by Leah Atwood
“I get that, but let me say this and get it off my chest.” Bryce sat on the bumper. “Dani means a lot to me. We were both only-kids and during my summers in Oden Bridge, we were practically inseparable. She’s the sister I never had, and I’d do anything for her.” His hand covered his mouth. For several seconds he remained quiet before standing up. “Please don’t do anything to hurt her.”
“You have my word I won’t.”
AFTER GRACIE WAS asleep later that evening, the adults were in the living room. Gram sat in the recliner, Bryce and Sophie on the couch. Dani was next to Rob on the loveseat.
“It’s so good to visit and see your life in Tennessee,” Gram told Bryce.
“We’re glad to have you. The timing was perfect.” Bryce scooted closer to Sophie and put an arm around her. “Next time, though, we’ll wait to tell Gracie until right before you’re here, because that is all we’ve heard from her since yesterday.”
Everyone laughed, knowing how Gracie was.
A sparkle shone in Gram’s eyes and she addressed Sophie. “I heard her call you ‘mommy.’ That was music to my ears.”
Sophie beamed. “Mine, too. We told her she didn’t have to call me that, but the last few weeks she’s been dropping ‘Miss Sophie’ in favor of ‘Mommy’ more often.”
Rob glanced at Dani. She met him with a smile, in the game they’d been playing all night. Patience. Dani needed the time with her relatives—he’d have time alone with her soon enough. Turning his attention back to the conversation, he saw Bryce exchange a loving look with his wife, who gave a barely perceptible nod.
“We also have a surprise,” Bryce announced. “We were going to wait another month, but since Sophie told her parents yesterday, and we can’t keep it in, here goes… we’re having a baby.”
Dani clapped her hands together, her smile showing her enthusiasm. Gram jumped up and gave Sophie a big hug.
“Congratulations, man.” Rob sat against the plush leather back of the loveseat. Once upon a time he’d wanted kids, but he thought that dream was over when Carrie died. Would it come true after all? He corralled his runaway thoughts and squeezed Dani’s hand.
The excitement died down, and Sophie’s face flushed. “Thanks, guys. It was a big surprise that wasn’t in our plans yet, but we couldn’t be more excited.”
“Every baby is a blessing.” Gram continued to beam. “My second great-grandchild. Gene would have been so proud.”
Dani left Rob’s side and hugged Gram. “I’m sure he’s grinning from ear-to-ear in Heaven.”
Bursts of affection exploded in Rob while he watched Dani with her grandmother. Pure-hearted selflessness reflected in everything she did, and to think, he was included on the receiving end. He prayed he wouldn’t let her down, that he’d live up to being the man she deserved.
Sophie joined them and touched Gram’s arm. “Bryce and I have already decided that if this baby is a boy, his middle name will be Gene, in memory of Gramps.”
“That’s quite an honor.” Taking a tissue from her sleeve, Gram sniffed and dabbed her nose. “Look at me, being a sentimental old lady.”
Bryce took a spot near Sophie. “I’ve told you before it’s the heart that matters, and you’ll always be young there.”
A bittersweet smile stretched across Gram. “In any case, this old body needs some rest. I better call it a night.”
She hugged her two grandchildren and Sophie. Then she came to Rob, and when he stood, she embraced him as well. “It’s truly good to see you, Rob. I hope I’ll see a lot more of you in the upcoming months.”
“The same to you, Gram. Have a good night.”
Dani came back to him. Bryce and Sophie shared another of their glances, and Rob didn’t miss the conspiring wink.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to bed too.” Sophie yawned and stretched, her motions too exaggerated to be real. “This pregnancy is already zapping my energy.”
“I’m heading up as well.” Bryce addressed Dani and him. “Make yourself at home, Dani. Rob, stay as long as you want. If you don’t mind, set the alarm on your way out, please.”
“Got it.”
Bryce slipped his arm around Sophie’s waist and they walked up the stairs, leaving Dani and him alone.
“I think we’ve been devised against.” Dani lowered her eyelashes.
