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“I really didn’t want to talk to anyone, Mom. It’s been hard. I needed time to get my head straight.” He let out a deeply held breath. “I really thought she was the one, Mom. And after this, I honestly can’t imagine ever feeling this way about a woman ever again.”
“Daniel. Please don’t give up on love. It’s coming for you. I just kn
ow it.”
Hot tears washed down his face. He didn’t even bother to wipe them away. His mother knew his soul like no other. There was no use hiding his pain from her. She’d always been able to see straight through him, right down to his very core. His pain felt like it might kill him. It was an agonizing sensation.
“I love her, mom. I can’t imagine not being with her. When I look at her, I can see my whole future right there in her eyes.”
“Oh, Daniel,” Penelope said, wrapping her arms tightly around him. “I see how much you’re hurting. If it were possible, I’d take away every ounce of your hurt and absorb it myself.”
“I know you would Mom.”
“But I don’t want you to let this experience make you jaded. You’ve grown so much over the last few months. You’re more open and I see you enjoying life as a whole now rather than just focusing on your business. That’s a beautiful thing.”
“I just have to suck it up. Our family has a special day coming up. Faith and Micah’s wedding is going to be amazing. There’s no way I’m going to ruin their wonderful day by walking around like a sad sack.”
“You’re incredible, Daniel. The best brother in the world.” She dabbed at her eyes. “I-I know Lorelei was invited. How will it be to see her there?”
“She won’t come. She made it pretty clear it’s over between us and I doubt she’ll want to see me any time soon.”
Penelope’s mouth hardened. “I really liked Lorelei, but I can’t hide my feelings as your mother. To treat you this way is criminal.” She burst into tears. “Y-you’re an amazing catch and an incredible man.”
Daniel patted his mother on the shoulder and leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. “Please don’t cry on my account. You know I can’t stand to see you cry.”
Penelope sniffed. “That’s how I feel. Whenever one of my little chicks is in pain it makes me feel as if someone is stabbing me in the stomach. It’s unbearable.”
“I’m going to be fine, Mom,” Daniel said, locking eyes with Penelope. “I know I’m worthy of love. I used to doubt it, but strangely enough, Lorelei showed me that I deserve the happy ending. It just won’t be with her. And that hurts.”
She reached out and stroked his cheek. “My sweet Daniel. Any woman who can’t see how wonderful you are is either a blind fool or not worthy of your love.”
Daniel chuckled. “Easy there, Mom. Lorelei is a great person. I can’t make her a villain for not falling in love with me or wanting to share a life with me. At the end of the day, we all have a right to choose who we love.”
“Well I can make her a villain. I’m your Mom.” Penelope was still making sniffling noises.
He reached out and tipped up her chin. Her eyes were red-rimmed and tear-stained. “Are you all right? You seem to be in worse shape than I am.”
They both began to chuckle at the same time. Daniel needed this laugh. It made him realize that he needed to get out of this funk. Life was out there and he needed to get back into the business of living. Wallowing served no purpose.
“This too shall pass,” Penelope murmured as she leaned her head against Daniel’s chest. Daniel lovingly patted his mother on the back and reflected on how fortunate he was to have such a devoted family. They cared so deeply about his happiness. No matter what happened, they always had his back!
Although he still yearned for a family of his own, he realized it might not be in the cards for him. It was hard to imagine putting himself out there after this crushing blow. He loved Lorelei. Madly. Deeply. Truly. With everything he had in him—his very heart and soul. It was almost impossible to imagine he would ever feel this way about a woman again. Did life really bring love like this a second time in one’s lifetime?
Daniel didn’t think so.
When the doorbell rang, Daniel looked at his mother. He hadn’t been expecting anybody to stop by. He had only told his parents and Nash about the breakup, but he knew how his family operated. When one member fell down they were all there to lift that person up. The news had probably spread like wildfire.
“Please don’t tell me it’s another Donahue with a hankie for me to cry into,” Daniel quipped, sending his mother a pointed look.
She held up her hands. “Don’t ask me. I didn’t arrange for anyone to come over here, so go see for yourself.”
Before he could get up, Micah came walking into his kitchen dressed in a pair of cargo shorts and a sleeveless shirt. He had a rather subdued expression etched on his face. Daniel knew without asking that his younger brother had heard about his breakup with Lorelei. It was written all over his face.
“The front door was unlocked so I let myself in,” Micah said. “I’m so sorry about you and Lorelei. I just swung by to check on you.” Micah leaned in for a hug, then walked over and kissed his mother on the cheek before sitting down on one of the kitchen stools.
“Thanks,” Daniel said. “Bad news spreads quickly, I guess,” he muttered.
“C’mon. We’re not spreading it anywhere,” Micah answered. “Just amongst the family. Everyone wants to support you, Daniel. That’s all.”
