Reflecting On Wishes (The Wishes Series) by DeAnna Felthauser Page B

goddess. With a bright smile on her face, she opened her arms wide and wrapped them around her mom and brother.
    “Just the girl I needed to see ,” Dakota kissed her forehead.
    “Whatcha need, D?” Lilah moved to grab the tea pitcher, filling the remaining glasses on the table and setting another place for Dakota to eat with them.
    “Looks like family night! Is Dom going to be home for dinner too?” Noah greeted them as he walked into the kitchen and scooped up his wife, giving her a kiss.
    “No, Daddy. H e has classes tonight.” Lilah squeaked out a laugh when her dad picked her up in a hug and twirled her around.
    “Too bad , he’s going to miss out on lasagna night. How’s everyone doing?” Noah hugged his son before going to the sink and washing his hands, wiping them dry on the dishtowel that was sitting on the counter. He sat at the head of the table, smiling at his family.
    “I needed to talk to everyone about something, that’s why I stopped by.” Dakota held his plate out to his mom for a slice of gooey lasagna, filling his plate with a helping of salad and a thick slice of buttery garlic bread. Now that he was here, he was glad he hadn’t bothered to eat at Vito’s house. This was one of his favorite meals that his mom made from scratch.
    “Sure, son, what’s going on?” Noah handed his plate to his daughter so she could let Miki put a slice of heaven on his plate.
    Once everyone’s plate was full Dakota started explaining the situation with Angel between bites. The worry that was etched on his face did not go unnoticed. In fact, Lilah had tears in her eyes by the time he was done spilling his heart out. She reached across the table and took his hand in hers. The bond between them had only grown stronger over the years and the mere touch of her hand gave him comfort.
    “You don’t worry about a thing, D. I’ll go visit her tomorrow and see what I can do to help.” Lilah gave him an encouraging smile.
    “Do you want me to go with you , sugar?” Miki put her fork down and put her napkin on her plate.
    “I think if we both went, she might feel bombarded , Momma. Let me handle it, I think I have an idea how to coax her out of the dark place she’s in right now. She needs a friend, someone that’s not her family. Sometimes it’s easier to hear things from an outsider than someone close to your heart.” Lilah had a confident smile on her face and that alone both soothed Dakota’s nerves and added a smile to his face. He knew he could count on his baby sister.

Chapter 9
     
    Angel woke to sunshine on her face and the sweet, but loud voice of Ms. Lola as she flung open the curtains.
    “Rise and shine, baby girl. I decided to swing by here on my way in to work and make my favorite girl some buttermilk pancakes!”
    With a groan Angel rubbed her eyes and stretched, yawning instead of answering her.
    “I bet you need to go to the restroom dontcha, darlin’? Sit on up now and I’ll get that handsome brother of yours in here to carry you in there. I’m gon’ make sure those men get this door fixed so you ain’t waitin’ on them all the time.” Ms. Lola went right back out the door, hollering for Rage.
    Angel turned her head to look at the clock, wincing w hen she saw it was only seven. With a sigh she tossed her covers back and gingerly pulled herself up, lifting her legs, one by one so they hung off the bed. Her wrist was getting stronger every day, the pain not nearly as bad from one day to the next. If only her legs would improve as well.
    “Hey , beautiful. Your chariot awaits!” Her brother gave her a huge grin and ever so gently scooped her up and carried her to the bathroom.
    “Thanks , Rage.” She waved him out with a flick of her wrist.
    She quickly did her business and righted her clothes just as he knocked, asking her if she was okay. “I’m fine. I need to wash my face, give me a minute.” She was thankful for the help, but the thought of needing help all the time