Free Dating Daniel (Cloverleaf #4) by Gloria Herrmann

please don’t feel bad. I’m even more excited now that I know our lil guy is actually a guy. It’s great news.”
    “Well, I am sorry. He presented all his assets proudly in the last several ultrasounds. I have it in the charts, but I’ve been trying to so hard not to slip up.” She used her sleeve to catch a tear that rolled from her cheek.
    Maggie carefully gathered her flimsy paper gown and hopped off the examine table. She gathered Dr. Salinger into a tight hug. Maggie whispered as they stood together in the quiet sterile room, with its awful beige wallpaper and bright light, “It’s the best news. Thank you.”
    After getting measured and enjoying the rest of her visit with Dr. Salinger, Maggie headed for the front counter to make another appointment. She was now in the final stretch, and the visits were to be weekly until delivery. Surprised that Rachel wasn’t already in the waiting room, Maggie went in search for some of the other magazines that were spread around the different chairs and end tables. She started to grow a little concerned as she eyed the clock. She had already gone through all of her reading material by the time Rachel emerged into the waiting room.
    “So, how did your appointment go?” Maggie asked her friend.
    “It was fine, I guess. I had to drink this awful thick concoction. Then I had to wait and wait some more. They did a bunch of blood work and made me pee in a cup. I’m so over that. I can barely keep my balance,” Rachel said, her voice tense with frustration. “How did yours go?”
    Maggie couldn’t help but smile. “Really great, actually.”
    Rachel scrunched her face in confusion. “Do tell?”
    “How about we grab some lunch? I know you and I are both starving.”
     
    ***
     
    Daniel
     
    “Do you want to come inside for some iced tea or maybe a slice of pie?” Hannah asked after they arrived at her home.
    “Sure, why not?” If her pie was anything like those cookies he had last week, he’d be a fool to say no. There were things he just shouldn’t pass up. Besides, he had enjoyed their drive out to the farm. He found Hannah to actually be quite funny, good natured, and such a breath of fresh air compared to her sister.
    “Great.”
    Daniel hopped out of truck quickly and raced to her side to open the door, but she was already halfway out by the time he got there. “Thanks.” She smiled nervously, and Daniel could see the sunlight dance off her light spray of freckles, her eyes squinting from the brightness of the sun. Standing this close he could see she had very little makeup on, if any. Her skin looked soft, her lashes natural, not thick with black paste like Nina’s. Hannah had a simple beauty about her. Daniel had noticed it last time he’d seen her, but with Nina freshly out of his mind, he was more aware of how truly pretty Hannah was. Maybe it was the late summer sun illuminating something he had missed before, but either way, he was enjoying the view.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Six
     
     
    Hannah
     
    What a strange turn of events, sitting there in her family’s dining room with Daniel O’Brien, laughing until their sides hurt. She sure hadn’t seen her afternoon going in this direction, especially after her car practically blew up on her, leaving her stranded and helpless. Hannah hadn’t been quite sure where else to go for assistance, but after chatting with Daniel last week, she knew one thing: he was friendly and seemed like someone who could help.
    “Stop. Ah, you’re killing me, Hannah.” Daniel wiped the corners of his eyes. Those eyes, she just couldn’t stop looking into them. Their piercing green color, the joy and the goodness, they all seemed to draw her in.
    She could understand why her sister had thought he was attractive. Daniel was handsome, and he had a light beard which enhanced his gorgeous and happy smile. The sound of his laugh, genuine and full, was almost like music to her. It was a real laugh and she