“Of course not. The more the merrier is literally a Donahue family motto,” Daniel said, his lips twitching as he uttered the words.
Lorelei smiled at him and he found himself mesmerized by the way it lit up an already gorgeous face. Her smile did funny things to his insides. It felt like a hundred butterflies were swarming around in his belly. He’d heard people speak about this type of feeling before, but until now it had been a foreign concept to him. It was both scary and liberating. It was as if his heart was being cracked wide open and there wasn’t a single thing he could do to stop it.
Penelope stood off to the side, sneaking glances at the two of them. She had a curious expression on her face, as if wondering how Daniel knew Lorelei. When he locked gazes with his mother she mouthed the words, “She’s beautiful,” which made Daniel want to laugh out loud. He knew what she was doing. Matchmaking! Whenever he was in the presence of a woman even remotely in his age group his mother did her best to encourage him to ask her out.
It was kind of sad really. Did his whole family think he was some lonely recluse who was going to die alone? He was still pretty young and reasonably good looking. It wasn’t as if he didn’t have options. It wasn’t as if he wasn’t bringing things to the table. He had a nice life and he really wanted to find someone to share it with. What was that saying? Good things happened when you least expected them to happen. Lorelei had come into his life like a summer rain in the middle of a heatwave.
“Are you hungry? I can fix you a plate if you like,” Daniel said, eager to make Lorelei comfortable.
Lorelei rubbed her stomach. “I’m actually starving. I’m really not a fan of plane food.”
He wrinkled his nose. “Do they still even serve food? More like peanuts and a bag of pretzels.”
“And don’t forget the small glass of ginger ale,” she teased.
“Why don’t you go sit down with Faith and I’ll get you something to eat?”
“That’s so sweet of you, Daniel. I’d love to catch up with her,” Lorelei said, placing her hand on his arm. The gesture was a warm one and Daniel felt euphoric. It wasn’t as if Lorelei and he were at his family barbecue on a date, but it sure felt nice to be able to pair up with someone like his siblings. He hadn’t realized until this very moment how it had felt lately to arrive at family functions solo. There was a little part of him that ached a little every time one of his brothers paired off. It wasn’t as if he was jealous or anything—he had always been the first one to raise a toast—but it highlighted his loneliness.
“So, do you like my surprise?” Micah asked, coming up behind him and speaking in a low voice.
“It’s a great surprise, Micah,” Daniel said, unable to contain his happiness. He put his arm around Micah. “How did it come about? You just ran into her by accident?”
“Pretty much. Our planes must have landed at the same time. When Faith and I ran into her at the airport the wheels started turning in my head once she started gushing about you.”
“Gushing?” Daniel asked, wondering if he’d misheard his brother.
“Oh, yeah,” Micah said, nudging Daniel in the side. “She was really beaming talking about your date. Don’t tell her I told you. I don’t want her to feel embarrassed. She really likes you.”
“I won’t,” Daniel said as heat rushed to his face. He was a bit overcome with emotion. It was nice to know Lorelei was as interested in him as he was in her. Perhaps that was why she’d agreed to a second date. He really did need to thank Jason later. He’d been annoyed at his brother for grabbing his phone, but he’d done him a solid.
“So, the two of you like each other, huh?” Micah asked.
“I know I like her. A lot,” Daniel admitted. “She’s amazing.”
Micah clapped him on the back. He jerked his chin at the two plates Daniel was holding. “Go get your girl her food. I’m making Faith a plate.”
Daniel walked over to a side table laden with an assortment of food. Caleb walked over from the grilling area and placed a plate of burgers, hot dogs, ribs and salmon down on the table.
Normally, Caleb was all smiles and easy charm. At the moment he looked utterly wiped out. He couldn’t even muster a smile which was unusual for him.
“Take a break, Caleb,” Daniel urged. “You look stressed.”
“Did Addie get here yet?” he asked, wiping his brow with his arm. “She was supposed to be here a while ago.”
“I haven’t seen her.” Daniel frowned. “Are you worried?”
