Chapter 27
Danielle
I gently shut the door and engage the lock before quietly heading toward the hallway.
"Where have you been, young lady?" exclaims Tina, who's sitting on the couch with her arms folded tightly across her chest.
I jump, startled by her voice, then turn toward her. "You scared the living daylights out of me!"
"Sorry," she says, with a look that tells me she's not the least bit sorry.
"It's not even midnight yet, Mom," I say, my tone playful.
She tilts her head and smirks. "Were you next door making out with the neighbor boy?"
"Yes," I admit, feeling a blush settle on my cheeks.
"Is that all you were doing?" she asks, one manicured eyebrow arching in suspicion.
"He's… he's amazing, Tina," I say, unable to find the right words to express how he makes me feel.
"You didn't answer my question," she says, eyeing me closely.
"Nothing happened," I reply. "Yes, we kissed, but we mostly talked. About Hannah, Meghan, his business… and Vincent Fletcher."
"What about Vince?" she asks, shooting me a side-eye.
I sigh and shake my head. "I don’t want to be the one to rain on your parade, but he doesn’t exactly sound like a nice person."
Tina pats the couch beside her. “Well, sit down and let me tell you what I think of him.”
I ease onto the couch, curling one leg under me. “Okay,” I say. “Spill it.”
“So, first of all, thank goodness we opted for a lawn without a ton of landscaping, because guess what landed right in the middle of it?”
I blink at her. “No.”
“Oh yes,” she says, nodding dramatically. “A helicopter. Like—an actual, legit helicopter. Just touched down like it was no big deal. Apparently, he had to clear it with the county. His assistant coordinated everything. I mean, who even does that?”
I laugh, picturing it.
“I was still clipping my earrings when the house started vibrating.”
I blink. “You’re joking.”
“Do I look like I’m joking?” she blurts out. “You didn’t feel it?”
“No, I—”
“That must’ve been one heck of a make-out sesh,” she exclaims, popping me with a throw pillow.
I smile. “It was incredible. He makes me feel special. Wanted. Loved.”
“Wow,” she says, then looks away, as if considering something she hadn’t thought of before. "I wonder if Cal and his brother have more in common than ridiculously good looks.”
“There’s only one way to find out,” I tease.
“No, no,” she says, shaking her head. “Right now, I’m all about Vince. I mean, what happened today was like something out of a movie—wind blowing, trees swaying. My date with Vince included a twin-engine chopper and champagne on board.”
I laugh. “Where did he take you? The moon?”
“Close.” She grins. “We landed on a private pad atop an exclusive restaurant in Indianapolis, where we were met by a man in a white tuxedo. I’m not kidding, Elle—he looked like he’d walked off the set of a Bond movie.
Then they escorted us to a private dining room.
With a string quartet. And a sommelier. And gold-leafed menus. ”
My eyebrows shoot up. “Gold-leafed? Like... edible gold?”
“Oh, don’t worry, that came later. On the dessert. But yes, actual gold on the menu. I couldn’t even read it. I just said ‘yes’ to everything and prayed for no shellfish.”
I grin. “And was he charming, or did he just throw money at everything?”
She hesitates, twirling a loose strand of hair.
“Both. I mean, yeah, he has the charisma of someone who knows the world would bend for him if he asked—but also, he’s sharp.
Confident without being cocky. He listens—really listens.
And he’s got this way of making you feel like you’re the only person in the room.
He knew the name of our pilot, complimented the sommelier in French, and tipped everyone like he was born to do it. I’m telling you, Elle, he’s magnetic.”
“Are you sure we’re talking about the same Vincent Fletcher?” I ask, genuinely perplexed.
She nods. “Yes, absolutely. He talked about Meghan and the granddaughter he never gets to see.”
“What?” I blink, unable to hide my surprise.
“Yeah,” she says. “According to Vince, Cal and Meghan’s divorce was ugly.
He doesn’t blame Cal—he even admits how difficult Meghan can be.
He said the only time he saw Meghan was when she was dropping off Hannah.
They were never close, and he was hoping history wouldn’t repeat itself.
He wanted a relationship with Hannah, but after the divorce, he lost all contact. ”
“Does he not know how to use a phone?” I ask, doubtful. “I can’t imagine Cal ever keeping Hannah from him.”
“Oh, don't worry. I asked him the same thing,” Tina says. “He said he was never close to Cal, and admits that’s mostly his fault. Apparently, he tried to push Cal into a career move that only created distance between them. After the divorce, he assumed Cal wouldn’t let him see Hannah—and I think Meghan might’ve confirmed that. ”
“Are you sure?” I ask, still struggling to understand how anyone could justify staying away from their granddaughter.
