Page 93 of A Dream for Daphne

He looked at his girlfriend in the truck. “I’m pretty sure you could fix anything you wanted to.”

“I’m not sure about that, but I sure the heck would give it a try. Just like I’m going to try not to kill the plants I’ve got now. You’ll see a lot in this house. Aster loves flowers and plants.”

“Something we’ve got in common. Does he maintain these or does Zane have someone doing it?”

He was looking around the property at everything in bloom.

“He does it for now,” she said. “Well, he was. Not much to do now and he can’t or isn’t supposed to be doing much with his arm. He’s going back to work on Monday and Raine isn’t happy, but I understand it too.”

“Can’t sit still any more than you, can he?” he asked, patting her leg.

They got out of his truck. “No. He can’t. He said he won’t do anything to hurt himself. I believe it. There will be way too many people watching him and making sure of it. He’s better off going in even if it’s just walking about the building or sitting at a desk.”

“I couldn’t sit around either. The winter is rough for me.”

He was always the first one to volunteer to go out and plow when his father was alive. He just needed to do something.

Now he had guys to do it, but he still did a lot himself.

It was his business and it was smart of him to do it and not keep someone else on the payroll for no reason.

“I’m not used to it,” she said. “I don’t know how I’ll be. I mean I’ll be working, but Holly won’t be going outside as much. I can bundle her up some but not bring Tatum out so it’s going tobe an interesting winter. I’ve been looking into activities to have in the house.”

“I’m sure you know or can think of a lot of things,” he said.

“I can,” she said. “Reese has told me if there is anything he can make he’ll do it. Like obstacle courses.”

“In the house?” Abe asked when they walked around back. “I want to be their kid. Do you think they will adopt me?”

“Aster said the same thing when Poppy was telling him. Hi, Abe,” Raine said, moving forward with her hand out. “I’m not sure if you remember me.”

“I kind of do,” he said. “You were just a young thing back then.”

“She still is,” Aster said, standing up.

Yep, the guy was big but not as big as Abe. It was more the intimidating stance and look coming his way that Aster had perfected.

He knew Daphne’s brother had been in the service and not only knew how to kill someone multiple ways but to hide a body where no one would find it.

Sounded like if he needed help, he’d be calling up Zane and Luke too.

Shit, he’d rather not think like that.

“Nice to meet you,” Abe said. “I heard a lot about you. I’m glad that Daphne had you in her life.”

Aster’s shoulders dropped and he looked at his sister. “You told him to say that, didn’t you?”

“No, I didn’t,” she said. “He just knows me so well.”

“What?” Abe asked, looking between the siblings.

“It’s the one thing that would relax him,” Raine said. “Aster is crazy protective of Daphne.”

“I’m glad for that,” he said. “I really am. If I had a younger sister I’d be the same way.”

“I felt bad leaving her,” Aster said. “But I couldn’t stay. Stupid youth back then.”

“Stop,” Daphne said. “You did what you had to do and I did too. For better or worse we are both doing great on several levels now. Mom and Dad are just who they are.”

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