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“Because I would like to know more. I had siblings, Daniel. I have only vague memories of them but I know they existed.” He shrugged. “I have questions that need answers. Not knowing is holding me back a little bit. I’d love to have all the answers, so I don’t wonder about all the holes in my life story. Does that make sense?”
Daniel nodded. “Of course it does.”
Although Daniel wasn’t certain it was a good idea to open Pandora’s box, he didn’t blame his brother for wanting to put those questions to rest. It was a natural curiosity for adopted children. And since he himself hadn’t been adopted he had no way of knowing how deeply it affected a person. He imagined Nash didn’t feel complete.
“Why don’t you just ask Parker and Jason to help you? That is their line of work, you know. They’re the best in the PI business.”
“I don’t want to involve the family just yet. With everything happening between Mom and Dad, it could add a lot of stress to their lives. I don’t want to hurt them. They’re going through enough as it is.”
They sat there for a moment in silence. Both of them, Daniel imagined, were thinking about how much had changed in their parent’s relationship over the last year. Relationships were funny things, Daniel realized. He was the last person who should give marital advice, but he desperately wanted his parents to make things work in their marriage. Stick it out. Hadn’t that been the Donahue motto when times got tough? Whether it was overnight camp, Boy Scouts or Little League, Daniel had always been urged to stick it out by both of his parents. They had never subscribed to the idea of giving up on things. He felt guilty about thinking it, but at times he wondered if they had given up on each other.
“I think they would understand,” Daniel said, crossing his hands in front of him. “Our family unit is solid. Nothing can take away from that.”
Nash chewed on his lip. “You’re right. We’re a tight family unit, despite what’s going on with Mom and Dad.”
Daniel could easily see the stress and strain imprinted on his brother’s face. For some reason, Nash seemed to be taking the situation with their folks harder than anyone else. He wondered if it was one of the reasons Nash was suddenly looking for answers about his past. “Hey, I know it’s not easy to wrap our heads around the fact that our parents might not stay together.”
Nash blinked away the moisture in his eyes. “I don’t know why it triggers something so dark inside of me. That’s one of the reasons I want to get some answers about my past. It might explain some of these feelings I’m struggling with.”
“Just know we’re here for you if things spiral out of control. Don’t be afraid to reach out,” Daniel cautioned. He was worried about Nash. Normally he radiated like the sun. These days his demeanor was a bit more subdued. It was something he needed to keep an eye on to make sure his brother was all right.
Nash smiled at him. “That’s one thing about being a Donahue. There’s never a shortage of people to reach out to.”
“You got that right. I think we should both keep the faith about Mom and Dad. Faith has always been a part of our lives, so why stop now?”
“Agreed,” Nash said with a nod. “Why don’t we get down to business?”
Daniel rubbed his hands together. “I’m really excited about this business venture and having you on board at DD Studios. You really are a talented photographer, Nash. You’ve got an incredible eye.”
“Thanks. Every morning when I wake up I thank God for giving me the desire and the ability to be a photographer. So many people spend their whole lives wondering what their talent is. I’ve never had to wonder. Ever since I was little I’ve known photography would be my future.”
“That really is a blessing when you know where your passion is,” Daniel said. “Why don’t we get started. If we’re going to launch this project in six months we have to get crackin’.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Nash said. “And maybe later you can tell me about how you found your model for the Rhiannon character. It sounds like quite a story.”
Daniel smiled at his brother. He would tell Nash the story once they had concluded their business meeting. Try as he might, thoughts of Lorelei still lingered in his mind. It wasn’t just her beauty that attracted him. If the truth be told, Daniel had beautiful women chasing after him all the time. For some reason the lure of his video game empire attracted them. He knew it had nothing to do with him as a person. Frankly, he wasn’t that interesting. Or appealing. He shoved all thoughts of the intriguing redhead out of his mind.
A woman like Lorelei was out of his league and he didn’t mix business with pleasure. She probably thought he was a bit of a mess after the events of today. It didn’t really matter. He’d found his Rhiannon. He knew he’d almost messed it up, but thankfully he had found a way to fix things.
Daniel smiled as an idea flashed into his mind, something that might just bring a smile to Lorelei’s face. He was going to shower her with roses!
“Being afraid is normal. But living your life in fear is like living in prison. Part of living is being free.”
Parker Donahue
Chapter Three
“So Daniel Donahue sent you all of these flowers?”
Lorelei chuckled at the look of disbelief etched on her best friend, Bethany Turner’s face. With her corkscrew dark curls and wide brown eyes, Bethany resembled a beautiful doll. Her long dark lashes and bow-shaped lips lent an expressive quality to her features.
“Yes, Bethany. For the hundredth time, yes. The florist rang my bell and began delivering buckets and buckets of these gorgeous flowers.”
Both women looked around the room with awe. The room resembled a florist shop.
“And you think he did it because you made a joke about it when he came by the house?”
Lorelei bit her lip. “That’s the strange part. I’m not sure he realized I was joking.” She shifted in her seat and picked up her mug of coffee. “There was something about him. I can’t really explain it. He was a bit…abrupt at times. Then he was really sweet and apologetic. If I had to describe him I would say he’s quirky.”
