“Chocolate,” Delta says, smiling at him.
“Is that what I smell?” He moves into the kitchen to smell the brownies cooling on the counter. “Mmm, maybe I should test them and see if they are edible?”
“Trust me, they aren’t,” Delta grins and grabs her crutches to walk across to the door. Staring out at the crew working on the barn, she squeals when Daniel sweeps her up into his arms.
“Daniel! You scared me to death.”
Abby grabs the crutches to keep them from falling.
“I’m going to take you to the cabin to get your stuff while the security crew is here to watch over the house.”
“I’ll help!” Abby grabs the door and Sasha’s leash.
Delta is laughing with embarrassment when he steps through the door. “Put me down, I can walk, for goodness sake.” She should really protest more, but his mouth is so close, and his arms feel so good. “Daniel?” He turns to look at her and stops walking while Abby runs ahead.
“It’s been hours since you kissed me…” she teases and threads her hands in his hair.
“Can’t have that, can we?” His kiss pours through her soul and washes away all fear, worry, and regret. Soft, tender and full of promise, it's a perfect moment in time.
Daniel continues walking until they reach the deck. Abby waits, smiling and holds out her crutches. “Thanks, sweetie.”
“Let's get this done quickly,” Daniel states. Abby and Sasha race to the top of the stairs and down the hall as he follows Delta on her crutches.
“I only have two suitcases and two garment bags. You already moved my laptop.” She hops over to the bottom of the stairs, only to glance up and back at him. “Well?” She asks.
“Oh, so now you want to be in my arms?” He teases, as he picks her up gently.
“Always, Daniel.” She puts her head on his shoulder and sighs while he walks up the steps and into the room.
“That's the plan, beautiful,” he laughs at her startled look. Placing her on the bed, they carry out clothes while she packs up.
It only takes a few minutes to pack her two bags and grab the hanging bags. “I need the box out of the closet.” Daniel spies a box on the ground and carries it out to put on the bed next to Delta. She smiles at the curious look on their faces. What will they think? Resting a hand on top of the box she looks up at Daniel and then at Abby.
“Okay, so I haven't been completely honest with you.” Chewing on her bottom lip, she realizes that she is terrified to tell them. Her hands start to shake, and her stomach fills with butterflies.
Abby moves closer to her Dad and takes his hand. “You can tell us anything, Delta,” Abby says, “Right Dad?” she nudges him.
“Of course.”
“I'll need you to promise that what I'm about to tell you must be kept secret.” They both nod eagerly. Delta takes a deep breath and blows it out. She lifts the lid and inside is the fifteen original hardback copies of her books. Of all the things she could travel without, these are the one thing she didn’t want to go six months without.
Daniel frowns and looks at Abby. “Ooh, I love books,” Abby says, reaching inside and lifts one up.
“The Angel’s Covenant by D. D. Knight?” Daniel reads and then looks over at her and a slow smile spreads.
“No?” He gasps in disbelief.
Delta blushes and stands up without her crutches. He reaches into the box, lifting the book, after, book and glances at her. She has lost all the color in her face, and he realizes that she is waiting for him to say something.
“You’re telling me that you are the infamous, D. D. Knight? The bestselling author that the world is trying to discover?” Delta glances at Abby, who is looking at all the covers and back at Delta.
“I am. My name is Delta Dawn Knight. Knight is my grandmother's maiden name.”
“That’s incredible, Delta!” Daniel hugs her and laughs. “I can’t wait to tell my Dad. We love your books. We’ve had many arguments over who wrote them. This is unbelievable!”
Delta lets out a breath and looks at Abby. “I’m glad you think so. Only four people on this planet know my secret. Now there are six.”
“Why lie about it Delta?” Abby asks with a frown as she replaces the books in the box. Daniel is shocked at her question but waits for Delta to explain. He is curious too, why the secrecy?
Delta sits on the edge of the bed and lifts her book out. “When I first started writing, I never dreamed it would turn into something like this. When it became obvious that this series was a huge hit, I had two young boys, and I was afraid of what would happen to our lives if everyone knew. Phillip, my editor, warned me that 'with fame comes chains.' My boys didn't ask for this, but I've always wanted to be an author. It was my way of protecting our family. Do you understand?” Abby listens closely and smiles.
“Yes, I do.” Abby walks over and touches Delta’s cheek, “Thank you for sharing your secret with us. I promise not to tell anyone.” Delta’s heart falls hard for this little girl with her Daddy’s eyes. Tears fill her eyes as she hugs her close and thanks her.
“Hey, what about me?” Daniel says. Delta grabs his hand and laughs. “It feels good to tell you both.”
Later over brownie sundaes, Delta watches as Daniel tells Chase her secret. “Hey Dad, Delta has a secret to tell you.”
“Chase I
