The smell of strong black coffee, pancakes, and eggs greeted Danielle as soon as she walked into the kitchen the next morning. Her eyes immediately swept through the room and took note of everyone present, like an animal gauging its safety before exposing itself.
Like always, JC was at the stove plating some scrambled eggs and toast. It looked like the man had been up for quite some time because the pancakes were already piled on a plate next to him, ready for serving.
He lifted his head at her entrance and gave her a warm smile, which also somehow looked sad. It made Danielle pause at the threshold. And because her brain had barely spared her a second without replaying her brother's cryptic words from last night; she immediately concluded. Whatever Chip was planning to tell her, he kne
