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His choice of words made sense to me. Ethereal meant light and delicate in a way that was almost too perfect for this world.
That was Daphne to a T.
Jonathan continued, “Somehow, she’s able to pick anything apart and find the good, no matter how minute it is, even if it means tossing everything else aside. It doesn’t surprise me to hear that she used the word fate.”
Again, Daphne to a T. She found the beauty in a simple sunrise, a yellow tulip. Was it any wonder I loved her?
“I’ve told you before that I believe your intentions are honorable, Brad. I know you love my daughter. I see it in your eyes when you look at her.”
“Still, you think it’s just puppy love.”
“I don’t know, son. But I’ll find out.”
“How exactly can you do that?”
The bartender set his second drink in front of him. “I’ll find out in the next few minutes. After I tell you the rest of Daphne’s story.”
Chapter Four
Daphne
I loved my father. He was a good man, and he took care of my mother and me. He’d never treat my mother the way Brad’s dad treated his mom. He’d never treat Brad badly, either.
So why were my nerves jumping on trampolines under my skin?
Getting to know each other.
My mother’s words had seemed ominous, but why shouldn’t they get to know each other? Brad was going to be his son-in-law, the father of his grandchild. Of course they should get to know each other.
Mom had finished her second drink and had gone to her bedroom.
I now sat on my bed—a bed that was still home to Puppy, my stuffed cocker spaniel I’d slept with since I could remember. His golden fur was matted down, and his nose had fallen off years ago, but I loved him. I hadn’t taken Puppy to college. Now I snuggled him, wishing he were real so he could give me doggy kisses like Ebony had at Brad’s ranch house. My mom was allergic to dogs, so I’d never had one. I’d named Puppy when I was a kid. I’d thought many times about renaming him to something a little more original, but I never did. He’d always be Puppy to me.
I lay down, still snuggling him. My favorite pillow was at school, and the one Mom had replaced it with wasn’t nearly as fluffy and comfy. My bed was, though. So much better than the dorm bed.
I closed my eyes.
I remembered the most comfortable bed I’d ever slept in—the one in the guesthouse on Brad’s ranch.
The one where we’d made love.
I touched my abdomen.
The bed where we’d created our baby.
Was it the bed that was so comfortable? Or was it being with Brad?
Probably both.
“Hello in there,” I said to my belly. “It’s me. Your mama. You’re a boy, aren’t you? I’ll love you no matter what, but I really think you’re a boy. You’re like a peaceful dove that flew into me to save me. I have to be okay now, because you need me.”
Not that I thought I wasn’t okay. I’d proved I was strong. I’d gotten through the hell that was junior year, and now I forced myself to remember every little detail of my life. I’d faltered a few times, but no more than anyone else.
At least that was what I told myself.
Now, though? No more faltering. “I promise, little dove. I’ll be the best mother in the world, because that’s what you deserve.”
I closed my eyes.
No one else knew yet. I hadn’t told Patty or Ennis or anyone at school. Brad hadn’t told Sean. Or his parents. Next weekend we’d tackle that.
Tackle. That was the word, all right. But with Brad at my side, loving me, and our baby nestled safe in my belly, I could tackle anything.
I could tackle the world.
I’d tackle the world gladly for Brad and my little dove.
Fate had brought Brad Steel into my life. Fate had put this baby inside me. And fate would guide us the rest of the way. I touched my abdomen—
Crash!
I jerked upward.
I scrambled off my bed and out of my room. “Mom? Mom, what happened?”
The house was dark, and my parents’ bedroom door was closed. Mom had gone to bed after her two drinks. How long ago had that been? An hour or so, but no longer.
I knocked on the door. “Mom?”
No reply.
“Mom!”
Still no reply. I turned the knob and entered—
“Mom!”
She lay on the floor next to her bed. I raced to her, knelt down, and shook her shoulder. “Mom, you fell out of bed. Wake up.”
Nothing, so I nudged her harder.
Still nothing—
“Oh my God!”
Next to her on the floor lay several pills and an open prescription bottle. I’d nearly missed them in the dark. I picked up the bottle and read the label.
Valium.
Three white pills lay on the carpeting. How many were in the bottle?
