Page 7 of Defending A Promise
Tonight was a success, minus the two ladies fighting over a dress or Declan showing up – who could have predicted that?
But the attendees stayed for hours, and Mia sold a lot of dresses and got a lot of attention. Her businesses will do really well and I’m so happy to have been able to help in that process. I don’t know her whole life story, but by the small amount I know from her interview on television a month ago, she deserves nothing but happiness. And watching her and Ian together, she’s got her happily ever after.
It's late and I’m ready to go home and kiss my sleeping son’s forehead when I see Declan leaning up against my car in the parking lot with his arms and ankles crossed. He looks like he’s relaxed, but even after all these years, I can see it in his face. He’s mad.
As I approach, Declan doesn’t take his eyes off of me. I hold my day planner against my chest like a shield. I’m not afraid of him. Never have been. But I also know that he’s probably mad I didn’t let him know I was back in town. Not that it should matter. Hell, he doesn’t even know about Nickels.
“Hi there,” I say as I approach him. His patrol car with the Hibiscus Harbor logo on the side door is parked next to mine.
“Hello.” He doesn’t move but stays leaning against my car.
“How’d you know which car was mine?”
“I’m a cop. I’ve got resources.”
I smirk, “Ah, so you used city resources to track my car. Nice. Isn’t that illegal?”
Declan points to my license plate. “It’s the only car in the parking lot with Georgia plates.”
He got me. I insulted him and his ethics, and I was wrong. Good start, Riley. “Sorry. Of course.”
Declan decides to let me off easy. Maybe he’s feeling weird, too. “How long are you in town?”
“Actually, I’ve moved back.”
If I shocked him, he didn’t show it. He just nods at me. “When?”
“A few months ago. It’s been really crazy getting settled and starting a business. I was going to call – I just didn’t have the time. I’m sorry, Declan,” I apologize again, but I have no idea why. It’s not like we’ve stayed in touch since River’s funeral. The last time I saw Declan, we were standing behind Mom’s shed, and he was holding me. Hell, that was the last time I had been held by any man.
He pushes off my car and stands in front of me like all cops do – legs apart and hands bent in front of him like he’s ready to defend himself if a threat comes at him. And damn, he looks good. Really good. His legs and arms are big, bigger than I remember, and his jawline looks more square than I remember.
“How are you doing, Riley?” He asks and my name on his lips has me thinking inappropriate thoughts. I’m a single mom and business owner. I don’t have time for inappropriate thoughts.
"I’m good. Really good. How about you? How are your parents doing?”
“They’re good. Mom and Dad are loving the retirement life.”
I smile. “Mine are, too. Dad just bought Mom a European cruise, and they leave tomorrow. First time they’re doing for themselves since…” I let my sentence fall.
“Since the funeral?”
I nod.
“Well, good for them. They deserve it.”
Thinking of all that my parents have been through in the last five years between losing River and their daughter having their first grandchild – they both deserve it. “They do. They really do.”
There’s a crackle over Declan’s radio and I hear the dispatcher call a number out. “Is she calling for you?”
He shakes his head. “No. I’m off duty.” He turns the radio off with a click. When he does, his watch lights up and I see the time.
I grab his wrist and turn it. “Is that the time? Shit, I’ve got to go.” The nanosecond that I touched him, I’m shocked with some kind of voltage. I look up at him and something crosses his face but just as quickly is gone. He’s a cop and probably doesn’t like to be touched. I let his wrist go and click the key fob to unlock my car. “It was nice seeing you, Declan.”
He opens my car door for me but stands in my way so that I can’t climb in. “I’ve missed you, Riley. It’s really good to see you.” Declan pulls me into his arms and hugs me. It’s hard to hug him back with his gun belt, all his gadgets on him, and the bulletproof vest he has underneath it, but he feels really good. Too good.
I let him go. “You too, Declan.”
He moves out of the way, and I climb into my car. He watches me pull out of the parking space and I give him a small wave – like I did earlier, but this time he waves back.
