What Might Have Been: Daniels Brother #4 (Daniels Brothers)

by Sherri Hayes

  Abby gave herself a pep talk as she took a final look at her appearance in the bathroom mirror. Everything was going to be fine. She was going to go, eat dinner, and socialize. Heaven knew she did that often enough at dinner parties Max hosted in New York.

  Unfortunately, those people didn’t know her like the Daniels family did. She also didn’t care about the movers and shakers in the city like she did Trent’s family. At one time they’d meant as much to her as her own father.

  Taking a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and marched toward the door. It was showtime.

  ***

  Trent pulled up in front of his parents’ house and parked behind Paul’s car. Chris and Elizabeth’s truck was still in the driveway where it had been the night before. They’d been doing these family dinners for as long as Trent could remember. As kids, everyone always knew they had to be home on Sunday afternoons. It was family time.

  As they got older, college and jobs got mixed up in there and they all couldn’t always make it, but they all tried. Paul drove the two and a half hours from Indianapolis every week unless he was working. Chris was the same. The only one of his brothers who didn’t come often was Gage. That was mainly because his job as a professional football player had him living in Nashville these days. It wasn’t feasible for him to make the five-hour drive every week. Even still, they all made the effort to get home whenever possible.

  Trent sat in the cab of his truck, staring at the front door. He knew he needed to go inside before someone spotted him, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Abby. It wasn’t until this moment that he realized how much he wanted her there with him. Inside, his family was waiting—all of them with significant others to share their lives with. He was the only one now without someone special in his life.

  Over the years, he’d dated more than his share of women. He’d liked most of them well enough, but he’d never seen himself settling down with any of them. There’d always been something missing he couldn’t quite put his finger on. Now he knew what it was. He’d never gotten over Abby. Even during all the years she’d been away, she’d had a hold on his heart.

  After he’d left her the night before, he’d replayed his conversation with Chris in his mind, and then Abby’s reaction to what his brother had said. She’d downplayed it. Trent didn’t know if that was because it really wasn’t a big deal to her, or if it was and it was her way of avoiding an uncomfortable subject.

  Abby insisted she wasn’t still in love with Chris, yet she was reluctant to accept his mother’s invitation to join them today—something she’d done nearly every Sunday when she’d lived down the street from them. He was missing something. Something vital. Trent just wished she’d talk to him about it. Surely it wasn’t as bad as she thought it was.

  After locking up his truck, he headed inside. He was almost to the door when he heard a vehicle pull up. When he turned to see who it was, he was startled by the sight of Abby’s car pulling up to the curb.

  His heart skipped a beat and he had to stop himself from racing across the lawn to get to her. She’d come. The last thing he wanted to do was scare her off before she made it out of her car.

  Trent strolled back toward the road, watching Abby the whole time. She turned off the engine but made no effort to exit.

  When he reached her car, Trent opened her door.

  Abby looked up at him as if she was waking from a daze. “Thanks.”

  As she stepped out of the vehicle, she looked more nervous than he’d ever seen her. He wanted to comfort her. After last night, he hoped she’d welcome his touch.

  Trent pulled her into his arms and tucked her head under his chin. She didn’t hesitate to wrap her arms around his waist.

  “I’m glad you came,” he whispered.

  Her only response was to squeeze him tighter.

  “You don’t have to go inside if you won’t want to. No one’s forcing you.” Trent needed this to be her decision. It didn’t matter that he didn’t understand her reaction. Abby was scared, that much was clear.

  Abby let her arms drop down to her side and gazed up at him. He saw a spark of determination in her eyes. “We should go in before I lose my nerve.”

  Trent looked at her for a long moment before reaching for her hand.

  “Trent—”

  He cut off her protest with a kiss.

  She sighed when he pulled back, her eyelids fluttering open.

  “Ready?” he asked.

  She nodded.

  Trent held her hand as they made their way toward the house. He wondered if she’d try to put some space between them, but if anything, she tightened her grip.

