AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’ve missed you, Mum.”
“Oh, sweetie, you look so much better. We could hear it in your voice, but to see you!” Her mother’s voice quavered, and she pulled back, turning to Ange and John. “Thank you.”
“It wasn’t us,” Ange smiled. “God did it using a certain someone, hey, Blue?”
Her dad turned. “Do you mean that sports man? I’m looking forward to meeting him.”
“Daniel is a fine young man.” John’s assertion calmed the question in her father’s eyes.
Her mother’s smile held familiar tenderness. “I can’t wait to meet him. You’re a different person to the girl who left. It’s like you’ve been brought back to life.”
* * *
Dan knocked at the door,stomach roiling. He felt like such a phony, dressed up in a suit to make a good impression on the church minister and his wife. But if they could see the way he was now, maybe they would cope with his money. And, ultimately, his past.
Sarah answered the door, a bright smile on her face. “Hello!” She drew him inside to the warmth. “Ooh, it’s so cold out there!”
Her big hug and quick kiss helped calm his nerves. “I’ve missed you this week, Princess.”
“Oh, me too. These road trips are kind of tough, aren’t they?”
“Florida wasn’t so tough.”
“Stop boasting.” Her laughter held more ease than he recalled hearing before.
“Sar?”
At the voice coming from the lounge, her eyes widened. “Are you ready to meet my parents?” He nodded, and she grabbed his hand. “Come on, then.”
Dan smiled a quick hello to Ange, John, and John’s parents before recognizing Sarah’s features in the auburn-haired lady before him.
“Mum, Dad, this is Daniel Walton. Dan, these are my parents, James and Lindy Maguire.”
“So, you’re Daniel.” Sarah’s mother’s eyes were a little teary, even as she gave a warm smile and hug. “Thank you for being a good friend to Sarah.”
“My pleasure, Mrs. Maguire.”
Sarah snickered. “It wasn’t always a pleasure, was it?”
He grinned, relaxing a little more. “You’ve definitely made my life interesting these past six months.”
Her sudden sweet smile made his heart leap.
Her father’s brows rose. “And you play sport?”
“Yes, sir. I’m in the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team.”
“Ah.” Still that look, as if Dan was being measured for worthiness. “And you’re a Christian?”
“Yes. Almost eight years ago, just after I turned twenty-two.”
Sarah’s father nodded and invited him to sit, then began asking other questions about Dan’s Christian experience, and soon they were chatting freely. How nice to be talking about important stuff and not the usual trivia that filled his own family’s conversation. He relaxed into the sofa, watching Sarah sparkle as she laughed with her mother and aunt. Dan caught Sarah’s eyes and winked.
* * *
Her cheeks heated.It was so great her parents were getting on with Dan, especially her hard-to-please father. He was usually warm with people but had always been pretty fussy with the guys in his daughters’ lives. So far the conversation had centered on faith, although they’d touched on Dan’s family and work situation too. Muskoka had been mentioned, and Dan had even invited them all to visit his cottage during his pre-Christmas break.
“I like your Daniel, Sar,” her mother said later, after Dan had left to go prepare for a game.
