They did make her happy. So very happy.
And it had nothing to do with the flowers.
“Are you hungry?” Jude was already moving on, buzzing with excitement over the next surprise he had for her. “We made waffles.”
“Waffles?” Danny lifted her brows at Craig. “I didn’t know we had a waffle iron.”
“We do now.” Jude kept chatting as he opened the oven and very carefully lifted out the tray inside. “We bought it just for today.” He came to the table with a sheet pan piled high with waffles and bacon.
“Look at you.” She smiled as Jude rested the pan on the hot mats. “Nicely done.”
He grinned. “Craig showed me how to be careful.”
Craig was showing him a lot of things. Things Jude was lucky to learn. Patience and kindness and affection.
Craig set a bowl of fresh fruit on the table along with a bottle of strawberry syrup. “Jude said this was also your favorite.” The line of his brows made it seem like Craig thought Jude was trying to worm out a treat of his own.
Which happened. Craig was still new and it was how kids worked.
Any chance to get something that made them happy was a chance they exploited.
But that wasn’t the case this time.
“It is actually my favorite.”
“That’s what I said. Cause you make it when the strawberries grow.” Jude was in his seat eyeing the spread.
But still patiently waiting.
“And that will be soon. I think I saw a bloom the other day.” Craig settled into his own seat.
He had taken over the garden, doing the day to day work like tilling and weeding as the first perennial plants came up. He and Jude even put in some peas that were already climbing like crazy.
Craig also took Jude twice a week to a private school that offered classes like art and PE for homeschooled kids, giving Jude the chance to ease into the sort of life most kids took for granted.
Craig dropped a waffle onto Danny’s plate and set the syrup beside her as he added bacon and fruit. “I think Lance and Kari are planning to come over with the girls later.” His eyes lifted to hers. “They are hoping to finalize a spot to build on.”
Lance made it clear he wasn’t leaving until he knew she and her sisters were safe. Even then, he and Kari wanted to be able to come back frequently.
Apparently that’s enough of a reason to build a house.
“Maybe we can all have dinner together.” Danny looked from Craig to Jude. “Unless you have other plans.”
Craig smiled. “Today’s your day. We do whatever you want.”
Jude jumped up. “I forgot.” He raced from the room and up the stairs, his feet hitting the steps fast and hard.
Danny lowered her brows in question at Craig, who just leaned in close. “Happy Mother’s Day.” His lips brushed hers in a soft kiss before trailing along her jaw toward her ear. “I hope you like your gift.”
A second later Jude was running in with a small wrapped package in his hands. “We got you something.”
His eyes shined as he watched her carefully unwrap the paper.
Inside was a plain grey cardboard box about the size needed to hold a coffee cup. She lifted the flapped lid and peeked inside at the white tissue paper.
Danny glanced up at Jude, smiling as she reached in to pull out the item, setting it on her lap so she could unwrap the paper around it.
It was a ceramic box with a set-in lid. Danny lifted it up to get a better look at the design painted onto it. “Ju-Ju.” She peeked around the side of it. “Did you make this for me?”
He nodded. “Not the box. I just painted it.” His eyes shifted to Craig. “Cause you always say you like the stuff I make the most. Craig found a place that you can go in and paint stuff and then they bake it for you.”
Of course he did.
“I love it.” The sides were brushed with all sorts of abstract swirls and spots in every color imaginable. It was bright and colorful and perfect.
Just like her son.
“You didn’t open it.”
There was something in Craig’s voice that made her pause.
Made her hesitate to see what was inside the perfect box.
Not because she was scared or uncertain about the man beside her.
So maybe it was excitement she was feeling.
Excitement about all that was before her, in spite of everything that scattered the path.
It didn’t matter what was there. She could handle it.
Because of him.
Because he was there. At her side.
Her constant supporter. Craig believed in her.
Appreciated her.
Understood her.
Danny set the box on the table and slowly lifted the lid. Inside was a black velvet box.
Craig had made no apologies about his plans from the minute he came to Shadow Pine.
But it was still awfully early for a velvet box.
Craig moved in beside her, a strong steady hand resting warm on her back. “Breathe, Danny Girl. It will be just fine.”
“I’m okay.” She pulled out the box, shooting him a smile to prove just how okay she was, immediately flipping it open.
Inside was a narrow bar pendant with a delicate chain attached at each end. A single stone sat all the way on the left side.
“That’s my birthday stone.” Jude pointed to the amethyst.
“A friend of mine makes jewelry.” Craig’s voice was low beside her. “I had her make this for you.”
“It’s beautiful.” Danny fingered the smooth gold bar. “She’s very talented.”
“You have no idea.” Craig took the box and worked the necklace free, carefully looping it around her neck.
Danny held her hair out of the way while he clasped it in the back. “I love it.” She smiled at Jude. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Jude jumped into her arms, hugging her tight. “Love you.”
“I love you, Ju-Ju.”
“Why don’t you go take your aunts their gifts?” Craig lifted up a bag and passed it to Jude.
“Kay. I’ll be back.” He raced away, the door closing loudly behind him.
“Who’s here today?” Danny shifted in her seat as the need to double-check Jude’s safety made her jittery.
“Tate’s here. Jude will be fine.” Craig stroked across where the pendant laid against her skin, his fingers lingering across the bare space next to the lone amethyst. “Do you like it?”
“I love it.” She leaned into him. “It’s perfect.”
“And not a ring.” His voice carried a smile. “But I’m not going to lie to you, it was a struggle not to consider it.”
“I appreciate your sacrifice.” Danny smiled against his mouth as it found hers, pulling free too soon.
“You shouldn’t be too appreciative.”
She lifted a brow at the man who took all her preconceived notions and shattered them one by one. “And why is that?”
Craig’s lips lifted into the same smile he gave her when he first walked into her shop, that devil of a dimple taunting her just as much now as it did then.
“I left plenty of room for more stones, Danny Girl.”
****
Thank you so much for reading Danny.
As I’m sure you’ve guessed, the BIG Northwest series is slated to be six books long. One book for each sister.
Next in line is Alex, with her book coming September 25, 2020, and book 3 will follow on January 29, 2021.
Want to read more of my books? If you like the BIG and BIG Northwest series, then you might enjoy my Alaskan Security Series. I write it as Jemma Westbrook, and you can grab book 1, Loss Recovery here.
Want to keep up with all I’m doing and be the first to enjoy teasers and cover reveals? Zip on over to my Facebook readers group. I hang out there answering questions and doing awkward live videos.
Hopefully I’ll see you there soon.
xoxo,
Janic
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Danny (Big Northwest Book 1) Page 26
