“Yes, you do,” she sighs. Steady rain is falling outside, and Delta is lulled back to sleep.
Daniel eases out of bed, trying not to wake her and dresses quickly. He has a lot to accomplish today, including having security installed. They already have it in all the cottages and cabins on the property. It shouldn't be too hard to have them fix his house and barn as well. The security team promised to arrive at ten a.m. and assured him that a working system can be swiftly installed. The first step is to get all the locks changed before they arrive. He calls the maintenance worker on staff at the lodge and offers to pay him overtime if he gets the changes made today.
Abby rushes downstairs and heads straight for Delta’s door. “Wait, Abigail. Delta needs her sleep, you'll have all day with her.” Abby frowns and grins in delight when Sasha hears her and rushes to get a hug.
“Who’s a good girl, Sasha is, yes you are,” Abby baby talks and Sasha flops down and rolls over for a belly rub. Daniel laughs at the two of them and takes a pan of cinnamon rolls out of the oven.
“Daddy, I think I'm gonna stay with you instead of flying to Moms. Would that be okay?” She asks, not looking at him. Daniel carefully places the hot cinnamon rolls on a plate and moves to look at her.
“Abby, your Mom has been planning this trip for months. Don’t you want to see her?” He asks, walking over with his coffee.
Not looking at him, Abby rubs the soft fur of Sasha’s chest. She picks up Sasha’s paw and stares at it. “I do, but what about you and Delta? What if you need me?”
Daniel smiles at her. “I will always need you. I need your beautiful smile to light my day, I need your perfect hugs to fill my soul, but what I need most is for you to experience life. To be happy and find joy, that fills a need that is important too. I would like for you to go on your trip and be with your Mom. When you get back, Delta will be healed, and perhaps we can talk her into a horseback trail ride?”
Abby's eyes light up. “Do you think so? Once she sees Montana country, she'll never leave.”
Daniel is surprised. “Would you like for her to stay?”
Abby shrugs her shoulders lightly. “I like her and Sasha, but I especially like the way you glow when you’re around her. She makes you happy, Daddy.”
Daniel doesn’t trust himself to speak. His daughter is so perceptive. “I’ll tell you a secret, Abigail.” He leans forward, “I like her too, and I hope she stays, we'll just have to do everything we can to make that happen.”
“She won't stand a chance against the Matthews charm,” Abby says with a laugh, and Daniel roars with laughter. He jerks her into his arms and tickles her while Sasha bounces around them, licking Abby and trying to get in on the action.
Delta closes the cracked door and leans against it as she whispers, “God, I know you're listening. Thank you for guiding me to these people. Help me to have an open heart and trust in your plan for my life.” She limps back to the bed and sits slowly on the edge. If she genuinely is going to give this a chance, she needs to trust them with her secrets and let them know who she really is.
A half hour later she joins them for breakfast and coffee. Abby asks her advice on what to pack. Daniel checks her bandage on her leg and helps her apply a fresh dressing. “Thank you,” Delta asks for her laptop when the security crew shows up.
From the kitchen, they go over the plans for the house. The crew will be adding wireless sensors to every window and door. Glass breakage for all the windows and they even goes over a plan for how the two keypads work. One is installed downstairs and one in the hallway upstairs. Daniel, Delta, and Abby are all given a chance to try it. After Daniel goes out to the barn to go over the plans for that building, Delta sits and works on her book for an hour.
Abby brings down her suitcase and one carry on backpack. “My flight is at ten in the morning. Mom is taking me to see the rodeo. I can’t wait.”
“I’ve never been to a rodeo, it must be exciting,” Delta says and saves the document before shutting down her computer.
“If you are here this fall, you could go with us to the one in town,” Abby says glancing at Delta.
“That’s really sweet of you. I will look at my schedule. I only rented Sarah Janes cabin until the beginning of October.”
“I’m sure Grandpa will let you stay longer,” Abby says quickly.
Delta grins at Abby, “Let’s ask him over dinner.”
“Okay, we should make some brownies. He loves a brownie sundae. Will you help me?” Abby asks.
“Of course. I love to bake, but my boys would rather eat, then cook.” Delta sits at the bar, with her leg elevated on a bar stool, while Abby follows her directions. Soon the house is filled with the scent of fresh brownies cooking.
“You have two sons?” Abby asks.
“Look,” Delta pulls out her cell phone and shows pictures of them to Abby.
“That’s cool. They look nice.”
“They’re awesome. I get to see them over Easter. They are flying here to be with me. You can meet them if you’d like.”
“I’d love that.”
Delta offers to French braid Abby’s hair and paints her nails while they wait. Daniel walks in and smiles at
