Daniel's Dream by Andi Anderson Read Free Book Online

Danny. It seemed selfish to mix everything up so soon after making a commitment together.
    Josh shook his head and grinned. "Don't worry about the money, Nick. I've been putting money into savings ever since I started nursing over ten years ago. I have plenty of money saved to make a down payment on this building and to get the business started."
    Nick shook his head. "No, Josh. I don't want you to spend your life savings on me. That's not fair to you or Danny."
    Josh reached out and gently put his hands on either side of Nick's face. His warm hands were comforting against Nick's cold skin. "Baby, listen to me. For one thing, it's not my money… it's our money to spend. I think it's going to be a great investment for our family. Plus, I thought we could turn it into a family business, too."
    Nick's brain was still reeling from the ' my money, our money' statement so he almost didn't hear the last few words of Josh's explanation.
    "Family business? What do you mean?"
    Josh leaned up and pressed their foreheads together and spoke softly against Nick's lips.
    "I thought that we might run this together. The daycare could use a RN on staff and with both our ideas and hard work, we could make this daycare everything you've always dreamed of and more."
    Josh's warm, cinnamon smelling breath and the hopeful words he spoke washed over Nick like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. Tears of joy slowly slid down Nick's cheeks. Josh kissed away his tears. "Say yes, baby," he whispered beseechingly against Nick's wet cheek, and then kissed another tear away.
    "Yes, baby," Nick grinned through happy tears.
    Josh chuckled and pulled Nick into a bear hug. They held each other for several long moments before they pulled away.
    "Are you sure about this, Josh? You really want to leave the job that you love for me?"
    Josh nodded. "I've been thinking about this for a long time, Nick. My long hours at the hospital take too much time away from my family. I think this would be a great way for us to be able to work together as a team and still have plenty of time to spend with each other and our Daniel."
    "I love you, Josh. Thank you." He gave Josh a watery grin.
    "I love you, too. Now let me show you our daycare." Josh gave him a light kiss on the lips. "Last one to the front door gets to give Fred a bath before the wedding." Josh hopped out of the SUV and dashed to the front door in record time.
    Nick just laughed at his lover's antics and slowly followed behind him.

Chapter Eight

    After they explored the building and made a list of different ideas and things they thought it was going to need, both men decided to forgo going out for a dinner and movie. They picked up some thick T-bone steaks from their local butcher, rented an action movie from the local video store and headed home to have a nice, relaxing night together.
    They were greeted by a happy and wiggly barking Fred at the front door. They gave him plenty of attention before Nick started the grill and Josh worked on the salad and baked potatoes. He popped them into the microwave, went to the refrigerator, and grabbed a couple of beers then walked out onto the back porch to join his lover.
    Nick stood at the edge of the porch, against the railing and looked out into their backyard. Between the birds chirping and the gentle breeze in the air, it really had turned out to be a beautiful day.
    Josh stepped out onto the back porch and watched his lover silently for a few moments. Josh was happy at how everything turned out. He had been thinking of approaching Nick with his idea for months, but he never knew how to broach the subject with his stubborn lover. He knew Nick would initially balk at the idea of spending Josh's life savings for his dream, but Josh didn't look at it that way. If the money he had saved could help them build a solid business and foundation together, then it was money well spent. Besides, thinking about spending every day together, and more time with Daniel, made the idea