Rising (Anderson Special Ops #2) - Melody Anne Page 0,22

back to her father’s side, her sisters each taking a turn to look over the flower. He was not only impressed at Eden’s behavior, but also at her sisters who showed no jealousy she’d been handed a gift and they hadn’t. These children had been raised well.

He reached out a hand to Eden’s father. “I’m Joseph Anderson. You’ve done an incredible job with your children. I have many grandchildren of my own, and the greatest gift I receive from all of them is a hug.”

The father shook Joseph’s hand. “Alan Stephenson. This is my wife, Marie, and these are our children, Avery, Kate, Mary, and of course, Eden. Thank you for your kindness. We try to teach our daughters to be aware but polite with strangers. I’m sure she’ll keep this flower for many years to come.”

“I have a lot of respect for amazing kids. I’ve run a lot of businesses in my years and I can see quality from a young age. I bought these flowers for my wife, and I have no doubt she’d love to share them.” He pulled out three more stems and handed each of the girls a flower. “Thank you all for bringing a bit of sunshine into my world on this lovely day.”

Though each girl thanked him, it was their smiles of joy that gave him the biggest reward. Their father tried to say that wasn’t necessary, but Joseph waived away his protest.

Thinking quickly about how he’d like to surprise this family, Joseph came up with the perfect idea and said to the Stephensons, “Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson, I have one final thing I’d like to offer this afternoon as a warm Seattle greeting, and I’m asking you humbly to accept the gift as you’ve truly brought me joy today.”

Katherine stepped up beside Joseph as he spoke, a warm smile on her face. Just as he’d known, she seemed pleased he’d given a few of her flowers to some very worthy young ladies. She wrapped her arm in his and waited for him to continue.

“Mr. Anderson, you’ve been wonderful to our girls. We couldn’t possibly accept anything else,” Marie said as she smiled at Katherine.

Katherine stepped in. “Hello, I’m Katherine, this boisterous man’s wife. Let me save you all some time. My husband’s very determined when he wants to do something.” She handed over a card with The Anderson Corporation information on it. “Just so you know this is real. One thing that gives my husband more joy than spoiling me, is when he can do something for others. Please, give us both a bit of joy today and accept a gift from us.”

At Katherine’s words, all of the fight went out of the couple Joseph had befriended. No one could say no to his wife, especially him.

“It’s not easy for us to accept a gift, especially from a person we’ve known for a few minutes, but I’m also trying to teach my girls to do what’s right, and to help others when they can and to accept gifts with a thankful heart, so I’d like to thank you for your kindness,” Marie said.

“Perfect. If you’ll give me your number, a favorite place of mine will call you with the details of a lovely dinner, with a special treat for a very special birthday girl, all on me,” Joseph said.

Alan gave Joseph his number, and it was all finished within another minute. The girls were giddy with excitement as the husband and wife thanked both Joseph and Katherine several times. They parted ways after shaking hands, the ladies giving each other a gentle hug. Joseph’s last glimpse of the family was of little Eden popping her head behind her dad’s legs and giving a large, sweeping wave, her flower in hand, a beaming smile on her lips.

He looked down to see his wife’s eyes sparkle with tears.

“What is it my love?” he asked, instantly concerned. “Are you hurting?”

“Oh you silly man,” Katherine said with a chuckle as a tear fell and she brushed it away. “I’m emotional because, though it seems impossible for me to understand, you still manage to surprise and impress me. I absolutely adore the man you are, how kind, how loving, and how giving you are. I’m very blessed to be your wife.”

“Sweet, sweet Katherine,” he said with a sigh as he cupped her cheek, wiping away the next tear. “I don’t understand how after all of these years you don’t see that I’m the man I am because