  The house was buzzing with activity when they went inside. Voices trailed in from the kitchen, filling the house with life. It was one of the things he’d always liked about coming home.

  Abby froze. “Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.”

  “We’ll turn around and go, if that’s what you want.”

  “You’d miss your family dinner for me?” She seemed a little dismayed by the idea.

  “In a heartbeat.” There wasn’t much he wouldn’t do for Abby. It had been the truth when they were growing up and it was even more so now.

  Before she could respond, the decision was taken out of their hands. Megan came around the corner with Chloe. “Oh. Hey, Trent.”

  Megan’s gaze fell on Abby, and Trent figured introductions were in order. “Abby, this is Megan and Chloe, Paul’s wife and daughter.” To Megan he said, “Abby grew up with us.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Megan said.

  She extended her hand, but was sidetracked by Chloe. “Can we find my surprise now?”

  Megan brushed the hair away from Chloe’s face. “Just a sec, okay?”

  Chloe nodded, but her lower lip jutted out in a pout.

  “Grandma told Chloe there’s a surprise upstairs and we were on our way to get it,” Megan explained.

  “We wouldn’t want to keep you from your surprise, now would we?” Trent knelt down and tickled his niece.

  Chloe squealed and hid behind Megan’s legs.

  They all laughed.

  “I’d better get her upstairs so we can be back down in time. It was nice meeting you, Abby.”

  Trent grinned as Megan followed Chloe upstairs. Those two were joined at the hip these days. It was hard to believe that they hadn’t even known Megan a year ago.

  When he turned back to Abby, his happiness faded a little. “What’s wrong?”

  She shook her head and gave him a halfhearted smile. “Nothing. I was . . . I was just wondering how old Chloe is.”

  “She’s five.”

  Abby nodded and dropped her hand from his.

  He opened his mouth to question her, but then his dad nearly tripped over them coming inside the door they’d just entered. “Oops. I didn’t see you two standing there.” Then he noticed who it was. “Abby Hoffman? Is that really you?”

  For the first time since she pulled up in front of his parents’ house, Abby cracked a smile. “It’s me.”

  Mike Daniels didn’t hesitate. He pulled Abby into a bone-crushing hug, and then held her at arm’s length as if to get a good look at her. “It’s good to see you, young lady. You’ve grown up.”

  She chuckled but Trent could still hear a bit of uncertainty behind it. “Thanks.”

  Not letting her go, Mike threw his arm around her shoulders and ushered her through the living room toward the voices they’d heard earlier. Trent was two steps behind them, but before he crossed the threshold into the kitchen, he heard his mom squeal, “Abby!”

  Within seconds, the meal was forgotten. His mom greeted Abby with even more enthusiasm than his father had. Tears were streaming down his mother’s cheeks as she embraced Abby. It wasn’t until Trent saw his mom’s reaction that he realized how much Abby never coming back to visit must have hurt his mother.

  “I’m so glad you came,” his mother gushed as she dragged Abby over to the stove.

&n
bsp; While his mother fussed over Abby, he helped his dad finish setting the table. Paul was chopping vegetables for a salad, but he turned when Megan and Chloe walked back into the room. His brother’s lips tilted up slightly as his bride came into the room. After years of mourning, his oldest brother had finally found happiness again.

  Of course, thinking about Paul and Megan had his gaze drifting back to Abby. She was engrossed in conversation with his mom, who was fawning over her. Her fingers were laced together in front of her and she kept sending glances his way. He tried to offer her an encouraging smile.

  Something was pressed against his stomach, drawing his attention away from her. He looked down to find his dad shoving a bowl at him.

  “Put that over there on the end of the table.” His dad shot Trent a knowing look as he went to grab something else from the counter.

  Trent did as he was told. It was obvious his dad had noticed his interaction with Abby.

  The patio door slid open and Elizabeth walked in carrying a tray of meat that smelled heavenly. A second later, Chris followed, closing the door behind him. When she saw Trent, Elizabeth smiled and brought the food over to the table.

