Page 7 of Declan
“‘Kay, I’ll be back.”
When Declan chuckled watching her run off, Elise wanted to rip his clothes off.
“Will you be picking Frankie up all the time?”
“No, ma’am. Her mother had a doctors appointment and the doctor was running late and since I’m on my lunchbreak, I saidI’d do it.”
“That’s how most doctor appointments seem to go,” she said with a smile. “What is Frankie a nickname for? Frances? Francine?”
“Did you ask her?” He raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, but she won’t tell me.” Elise grinned.
“Then I can’t tell you. What kind of uncle would I be if I told her secrets? Only family knows,” he said with a grin.
When his eyes met hers again, she had to stop herself from wiping drool from her mouth. Damn, he was really good-looking and a deputy at that. His light gray eyes were beautiful, and she knew her mother would call him a lady killer.
She wanted to fan herself. No man had ever affected her this way. He was tall too and she loved tall men, even though she was only five six. He had to be close to a foot taller.
“Who or what is Tank?”
Declan grinned and she swore her knees buckled.
“He’s my K-9.”
“You have a K-9?”
“Yes, ma’am. He loves Frankie.”
“He’s not dangerous?”
“Not to her or anyone, unless he’s told to.” Declan shrugged. “He’s just a regular dog with a job.”
“Where is Frankie going to sit? I mean, isn’t the dog in the back?”
“He is. I have her car seat in the front. She’ll be fine. I do know how to put a car seat in.”
“I’m sure you do.” Elise shook her head.Idiot!
Frankie came running back into the lobby with her backpack and slipped her hand into her uncle’s.
“I’m ready, Uncle Declan.”
“Alright, let’s get you home.” He looked at Elise and touched the brim of his hat. “Ma’am, you have a nice day.”
“Thank you. You too. I’m on my way out. We’re done for the day.”
“Do you need me to walk you to your car?”
“Oh, no. Thanks, but I live upstairs and there’s a door in the back that leads up to my door. I could go outside, but why do that when I can just walk out the door in here…”Shut up! Just shut the hell up!She blushed to the roots of her black hair when she saw him trying not to grin.
“Okay.”
“Bye, Elise,” Frankie said.
“Bye, sweetie. I’ll see you next week.” She waved as they walked out the door, then she locked it behind them. Elise quickly turned out the lights, except for the small lamp sitting on the counter, then entered the hall that led to the door to her apartment. She stopped, put her head against it and banged it slightly. “You just couldn’t shut up, could you?”
Shaking her head, she headed up the stairs, locking the door behind her. At the top of the stairs, she entered, walked toward the window that looked down over Main Street and saw the SUV cruisers’ taillights as Declan Cavanaugh drove it out of town. She heaved a heavy sigh.