Caleb let out a beleaguered sigh. “It’s not like her to not answer her cell phone. And you know how on time she always is.”
Caleb was right. Addie was as punctual as they came, as well as being considerate. And she and Caleb loved each other to distraction. They were always respectful of each other, and Daniel knew Addie wouldn’t allow Caleb to worry needlessly.
“What do you need me to do? Do you want to get in the car and try to find her?” Daniel asked, knowing Caleb was out of his mind with worry. He hated seeing his laid back brother so close to losing it. “I can head out in my car as well.”
“What’s wrong?” Their mother had walked over with a look of worry etched on her beautiful features. “You two are both looking like the world is about to end. Spill it!”
Caleb patted her on the shoulder. “I’m just a little worried about Addie. She should be here by now.”
“Have you tried to call her?” Penelope asked, stress lines showing on her face.
“Many times but it goes straight to voice mail. We didn’t come here together because Addie wanted to go visit her father. He hasn’t been feeling well.” He made a face. “I should have gone with her but I had to do some prep work at the bistro.”
All of a sudden a cry went up and Daniel spotted Addie walking down the back porch stairs. A sense of profound relief swept through him. He didn’t want to imagine Caleb’s devastation if something had happened to Addie.
“Caleb. She’s here,” Daniel announced.
Caleb whipped his head around and went rushing toward his wife, who was carrying a small pink box in her hand. Daniel recognized it as the signature box from a macaron shop in town. When Caleb reached her side he took the box from her and placed it down on a side table. He swept her up in his arms and pressed a kiss against her lips. Everyone at the picnic table began clapping. Daniel walked over and seated himself next to Lorelei, placing a plate down in front of her.
“Sorry I took so long.”
“No worries. I got a chance to chat with all of your sisters-in-law, as well as your sister. She’s a real hoot. She has an opinion on everything.” Lorelei reached for the burger on her plate and took a big bite. She made a satisfied sound, then giggled self-consciously. “Sorry if I’m making rude sounds, but this burger is really hitting the spot.”
Daniel smiled. He loved watching Lorelei eat with such gusto. “I’m not sure if you met my brother, Caleb, but that’s his wife Addie who just walked in. Caleb couldn’t reach Addie and he was really getting worried about her,” Daniel explained. “Those two are like two peas in a pod. I think not being able to reach her made him really nervous.”
“Your poor brother. So that explains the romantic greeting,” Lorelei said, her eyes wandering toward Addie and Caleb. “They really seem like they’re in love.” He wasn’t certain, but he thought Lorelei’s voice held a note of wistfulness. Maybe she also wanted the love story.
“Addie and Caleb are the real deal. Addie came to work with Caleb at his bistro and although he was kind of forced to work with her due to her father’s stake in his restaurant, they fell in love.”
Lorelei grinned. “That’s sweet. It sounds like a movie.”
“Okay, lovebirds. Why don’t you get some food and sit down?” Parker suggested to Caleb and Addie. He had his son Logan sitting on his lap and his wife, Cadence by his side.
Addie and Caleb walked toward the gathering hand in hand. Addie—her brown skin shimmering in the sun and dark curls framing
her radiant face—was speaking softly to Caleb. Although Daniel couldn’t hear what she was saying, he had a feeling she was apologizing for worrying him.
“You had us so worried!” Penelope said, placing a kiss on Addie’s cheek. “Caleb was practically jumping out of his skin.”
“I’m so sorry, Penelope. I was just telling Caleb that I got a flat tire and my cell phone died. A good Samaritan came upon me on and he helped me change the flat. I had to wait away from the car for safety. I’m so sorry I worried you,” Addie said, her voice filled with contrition. She seemed a little emotional. Daniel and the others watched as Caleb reached for her and pulled her against his chest. He began stroking her back in a comforting gesture. Daniel looked around him at his other family members. Something was definitely up. There was a tension lingering in the air. It seemed obvious to Daniel there was something more going on than a flat tire.
