money in a fire.”
“I didn’t ask you,” Daisy snapped. “Why can’t all of you be excited for me? Not only is it a lovely historic home, but the forty acres adjoin our land. If for no other reason, Dallas, I would’ve thought you would be the first person in line with an offer.”
“I was. The family got wind of the fact that I planned to doze the place and turned me down.”
“I’m glad.”
“Both of you hush.” Georgina put the tomato she’d been cutting on top of chopped salad greens. “If I didn’t know better, I’d swear you were both back in kindergarten.”
Josie, who’d been sitting at the kitchen table writing lesson plans, cleared her throat. “Point of fact—my kindergartners are better behaved.”
“Way to stand up for the man you supposedly love.” Dallas kissed his wife.
“Oh—I love you, I just think you’re being shortsighted. Daisy, if you ever need help, please give me a call. I love painting and decorating.”
Daisy brushed Dallas out of her way to steal a hug from his wife. “Consider yourself hired.”
“When do you find out if your offer is accepted?” Georgina asked, placing the salad at the center of the kitchen table.
“Hopefully tonight, but you never know.”
“Well, regardless of the outcome,” Georgina said, “we’ll support you. Although, I’d rather do yard work than anything inside.”
Daisy hugged her mom, too. “Great. Thanks. All right, Dallas, you’re the only one without a job.”
He scoffed at her suggestion. “Count me out. Someone needs to maintain this house so when my sister loses her shirt on this deal she has somewhere to live.”
AFTER THE DINNER DISHES had been washed and put away, Kolt had come home from Jonah’s, taken his bath, brushed his teeth and gone to bed, and Daisy once again found herself dreading the empty hours remaining in the day.
Dallas and Josie were holed up in their room, watching TV. Every so often, their laughs punched through the silence.
Georgina was in her craft room, working on a Christmas quilt.
Daisy, meanwhile, sat on the foot of her bed, pouting because she hadn’t received her much-anticipated real-estate call.
When her cell chose that moment to ring, her heart leaped to her throat. Expecting Vera, hearing Luke came as a surprise.
“Did you get the house?” he asked.
“I don’t know.” Tossing back her covers, she climbed in, propping pillows behind her. “Do you think it’s a bad sign they haven’t already called?”
“Not necessarily.”
“That didn’t sound overly confident.” Nibbling her lower lip, she imagined him seated in his comfy armchair. He’d wear PJ bottoms and nothing else. Suddenly overheated, she pushed back her down comforter.
“All I’m saying is they could be out of town or working late. Maybe their phone’s broken. You never know.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Hearing his rich, country twang directly in her ear did delicious things to her insides. “Funny, but before I saw that house, I wasn’t even sure I wanted my own place. Now, it’s all I can think about. I’m ready to jump out of my skin.”
“How’d your date go?”
“What date?” She sat up straighter. Was he talking about Rowdy? She’d forgotten even talking to him. Turns out he’d been waiting for his latest girlfriend, so they’d spent three minutes chatting and then Daisy had left. End of story.
Luke laughed. “You don’t have to play coy with me. I’m not the jealous type.”
“Why would you be? Especially when you’ve told me how little I mean to you.”
“I never said that,” he protested. “Obviously, I care about you or I wouldn’t have called.”
“Mmm-hmm.” Should Daisy be flattered by his concern?
“How’s Kolt?”
“Nice change of topic, but for the record, he finished his homework and is tucked into bed.”
“Think he could spend the night over here some time? I’d like that—helping him with his routine.” Luke’s question struck Daisy in a long-forgotten place. It took her mind off the potential house deal and all the petty bickering she and Luke had shared. In the end, this was the sentiment at the core of Luke’s pain. He’d missed not only countless Christmas programs and soccer games, but more importantly, the little times. The quiet moments like bedtime stories and sweet, heartfelt prayers.
“Of course,” she said past the knot in her throat. “For that matter, once we’re settled in the new house, there’s plenty of room for you to hang out there as much as you’d like. No pressure—just putting the offer on the table.”
“Thank you.” The warmth behind his words struck her as different from his usual tone—at a level it hadn’t