Page 58 of A Dream for Daphne

Was he ready to add a woman to his life who might not understand those worries he’d have?

Then he told himself to not create problems that might never come about.

Daphne wasn’t Ella or any other woman he dated in the past.

She got him.

And he was positive she’d be there for him on the bad days too.

20

WEIRD THINGS HAPPENED

“You’re dating someone?” Aster asked. “Since when?”

Daphne knew this might be hard, but she wasn’t going to keep it from her brother either.

Especially since Abe told her that Laurel knew. And though Laurel said she wouldn’t say anything to Aster, she didn’t want something to slip by mistake.

“Relax, Aster,” Raine said. “Your sister is only telling you she is dating someone, not that he robbed a bank and is going to turn her into his lookout for the next hit.”

She laughed over Raine’s words because the frown on her brother’s face said he was waiting for some bad piece of news to follow.

“What’s so bad about me dating someone?” she asked with her hands on her hips.

Too many times in her life she went to Aster for advice and help and now she didn’t want it.

Maybe she was wrong to lean on him, but she hadn’t really for years. She hadn’t wanted to burden him with the problems at home when he was overseas and fighting wars.

It’s just too bad that he realized how bad it was once he was out of the service. And how much of it fell on her.

“Nothing,” Aster said. “As long as I get to meet the guy and know that he treats you well. That he’s not out for fun and is taking being with you seriously.”

“I can handle my own relationship,” she said firmly. “I mean it, Aster. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me in life and in the past year, but I’m an adult.”

“You’re still my baby sister,” Aster said. Raine was laughing. “Why do you think this is so funny? Brooks did this to you too.”

“I know he did,” Raine said. “The curse of an older brother. But don’t take your frustration with your parents out on Daphne. She’s a strong woman and can make decisions on her own.”

“What happened with Mom and Dad?” she asked. So much for this turning into a pleasant visit for her to share the news of her relationship.

“Nothing,” he said.

“Don’t try to shield me,” she said. “Did they ask you for money too?”

Aster growled. “They called and asked you for money?”

She laughed. She hadn’t seen her brother this frustrated in a long time. “Yes. And I told Mom no. She gave me some line about things that had to be fixed from the inspection or they were going to lose the sale and they didn’t have the money to do it. I said they should have saved the rent money I’d been giving them for years.”

“Let’s not go there again,” Aster said. “I’d said it to them enough too. And yes, they need like five thousand dollars to fix things or they will lose the sale. That doesn’t ring true with me. Most inspections have a cap on them or the people can walk away or they negotiate. I told them to do that. Say they will take five grand off the asking price or give credit or however theywant the bank to spin it, but they aren’t getting the money from me.”

“I’m not sure if they will ever stop asking even though we aren’t there anymore,” she said.

“Probably not,” he said. “And enough of that. I’ll take care of it like I did. They won’t bug you for it.”

“Aster,” she said. “I took care of it myself. Before you even knew. So they came to me first. I’m not a pushover, so get it out of your head.”

“Fine,” he said. “Go back to this guy you’re dating. Who is he? How did you meet? What does he do? Where can I find him?”

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