Caleb let out a sigh as he let Addie go. They shared an intense gaze, then Addie nodded her head. Caleb turned toward the group. “There’s been a lot going on with us lately. We wanted to wait till it was safe to say something to all of you. Addie is pregnant. We’re expecting a baby.”
For a moment there was silence, following by a massive eruption from the entire family. Everyone began to get excited, resulting in lots of noise and screams and congratulations.
Caleb’s smile was tight while Addie leaned in to her husband for support. Daniel looked over at Lorelei. She had a worried look on her face, which was telling since she didn’t know either Caleb or Addie. Like Daniel, she clearly sensed there was more to the story.
Caleb held up his hand to quiet everyone down. “Normally, pregnancy news is joyous. Unfortunately for us, it’s also wracked with uncertainty. Addie’s doctor ended up doing some tests because her early blood tests were a bit off. We found out that her pregnancy is high risk so we’re just praying she’ll carry the baby full term.”
“We’re very excited about the baby,” Addie said, wiping away tears. “But it’s a bit nerve racking at the same time. We wanted to tell you but we’ve been waiting just to make it to four months.”
“Oh, what blessed news,” Penelope said. “I know it must be scary, but we’ll all be praying for you.”
Jude stepped forward and embraced Addie. She began to cry against his chest. “There there, my girl. Everything is going to be all right. You do know this family is full of prayer warriors, don’t you? God will watch over this child.” Jude placed his hand on Addie’s belly.
For the first time Daniel noticed a slight swelling in her abdomen. Although his siblings had seemed to be paralyzed by the news, they were slowly coming out of it. Everyone began to crowd around them with words of support and congratulations. Caleb seemed in a better frame of mind now that he’d told the family about the baby. Daniel imagined it must have been hard to hide that sort of information and deal with his worry for Addie and the baby on his own.
Daniel went over and reached for Addie’s hand, squeezing it tightly. He leaned toward her and whispered in her ear, “Everything will be all right. You and Caleb deserve blessings more than anyone else I know. I’ll be praying for my little niece or nephew. We love you.”
Addie placed a kiss on Daniel’s cheek. “Thanks, Daniel. We love you too. To the moon and back.”
Without saying a word, Caleb embraced Daniel. No words were really necessary. Daniel knew his brother well enough to realize how deeply he was hurting. He was scared. Daniel could see it in his eyes. It was a foreign emotion for Caleb. Daniel could count on one hand the number of times he’d seen Caleb scared. And he’d never seen a look like this stamped on his brother’s face. Caleb’s love for Addie and for their unborn child made him vulnerable which led to fear. Daniel had never loved like Caleb. He’d never had so much to lose like his brother.
“Do not fear, for I am with you.” The verse from Isaiah rolled off his tongue. In this moment he knew it was far more powerful than anything he could have come up with on his own.
Caleb nodded. “Knowing God is with us on this journey brings us comfort. And having all of you praying for us is incredible.”
“Addie, come on and eat something,” Cadence said, waving her over to the food area. “I know when I was pregnant you couldn’t keep me away from grilled food.”
Everybody chuckled. Despite her demure appearance, they all knew Cadence could really pack it in when it came to food.
From that moment on the barbecue went back to being a festive occasion. Buoyed by family support, both Caleb and Addie were able to relax and have a good time. Hope hung in the air. Daniel—like all of his siblings—had been raised to know with a deep certainty that with God everything was possible. When the storms of life blew in your direction, you leaned on your family and the Lord. No matter how badly things spiraled out of control, you still had your center.
Lorelei fit into his family dynamics perfectly. She was getting along so well with Shayla, Cadence, Addie, Bella and Faith, as well as all of his brothers and his parents. She was a great listener and never steered the conversation to herself although she did answer questions lobbed at her about her career and travels.
“Your family is really amazing,” Lorelei said, smiling as she looked around her. “You’re so lucky to have all of this.”
