Page 42 of Declan
“Yeah? What was the first thing you thought about when you saw me?”
She slid back into the booth, then he did too. “I thought you were incredibly handsome. Money never entered my mind. Besides, I happen to have money too. How do you think I bought my studio with cash? Granted, I’m not as rich as you, but I’m not hurting.”
“Do you know what the first thing on my mind was when I saw you?”
“I think you were more interested in your niece than to notice me.”
Declan laughed. “Not really. I love Frankie, but you made me forget why I was there. I thought you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen, and I wanted to get to know you, but I couldn’t ask you out in front of Frankie, then the next time I picked her up, Johnston made sure to let me know you were going out with him.”
Elise grinned. “Yes, but I was thinking, ‘now why couldn’t Declan ask me out’.”
Declan laughed, then sobered. “It kills Johnston that I paid cash for my place. He doesn’t know about my money because he hasn’t always lived here, and I don’t think Dawn would tell him. The minute he met her, he wanted her. She introduced us and he instantly hated me.”
Elise grinned. “Because he was jealous of you. He still is.”
“I’ve never done anything to him, other than date her before he did.”
“He wonders how you can afford to buy a place like that on a deputy’s salary.”
“I bet it kills him wondering about that.”
“Why do you work if you don’t have to?”
“I like my job, and I like staying busy. There’s another deputy I work with who probably has more money than I do, but he likes to work too. I’m sure he’d get bored too if he didn’t. I can’t see sitting around doing nothing. I’m glad Johnston has no clue about my money, but Dawn and I were only friends after we broke up.”
“Some men can’t get past the fact that a woman dated someone else before them. I don’t—” She stopped.
“What’s wrong?”
“Stephen is here. He just came in with a woman.”
Declan looked over his shoulder to see Johnston walking ahead of a woman as they were led to a table. He shook his head and looked at Elise.
“His manners are impeccable,” Declan said with sarcasm.
Elise laughed. “I thought the same thing the first time we went out. He never opened a door for me, and it bothered me. I was so happy to see you had manners.”
“My mother would be disappointed in me if I didn’t.”
“I’m glad you were raised right. Wait. You said your mother was a Callahan?”
“Yes, why?”
“Are you related to Devin and Jaxon Callahan who own the Bur Oak guest ranch?”
“Yes, we’re cousins. How do you know them?”
“That’s how I came to Clifton. I stayed there for a vacation, and I made a trip to Clifton and fell in love with the place. I was contemplating my retirement and decided to live here.” She smiled.
“I’m glad you did.”
“Me too.”
“I have two other Callahan cousins, Reid and Roark. In fact, I was named after Reid’s father. My mother and Uncle Declanhave always been close. She said she told him if she ever had a son, she’d name him after her big brother.”
“I thought Devin and Jaxon were so handsome. Your eyes are the same color as theirs.”
“We all have gray eyes. Roark’s, Jaxon’s and mine are a little lighter.”
