Descent (Steel Brothers Saga #15) - Helen Hardt Page 0,15
but even as I thought the words, I knew I wouldn’t. Puppy was mine. Jonah would have something of his own that was special to him. He already had about fifty stuffed animals in his nursery, and he was too young yet to favor any of them.
I secured Puppy in the duffel bag I brought from the ranch. He was going home with me.
Funny. The ranch was home for me now. Brad’s home was now my home. This house, where I’d grown up, was now only a place to visit.
Brad had given me so much. I was eternally grateful. If only I could do something as amazing for him.
Then I laughed out loud. I’d given him a beautiful baby. I longed to give him another and another still. I wanted to fill that huge house with grandchildren for George and Mazie. George was gone, hadn’t lived to see the grandchild he’d wanted so badly. He was gruff for sure, but he would’ve had a sweet spot for Jonah.
Yes, I’d already given Brad the most special gift, but he’d also given it to me.
I was the vibrant yellow tulip when Brad was with me. I needed to be the vibrant yellow tulip even when he was gone. For my son.
And I would be.
I walked back downstairs. Jonah was still napping on my mother’s lap. She rocked slowly in the recliner.
“You look good with him, Mom.”
She put a finger to her lips, urging me to speak softly. “He almost woke up a few minutes ago.”
I nodded.
“He’s so amazing, Daphne. I’d nearly forgotten what it felt like to love a child.”
Her words shocked me, and I widened my eyes.
“Oh, honey, I didn’t mean it like that. All I meant was that when a baby is small, like this, and completely dependent on you for everything, it’s a feeling like no other. Your baby has complete trust in you to see to his needs. It feels good to be needed, doesn’t it?”
“It does. And I still need you, Mom.”
“No, you don’t. You’re making an amazing life for yourself, and I couldn’t be happier.”
But I did need my mother. Her words scared me a little. She’d attempted suicide when she thought I was taken care of. She was doing well now and seemed so happy, but I couldn’t let her think I didn’t need her.
“That’s not true. I’ll always need you, and so will Jonah.”
She smiled. My mother was so pretty when she was happy. “I’m glad you feel that way, because I’m not going anywhere.” She stood and placed Jonah in his travel crib. “Come out back with me. I want to show you something.”
I followed her out onto the porch.
“Your father is going to build me a greenhouse,” she said.
“He is?”
“Yes. We’re converting half of the patio.” She gestured. “This half will be enclosed in glass. I was so happy when I spent time with Mazie in her greenhouse. This won’t be anything like hers, of course. It will be about a tenth of the size, but I want to have flowers all year round, Daphne.”
I smiled, warming inside as if my heart were the sun itself, casting rays throughout my body. This would be good for my mom. Good for me too, for that matter. I loved spending time in Mazie’s greenhouse at home, and having one here would be wonderful for when I visited. I wanted Jonah to grow up around all kinds of beautiful things. Flowers year-round were definitely a beautiful thing.
Our ranch was also beautiful. My son would grow up in the most beautiful place imaginable, learning skills from his father and learning love and beauty from me.
“This will be great for you, Mom. I’m so glad you’re progressing so well.”
“I won’t lie to you, Daphne. It hasn’t been easy.”
“Mom, if anyone knows that to be true, I do.”
“I know you do. Your father has been great. I try not to be too needy, but whatever I need, he gives me. The greenhouse was my idea. I was worried that we wouldn’t be able to afford such a remodel, but he told me not to worry about it. He’d find the money.”
“Mom, you know you never have to worry about money. I’m happy to—”
“No, Daphne. We would never ask you for money.”
“But I’m happy to help. You and Dad have done so much for me. I know I didn’t make your life easy that year. I want to help in any way I can. I want to make it