“Or for.” He tipped her chin and lowered his voice. “Don’t get bashful on me.”
“I’m not.” The soft interior light brought out the golden flecks in her eyes when she looked at him. “Overwhelmed, maybe, but that’s it.”
“We can take a walk down to the woods.” He noted the pitch black through the windows. “If I turn the deck lanterns on it should give us enough light to see our way.”
She nodded with her lips clamped together. Nerves churned in his gut, brought on by her sudden reticence. He led her to the deck, turned the knob that controlled the outdoor lights, and guided her down the deck’s steps.
Autumn grass crackled under the weight of their shoes. Water rippled in the distance. There were few other sounds and the nearest neighbors were a half-mile away. Dani walked with her hands at her sides. Rob hooked his thumbs in the belt loops of his pants. They stood close, their shoulders often brushing.
“Talk to me, please, Dani,” he urged, worried he was losing her already. “What changed back in the house?”
“Nothing.” She fidgeted with the silver and amethyst bracelet she wore. “Everything.”
His stomach tightened. “I need more than that.”
Dani rocked on her heels. “The whole trip here, I kept thinking I should feel nervous and anticipated that seeing you would be awkward at first, especially in front of everyone.”
He’d had similar thoughts, all of which proved untrue. “And were you nervous or did you feel awkward?”
“No. Not at all.”
Half of his mouth curved up. “I’m pretty sure we took care of the awkward stage over the summer.”
She groaned. “You were so aggravating the week of the wedding. I wanted to backhand the constant smile off your face, but I was madder at myself for falling for your charm.”
“I’m glad you saw beyond that act.” He took a deep breath, still trying to figure out what was going on in her adorable head. “It’s good that we feel comfortable with each other already, isn’t it?”
“Yes, but it’s scary.” Her arms crossed, and she hugged herself. “Seeing you tonight, touching you, it made this more real, and it terrifies me. It’s a new experience for me.”
Releasing a sigh of relief that she wasn’t having second thoughts, he put his hands on her arms. “I’m scared too, Dani. My heart shattered into a million pieces once before, and I never want to relive that pain.”
“I’ve never been a risk taker,” she raised her eyes to his, searching them intently even in the dark, “until now.”
“Sweetheart, when I think of us, I don’t see a risk. In fact, I’ve never been so willing to bet on something in my life.”
When he felt a shiver send tremors through her arms, he resisted the urge to draw her near again. Instead, he opted for safer territory, took her hand, and they finished walking to the line of trees.
Chapter 19
Dani sat glued to the weather network after attending Rob’s church with him Sunday morning. Roderick was beating down on her state with fury, but not with the wrath expected. A fortunate series of meteorological events had worked together to shift the hurricane’s path and downgrade the storm to a category three. Still a force with which to be reckoned, but the potential for severe damage was diminished by a substantial degree.
“Any updates?” Rob handed her a refilled glass of tea and sat beside her with a bowl of snacks. He hadn’t uttered a single complaint when she, too worried about the storm, asked to put off the tour of Nashville for another day. Not everyone would have fit in one vehicle anyway, so Bryce and Sophie were out with Gram and Gracie, and Rob would take her out tomorrow while S
ophie was working and Gracie was at school.
“Not since earlier. They’re estimating it should be rolling out by late evening.”
“Did you get through to your parents?” He popped a potato chip into his mouth.
“Not yet, but I also didn’t try. They won’t know much until they go back tomorrow.” She had called Angela, but there’d been no answer.
Rob set the bowl of chips on the coffee table. “There’s something I want to tell you before everyone comes home.”
Shifting in her spot, she brought up her right foot and tucked it under her. She turned off the TV, at last admitting it was best for her sanity if she stopped watching the coverage. Judging by the expression on his face, it was an unpleasant topic. “What is it?”
“I quit the band.” The muscles on his throat tightened, and his cheek twitched, waiting for her reply.
She, on the other hand, laughed. “That’s what was so serious?” She gave his bicep an impish punch. “You had me scared for a second. When?”
