The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Karen thought for sure that Danielle would use his kid card to get what he wanted.

Danielle remained silent for a moment, lips pursed, fingers nervously twisting the fabric of his shirt. "Then, I want one thing," he finally said.

A smile spread across Karen's face, finding his serious demeanor adorable. She pinched his cheek, waiting for him to continue.

"I want you to find my sister and have her take me home," Danielle said earnestly. "She told me she was just going to the restroom and would be right back. But after waiting for a while, she didn't return. So, I went to wait by the restroom, and when I came back, she was still gone."

His head hung low, lips puckered in a pout of grievance.

Karen had a hunch, "Your sister's name is Alyssa?"

Danielle nodded, eyes twinkling, "Have you seen her?"

Karen fell silent. She couldn't very well tell him that she had kicked Alyssa out. It was astonishing that Alyssa could leave and forget about her brother like that!

With a sense of resignation, Karen knew she had to call the Wright family again to come and pick up this little bundle of joy.

Gathering everyone would take some time. Karen tapped the table and ruffled Danielle's hair. "I have met your sister. She told me she had to rush back home for an urgent matter and that someone would come to pick you up in the evening. How about I fulfill your second wish in the meantime?"

A shadow of disappointment crossed Danielle's eyes, but at the mention of a second wish, he perked up a bit, "I want to go see fireflies."

Karen fell silent again, gently running her fingers through Danielle's hair before finally saying, "Alright, I'll take you to see the fireflies!" Danielle's eyes sparkled with excitement, his cheeks flushed with joy as he fearlessly grabbed Karen's hand, eyes glued on her.

Karen's heart melted at his cuteness, and she led the way outside.

maybe adding a little brother to the family

followed Karen, eager to see how she would make the fireflies

you help me gather some snails and earthworms from around the bushes?" Arthur's eyes crinkled with laughter, "Consider it

Danielle's hand, wandered around, looking for untrimmed tall grass and

the Linklater's and turned the nozzle to a

tool shed, towering over

out to touch the tall

now on, it's your special tool,"

even half the height of the shovel, looked up at it, lips tightly pressed

how you use it, little buddy. You look like a koala trying to climb it," Karen

lift

struggle, Karen secretly helped from behind. Danielle, with a push, managed to shovel some dirt, surprised by

around, confused, "Honey, why are we

little guy doesn't have

fireflies tonight depends on this hole. Oh, and did you find the earthworms and snails I asked for?" Karen

Arthur showed a bag full of soil, worms wriggling inside. "I got bitten by bugs hunting for these, I deserve a

quickly pecking his cheek, "Get

energized by love, hoisted Danielle onto his shoulders, "Hang tight, kiddo. If you fall, it'll be more thrilling than

a funny way of

guests chuckled, "He's

on Arthur's shoulders, watching him dig, his vision blurred with

gentle face, he murmured,

soft cheek, teased, "If you don't