Dating Daniel (Cloverleaf #4) (13 page)

Boy, she had really done it. She hadn’t meant to laugh, but the sensation of the relief that soared through her, well, that was the way it had decided to escape her. “Daniel, I am too,” Hannah admitted, placing her hand on his arm, trying to coax him to look at her. “I wanted to wait until I met the man I wanted to marry. I guess it’s kind of cheesy, but I wanted it to be special.”

Daniel turned to face her. “I don’t think it’s cheesy. I think it’s beautiful.” He smiled at her, pausing briefly before he explained, “It’s not common for guys to wait, but I wanted to. I always wanted to be with the right woman, someone I would marry and be with for the rest of my life. I wanted it to be something special that I could share with her and something that hopefully she could share with me.”

Hannah couldn’t believe her ears. How was it that this man just became that much more perfect?

They both sat quietly. Hannah’s mind was racing, but one thing she knew was that this was the man she wanted to marry someday. After all the countless romance novels and all the movies with their happy endings, she realized now it was almost as if they had prepared her for something she didn’t think existed. But here it was, right next to her.

Chapter Thirteen

It had been a couple of weeks since her sister had left, and Nina had only called once to let them know she had made it to California safe and sound. Why did she have to go there, of all places? Nina had explained over a static telephone line that she had met someone online who had made her grand promises of a career in modeling. Hannah was leery and scared for her sister. She knew Nina could easily become a model. There was no doubt about that. It was Nina’s inexperience and naiveté that worried her. She also knew that not everywhere was like Birch Valley. Hannah had been doing a lot of praying, and her one happy distraction had been Daniel.

Hannah stomped out into the soggy morning, the saturated ground squishing under her boots as she headed to the small barn to tend to the goats. She always milked the goats and fed the chickens around this time of morning, right after breakfast and before she started on any other household chores. She cherished this quiet time, alone with her thoughts and her animals. Growing up on a farm was all she knew, but she was happy here, unlike her sister.

As she opened the wide wooden door to the barn, the heady scents of damp hay, earth, and animal hit her. Straw was scattered about, and several goats with full udders waddled around. Hannah reached down to pet a brown and white goat that had nudged her. She found her stool and locked herself a small pen with the animal and set to work on milking. The milk shot hard into to the metal pail, echoing against its sides as she squeezed in a steady rhythm. Hannah was so focused on the task she nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard her father’s voice.

“She being good for you?”

Hannah had to catch her breath and plead for her heart to slow down as it hammered against her chest. “Dad, I didn’t hear you come in.” Hannah stroked the goat she was milking, trying to soothe the small beast.

“Didn’t mean to scare you,” he said, offering her a smile, which was a rare treat.

Hannah went back to work on milking the animal. “Oh, it’s okay. I was just daydreaming.”

Her father leaned against the pen, removing his straw hat. He asked, “Wouldn’t be daydreaming about Daniel, now would you?”

Guilty. “Well, him and Nina.”

“Yeah, your sister left us in quite a pickle, didn’t she? You know, I called your Aunt Olga to come to stay and help us around here.”

“Oh, Dad, that wasn’t necessary.” Hannah groaned internally at the thought of her strict aunt. The woman had lived in America for decades, yet she was set in the old country ways.

“It is. You are doing far too much here. Besides, I don’t think you will be on the farm for too much longer.”

Hannah was puzzled. “What do you mean?”

He cocked his head at her. “Hannah, please, we both know.”

“I’m not following you, Dad.” Hannah looked into his eyes searchingly. They were same icy blue as her sister’s, but they were unforgiving and cold, despite the warmth in his voice.

“Daniel.”

Now she understood. As much as she fantasized about marrying Daniel, she knew her father needed her here, especially with Nina gone. “Dad, I don’t plan on going anywhere.”

“Love has a funny way of changing promises we try to make. Hannah, do you love this boy?”

Boy? Daniel was nearly thirty years old, like her. He was anything but a boy. When they were together, the thoughts that entered her mind were slightly wicked and completely unfounded, and she didn’t know why these feelings surged inside her. She felt like a ticking time bomb, wanting to explore these urges, especially when Daniel kissed her.

