Page 96 of The Sandbar saga

Chapter 37

"Doorbell, mommy," yelledCallie.

"Don't open it." Katie rushed down the stairs, slowing when she found her daughter standing with her nose pressed against the window alongside the door.

She was trying to teach Callie safety, which was hard to do with a child who never met a stranger in her short life.

Katie peeked out and found a guy holding flowers and a package. She grabbed Callie's hand and opened the door, prepared to tell him he had the wrong address.

"Miss Meihoff?" he asked.

"Yes. How can I help you?"

"Delivery." He held out a large vase of flowers.

"Oh." She let go of Callie and held the bouquet. "Are you sure?"

"Positive." The man smiled. "I also have a delivery for Miss Callie."

"That's me." Callie jumped up and down, holding out her hands.

She rearranged the bundle, holding her arm around the vase, and helped Callie with the much smaller one. "Don't drop them."

"I won't," said Callie.

She smiled at the delivery man. "If you'll wait. I'll get you—"

"Already taken care of." He held out a box. "This is for you, too."

"Oh, goodness." With her arms full, she looked at him in astonishment. "Thank you."

"Have a good day." He waved over his shoulder on the pathway, already leaving.

Using her foot, she shut the door and looked down at the gifts. "This is the craziest thing. I wonder who sent them."

"Smell them, mommy." Callie put her nose in the petals and sniffed. "They smell yummy."

"Let's take them to the kitchen." She spotted a white envelope stuck in her arrangement. "Maybe we can see who gave us such beautiful flowers."

Often, her clients would send her flowers after closing on their new home, but the thank you was always sent to the office. Maybe Donna had given her private address out without thinking.

In the kitchen, she set the vase on the counter and then unloaded the box. Helping Callie put her delivery up, she grabbed the envelope and pulled out the card.

I would like nothing more than to spend Saturday evening with you ~ Race

She gasped, holding the card to her chest. He wanted to...what? Go on a date? Watch a movie? Come over?

"Mommy, who sent me flowers?" asked Callie.

Unable to shake off the glow Race caused in her, she retrieved the card out of Callie's bouquet and read the card.

"It says, 'Dear Callie, pretty flowers for the most beautiful daughter ~ Daddy.'"

She melted and looked down at Callie. "Wow. What a nice surprise, huh?"

"Can I go to Daddy's house?" Callie jumped up and down. "Please?"

"Not yet." She leaned over and smelled the flowers, wanting to enjoy the moment.