“I bet I can get there first,” Natalie challenged her brother, who immediately darted across the lawn, Natalie rushing to catch up. The older girls moved slower, following behind Daisy.
“Ollie and I’ll be along after I get the fire out,” he called, as Daisy took up the rear.
Jack stood out there another ten minutes, longer than necessary to p
ut out the flames, but wanting a moment just to enjoy the stillness that—now the fireworks were over—had fallen over the lake. Of course, Officer Kenney was outside along with him, but far back in the shadows.
“Come on, Ollie,” he said and whistled to the dog, who was chasing something on the fringe of the water. At hearing his name, Ollie abandoned his game and followed Jack. As he opened the door, Ollie rushed through and headed straight upstairs, no doubt to be with the kids.
Jack stopped to wash the soot from his hands before heading up. When he reached the landing, he made out Daisy’s soft, calming voice as she tried to settle the kids in. Glenda’s door was already shut and a second later—almost as if she’d heard his footsteps—the light from beneath her doorway disappeared as if she’d turned her light off.
Probably standing on the other side of the door with a glass up to her ear, he’d bet.
He continued down the hall until he was outside the kids’ room, but he didn’t move to go inside, instead he stood at the door, watching for a moment.
For some inexplicable reason the kids had changed beds tonight. This time Lily and Jenna were sharing one of the bottom beds, while Natalie, Paul, and Ollie were piled on the other as Daisy read from a thick hardcover book. He listened, trying to place the story. It took until the third sentence to recognize it was Harry Potter. And even though Lily had read the entire series twice, she looked engrossed as she listened to Daisy read.
Minutes passed until finally she reached a chapter break and closed the book. “Okay. That’s it for tonight,” she said, setting the book down next to the bed as everyone groaned.
“Oh, Mom. It was just getting good,” Paul whined.
“Yes, but I’m exhausted.” Paul lost his argument when he yawned a second later, and Jack heard the smile in Daisy’s voice as she said, “I think we all could use the extra sleep as it’s well past your bedtime.”
Daisy leaned down, smoothing Natalie’s brow, before running her fingers up her daughter’s tummy and saying, “Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bedbugs bite.” Not quite finished, she then tucked the covers tightly around her daughter as she continued to whisper, “Snug as a bug in a rug, ugh, now give me a hug,” Then she proceeded to kiss her daughter loudly on each cheek, her forehead, ending with a smack on the lips. She repeated the same thing with Paul and then Jenna, each kid grinning from ear to ear at their mom as she finished.
When Daisy got to Lily, she didn’t even hesitate to tighten the covers and do the exact same thing to the teen. And although Jack half expected his daughter to balk at being treated like a little kid or being kissed by some woman she had only known less than a week, it was hard to miss the almost wistful smile on her lips as Daisy finished the ritual. “And you thought you were going to get out of it.”
“Are you sure you won’t read one more chapter?” Lily asked softy, which the other kids quickly echoed.
Daisy paused as she studied Lily’s face that Jack could see was filled with wistfulness as she stared up at Daisy. “Okay. You win. One more. But I’m not kidding. Then it’s bedtime.”
Jack’s heart swelled as he watched Daisy pick up the book and resume her reading. He wondered if his daughter remembered how Lara used to read stories about princesses and pirates to her every night until Lily could barely keep her eyes open.
He missed Lara and sometimes forgot how much Lily must miss her even more.
He’d meant what he said to Daisy, about dating here and there but nothing serious. Not just because he didn’t have the time for it or inclination, but because with other women, there hadn’t been that same—he hated using the overused term but it couldn’t be helped—magic. The magic and wonder that had him spending every waking minute thinking about her.
At least, not until Daisy came into his life a few short days ago and he just…knew. It had been much the same as Lara.
He crept down the hall more certain than ever that having this woman in both his and Lily’s lives would be the best thing that could happen to them. To all of them.
Now he just had to convince Daisy.
Chapter Twelve
With Natalie and Paul already drifted off to sleep and Jenna and Lily fighting it, Daisy closed the book again.
“All right. Good night,” she whispered.
Jenna mumbled something incoherent in response, and Lily nestled deeper into the pillow. Oliver lifted his head briefly before resting it back between Natalie and Paul, perfectly happy where he was, and she smiled as she leaned over to turn the lamp off. She paused for a moment to give her eyes time to adjust, enjoying the soft breathing of the kids sleeping contentedly around her.
It was moments like these that reminded her why she did everything she did.
Carefully, she crept out of the room, leaving the door open behind her just enough to allow Ollie to get out.
Everything was so still. Had everyone gone to bed? And by everyone, she meant one in particular.
She strained her ears, trying to hear any sign of movement. Nothing.