The Woman at Daniel’s Door
Chapter 13 - The Woman at Daniel’s Door
Daniel’s past did not disappear simply because Lily entered his life.
Three weeks later, his former fiancée, Rebecca Sloan, arrived.
They had separated two years earlier but remained friends.
Rebecca had seen the headlines.
She wanted to meet Lily.
Lily immediately liked her.
That complicated everything.
Rebecca was warm, funny, and patient.
She helped Lily bake cookies without pretending to know how.
By the end of the afternoon, flour covered half the kitchen.
Thomas, watching from the guest cottage porch, became suspicious.
“Are you two getting back together?”
Daniel stared at him.
“You live on my property for six days and you’re already monitoring my dating life?”
“I’m asking because Lily gets attached.”
The point was irritating because it was valid.
Daniel spoke to Rebecca privately.
“I can’t give Lily another unstable relationship.”
Rebecca nodded.
“Then don’t.”
He looked surprised.
“I came because I care about you. Not because I expect anything.”
That honesty stayed with him.
Over the following months, Rebecca became part of their lives slowly.
No declarations.
No dramatic promises.
Just dinners.
School plays.
Sunday breakfasts.
Lily noticed before Daniel admitted anything.
One evening she asked, “Are you in love with her?”
Daniel nearly dropped a plate.
Thomas laughed from the table.
Daniel glared at him.
Lily waited.
Daniel finally said, “I care about her.”
“That’s adult code for yes.”
Rebecca walked in carrying dessert.
“What did I miss?”
Lily smiled.
“Nothing.”
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Daniel knew immediately he was in trouble.
But for once, trouble felt like the beginning of something good.
