The Million-Dollar Heart

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."

you to see the fireflies!" Danielle's eyes sparkled with excitement, his cheeks flushed with

at his cuteness, and she led

in his heart, thinking that maybe adding a little brother to the family wasn't such a bad idea after

curious, followed Karen, eager to

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

for untrimmed tall grass and lower

a watering can at the Linklater's and

the tool shed, towering over the little Danielle holding her

tall

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

not even half the height of the shovel, looked up at

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

movements, struggling to lift the shovel, huffing and puffing with

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

peeked around, confused, "Honey, why

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

course," Arthur showed a bag full of soil, worms wriggling inside.

his cheek,

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

sure had a