Hannah exhaled loudly. “I think so, Dad. He’s just so wonderful.”

Her father nodded. “As long as you are happy, that’s all I really care about.”

Hannah rose up from the stool, wiping her hands on the backside of her jeans, and went to hug her father. She clung to him, dismissing the awkwardness of embracing the man who stood rigid against her.

***

Daniel

“I just wanted to ask your permission, sir.” Daniel stood as straight as he could. His stance was respectful, but he wanted to show his strength, that he was indeed good enough. Good enough to court Hannah Belsky, the girl he had every intention of marrying.

Daniel had been spending a lot of time over at the Belsky farm, especially since Nina had run off to California. During that time he had grown to fall even more in love with Hannah, seeing how tender she was with her father. He saw her sweetness radiate in everything she did. Daniel knew that it was old-fashioned to ask a father permission to court his daughter, but there was something old-fashioned about their relationship—a timeless kind of romance.

“Well, son, I appreciate you coming to me. It’s not every day that you young people think of us elders with such respect. I happily give you my blessing,” Mr. Belsky replied as he started to hammer the nail into the post Daniel was holding. “I really appreciate your help, Daniel. You are a good man.”

“Thank you, Mr. Belsky.” Daniel was relieved it had gone well. Even though Mr. Belsky’s thick accent was sometimes hard to understand, Daniel had gotten his point across. He made it quite clear he had every intent to ask for Hannah’s hand in marriage. Mr. Belsky nodded and smiled, and that had been enough for Daniel.

***

Hannah

As she stirred the mashed potatoes, adding more butter, salt, and pepper to it, she spied Daniel and her father sitting at the dining room table. This was becoming their evening routine. Daniel would stop by after work, help her father out, and then stay for dinner. They were beginning to feel like a family, in a way. After sharing a meal, her father would usually retire to his room, leaving Daniel and Hannah alone. It was those quiet times, when it was just the two of them, whether they were sitting on the porch or cuddled on the couch watching a movie, that Hannah felt as close as one could be. Her body responded to every touch, every kiss, even accidental grazes against her skin. He drove her wild. It had been a couple weeks since Daniel and her unveiled that they were both virgins. He had been careful to keep some physical space between them. There were no more heavy make out sessions, though Hannah could see desire burning brightly in his eyes every time they met with hers.

“You wanna watch a movie after dinner?” Daniel came up behind Hannah as she finished with the potatoes. He nuzzled her neck. His simple kisses sent thrilling shivers down her spine and into her core. The scruff of his unshaven jaw was almost her undoing. She couldn’t explain why, but she was losing her resolve.

Daniel dipped his index finger into the potatoes, scooping it quickly and slipping it into his mouth. Hannah snuck a look at his lips. They were inviting, and there was no resisting. She dove for him, taking him by complete surprise. She ignored the shock in his eyes, closing her own. Hannah kissed him hard. The salty taste of the potatoes lingered in his mouth as she enjoyed the flavor of what was completely Daniel O’Brien, mixed with the side dish for dinner.

His hands went to her hips, grasping them and tugging her closer to him. It was as though she was fighting some invisible barrier, an impenetrable force field which kept her from feeling like she was close enough to him.

Daniel stepped back, almost losing his balance. “Damn, Hannah.”

“I know.” She completely understood how he felt as she tried to cool down.

Just then her father reentered the kitchen, and instantly, Hannah felt embarrassed. What if he had seen them?

“Dinner’s ready, D-Dad,” Hannah stuttered.

“It smells good.” Her father started for the dining room again. Daniel followed him, his cheeks rosy, a dead giveaway. Hannah knew her face probably didn’t look much different. In a feeble attempt to remove her blush from that explosive kiss, Hannah splashed some cool water on her face and gently patted it dry with a nearby dish towel. She picked up a large platter of fried chicken. God help her. She didn’t know how long she could go on like this.

***

Daniel

Keeping his hands and mouth off her was becoming increasingly difficult, but he wasn’t the only one who was battling temptation. He’d witnessed first hand the desire Hannah struggled with. Granted, not that he minded her rushing him and kissing the daylights out of him, but it made him want her with every fiber of his being. He wondered just how much longer could they go on resisting what they both wanted.