  Chris placed the dirty grilling utensils he’d been carrying into the sink, then joined Elizabeth at the table. They both took their seats. The exchange was almost too calm and Trent wondered if his brother had told Elizabeth about Abby last night after he’d left.

  It was in that moment Chris spotted Abby across the room. Elizabeth seemed to sense her husband’s attention had shifted and followed his gaze.

  It took a few moments for everyone in the room to realize the atmosphere had changed. Trent saw Abby stiffen.

  Without thinking it through, Trent crossed the room to stand by Abby’s side. He wanted to be there if she needed him. The ball was in Chris’ court and they all waited with bated breath to see what would happen next.

  Chapter 10

  Abby felt Trent come up next to her and she appreciated his support.

  Chris watched her for a long moment, stood, and walked over to stand in front of her. “It’s good to see you, Abby.”

  “You, too.” She hated how unsteady her voice sounded.

  He glanced at his brother, and then back to her. “Trent didn’t mention you were coming today.”

  “It was a last minute thing.”

  Abby had been so focused on Chris that she didn’t notice the woman behind him until she held out her hand. “Hello. I’m Elizabeth. Chris’ wife.”

  Elizabeth’s demeanor was friendly enough, but there was also an edge to it. Chris’ wife was staking her claim, which meant she knew Abby and Chris’ history—at least some of it. Abby couldn’t say she blamed the woman for being a bit territorial.

  “Nice to meet you,” Abby said, shaking her hand.

  “Daddy, I’m hungry.” Chloe’s voice broke through the awkwardness.

  Marilyn whirled around, a casserole dish in her hands. “Then you’re in luck. Dinner’s ready.”

  Chloe beamed and ran to take a seat at the table.

  “Chris, would you grab the lemonade out of the refrigerator, please? I forgot.” Marilyn acted as if the exchange between Abby and Chris was completely normal.

  “Sure.”

  Elizabeth grinned and returned to her seat, and Marilyn pulled yet another dish out of the oven. It brought back memories of Abby’s teenage years. Marilyn always made so much food, and yet there were rarely any leftovers. One of the hazards of having four boys, she used to say. By the looks of it, getting older hadn’t done anything to diminish their appetites.

  Trent brushed the back of his hand down her arm, sending tingles in its wake. It reminded her of the night before when his hands had been in lots of other places on her body. “You doin’ all right?”

  “Yeah, I’m okay.” Abby wanted to lean into him, but she settled for a smile instead. “I’m glad you’re here with me.”

  “Dinner’s ready,” Marilyn announced.

  “After you?” Trent said, gesturing toward the table.

  Abby nodded.

  She chose the seat across from Paul’s wife, Megan. Trent lowered himself into the chair beside her. Chris and Elizabeth were at the other end of the table.

  Food was passed around as everyone filled their plates. It felt very familiar. The years hadn’t changed this tradition.

  Once everyone’s plate was full, they all began eating. The food was delicious and she found herself smiling as she ate.

  “Trent said you grew up around here,” Megan said about halfway through the meal.

  Abby didn’t miss how Elizabeth paused, waiting to hear Abby’s response. “Yeah, I think I spent more time at the Danielses’ old house than I did my own.”

  “We loved having you. You know that. You helped to balance out some of the testosterone.” Marilyn winked at her before going back to her food.

  Everyone laughed—even Elizabeth chuckled a little. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad. She couldn’t avoid Chris entirely, but as long as she was careful and didn’t make his wife feel threatened, then Abby thought she’d be okay.

  Elizabeth had nothing to worry about, though. Chris was still as handsome as ever, but Abby didn’t feel anything remotely romantic for him anymore. Whether that had to do with what had happened between them or not, Abby had no idea. It didn’t matter.

  “So tell me,” Megan said, “what were these guys like as kids? Did they get into trouble a lot?”

