Danny's Main

Even through devastation, they all looked out for each other.

“That’s why we didn’t call you, son. We need you and Janie safe at home. We needed all of you where you belong. We’re go

“Okay, Dan. You do the same. Give our love to Julie. We’re in this with you, no matter what. Whatever you need, man.”

After they disco

During each phone call, Julie sobbed, but as he spoke to their kids, he became stronger. Their reactions were all similar: shock, sadness, and complete support. Not one of them wavered or folded. They all promised to support Da

“It’s go

Sniffling, she nodded. “You’re not wrong. I think the tears are more from shock.” She wiped at her face, but the tears continued to fall. “We’ve had enough bad in our lives. I thought we were done. This was a reminder not to get too complacent, huh?”

Da

It could have been worse. They’d both lived through worse. And survived it. They’d survive this as well.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Silver Lining

TWENTY-FOUR HOURS AFTER Hurricane Leo left Charistown, Da

“This is painful,” Julie said, holding up the mangled picture frame that used to hang near the kitchen door. The image inside was water-logged under the cracked glass. “I’ll never forget the day Kevin Bacon walked through those doors. The best burger in Charistown, he said.” Tears stung Julie’s eyes as she stared at the ruined image. She swore if she looked hard enough, she could still see Kevin, one arm around Da

“It was a great day, honey.” Da

She giggled at her husband and continued the walk-through.

Da

“Love you, Dad,” Julie shouted as Da

“We’re here,” came a voice from the front of the bar.

Max, Janie, Lyla, Ashley, and Ryan walked through the hole that had once been the entranceway. Judging by the looks on their faces—grimaces on the men and tear-filled eyes on the women—the destruction hit them almost as badly as it did her and Da

The smell of pine, along with Da

“I got you,” he whispered.

Like a freight train, Ashley threw herself against them, sobbing quietly as they enveloped her in their embrace. Before long, they were all hugging and crying, laughing and sighing. Never had anything felt more right.

“Where in the hell is Kyle?”

The question came from Ryan, but Julie and Da

“What happened?” they all asked in various ways when Da

Twice in as many days, she saw that look in her husband’s eyes. No, no, no, nothing can happen to Kyle. Bile rushed up her esophagus. I can’t handle that. Please, let him be okay. Da

He explained that Kyle had been in a car accident the night before, during the hurricane. He was drunk and wrapped himself around a pole. While Da

Before they left for the hospital, Julie looked from Ashley to Ryan. There was something different between them, in the way his arm draped over her shoulder, the protective way he held her close. In the midst of anguish and pain, a ray of sunlight bloomed. She cleared her throat in a purposeful fashion.

“Jules,” Da

She gri

When Ashley looked concerned and Ryan upset, Da

“Pedicures on me, spicy girl.” Julie smiled before leaving the mess behind.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Welcome Home

WEEKS PASSED AND the group was busy, not just with spending time at Da

As a group, a family, they worked together to restore health, happiness and normalcy into each other’s lives. Of course there were disagreements and disapproval, but as Da

“Christmas is almost here,” he said.

“Yep. I’m thinking we should have it at our house this year. I’d like to do something special for the kids.”

The woman had read his mind. “What were you thinking, beautiful?” His fingers massaged her neck.

“I’m thinking if you keep doing that, you’ll be having this conversation with a sleeping, drooling wife,” she teased.

A chuckle left his body, but he didn’t stop his massage. “Seriously, babe. I have an idea, but it’s big…huge. I’m not sure what you’ll think about it.”

She pulled the sheet around her breasts and sat up straight. “Dan, you’ve got me so curious now. When have I ever not liked one of your ideas?”