After dinner, Daniel helped Hannah with the dishes. He watched as the suds clung to her hands. Unsure why he did it, he reached in and scooped some of the soap and flung it at her. The surprised look on her face quickly changed into one of someone ready to meet his challenge.

“You think you’re funny, Mr. Daniel O’Brien?” Hannah asked as she threw a wad of bubbles at him.

“I think I’m quite hilarious, thank you.” With a palm full of suds, he plopped them on top of her head and left a dollop on her nose.

“You are such a brat!” Hannah squealed as she playfully slapped some of the white bubbles onto his face, but stopped as her fingers glided over his cheek, and slid across his lips. The temptation kept teasing the both of them.

He took his hand and tilted her chin up toward him. They were wet from the bubble fight, and sparkly suds reflected the light from the kitchen. Hannah looked almost magical—simply beautiful. Daniel pressed his lips against hers and could hear her moan against him. When would he learn that kissing her was only making the forbidden need worse?

***

“There he is,” Patrick called as Daniel entered the shop the next morning.

“Morning, Daniel,” Maggie said from the front counter, where she and Patrick stood eyeing him. His sister looked like she was ready to pop. She was due in less than a week, if he remembered correctly.

“Mags, what you doing here? You should be home.”

“Why?” She shrugged and tossed him an annoyed look. “Why, because I’m the size of small house and it feels like Max is going to plop out any second?”

Maybe the annoyed look wasn’t for him. “Just saying, you shouldn’t be on your feet.”

“Thanks for the concern, but I’m fine.”

“Besides, she has so much to do before she leaves us,” Patrick added matter-of-factly.

“He has a point. Patrick, have you considered asking Amber if she can maybe help out?”

Patrick smiled. “I sort of did, but she is being difficult about it.”

“Why?” Now Patrick was on the receiving end of Maggie’s irritation.
Pregnancy hormones moved fast
, Daniel thought to himself.

“She isn’t sure she wants to work with me.” Patrick frowned.

“Well, she’s probably right. I can hardly stand working with either of you,” Maggie teased as she started to sort some mail that was on the counter.

“You adore us,” Patrick rebutted without hesitation. “You wouldn’t know what to do without us.”

She rolled her eyes, but she smiled. “You’re probably right. Where else could I find this kind of entertainment?” Maggie grinned at Daniel. “Like that one, he just cracks me up. You, Patrick, you annoy me.” Her hormones were like a game of ping pong, bouncing back and forth. Daniel winced as Maggie threw Patrick a sour look.

“I’m not so sure I will miss her, Daniel. She’s pretty annoying herself.” Patrick smirked.

“Maggie, for the record, I will miss you. You make far better coffee than Patrick,” Daniel added as he poured some inside his stainless steel travel mug.

***

Hannah

The credits started, and Hannah wiped the tears from her eyes. She set her knitting needles down and hit stop on her DVD player. She had been working on baby caps for Maggie and Rachel, so she’d watched a terribly happy movie, something sappy and purely romantic. Hannah released a content sigh. Maybe it had to do with being in love, because Hannah could say without a doubt she was in love with Daniel. Lost her in thoughts and daydreaming about a happy future, she almost hadn’t heard the knock at the door. Getting up from the couch, she went to see who would be visiting.

Hannah was surprised to open the door and see Mary O’Brien standing at the other side of the threshold.

“Mary, how lovely to see you.”

“Hello, dear, I hope you don’t mind me stopping by.” Mary offered her an apologetic smile.

“Oh no, please come inside. This is a welcome surprise visit.” Hannah led Mary into the kitchen. “Can I offer you some tea?”

“That would be wonderful.” Mary unwrapped her light scarf and removed her coat.

The weather had turned brisk almost overnight, leaving a slick wet frost over the fields today. Hannah noticed how frigid the air was when she went to feed her chickens and milk the goats. Summer was only a memory now. The days were shorter and colder. Her father had started a fire in their wood stove this morning. Hannah had tended to it all day, bringing in more firewood, and the inside of the Belsky home was toasty.