Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 88128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“Before you go in there, I just want to apologize in advance for anything that she might say that’s offensive or presumptuous.”
“I’ve met Maureen many times,” I remind her.
“I know, but not since she’s convinced that I’m destined to be with you or one of your brothers. The seven that aren’t attached, of course.” She playfully rolls her eyes.
“What?” I choke out.
“You know how she is, or if you don’t, I can only tell you that my grandma, she gets these crazy ideas in her head and won’t let them go. One of them was selling her home in Florida and moving to Willow River. Well, that one actually turned out okay.” She waves her hand in the air. “Anyway, she’s got herself convinced that I’m destined to be with a Kincaid brother. Just ignore her, and I’m sorry in advance.”
“Me.” I don’t even think before I say it. I stand here with my heart beating out of my chest waiting for her to reply. I didn’t think before I spoke, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t serious.
“What?” She tilts her head to the side, her brown locks moving over her shoulder.
“Me. If she wants you with a Kincaid brother, it’s going to be me.” She opens her mouth as if she’s going to respond but quickly shuts it. I lean in and press my lips to her cheek. Her skin is soft, and smooth, and I have to push down the desire to kiss every inch of her skin. “I missed seeing you yesterday.” With that, I walk away and head to the living room. I act as if my own words haven’t caused a riot inside my chest. I’ve been here several times to pick Blakely up when she’s here visiting with my mom, so I know the way.
“Declan. What a nice surprise.” Maureen's smile is wide and genuine, and since I know her plan, maybe a little devious.
“It’s good to see you, Maureen.” I hold up the bag of food. “Mom sent dinner. You know she cooks for our small army every Sunday.”
“Oh, that was nice of her.”
“I’ll just put it in the kitchen. Are you hungry now?” I ask.
“I think I’ll save it for later. Kennedy made a late lunch of soup and grilled cheese. One of her favorites and one of mine as well.”
“That’s a staple in my house as well. Blakely is all about grilled cheese and dipping it into her soup.”
“How is that sweet girl of yours?”
“Rotten as ever.” I laugh.
“Oh, she’s a sweet thing.” She waves off my comment.
“That she is, but she’s sweet and rotten.”
“Sit. Sit. How have you been?”
“Doing well. How are you feeling?”
“Kennedy has been taking great care of me. She’s a good one to have around.”
“I bet she is.” I rub my hand over my face to hide my smile.
“What’s this I hear about you and my granddaughter having dinner?”
“There’s not much to tell. We had dinner, watched a movie with Blake, and then another after she went to bed.”
“You need a good woman in your life,” she tells me.
It’s cracking me up that she’s not even trying to be subtle about it. I decide to play her game. “You think so, Maureen? Do you have anyone in mind?” I ask, already knowing her answer.
“Possibly. How do you feel about marriage?” she asks.
“I think marriage is great if you can find someone you want to spend the rest of your life with. In fact, my brother Orrin just asked Jade to marry him earlier.”
“Did he?” Maureen asks.
“That’s incredible,” Kennedy speaks up. “I’m so happy for them.” The sincerity in her voice tugs at something in my chest.
“It was a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing, but we were all there to witness it.”
“Oh, I love a good wedding,” Maureen says. “I’m sorry I missed Brooks and Palmer’s. Kennedy assured me, as did your mom, that everything was perfect.”
“It was perfect, and they couldn’t be happier. Your manor was the perfect place for them to marry.”
“What about you? Have you ever thought about where you’ll get married?” she asks.
I laugh. “Can’t say that I have.”
“Any plans to leave Willow River?”
“No, ma’am. My business is here. My family is here, and as a single father, I rely on them more than I care to admit. Blake needs family around her, and frankly, so do I.”
“Kennedy, did you hear that? He’s a family man.”
“I heard.” Kennedy playfully rolls her eyes and sticks her tongue out at me.
“I’m famished. Declan, be a dear and help Kennedy make me a plate. She’s been feeling unwell today.”
My head snaps to Kennedy. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m perfectly fine.”
“She has a headache. She needs a nice strong man to take care of her. You know how it is.” Maureen nods slowly.
“Grandma!” Kennedy shrieks. “Where is your filter?”
Maureen shrugs. “What’s a filter?”