e up, and I’m going to need to get back sooner than I expected.”
“I want to come with you,” Natalie said. “It won’t be any fun without Lily and Ollie. And you, of course,” she added, patting his hand.
“Well, I’m glad to see where I rank,” he teased.
“Mom! Can we? Please?” All three of the kids were now bouncing up and down, clasping their hands in front of them in a plea.
“I’m going to need to think about it. In the meantime, what do you all think about pancakes?” she asked, grabbing a bowl from the cupboard.
“And eggs,” Jack added, determined to at least contribute something to their meal this morning.
With Daisy sifting the ingredients next to him, he felt that familiar sense of contentment returning as the routine of the breakfast ritual took over.
They could discuss leaving together more later. However, if the kids had their way, he was fairly certain tomorrow’s ride was going to be a full house.
A full house—that was something he could get used to.
Chapter Thirteen
“Don’t push your brother, Natalie,” Daisy said the next afternoon as the door of the plane opened and the kids rushed forward, each trying to be the first off. Glenda followed them, relief etched into her face at having reached the ground safely.
She looked over at Jack who was clipping Ollie’s leash on, his forehead furrowed as he focused on his task, and smiled. She had to admit that despite her usually cautious and realistic nature, after the past couple of days, she was feeling more optimistic and hopeful than she’d felt in a long time.
As if sensing her attention, Jack looked up from his task, meeting her gaze. The grin he gave her told her he was remembering a few things as well, and her heart raced once again.
“Mom?” Jenna called out from outside the plane. Daisy grabbed her purse and a few last things the kids left behind and went out to join them.
Immediately, her jaw slackened.
Jack stood behind her, as Ollie pushed against the back of her knees, impatient to join the kids.
“What is all this?” she asked as she blinked at a few camera flashes from the dozens of people who were waiting outside. “How did they even know we’d be arriving?”
“I don’t know, although I have a strong hunch Stuart had something to do with it. Don’t worry.” He nodded toward a couple of black Suburbans waiting for them on the tarmac. “Let’s just smile, give them their photos, and we’ll be on our way.”
She nodded and pinned as natural a smile as she could under the circumstance, careful as they made their way down. The younger kids had no similar reservations, waving, giggling, and hamming it up while Jenna and Lily were more bashful with their smiles. Nonplussed by the spotlight, Glenda shooed the kids along, leaving her and Jack—who smiled easily at the cameras—to follow with Ollie.
By the time they’d reached the cars, her aunt was already climbing in after the kids. “You two take the other,” she said over her shoulder. “Enjoy a little time to yourselves.”
Once they were in the tinted protection of the car, she slunk back on the seat, grateful to have some time to breathe.
“You were great,” Jack said, taking her hand in his.
“You mean because I didn’t trip and fall all over myself? Thanks, but I wish I’d had time to at least change.” She looked down at her white capris stained with Paul’s spilled OJ.
“You look stunning,” he said as their newest security detail climbed into the passenger seat, a signal to their driver to pull out.
“Does he know my address?” she whispered.
“I have a feeling they know exactly where we’re going and have the route already planned. Now relax.”
Daisy glanced out the windows. It felt good to be back home, the familiar peaks of the Wasatch and Oquirrh mountain ranges surrounded them. “I guess I should be relieved that Stuart didn’t decide to join us.”
“There definitely is that,” he said, chuckling. “And he probably would have if I hadn’t insisted he meet me at my house later to prep for the interview.”
“What time is the interview?”
He looked at his watch. “I still have a couple of hours. Long enough to get you and the kids settled in. We’re still on for dinner later, right? Because I’ve already made reservations at the perfect spot. Just the two of us.”