“A few weeks ago, after Bryce came back from the funeral.” He tilted his head slightly to the side, a half smile on his face. “You don’t care?”
“Why would I? I’m sure you had a valid reason.” She shrugged, not seeing the big deal.
“I did. I’m going to pursue songwriting full time.” His change to a complete smile proved, to her thinking, that he’d made the right decision.
“That’s great,” she told him.
“You don’t mind dating me even if I won’t be a famous musician anymore?” He cast a wink her way.
“Hardly. The funny thing is that in my mind, you’re Bryce’s friend, and half the time I forget what you do for a living.”
He donned an affronted expression. “Funny, but I imagined you thinking of me as more than Bryce’s friend.”
Feigning an exasperated sigh, she lifted her glass and took a drink. She set it down on the end table. “You know what I mean, but seriously, I’m happy you’ll get to do what you really want and live your dream.”
His lids lowered, narrowing the slant of his eyes. “I started living that when I met you.”
Coming from anyone else, it would have made her cringe, but from Rob, she melted into a puddle. Feeling flirtatious, she batted her eyelashes. “Is that so?”
“Are you going to make me prove it?” He moved his head toward her.
“I’ll take your word for it.” Jumping from the sofa and moving behind it as a barrier, she grinned. “For now.”
She acted nonchalant, but her heart raced. Had she not moved, he would have kissed her, and she wasn’t so certain she was ready for that. “I’m glad I never let Jeff kiss me.”
Rob looked her with widened eyes. “Is that true?”
Oh no, oh no, oh no. “Please tell me I didn’t say that out loud?”
“I could lie and say no, but I’ve always preferred honesty.” The blues of his eyes twinkled with mischief.
Mortified, she covered her burning face, positive it was redder than the blouse she wore. “Is there a hole I can sink in?”
He strode to her and pried her hands from her cheeks. “For what it’s worth, that knowledge makes me indescribably happy.”
A portion of her embarrassment vanished. “I suppose that does hold some worth.”
The front door opened and Gracie burst through, startling them. “Guess what Aunt Dani and Mr. Rob.”
Dani pursed her lips and put a finger to her chin. “Hmm, you saw a purple hippopotamus?”
“No.” Gracie giggled. “That would be silly.”
“You sprouted a unicorn horn,” Rob guessed.
Gracie put her hands on her hips. “You’re being goofy.”
Letting her shoulders sag, Dani blew out a breath. “I give up then.” From the corner of her eye, she caught Sophie pointing to her mouth and making a wiggling movement with her fingers. “Oh wait, one more guess. You lost a tooth.”
“That’s right.” To show off her newly gapped row of bottom teeth, Gracie smiled wide. “How’d you know?”
“Aunts have special powers.” She gave her niece a hug and looked up to Gram. “Did you have fun?”
“It’s a lovely city. Now I can picture Bryce in the places he tells me about.”
“What about me?” Gracie tugged on Gram’s sleeve.
Gram ruffled Gracie’s hair. “And you, too.”
TUESDAY MORNING, DANI woke up and immediately checked her phone, but her parents hadn’t made the call she’d been waiting on since she talked to them yesterday. When Angela contacted her, she’d passed on the good news that Bayou Bits came through the storm unscathed. The bayou bordering the restaurant had risen, but wasn’t expected to reach flood stage, a welcoming forecast.
The condition of her house, however, was unknown. Several trees in the road had rendered her street impassable. By the time they’d been cleared, darkness had set and Dani’s parents weren’t able to do a full assessment. So far, the only known serious damage to any friends or family’s homes had been to Gina and Greg’s house, where a corner of the roof had all its shingles missing. Even that was fortunate because they rented their house from Greg’s uncle, the one who owned the construction company. Gina told her when they talked last night that a tarp should protect it for the next couple of days, and by week’s end, it would be fixed.
