Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 75699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“I can do that.” Declan strode over to the crowd of kids standing around the side table piled high with vanilla egg-shaped cake, strawberry pie, Easter-themed sugar cookies, and more.
I took the opportunity to walk over to where Sean sat in a recliner by the window. His mother had Disney decor in almost every nook in the house, so I wasn’t surprised to find a Magic Kingdom throw on his recliner or a Sleeping Beauty romper on the little Murphy napping on his lap.
“Hey,” I whispered. “On uncle duty?”
“Yep.” He patted the sleeping baby’s rump as he glanced up at me. “Nice tie.”
“You too.” I gestured at his tie, which was undoubtedly a gift from his mother as it featured cartoon firefighters. “Nice weather.”
“Nice day for it,” Sean agreed. “Good food. Family’s all here. Glad you could make it.”
I sighed because, apparently, it was on me to bring up the Declan-sized elephant lodged firmly between us.
“I hate this.”
“What?” Sean frowned. “Being here?”
“No, this tension between us.” I kept my voice low, not wanting to wake the baby or attract attention. “The thing we haven’t talked about for weeks. I miss my friend.”
“I get that.” Briefly shutting his eyes, Sean exhaled hard. “And I’m trying to give you and Declan space. It would be really easy to lecture you both.” His tone was resigned but not without humor. “But then you’ll run away, likely together. So I’m biting my tongue. A lot.”
“I appreciate that.” I met his gaze as he opened his eyes again. “And I know I’m older.”
“Yep.” Sean gave a measured nod. “I want him happy whether it’s you, racing, whatever. But I won’t deny liking having him home, and I know that’s partly because of you, so thanks.”
“I want him happy too.” I tried to put all my sincerity into my voice. I’d give absolutely anything for Declan, and I wanted Sean to understand the depth of my feelings. “He makes me happy too. And I promise to do everything in my power to keep him happy.”
“I know you will.” Sean closed his eyes again, shifting the baby to his other shoulder. “And yes, you’re older, but that one gay celebrity couple Rowan is always talking about has a twenty-year age gap, and they just welcomed baby number three.”
“Yeah,” I said absently, studying the tiny Murphy and her wee little pink bow and itty bitty shoes peeking out from under her half-on princess blankie.
“You better not let my mom or sisters see that wistful face, or they’ll have a list of adoption and surrogacy agencies ready.”
“Understood.” I chuckled, then sobered. “So, we’re cool?”
“We’re cool.” Sean smiled slowly, the first genuine smile I’d seen from him in weeks.
“Cake!” Declan arrived then, loaded down with cake plates. “Brought you some too, Dad.”
As soon as he’d handed out the plates, Declan earnestly grabbed my hand as if he’d protect me from all comers, his father included. My chest lifted and swelled, struggling to contain my heart.
“And it’s nice to see you two talking. You look great today, Dad. And—”
“We’re not fighting.” Sean laughed before Declan could ramble on, and I joined in. “I was telling Jonas that if you’re happy, I’m happy.”
“I am happy.” Declan beamed. “Are you happy enough to cover for us leaving early? There’s something I want to show Jonas.”
“That thing you showed—”
Declan made a warning noise as he cut off his father. “As a surprise.”
“Ah. Yeah, go on after your cake.” Sean made a shooing motion with his free hand before settling the sleeping baby again. “And I’ll save you from Grandma loading you down with leftovers.”
“Knew I loved you.” Declan made a loud kissing sound over his father’s head, and the three of us laughed. Maybe our friendship was salvageable after all. Changed, but not destroyed.
A short time later, we were on one of the smaller county highways leading away from Mount Hope.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re driving?” I shifted around in the passenger seat, trying and failing to guess what the surprise might be.
“East.”
I groaned. “I can see that.”
“Patience.” Declan shot me an exasperated look. “You’re a bad passenger princess.”
“Sorry.” I grit my teeth to avoid asking how much longer.
“And usually, I love letting you drive.” Declan’s tone turned suggestive. “But just trust me this one time.”
“Okay.” I calmed my racing brain as Declan turned down a long, bumpy country road and then an even longer, bumpier private drive. Declan pulled up near an older home, somewhere between a cabin and farmhouse in style, and likely a good fifty-plus years past any major renovations. The whole property had an overgrown, neglected feel, with blackberry brambles along a sagging fence near the house and more weeds than grass. Beyond the house was a huge pasture of some sort and several aged outbuildings in various states of disrepair. The place had an empty, eerie air and smelled like wet dirt and pine. “Where are we?”