She smiled and nodded. If she’d been looking for a family to belong to, she’d found it. There was no need to cause herself any more restless nights.

The clock on the microwave read 2:56. First thing when she woke up she was going to call her father and tell him that she loved him. It was time to honor the parents that gave her a life—and forget about the ones who gave her life.

Chapter Eleven

Darcy had tried to reach her father on her way into work, but he’d never answered. He’d call back when he had a moment. He always did.

Now she sat at her desk and answered emails that were coming in and went about with business as usual. The only difference was the door to Ed’s office was open, but he wasn’t there.

When the phone rang, she answered it as she would any other phone call that came into his office, but this time when she heard the voice on the other end, her heart did a little flip in her chest.

“Good morning, sweetheart.”

She sighed. “Good morning. How is Saint Louis?”

“It’ll be better around dinner time.”

“Why is that?” There was a flirty tone to her voice.

“Because you’re going to book yourself a flight out here and spend the week with me.”

Now the flip in her heart became a weight in her stomach. “I am?”

“There are multiple reasons. I need you to help me coordinate these meetings with insurance companies and city officials. I can only do so much of this without losing my mind.”

She’d thought maybe he’d wanted her there because he was missing her, but this was her boss calling. There was a serious difference.

“No problem. I’ll make arrangements, and I’ll meet you at the site.” Her voice threatened to give out on her, but she could be a professional and keep it together.

“Shall I go by your house and pick you up a suitcase of clothes?”

He laughed. “No. I took care of all that. You might leave me a small corner of yours to carry it all back in though.”

She didn’t say anything.

“Darcy, above all else, I want you here because I miss you. Us being apart is no way to start a relationship.”

She dropped her shoulders, releasing the tension that had built up in them.

“You really miss me?”

“I know it probably sounds crazy since we’ve only known each other a week, but it’s true.”

She figured she was smiling like a fool, but she had needed to hear it. “My mother always told me it wouldn’t matter how long I knew a man, when you knew he was the right one you knew.”

Ed chuckled. “My grandmother would say the same thing.”

“I’m still old fashioned enough though. I’m going to book myself a room.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

She knew he meant that too, or he would have stayed the other night—or asked to.

Darcy made the arrangements Ed had asked her to make. She then headed home to pack up her suitcase.

She parked out back by the garage where Christian’s car was parked. As she climbed down out of Ed’s truck, she wondered if she should stay home. Maybe Christian would need help.

Then she laughed at the thought. She’d never known a family that swarmed around anyone who needed help as much as the Kellers did. He’d be fine.

But, before she headed down to pack up, she’d check in on him.

As usual, the back door was unlocked. She tapped on it as she opened it.

“Christian, can I come in?” she called out.

“Yeah, come on in. We’re in the front room.”

We’re? She hadn’t seen another car. But, sure enough, when she walked into the front room, there was Tyler sitting with Christian playing Xbox.

“You look like you’re feeling better,” she said.

“Yeah, just bored. Tyler had the day off so we’re playing baseball—sorta.”

Tyler was focused on the game, and when he’d scored a home run, he jumped from his chair with a holler.

Darcy laughed. She’d seen boys play games like this, but these were grown men.

“Sorry, Darcy, I was concentrating. How are you?” Tyler asked.

“I’m good. I’m heading to Saint Louis.”

Christian looked up at her. “You’re going out there to be with Ed?”

She bit down on her lip. “Yes.”

“I’ll say it again. He’s a lucky man.”

“But what about you? I feel bad leaving you here.”

Christian shrugged. “Why? I’m well taken care of.”

Tyler jumped up again. “And I thought you were some kind of baseball player. Look at that score.”

“You’d better go,” Christian said. “I have to school this boy.”

They all laughed and Darcy turned to walk away, but something made her turn back when Tyler began to talk smack to Christian. There was something very familiar about him. He was blond and fair like his father, but that wasn’t the familiar part. She couldn’t quite touch on it, but there was something.

Darcy stared at her suitcase and mentally counted the items. It was a business trip after all, not a vacation. Trying to decide if a swimsuit was necessary was a waste of time.

She closed the case and hauled it out of her room. Food at the airport was horribly expensive, so she decided to make herself a sandwich. At the moment, her living expenses weren’t very high, but the need to save money was going to be very important. She was rather enjoying driving Ed’s truck, and it wouldn’t be long before she’d want a car of her own.

An hour later, she was in the truck and headed to the airport. She’d just merged onto the highway, which had her jumpy, when her cell phone rang.

Darcy growled. She reached next to her, and with one hand, she dug through her purse until she found her phone.

“Hello.”

“Hey, honey, it’s Daddy.”

Darcy sighed. “Hi, Daddy. How are you?”

“I’m good. I got your message this morning. I went to breakfast with Pete and Greg.”

“Coffee crew, huh?”

“They keep me sane.”

She didn’t like that, but she knew it was true.

“So, what were you calling for?”

Darcy focused on the road ahead of her, trying not to let her emotions take over.

“I was just missing you and thinking about mom.”