Dani.

Familiar sapphire eyes locked with his, and his skin buzzed with awareness. He sucked in a sharp breath and blinked knowing Meredith was watching, but he couldn't have torn his gaze from Dani to save his life.

Relief washed through him. She was safe and here.

At first, he didn't recognize her, dressed in jeans, sneakers, a big army-green jacket, and a ball cap that covered most of her face. Her long dark hair was pulled into a single braid that hung over one slender shoulder.

She looked like the Dani he remembered from high school, the warm, quick-to-smile, compassionate girl he'd fallen in love with. Only she wasn't that girl. Not anymore. She was a sophisticated actress who'd chosen fame and fortune over the life of a wife and mother. But she didn't look like an A-list actress now.

Dani looked about sixteen and scared. His gut twisted. What was wrong with her?

"Mama!" Jacob cried, leaping from the chair and dashing across the room to Dani.

Josh watched as his son threw his little arms around Dani's waist and held on tight. He saw her flinch, but she quickly her arms wrapped around Jacob. He couldn't hear what she was saying, but he saw her lips move and his son's smile.

"You're here! You're really here!"

Jacob's voice was louder and carried. People stopped and stared, watching the reunion between mother and son. He felt the crowd's negative energy toward Dani. Most people didn't understand why she'd left, and they didn't like her very much. He'd never spoken badly of her, but he didn't defend her either.

Caleb made the first move. Tanner was right behind him, and they joined Dani and Jacob. He wasn't surprised. Dani, Caleb, and Tanner had been friends in high school long before their senior trip had forged a friendship between all of them. Before Josh and Dani spent a summer together that would change their lives.

Rachel and Parker were next. People started talking again and the awkward moment ease a little. He could stop staring at her. Her movements were stiff. Was she hurt?

Meredith turned to him, her eyes soft with understanding. "You should go to her. She's Jacob's mother."

"We should say hello." He took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze of reassurance. Dani was his past. Meredith was his future. God, help me to remember this.

"I don't want to intrude." Her forehead crinkled in worry.

"That's crazy. You planned this birthday. Jacob wants you here."

"I'm not leaving." She pushed a wisp of hair that had escaped her ponytail behind her ear. "Just stepping back and giving you some space. Jacob needs to be with his mom and his dad today."

The selflessness of her statement made him love her all the more. She understood him so well. "Have I told you how much I love you?"

Meredith's smile eased some of his tension. "Not in the last few hours."

"Well, I do." Josh realized how much he did. "Don't go anywhere. You're part of this family now."

"I want to be," she whispered, a faraway look in her eyes.

"Good, because you're not getting rid of us," he said, holding her hand and giving her a gentle tug.

"Go," she laughed and pulled her hand from his. Some of the doubt faded from her eyes. "I'm cutting the cake."

He let her go reluctantly and discovered how nervous he was without her by his side. The last few times he'd spoken to Dani they'd argued, and he wouldn't ruin Jacob's party no matter what she said or did.

With a prayer, Josh closed the distance between them.

***

"I drew a picture for you. You wanna see it?" Jacob asked eagerly, unable to stand still from excitement.

"I'd love to see your picture." Her voice was choked with emotion.

Her son held up one chubby finger and dashed into the house. He stopped suddenly, and turned, big anxious eyes the same color as Josh's fastened to hers. "You won't leave, will you?"

Hearing the uncertainty in her son's voice, Dani had never felt more ashamed. She blinked away tears. "I'll never leave again. I promise."

A big arm looped around her shoulders and pulled her in. She stiffened.

"Welcome home." The slow, familiar, southern drawl chased away her doubt.

"Caleb!" she cried softly, relaxing.

"Good to see you," Tanner said with a crooked smile and tapped the brim of her cap.

She relaxed a little more. They didn't hate her. "Same. It's taken me a while to get here. I-I've missed you guys."

"Really? We missed you too. At Ty and Annie's wedding." Rachel admonished, her gaze cool when she met Dani's.

Dani frowned. She'd let her guard down too soon. Not that she didn't deserve her friend's animosity. 

"I wanted to be there."

Rachel shook her head. "Well, you weren't and you shouldn't make promises you can't keep."

"Rach, don't," Caleb warned. "Not now."