Dani did a brief devotional before going downstairs, and in her prayers, thanked Him for everyone’s protection during the hurricane. “And thank you for this time with Rob,” she added. Even as she felt torn between her obligations—she itched to get back to Oden Bridge—the trip to Nashville held equal importance. Gram needed it, and Dani needed the time with Rob. Each hour she spent with him solidified her feelings.
She readied herself for the day then went downstairs and sat on a barstool at the kitchen island. Bryce was standing at the stove, a skillet in one hand, a spatula in the other.
“Since when do you cook?” she teased.
He turned around, a look of despair in his eyes. “Sophie wanted pancakes, but couldn’t stomach mixing the batter. I offered to make them, but…” Holding the pan out, he showed Dani the blackened pancakes and pointed to a mushed pile on the side that resembled soaked bread.
“Do you have more batter and a griddle pan?”
“A what?” The ruined pancakes slid into the trash can when he turned the pan upside down.
“Never mind. Where are your pots and pans?”
He pointed to a lower cabinet.
“If you can handle the coffee, I’ll take care of the pancakes.” She was already rummaging through the pans, happy to find what she was looking for.
“Coffee, I can do.” The way he dropped the skillet back onto the stove, one would think it was about to explode.
She heated the griddle pan. “Where’s the batter?”
“Right there.” The coffee carafe was in his hand and he nodded his head to a nearby bowl.
“Have you seen Gram yet this morning?” she asked a few minutes later while the pancakes were cooking.
“I’m here.” Gram entered the room and smiled at Sophie, who was beside her. “We happened into some girl talk.”
A weak laugh came from Sophie. “She was giving me advice on morning sickness.”
Dani dished the pancakes onto plates. “How many will Gracie eat?”
“She had cereal already, but speaking of, where is she?” Bryce looked around.
“Changing her clothes,” Sophie answered. “She was wearing a skirt, but I told her it was too cold for that today.”
After breakfast, Gracie, who’d come downstairs by then, slipped her backpack over her shoulders, and Sophie grabbed her attaché case. “I’ll see you around four. I love you.” She kissed her husband goodbye and left with Gracie.
It was all so domestic and conjured all sorts of images for Dani of her and Rob. Would that be them one day? Would he make breakfast? He would, she knew with confidence. Rob looked out for others, even when no one was watch
ing. Like the day of Gramps’ viewing. She didn’t know what she would have done without his support that day.
“Are you excited for your big radio debut?” Bryce asked Gram.
“Wait—” Dani cocked her head. “Gram’s radio debut?”
“Can you believe your grandmother’s going to be interviewed?” A rosy pink graced Gram’s cheeks and the corners of her mouth rose.
Dani found her excitement adorable. “No. When?”
“Bryce is taking me to the radio station at eleven thirty and we go on the air at noon.”
“I was already scheduled for an interview before your trip. When Caroline tried to reschedule and explained why, the station decided it would be fun to have Gram come along,” Bryce explained.
“Wow. What station? I don’t want to miss it.”
After rinsing out his coffee cup, he rattled off a set of letters then numbers. “What do you and Rob have planned?”
“We haven’t finalized anything yet.” She looked to Gram, then Bryce. “Would you guys think us rude if we skipped out on dinner tonight?”
“Dinner or dinner with us?” Bryce grinned. “Gram has always said not to miss a meal.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Ignore him, dear.” Gram sent him a warning look, but her eyes glittered. “You have fun with Rob and don’t worry about us.”
A phone call interrupted any more teasing from Bryce.
“Hi, Mom,” she answered and moved to a different room.
“How’s everything up there?”
“Good.” Really good. “Did you know Gram’s going on the air today?”
“She mentioned it yesterday.”
Good grief, Dani. She really must be in her own little world to have not known. “She blushed when she told me about it. Her reaction was really cute.”
Dani heard a happy sigh from the other line. “I can’t thank you enough for taking the time off to go with her. This trip has done wonders for her.”
“I was glad to, Mom.”
Her mom laughed. “And we all know why that is. According to Gram, you and Rob have gotten pretty serious already.”