“He didn’t say it outright,” she says, “but there was a lot of regret in the way he talked. Like he knew he’d let it happen.”
“Those are just excuses,” I say. “That’s exactly what my grandfather used. Excuses for why he couldn’t keep us. Bottom line—he didn’t want us.”
“Elle.” Tina’s voice softens. “This is different. Vince was forming a bond with Hannah when everything fell apart. It was hard on him too.”
“I don’t know,” I murmur. “I don’t know the man, so I’ll keep my opinion to myself.” I pause, then glance at her. “So… was that it? The date, I mean?”
She stretches her legs and sighs. “Oh, honey. I didn’t say that. There’s still the wine, the dessert sprinkled with actual gold flakes, and the violinist.”
I groan. “Oh, is that all?”
She grins. “Of course not! I haven't told you the part where he handed me a bracelet that probably costs more than my car.”
"Tina," I murmur, my eyes immediately zeroing in on her wrist.
"Don't worry," she says. "I didn't accept it."
"Okay," I say, nodding in approval.
I glance at her, sensing there’s more.
She bites her bottom lip. “I did break the no-kiss-on-the-first-date rule, though,” she confesses.
“You didn’t!” I exclaim in mock horror.
“Listen, before you judge," she exclaims. "The helicopter brought us back to a private helipad, where a limo was waiting to drive us home. He walked me to the door. It was an incredible date, Elle. It just felt right.”
“So how was it?” I ask, unable to hide my curiosity.
"First, let me tell you, Vince is like the male version of Meghan. Very attractive. He has dark hair with just the right amount of gray at the temples—honestly, it makes him even more handsome. He’s over six feet tall, broad shoulders, strong physique.
Nothing like the muscles on the Callahan brothers, but he’s also twenty-something years older, so I’m not complaining.
He has a genuine smile that instantly pulls you in.
His hands are big and strong. His style is impeccable, but not stuffy.
He showed up in a navy sport coat over a crisp white shirt—no tie, just enough unbuttoned to look confident, not cocky.
Dark jeans, polished shoes. Classy, effortless, and honestly?
Way more attractive than guys our age trying too hard.
He took my hand in his and kissed it, and when he looked into my eyes, I was completely mesmerized.
His eyes are this striking aqua blue that I find absolutely irresistible.
Elle, he held my gaze and said, ‘I had a great time. I’d like to take you out again.
’ Tell me, how could I say no? Oh, and he smelled amazing.
A woodsy cedar, citrus scent I couldn’t get enough of. ”
“Dang,” is all I can muster.
"The dessert we had was something smooth and chocolaty. I refuse to call it mousse because that sounds cheap, and given that it probably cost him a fortune, I’m choosing to believe it was chocolate-covered clouds pulled down from the heavens just for me.
Anyway, he kissed my knuckles, and the next thing I knew, his lips were on mine.
He tasted just like dessert. Something heavenly I couldn’t get enough of. "
“Wow,” I mutter, watching a mischievous smile light up her face. She’s totally into him. I can tell.
“So while you were making out with the hottie next door,” she goes on, “I was standing on our porch, being thoroughly kissed by a man twice my age and loving every single second of it.”
***
After Cal, Hannah, and I drop off Christmas gifts for every girl in the group home, we linger for a moment outside the door.
The girls are already peeking inside their gift bags, their faces lighting up with excitement, even though they can’t open anything until tomorrow.
I watch them through the window, remembering the Christmases I spent here.
A place that never quite felt like home.
But today, it’s about making it feel like home for these girls.
Hannah’s hand slips into mine, and I glance down at her, noticing how she watches the girls, her heart open and kind. It reminds me of the girl I once was, full of hope and searching for somewhere to belong. And now, with Cal and Hannah, I’ve finally found it.
“Can we go to Grandma and Grandpa's now?” Hannah asks, her voice full of anticipation.
“Yes,” Cal says, meeting my gaze. "Let's go."
***
The Callahan house looks like it was plucked from a classic Christmas movie.
Lights twinkle along the roof, garlands wrap the banister in fragrant pine, and a fire crackles in the stone hearth like it’s been waiting all day for us to gather.
The air smells like roasted ham, cinnamon, and something sweet Johanna pulled out of the oven right after we walked in.
Inside, the long table is already set—red and gold plates, holly tucked into folded napkins, candles flickering in the center. It’s gorgeous and welcoming.