Daniel sat down on the sofa near where she still stood, and looked up at her. “Angelle, Mom’s right. There is never a guarantee. But if you’re meant to be with somebody, and that person makes you happy, keeps you safe, loves you more than their own life, would you want to miss out on that because you’re afraid of what might happen?”
Angelle shook her head. “No. But what if something doesn’t work out?”
“Then you’ll survive, and you’ll move on, and you’ll be smarter if you ever want to try again some time later on with somebody else. And you’ll never wonder ‘what would have happened if I’d tried’ later on down the line. The only regret youshould have at the end of your life are the things you didn’t try, not the things you did try that didn’t work out.”
“Because those things are called lessons,” Avaleigh said.
“Exactly,” Daniel agreed. “If it doesn’t work out, then at least you have the peace of knowing you tried your best. You won’t have to wonder.”
Angelle suddenly moved closer to Daniel and hugged him tightly. “Thanks, Daddy. You’re right. I’m not going to let fear stop me from finding out if we’re really supposed to be together.”
“Good girl,” Daniel said, patting her back. “But, are you afraid of him?” he asked, unable to discount the possibility.
“No. I’m afraid of growing to need him, and not being able to have him.”
“Oh, well, then I just kick his ass,” Daniel said matter-of-factly.
Angelle laughed.
Avaleigh laughed.
“I’ll be back later,” she said, as she kissed Avaleigh quickly. “We’ll be at the creek.”
“Have fun, baby,” Avaleigh said as Angelle went out the back door to get her fishing equipment out of the storage shed out behind the house.
Avaleigh turned her attention to Daniel who sat there, looking miserable. “That was wonderful.”
“You think she bought it?”
Avaleigh laughed again. “I even bought it.”
“I don’t wish them ill. I’m just not ready for her to grow up.”
“She’s already grown up, my love. But even still, she’ll let us know if she needs us. Give her some space. I’m hoping he will, too. If he doesn’t, she might just reject him.”
“Oh, you think so?!” he asked excitedly.
“Daniel!”
“I’m just kidding. Kind of.”
~~~
Angelle came around the front of the house with two fishing poles and a tackle box. Her eyes searched for Boon near the front of her house, but he wasn’t there. Instead, he was sitting on the steps leading up to Maverik’s front deck.
“You ready?” she called out.
“Sure am!” he answered, standing quickly and gathering the picnic basket Valerie had put together for them. He went down the last couple of steps and jogged toward her. “Want to trade?” he asked, offering her the picnic basket in exchange for the fishing poles and tackle box.
“No, I’m good,” she said. She tilted her head to the right. “It’s this way.”
“Lead on,” Boon said, falling into step with her.
As they walked, Angelle pointed out the houses they passed along the way. “That big one is Uncle Kaid’s and Aunt Delilah’s. But you knew that, didn’t you?”
“Yes. Maverik pointed it out to me. But I don’t really know any others on the property unless I met them when Elijah was born.”
“I’ll show you. That’s the road leading to the highway. And this way leads to the rest of the clan’s houses, and the creek, too. Actually, you can get to the creek from anywhere. You just cut through the woods and you’ll end up there. But since you don’t know where it is, I thought we’d take our time and I’d show you everything.”