Dani watched Rachel frown at her husband, clearly not liking the rebuke.  "She told Jacob she'd never leave again. You can't believe that's ok."

"This isn't the place," Dani heard Caleb whisper to Rachel.

"Rachel's right. I've messed up. I know that and I'm sorry," she said quietly, taking a deep breath and seeing some of the fire leave Rachel's eyes. "It's good to see all of you."

Rachel opened her mouth to speak but Jacob flew outside carrying a paper picture which he presented to Dani with the joy and need for approval only a child could show. "Do you like it? I did it all by myself. It's us. Me, Dad, and you on the firetruck."

Dani gently took the picture that made her heart swell with unimaginable love. It was carefully drawn and colored. "I love it. It's perfect."

"I'm going to be a fireman," Jacob announced, grinning. He peered up at her. "Do you like firemen?"

Her hand holding the picture trembled. "I do. They're heroes."

Jacob beamed. "Meredith made me a firetruck cake. I cut you the best corner piece!"

Meredith. Hearing the name of the woman who'd replaced her, Dani's heart shattered but she smiled not wanting Jacob to know. "I can't wait to try it. I'm sure it's wonderful."

"Oh, it is! C'mon." He reached for her hand and clasped it tightly as if he was afraid she'd leave if he wasn't holding on to her.

Soul-crushing sadness echoed through her. She wouldn't run away this time. She'd stay and deal with the pain she'd brought upon her family, and maybe God would show her mercy.

Juggling Reynold's gift, Jacob's picture, and holding her precious son's hand Dani allowed him to lead her toward the cake Meredith had baked. They almost made it when Josh stepped in front of them and her breath caught.

"Dad, look! She's here!" Jacob exclaimed as if her presence was the best thing to ever happen to him. "We're a family!"

Dani's stomach dropped, but she lifted her chin, and her gaze slammed into Josh's. Her stomach did a slow flip. He seemed even taller than she remembered, more muscular, and the long, dark hair she'd remembered was now cut short.

Dressed in bootcut jeans and a blue plaid button-down shirt rolled up to the elbows he was more handsome than any movie star she'd ever seen. His dark gaze held a suspicious glint and she realized he wasn't entirely pleased to see her.

Dani didn't blame him. She'd let him and Jacob down too many times. Of course, he'd moved on to someone who would make their son a better mother than she could ever be. That was for the best, she told herself ignoring the pain. One of Jacob's friends called him over, leaving her alone with the man she still loved more than life itself.

"Hello, Josh," she said when his silence became unbearable.

"I'm glad you could make it." He didn't sound glad, not at all.

"Me too."

He gave a curt nod. "How long will be here?"

His piercing gaze unnerved her. It was difficult to focus with him so close. She swallowed hard. "I'm home. For good."

"What?"

"I'm renting Mrs. Huckabee's cabin."

He looked stunned. "Why?"

Lifting her chin, she met his fiery gaze. "It was time I came home."

"This isn't your home." He scowled. "Not anymore."

The harsh words cut despite their truth. "I'd like to change that."

"Where have you been?" he asked, glaring down at her.

"That's a long story. I'll tell you later."

He gripped his neck and glanced around to make sure no one was catching their tense exchange. It was clear he was struggling to keep his displeasure under control. "Jacob's glad you're here."

"That's all that matters," she said, grasping for something they could agree on. "I don't mean to cause you trouble. I promise."

Josh's brows drew together. Their gazes tangled, clashing with emotion. After a moment, he grunted and a silent, fragile truce formed between them.

Looking up at him her heart would have twisted had it not already broken. She heard his sharp intake of breath and he muttered something she didn't catch. Suddenly his big hands held her face, and her skin tingled where he touched her. Dani's heart began to race.

"What happened to you?" he asked, studying the bruises.

Now wasn't the time to tell him about her stalker, but she couldn't lie. "It looks worse than it feels."

A storm kindled in Josh's gaze, and she felt the unleashed anger rolling off him in waves. Jacob ran up and put his arms around both of them.

He frowned his displeasure and silently promised he'd find out later what had happened to her.

"You ready for cake and presents?" Josh asked his son, cupping the back of Jacob's head.

"Yes!" He pumped his small fist. "Let's go see Meredith."

Dani's gaze slid to Josh's. Feeling her son's attention on her, Dani forced a smile. "I can't wait."