, Patrick, and I just happened to be in here when they announced the numbers.” Daniel paused, clearly getting choked up. He looked over at his grandfather. “The old man finally did it. He had all the numbers tonight, Hannah. It was his lucky day.”

  “That’s incredible.” She was speechless. The man shook. His eyes were watery and wide with disbelief that he had won such a large sum of money. Hannah watched Grandpa Paddy grasp the sliver of paper. He just stared down at it, looking at the numbers that had forever changed his life and the lives of this family.

  “Isn’t it? It’s the most wonderful thing for him, well, for the family.” Daniel exclaimed as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Hannah looked at Mary, who seemed to be trying to digest the good news.

  The entire family, still reeling from the excitement, now gathered around the large wooden table where they had shared Sunday meals for years, where bouts of contagious laughter were heard, miserable tears of sorrow shed, and where many prayers were whispered and ultimately answered. This slab of wood, polished with their memories, good and bad, was now adding another layer of finish, one of incredible good fortune. The luck of the Irish was with the O’Brien Family on that lovely Sunday evening, just as it had always been.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Patrick

  “God, Patrick, that was incredible,” Amber exclaimed, her voice winded, and her face flushed.

  He stared at her. She was gorgeous, especially after making love. Patrick leaned over and kissed her exposed collarbone, traveling to her shoulder. “You’re incredible.”

  “Oh stop.” Amber laughed, and he watched her eyes sparkle. They were the color of the Caribbean sea, a blend of green and blue, and simply breathtaking.

  “It’s true.” Patrick couldn’t stop touching her, his fingers exploring the softness of her skin under the white sheet which twisted around them. He doubted he could ever be satisfied. He was always hungry for Amber, and Patrick yearned to feel the warmth of her.

  Patrick watched as her eyes closed. Her breathing grew quiet. Seeing her fall asleep made his heart fill with a flood of emotion—pure love.

  He rolled over carefully, not wanting to wake her, and reached into the drawer of his night stand. This was the perfect moment he had waited for. Patrick slid closer to Amber, her dark hair fanned out on the pillow. She looked majestic, and he felt need stirring inside him again. Taking her hand in his, he slipped the ring onto her finger, then kissed her gingerly on her full lips. Amber stirred and her eyes fluttered open, confusion sweeping across her face. She smiled up at Patrick. His face close to hers, he lowered his mouth to kiss her again, needing to drink her up, a feeble attempt at quenching his longing.

  “Hey, you. I must have fallen asleep.” Amber’s voice was raspy with sleep and deliciously sexy. Patrick squeezed her hand in his. He stared at her, giving her a moment to figure out that there was now a diamond on her finger.

  He had no intention of asking her. He didn’t want to risk her saying no. Patrick knew he wanted her, and he was certain Amber loved him too. He knew she loved his sons and the rest of the O’Brien family. Patrick wasn’t sure he would have ever found another woman to become his wife again. He had lived under a terribly dark and stormy cloud for nearly four years, but then Amber came into his life, a bolt of light, intense and fierce, completely shattering the wall he had callously been built around his heart and soul. She had melted all the cold and despair. He found her to be amazing. She too had been given the burden of a spouse passing away, yet she was far stronger than he was. Her ability to find the silver lining in all the darkness, to have the sense to know that behind the gray clouds the sky was still blue and the sun was still shining, made him proud. What she didn’t realize was that she was his sun, his moon, his beam of light to guide his path, which he had strayed from for so long. She was his everything.

  As Patrick watched her expression change, he noticed tears pool in her eyes. She understood what he was asking. There was no exchange of words, and her bottom lip quivered as she bit down on it. Patrick hovered over her, cupping her head with his hand, to hold his precious treasure. With Patrick’s promise fulfilled, he felt open to the future, their future together. He gazed into her eyes, catching a glimpse of her beautiful soul. Their lips met, and the power of u
nspoken words bound them in a moment that they would always remember.

  ***

  Amber

  She couldn’t feel herself breathe, but she didn’t need to. It was as though time froze. An intense surge of emotion was transferring between Patrick’s mouth into her soul. He was her oxygen, her breath.

  This was the most non-traditional proposal she could imagine, but yet it was perfect. Her mind was moving in so many directions. She had no idea he had been thinking about marriage, as they hadn’t really discussed it. If anything, Amber was certain Patrick was too afraid to ever embark on another journey of matrimony. The risk was too great. He had said he wasn’t sure he could survive another experience like Beth’s passing. But as Amber felt the metal of her engagement ring against her skin, it hushed all her fears and doubts. He was rising above his fears as well, and that spoke volumes of the love he must feel for her.

  Patrick brushed his mouth along her neck, and she welcomed the weight of his body on top of her as she linked her legs around him, securing Patrick tightly to her. She couldn’t get close enough. It was as though they were trying to merge into one being, when suddenly a tidal wave of lust washed over them both. A current of desire and primal need pulled them into an undertow, again. Amber couldn’t feel herself breathe. She let herself sink down into this oblivion of unrestrained rapture.

  Amber’s body was happily numb and spent from the beautiful love they had just made, but it had been different this time. It was a mating of souls. Again, no words were spoken—there had only been touch. It was though Patrick was laying claim, as was Amber, searing an invisible mark on each other. Patrick brought her to his chest, spooning and protectively covering her with his arm.