Not A Small-Town Girl

Chapter 4-1

Dawn painted the sky when Vivian spotted her daughter on the stairs. Her face softened. "Sweetie, you should sleep in-it’s so early."

"I’m used to early hours," Danielle replied. She’d actually been up since five handling business matters, but her mother didn’t need to know that.

"This is your home now. You’re the Darling heiress- your time is your own," Vivian said gently. She and Howard had spent last night weeping in the study after learning the details of their daughter’s hardscrabble life.

"Let’s have breakfast," Vivian said, leading Danielle to the dining table.

The table resembled a five-star buffet, groaning under platters of various dishes-enough to feed an army.

"Try whatever catches your eye," Howard urged fondly. "We weren’t sure what you’d like."

"I’m not picky," Danielle assured them simply.

Danielle," Howard said. "We’ll host a proper

think

go shopping

Rain check?"

me Mom!" Vivian grabbed her husband’s arm while he pretended to pout, jealousy written all

added smoothly, ever the

brother, Joseph, leaving them afraid she blamed them

traces of sadness melted away the moment their daughter called them "Mom" and "Dad," replaced now by

let our driver take you there," Vivian insisted as

"Okay," Danielle replied.

contained panic as doctors rushed

Charrington-how did he crash

elderly patient more

status?" a