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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.
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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.