  Abby felt Trent’s hand on her thigh and she laced her fingers with his. “They all had their moments, but I think Gage was the worst. Then again, maybe that was just because he was the youngest and he was always trying to show up his older brothers.”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” Marilyn said, a huge grin on her face. “They all got into a fair amount of mischief growing up.”

  The conversation swiftly turned to each brother sharing embarrassing stories about the others. She recalled most of the things they brought up, including when Trent and Chris decided it would be a good idea to build an underground fort. Marilyn and Mike had come home to find a hole three foot deep in the backyard—the entrance to the fort. Abby had been right there with them, helping to carry buckets of dirt away from the construction site.

  They all continued to reminisce long after they were finished eating. Chloe had run off to the living room as soon as she was done to start reading the new book her grandmother had gotten her. It was all very normal. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed so hard she’d cried.

  Eventually, Marilyn announced it was time to get things cleaned up and they all stood to help. Abby had always been impressed with was how everyone pitched in. Paul, Chris, Trent, and Gage had chores growing up. In fact, she remembered coming over one day and feeling left out because they all had stuff to do and she didn’t. Marilyn picked up on it, of course, and had asked if she’d like some chores to do, too.

  Looking back, Abby couldn’t believe she had actually asked for work to do, but she’d wanted to feel included more than anything else. It had made her feel like she was part of their family. She loved her dad like crazy, but it had only been the two of them and he worked a lot trying to support them. Abby didn’t know what she would have done with herself if the Daniels family hadn’t embraced her like they did.

  With eight adults working together, it didn’t take long to get things cleaned up and put away. Abby, Trent, and Elizabeth worked to put the small amount of leftover food in the containers Marilyn had fished out of the cabinets, while Megan found a spot for them in the refrigerator.

  Mike filled the sink with water and Paul dug a couple of dishtowels out of the drawer for him and Chris. It was quite a sight to see, really. Everything was in sync. They all knew their jobs and got them done.

  The guys were about halfway through washing the dishes when Marilyn guided the women outside. “We’ll let the boys finish up.”

  Marilyn, Abby, Megan, and Elizabeth headed out to the deck that ran almost the e
ntire width of the house. Considering the size of the yard, which was smaller than the one they’d had before, the wooden structure should have felt overwhelming. Instead, it complemented the space and framed the landscape. Abby wondered if it was one of Trent’s designs.

  Abby sat in one of the lounge chairs and took a sip of her lemonade. It was warm out, but there was a nice breeze. She closed her eyes and tried to enjoy the moment.

  She should have known it was too good to last.

  “Trent seems awfully protective of you. Is there something going on between you two?” At Megan’s question, Abby opened her eyes. The reprieve was apparently over.

  She glanced at Marilyn, but there was nothing on her face but curiosity. “Um.”

  Abby was saved from having to answer when the sliding door was pushed open and a woman she didn’t know walked out, cradling a baby in her arms. The child only looked to be a few days old.

  Marilyn hopped up from her chair and rushed over to the woman. Everyone turned their attention to the new arrival, so they didn’t notice the change in Abby. A cold chill shivered down her spine and took up residence in the pit of her stomach as realization set in. Given the other women’s reaction and the news Trent had shared with her on their date Friday night, Abby had to assume this was Rebecca, Gage’s wife, and their new baby.

  “I want to hold my niece,” Megan said, already taking the baby from the woman’s arms. Rebecca and Megan were sisters, if Abby remembered correctly.

  Megan cradled the child as if it were the most precious thing in the world. She placed her finger in the girl’s tiny hands and stared down in awe.

  “Pull up a chair, Rebecca,” Elizabeth said, moving another seat next to hers.

  Rebecca released a contented sigh as she relaxed into the lounge chair. “I never realized how much longer that drive would seem with a baby.”

  “Why didn’t you tell us you were coming?” Marilyn asked.

  “It was a last minute decision. The team has a bye week and since we didn’t know when we’d get the chance to get up here to visit next, we thought we’d better take advantage.”