Maisie approached more carefully, studying Holly’s face. “Is Dad okay?”
The question touched Holly deeply – this child’s first concern was for her father’s well-being. “He’s fine, just very busy. But he’s got it all under control.”
“Is he stressed?” Maisie asked, her small face serious. “He gets a line right here…” she touched between her eyebrows “…when he’s really worried.”
Holly thought of Daniel’s face as she’d left him, that exact furrow between his brows. “He is a little stressed,” she admitted. “But he’s managing.”
“Poor Dad,” Teddy said, climbing into the truck. “He works really hard.”
“He does,” Holly agreed, helping Maisie with her seatbelt. “He works so hard for you guys and for all his customers.”
As she pulled away from the school, Holly glanced at the children in the rearview mirror. They looked thoughtful, concerned for their father. The depth of their love for him was written plainly on their faces.
An idea began to form in her mind.
“You know,” Holly said carefully, “I was thinking... maybe we could make something special for your dad tonight. To cheer him up after such a long day.”
The suggestion hung in the air for a heartbeat before both children erupted with enthusiasm.
“Yes!” Teddy bounced in his seat. “We could make him a cake! With sprinkles!”
“Or cookies,” Maisie suggested, then frowned. “No, he makes cookies all day. It should be something different.”
“What about his favorite dinner?” Holly asked, turning onto the street that led to Daniel’s house. “Do you know what he likes best?”
“Lasagna!” Teddy shouted.
“Chicken pot pie,” Maisie contradicted.
“Okay, grocery store, here we come,” Holly said, determined to make this an evening Daniel would never forget.
Chapter Seventeen – Daniel
By six o’clock, Daniel felt like he’d been run over by a freight train. Twice.
His shoulders burned from hauling fifty-pound bags of flour after the delivery guy had simply dumped them at the back door. His voice was nearly hoarse from talking to customers. And his head pounded from constantly having to think on his feet.
“You should head home,” Mina said, wiping down the counter with practiced efficiency. “I’ll finish closing up.”
“You’ve been here longer than I have.” Daniel shook his head, immediately regretting the movement as pain lanced behind his eyes. “I can’t leave you with all this.”
“Yes, I have, but I got a two-hour nap this afternoon. So, you go. After thirty years in food service, I can close a bakery with my eyes closed.” She shooed him toward the door. “Besides, you’ve got someone waiting for you.”
The thought of Holly and the kids at home sent a wave of renewed energy through his exhausted body.
His bear stirred, suddenly alert despite the day’s fatigue.Yes. Mate. Cubs. Home.
“Thanks, Mina,” he said, hanging up his apron. “I owe you one.”
“You owe me about fifty-seven at this point, but who’s counting?” She winked. “Now go before I change my mind.”
“I’m going.” He held his hands up as he grabbed his jacket and went outside.
The winter air bit at his exposed skin, but Daniel welcomed the shock of cold. He sucked in the frigid air to clear his head. What a day.
With a quick backward glance at the bakery, he set off down the street. Holly had offered to come and pick him up in the truck, but he’d told her he’d walk home. That he needed the exercise…which wasn’t entirely a lie.
What he hadn’t mentioned was the overwhelming need to shift, to let his bear take control for just a little while.
