“It’s overwhelming,” she admits. “I don’t know how I’m going to take care of everything on my own.”
“You won’t have to on your own. I’ll help. Hell, we can even get Owen over here cleaning stalls.”
Danielle smiles up at me, eyes watery again. “Thanks. I’ll figure out a routine eventually. Though I guess this means I’m going to have to start getting up early. I am not a morning person.”
“I know. I don’t think anyone really is. Those who say they are, are lying. Just like people who say they like running.”
“You like working out.” She gives me a pointed look.
“That’s different. And I do.”
We get the animals taken care of and go inside, showering this time. Danielle grabs a bottle of cheap red wine that someone brought over, along with a tray of cookies. We sit on the couch and find something funny to watch. Danielle pours two big glasses of wine and settles in my arms, saying she just wants to watch TV and not think about anything for a while.
By the time the movie ends, we’re both lying down and half-asleep. I turn the TV off and spoon my body around Danielle’s. She hasn’t been sleeping well lately, and I know she’s tired. I run my fingers through her hair until she falls asleep.
I’m hot under the blanket with her, and there’s a lump in the couch that’s pressing against my spine. I’m uncomfortable, but I don’t even think about moving. Because lying here with Danielle is the only place I want to be.Chapter 29DanielleI lean against the metal gate, watching the horses run around the pasture. The chickens are already fed, and the goats are grazing near the barn. It’s a little after eight in the morning, which is still early for me but not as early as Grandpa got up to feed the animals.
I can handle eight AM. Well, when the weather is nice, that is. I’m already dreading having to trudge out here in the rain and snow.
Logan was still asleep on the couch when I came out here, and I silently go back into the house, not wanting to wake him. He’s been my rock the last few days, and I really don’t think I could have gotten through this without him.
I’m making breakfast when my phone rings, and I hurry to silence the call. It’s a local number, but since I don’t know who it is, I don’t answer. If it’s important, they’ll leave a message. And I really don’t feel like talking to anyone right now anyway.
Looking around the kitchen, I feel an emptiness in my heart. I want it to go away. I want to be happy again.
I know I will be, but it’ll take time.
Logan helps. I smile when I think about him, and look through the kitchen into the living room at him. All three cats are on the couch with him, and I grab my phone to take a picture so I can tease him about being a crazy cat lady just like Quinn later. The floor creaks as I walk out of the living room, and the cats jump off the couch, meowing and begging for their food.
Logan comes into the kitchen as I’m feeding them.
“Morning.” He’s rubbing his neck.
I spoon the canned food into three bowls. “Morning. Did you sleep funny or something?”
“Yeah, and it makes me feel old to wake up sore.”
“I’ll rub your shoulders. We have seven minutes until the pancake casserole is done.”
He sits at the island counter. “I didn’t know pancake casseroles were a thing.”
“I didn’t either, but it smells good, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah. It does.”
I plug in the coffee pot. “I’m on the schedule to work today.”
“Don’t worry about it. Take the week off if you need it.”
“Sleeping with the boss has its perks.”
Logan chuckles. “Just one of many, I hope.”
“I kind of want to work. The distraction would be nice.”
“It’s up to you, Danielle. No one expects you to come in yet, and if you decide you need to leave after a while, you can.”
I push my hair back and nod, going around Logan. “Thanks. I’ll give that a try.” I put my hands on his neck and start massaging his muscles. He’s only wearing boxers, and having him walk around the house half-naked like this is something I could get used to.
Dad calls as we’re eating breakfast, and I go to silence the call but answer it at the last second.
“Sandra went into labor early,” Dad says as soon as I pick up.
“Oh, wow. Is the baby okay?”
“I assume so. I didn’t ask.”
I shake my head, glad he can’t see my expression right now. “So you need to fill her spot right away.”
“We do. And your mother knows a great real estate agent in Indianapolis and is sure she can get her to get the farm listed and sold in record time.”