Page 54 of This Feeling

“Yes! And if you have any of that chocolate pudding left, I think Winnie would love it,” the young woman said.

Aurora stood and grinned. “Hey, Mary, how are you?”

“Hi, Aurora. I’m doing good. Came into town this weekend to help Hope and Liam.”

Aurora nodded. “Harper, this is Mary Magoffin, Hope’s younger sister.”

I reached across and shook Mary’s hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mary.”

“Likewise.”

“And how are you today, little Winnie!”

With a giggle, Winnie turned and buried her head in Mary’s shoulder.

“She’s growing like a weed,” I stated. “When will she be two?”

Mary tickled Winnie’s side. “Next March.”

“Where’s Hope and Liam?” Aurora asked.

Mary’s smile faded just a touch, but she quickly recovered. “They’re at the house. Hopefully, they’ll be joining us later.”

Aurora nodded, but I could see the worry in her eyes. “Tell her to give me a call. I tried calling her the other day, and I’ve left a voicemail and a couple of texts, but she hasn’t replied.”

Mary smiled bigger, and I could tell it was forced. “I’ll tell her.”

“Which barbecue were you thinking?” I asked, hoping to steer the conversation in another direction, since it was painfully apparent by the distressed look in Mary’s eyes she wanted to talk about anything other than Hope.

“We’ll take a turkey plate, please.”

“Sides?” I asked as I grabbed a plate and started to pile on the turkey. We had precisely one barbecue place in town, Flame and Fork, and they had the best turkey I’d ever eaten.

“How about the mac and cheese? I think Winnie would like that.”

Winnie nodded, and the three of us laughed.

After I loaded their tray with the plate and two drinks, Aurora offered to carry it over to one of the tables on The Green. I watched as they walked away…and wondered what was going on with Hope.

Before I had too long to think about it, I saw Declan, Gavin, and James all walking toward the barbecue booth.

“Oh God,” I whispered, trying not to let my eyes rake over Declan’s body. He was, of course, in his police uniform, and he wore that smile that made my heart feel like it was tripping over itself. It would be my luck that I’d see him today. I was positive this morning’s dream would be written all over my face. I had a sex dream and you were the star!

“Afternoon, Harper,” Gavin said as he strolled up first and winked at me. Gavin Quinn was one of the biggest flirts I’d ever met. We went out once right after Sean and I broke up and it was quickly apparent we were better off as friends. He was handsome, though, with his brown eyes and brown hair cut short like he was in the military. So it wasn’t too hard to have a good-looking guy like him giving you attention.

“Hey, Gavin. How’s it going?” I asked as I tried not to let my eyes stray back to Declan.

“It’s going. Trying to train the new guy,” he said, jerking his thumb toward Declan. Now I was forced to look at him—and I felt my entire body flush, just at the sight of him standing there. My mind went to my dream, and Declan’s mouth between my legs.

Tilting his head, Declan grinned as he regarded me. “Everything okay, Harp?”

I attempted to talk but it came out more like a squeak. “Everything’s great. Just fine! Nothing out of the ordinary, no crazy dreams, no…um…no issues.”

Oh. My. God. Did I really just say no crazy dreams?

James laughed. “Have you been having crazy dreams we should know about?”

“No!” I shouted, then turned and quickly grabbed a plate. “What are you in the mood for?”

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