Page 74 of In this Moment

“You just what?” Declan pushed and Evie put a hand on hisarm.

“Leave her alone,” she whispered to him. “It must be hard enough trying to date in a small town. Let alone in this family. Don’t worry about anything until there’s something to worry about.”

It must have worked, because Declan nodded and backeddown.

Soon enough, the conversation drifted back to Evie and Declan. Jade filled her in on how she’d contacted Brandon’s mom and had her make up a story about her son being sick so Jonah would have to come home, how she’d found April at home to get her to open up the shop so she could get the ring, and how the guys had rushed up to the mountain to set everything up before they got there. Evie was blown away with how they’d all worked together to make her proposal happen. Her heart was completely full. Champagne and orange juice was passed around, and toasts were made in their honor.

The afternoon was spent discussing plans for not only weddings, but the upcoming premiere night of Mr. Summer. The McCormick family had so much to look forward to that it made Evie’s head spin, but she also couldn’t be happier to be part of such a family. Not only had she gained Declan, but an entire family, too.

It had been a busy day and as much as Declan enjoyed celebrating his love for Evie with his family, he was looking forward to taking his new little family home and settling in, forreal.

Jonah, long since bored with the adults, had retired to the living room, where he’d fallen asleep on the couch. With Evie saying her final good-byes and thank-yous for everyone’s help with the proposal, Declan went in search of Jonah to carry him out to thecar.

“Dec?” His mother’s soft voice came behindhim.

He left Jonah sleeping and moved to the side of the room where she was sitting.

“Can we talk a moment?”

“Of course, Mom.” He sat. “What’sup?”

She extended her hand and Declan took it. “I wanted to make sure you were okaynow.”

He laughed, but then saw the seriousness in her eyes. “Of course, Mom. I’m great.”

“And you feel sure about Evie, that you can be everything for her and Jonah?”

He smiled and nodded, remembering the conversation they’d had over breakfast. Had it really only been the day before? So much had happened, it felt like a lifetime ago that he’d been unsure.

“I love her and Jonah more than my own life, Mom. I’ll never hurt them and I’ll never leave them. Not only will I be enough for them, I’ll be everything for them. Just the way you were forus.”

His mother smiled, but it was sad. “No, Dec. I wasn’t enough. I was your mother and I did my best, but I couldn’t show you that love was possible and for that I’m sorry.”

“I’m not, Mom.” He squeezed her hands, so small in his own. “Everything happens in its own time and had I realized earlier what I needed to know, the timing wouldn’t have been right to meet Evie. You see, it all happened the way it was supposedto.”

“Do you really believethat?”

“Of course I do.” He released her and ran a hand through his hair. “Do you remember the summer I broke myleg?”

She nodded. “Do I ever. You just had to be like your older brothers, swinging from that tree even though I told you not to. And I made Ian promise not to let you and Caltry.”

“But hedid.”

She scowled. “Yes, hedid.”

“In Ian’s defense, I begged him and I didn’t really think I’d hit thetree.”

“No one ever thinks they’re going to hit the tree, Dec. But sometimes youdo.”

“That’s right,” Declan said. “That’s my point. No one ever really thinks they’re going to hit the tree, but sometimes they do. And sometimes that happens when it’s supposedto.”

“Are you saying you broke your leg when you were supposedto?”

He laughed, but nodded his head. “That’s exactly what I’m saying. Do you remember what I did all summer?”

“You mean, besides sitting in the window watching your brothers play on thelake?”

He had done some of that. “Besides that.” He laughed. “We’d talk. Me and you. And do you remember what you’d tellme?”

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