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.

a warmth in his heart, thinking that maybe

curious, followed Karen, eager to see how she would

and bushes. She turned to Arthur, "Can you help me gather some snails and earthworms from around

around, looking for untrimmed tall grass

Linklater's and turned the nozzle to a

shovel from the tool shed, towering over the

tall tool, "Auntie, what's this

now on, it's your special tool," Karen said,

up at it, lips tightly pressed together, his chubby hand

dear... that's not how you use it, little buddy. You look like a koala trying to climb it," Karen laughed,

movements, struggling to lift the shovel, huffing

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

around, confused, "Honey, why are

guy doesn't have

and did

inside. "I

his cheek, "Get

it'll be more thrilling than a roller coaster!" Danielle, only

sure had a funny way of

guests chuckled, "He's

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

Karen's gentle face, he

his soft cheek, teased, "If you don't wake