Danni Rose (The Sherwood)

“I’m sure it is but I have my shows to watch too.” He held Danni against him. He fished in his pocket and withdrew a check which he handed to Walker. “That’s Seth’s inheritance from me. I’m paying you back for him.”

“You don’t have to do that, Hal.” Her grandfather insisted that Walker take the money, so he took the check from his hand.

“I do, Walker. You’re going to need your money.”

“I am?” Walker was unsure of what Hal was saying.

“You are,” he said. “I spoke to Rachel and Simon this afternoon.” He glanced down at Danni. “My daughter said she hadn’t seen you moving so fast since you were a kid.” He chuckled. Walker rubbed his hand across his face. He was embarrassed but he shouldn’t be, both Simon and Rachel Hatfield were grateful to him. “I guess you thought you could run all the way to town?”

“I was going to try.” He chuckled at Hal.

Danni was looking at him now.

“Son, you’re going to need that money to take care of my Danni. Somebody sure needs to. It’s been a long time coming and Walker,” he said.

“Yes sir,” Walker responded.

“Let her take care of you,” Hal told him too. Danni smiled at her grandfather. Walker couldn’t take his eyes off Danni. “And Walker, it’s time.”

“Time for what, sir?”

“Time to make your path in life.”

He nodded at Hal Mills. A wise man who knew how precious life was when he lost the love of his life.

“I’m retiring finally,” he declared. “It’s time.”

Danni frowned at her grandfather. “My girl here, she’s damn good with a wrench and a car but she needs you beside her, helping her run Hal’s. Are you up for it Walker?” Hal asked. “I know you are as good with cars as she is.”

Walker gazed at Danni and he could see that she waited for him to respond. He still felt like so much was hanging over them with Jesse’s disappearance. She smiled at him. “Walker?” She said his name.

“I’m up for it, sir.” Hell, he was terrified and excited. He had a future and she was standing in front of him. All he had to do was take it.

“Granddad, what are you going to do?” Danni asked.

“Wait for great-grandchildren that I can spoil,” he replied, further terrifying Walker. Even Danni could see his fear. She chuckled at him.

“A wife and kids are the best thing to happen to you, Walker. I expect you’ll find out soon enough. You aren’t getting any younger, son.”

“Thank you for reminding me of that Hal.”

Hal Mills laughed. He slapped Walker on the shoulder. “I’m heading home now, kids. I’ll be making the arrangements to transfer the ownership of the garage to Danni.”

“Thank you, Granddad.” She hugged him.

He kissed her forehead. “I love you Danni Rose,” he informed her.

“I love you too Granddad.”

Then Hal shook Walker’s hand. Danni closed the door behind her grandfather. “Do you feel railroaded Walker?” She asked before she went to the kitchen to make sure their stir fry wasn’t burning.

“What does that mean?” Walker asked her, watching her, from where he still stood in the entry.

“My grandfather basically did everything but hold a shotgun to your head,” she teased him looking over her shoulder at him. Her green eyes were dancing.

He scoffed at her. Danni laughed. It felt good to laugh after the terror of today.

“Danni, I just want you to be sure of what you’re doing. Tying yourself to me comes with complications. If you saw, Lydia’s reaction to me at the bank you would understand my concerns for you.”