Page 12 of Declan
“I need to get going. Celine and I are going out to dinner this evening.”
“I’m heading to the diner tomorrow night. I’ll talk to you soon, Killian. Tell Celine hi for me.” They shook hands again and Declan watched as Killian headed for his truck, then he climbed into his SUV. He put his fingers through the caged partition and rubbed Tank’s nose. “Let’s go home, boy.” He laughed when Tank barked, then realized he had to stop by his sister’s house. He had bought Frankie a doll she’d been telling him about. He could do it tomorrow, but he planned to do nothing on his day off but relax and maybe fish a little.
Pulling up to the house, he picked up the doll from the passenger seat, got out, letting the vehicle run to keep Tank cool, and walked up the steps. The door opened and Frankie stared up at him, then at the doll.
“Is that for me?”
Declan squatted down. “Now, who else would it be for?” He handed her the doll. She giggled and hugged him.
“Can Tank come in?”
“Not this time. I’m heading home.”
“Declan, come inside for a minute,” his sister said, then when he entered the house, she narrowed her eyes at him. “Uh, oh,” he muttered, then looked at her. “What?” he said.
“You bought her that doll.”
“I did.”
“You’re spoiling her.”
“She’s my only niece.” He grinned.
“You’re the best uncle!” Frankie said as she pushed the door to close it.
“He’s your only uncle.”
“Doesn’t matter, he’s the best one I have.”
“Well, that does make sense.” Mona grinned.
“Yep, if I had another one, I bet Uncle Declan would still be the best one.”
“But you won’t have another one,” Mona said.
“Yeah, but still—” Frankie started to say.
Declan interrupted and laughed. “I believe that’s my cue to leave. You two can sort this out. Enjoy your doll, Frankie. I’ll see you soon, sis.” He walked out the door, climbed into his vehicle, and laughed as he drove home.
****
Elise stood at the counter in her kitchen, waiting for Stephen to pick her up for dinner. She wore a red dress that hugged her torso, but the skirt swirled out above her knees. On her feet were white stilettos. Being their first date, she wanted to look nice.
When a knock sounded at the door, she jerked, then sighed and walked to the door. She looked out the peephole and saw him. Taking a deep breath, she opened it to Stephen standing there in a suit and tie. She smiled. Declan probably would have shown up in jeans and a dress shirt.Stop it! You have to see how this goes because Declan doesn’t seem interested.She sighed again.Just give the man a chance.
“Hi, Stephen, come in.”
“Hello, Elise.” He ran his eyes over her then smiled at her. He glanced around her apartment and seemed to dismiss it. “Are you ready?”
“Yes.” She picked up her white sweater, pulled it on, and frowned when he didn’t even help. Then she got her purse, and they walked out the door. He didn’t even hold her hand as they walked down the metal stairs, in fact he walked down them ahead of her and reached the car before she did. She clenched her jaw when he opened his door and got into the car, leaving her to do the same. Mentally shaking her head, she wondered if this was a mistake.
As they sat at the candlelit table, the faint clink of cutlery and soft murmur of other diners enveloped them.
“This is a beautiful restaurant,” she said as she looked around.
Stephen shrugged. “It’s the only nice one around here.”
The dinner was wonderful but the conversation not so much. The entire time, all he did was drink his whiskey and glance around the restaurant. He barely touched his food.
