Dating Daniel (Cloverleaf #4) Read Online Free PDF

his mug. It had been a gift from Finn and Connor. “Morning, Ma.”
    “What time did you get in last night?” Mary asked as she moved the eggs around in the large skillet.
    Daniel groaned. “More like this morning.”
    “Oh dear, I knew it was late. Maybe you should go back to bed.”
    “Nah, I’m going to float the river today.” Daniel let the coffee work its magic and took several sips, burning his mouth each time. “Is Patrick around? I thought I heard the boys.”
    “Yes, Patrick dropped them off a little bit ago. He went to pick up Amber and Dylan. I guess they are all going to the river too. Maggie mentioned that she and Rachel were going to come over for a visit.”
    “Michael and Melanie going to go to the river too?” Daniel asked as he moved over to the dining room and took a seat. He practically inhaled his coffee.
    “Let me get you some breakfast, my precious boy,” Mary said in a sing-song voice as she scooped eggs onto a plate. Daniel watched as small billows of steam escaped from the pile. His stomach let out a loud growl, making both of them laugh.
    “Thanks, Mom.”
    “Let me grab my tea and we can eat together.” Mary hurried back into the kitchen. Daniel watched as she retrieved toast and quickly buttered it. “Here, sweetie, you should have some toast.” She handed him the warm and buttery bread, and Daniel smiled in appreciation.
    “You’re too good to me.”
    “You’re my boy. This is what moms do.” Mary planted a kiss on his cheek.
     
    ***
     
    The truck was loaded with several neon-colored tubes for floating down the river. Daniel wiped the sweat from his brow after hefting the overly full ice chest into the back of the bed. As he slammed the tailgate closed, he knew it was going to be a scorcher. The metal of the handle was hot to the touch. Daniel was even more grateful for the cool relief he was about to feel from the Columbia River.
    The drive to the tube launch was only a thirty-minute drive from the house. Daniel drove a little faster than normal. He already had been in touch with his brothers, and they were already there hanging out on the sandy shore waiting on him. His mother had insisted on making sandwiches for everyone and he hadn’t been able to sneak away quick enough, not without her loading that ice chest with enough food and drinks to feed several O’Brien families.
    Daniel followed the highway, making a right at the turn which would lead him to a gravel and primitive road. He was thankful he had a four-by-four. The rain ruts were deep and the sandy mix of gravel was slippery under even the best tires, but Daniel maneuvered carefully and grew excited as he saw the sun bouncing off the cold blue body of the river.
    When he parked his overly large truck next to Liam’s smaller red pickup, he got out of the cab and noticed Liam and Patrick heading in his direction.
    Liam waved as he climbed up a small sandy hill. “Hey, Daniel,” he called out. Daniel raised his hand and went to the bed of his truck. The sun was beating down hard. He could feel it biting through his loose t-shirt.
    “You finally made it,” Patrick announced as he and Liam stood to the side of the truck. They began removing the ties which secured all the brightly colored tubes. Liam grabbed a pink and green tube and stood waiting as Patrick helped Daniel remove the ice chest. “God, what’s in here?”
    “Mom packed us lunch.” Daniel laughed. They carefully climbed down to the shore, where the rest of the group gathered, and found a small section of shade under a tree. Michael was in the water with Melanie, splashing around as she giggled loudly. Amber and her son, Dylan, were stretched out on towels absorbing the sun’s rays.
    “Weren’t you bringing Nina?” Liam asked as he dropped the tubes to the ground and started back up the hill to retrieve more. Daniel and Patrick placed the cooler under the tree, and Daniel jogged to catch up. Liam and Daniel couldn’t look more