Lorelei fit into his family dynamics perfectly. She was getting along so well with Shayla, Cadence, Addie, Bella and Faith, as well the rest of his family members. She was a great listener and never steered the conversation to herself although she did answer questions lobbed at her about her career and travels.
Daniel smiled at her, thankful she had been able to be here today. “I won’t argue with you on that one. No matter what else is going on, we always put family first. That’s what our parents taught us.”
“That’s the way it should be. I’m so sorry I was intruding on Addie and Caleb’s private moment,” she said, making a tutting sound. “They were so gracious to speak so freely in front of me.”
“No worries, Lorelei. You’re Micah’s friend…and mine as well. That means you’re as welcome here as a member of the Donahue brood.”
“That means a lot to me. I like being around your family. It’s funny how one family can make a person feel so welcomed.”
“So,” Daniel said in a playful voice. “I’m starting to think this might qualify as a second date.” He spread his arm around. “We have a lovely backyard ambiance, good food, great company and lively conversation.”
Lorelei chuckled. “I think it definitely qualifies. Now if you throw in dessert, I’m definitely in agreement.”
“Dessert? Oh you have no idea. My mom bakes the best pound cake you’ve ever tasted in your life. And my Dad can make a mean Key Lime Pie.”
“That’s my boy,” Jude said, clapping Daniel as the shoulder as he walked past. “Thanks for bragging about my pie. We’re about to set up the dessert table if you want first dibs.”
“Thanks for the heads up, Dad.” He rubbed his stomach. “I have just the right amount of room left for some pie.”
When Jude returned from the house he was accompanied by Penelope. They were both carrying trays containing cakes and pies. As Daniel looked over at them he couldn’t help but think that they seemed very much a couple, a united front. It was hard to believe they were separated. His mother’s head was thrown back in laughter, as if his father had just told her the funniest joke.
“They seem happy,” Lorelei said, her eyes trained on his parents. He saw the yearning in her eyes and he found himself wishing she’d had a bit more stability in her life as a child.
“They really do,” Daniel said with a satisfied nod. He found himself praying as he stood there watching his parents place the dessert on the side table.
Please, Lord. Give my folks a second chance at being together. Let them realize that they are way better together than they could ever be apart. Allow their hearts to open up to each other in new and yet familiar ways. Show them the way back to being in love.
>
He locked gazes with Lorelei and he knew without a shadow of a doubt that she understood exactly what he was praying for. And that knowledge washed over Daniel with the force of a tsunami.
“Falling in love is out of our control. The heart wants what it wants. And if we’re very lucky, the person we fall in love with falls in love with us.”
Shayla Donahue
Chapter Seven
By the time Daniel brought Lorelei home from the barbecue, she was beginning to lose some steam. It had been a long day which had started out with a flight from Barbados to Pelican Bay. Although he hadn’t stayed long, Daniel had carried her luggage inside the house and chatted with her for a few minutes.
They had shared their first kiss right by her doorway as he’d prepared to leave for the night. She had known right before he kissed her that it was going to happen. Their gazes had met and she had seen something flickering in his eyes mirroring her own feelings at that very moment. When his lips had touched hers, her soul had rejoiced at the sweet tenderness of his touch. As his lips moved over hers, Lorelei inhaled the scent of sandalwood that hovered around him like a halo. When the kiss ended, Daniel asked her if she wanted to go out this coming week, to which she had joyfully said yes. Spending time with Daniel was high on her priority list.
Running into Micah and Faith at the airport had been pure serendipity. Being with Daniel and his entire family at the Donahue barbecue had been incredible. Even though she was a newcomer, everyone had treated her as if she was a beloved family friend. And best of all, she had been able to spend more time with Daniel and see him in a whole new light. He was a little bit more light-hearted around his family. And he laughed more. The love his family shared was the stuff people dreamed about having in their lives. Although it had been wonderful to be in the midst of such love and warmth, Lorelei couldn’t help but wonder why her own family had been the very opposite of the Donahue’s.
Forever and a Day (Seven Brides Seven Brothers Pelican Bay Book 5) Page 8
