Page 32 of Declan
“Your wonderful lasagna.”
Her mother laughed. “I’m sure he’ll love it. I have to run now, honey. Call me soon or text. We love you.”
“I love you both. Bye, Mom.” Elise hung up and smiled. Her parents were wonderful people, and she did miss them, but she knew she could visit them. She nibbled on her lower lip wondering if Wynonna was asking about her to offer her a position as a teacher. Not that she would take it, but she was curious.
At exactly six o’clock, a firm knock echoed through the room, prompting her to rise and approach the door. Peering through the peephole, she felt a smile tug at her lips as she saw Declan standing there, a bag dangling from his hand. She opened the door with a welcoming wave, inviting him inside. As expected, he removed his hat, wiped his boots on the mat, and stepped inside. His lips met hers in a warm kiss before he hung his hat on the nearby rack and offered her the bag.
“Damn, that lasagna smells incredible,” he remarked, his fingers gently caressing her cheek. “Almost as good as you.”
“Thank you. And what’s this?” she inquired, holding up the bag with curiosity.
“Chocolate from the bakery. You do like chocolate, don’t you?”
“I do,” she affirmed, as she opened the bag to reveal a delectable sight. “I love fudge.”
“Well, if you didn’t, I guess I’d have to eat it all myself,” he teased with a broad grin.
“You’re shit out of luck, cowboy,” she retorted playfully.
Declan chuckled. “Women and their chocolate.”
“Do you have a lot of experience with women and chocolate?” she asked with a smile.
“I don’t think I should answer that,” he replied, smirking.
“Good call,” she laughed. “What would you like to drink?”
“Water is fine.”
“Okay. Have a seat, and I’ll get that for you,” she said, moving toward the kitchen. She selected a glass from the cabinet, filled it with ice, and held it under the fridge’s water dispenser. Turning back toward the living room, she noticed him standing beside the sofa. “Declan, please sit.”
“I will, after you.”
“You may as well sit. I have to get the lasagna and garlic bread out, and it has to sit for fifteen minutes,” she said with a smile.
He gazed at her for a moment, then walked over and gently kissed her lips once more. “Yes, ma’am.”
She returned his smile as she handed him the glass and headed back to the kitchen, her heart light with him being here.
As she carefully removed the steaming food from the oven, a wave of savory aroma wafted through the kitchen. She glanced at him and sighed, feeling a familiar flutter in her chest.Yep, she was in trouble. The lasagna dish landed on the counter with a slight thud, the golden cheese on top bubbling and sizzling, creating an enticing symphony of scents.
Elise walked to the living room and bit back a grin when Declan got to his feet. She smiled as she sat on the sofa, then hesat beside her. She picked up the remote for the TV and turned it on.
“We can watch a movie after dinner, if you’d like,” she said.
“That’s fine. No chick flicks though,” he said with a grin.
“Okay. We’ll compromise somehow.”
“Whatever you want to watch is fine.” His stomach growled. “Sorry, I’m starving. I skipped lunch today.”
“Were you busy?”
“Not really. I just didn’t get back to town. Clifton County isn’t big, but it’s spread out.” He shrugged.
Elise was about to answer him, but the timer rang, and she got to her feet, as did Declan.
“I need to put the lasagna on the table.”
