Chapter 6
VIOLET
Sitting at the table overlooking the lake, I glance at my brother who is busy flipping burgers while talking to his neighbor Spencer, a retired professional baseball player. Ignoring the group of teenagers in the pool, I focus my attention on Brielle and April, Spencer’s wife.
“Are you sure you’re okay manning the fort while Ford and I get away for a little bit?” Brielle double-checks while she pours me some wine, because it’s conveniently my favorite and makes me more agreeable.
I willingly take the glass. “Of course, I’ll keep an eye on Connor and play with my little nephew Wyatt.
It’s only a weekend, and it’s still a few weeks away.
” As much as my dad acts like a grandfather, his relationship with Ford is different, more fraught at times, and our mom lives in Oregon since they divorced many years ago.
I’m Ford’s local family, and I don’t want to let him down.
Not to mention Brielle, who despite having a few years on me, is the closest thing to a best friend that I have in Lake Spark. We can talk for hours.
Brielle glances radiantly down at her growing belly. “I’m a planner. Well, except for Connor.” She’s glowing, and her brown hair seems to get more gorgeous as the pregnancy develops, I mean, her hair even flows in the wind perfectly.
“Two kids under the age of three, plus a teenager. I don’t know how you do it.” April flings her blonde ponytail behind her shoulder before she chomps on a tortilla chip.
“A busy house is the way we like it, but we’re done after this one.
Three boys will be plenty.” She smiles as Ford comes to stand behind her with a plate of burgers, and she affectionately touches his shirt.
I can’t believe they were apart for ten years.
They tried the whole co-parenting thing until they admitted that they’re meant for more.
Spencer takes his place next to April, kissing her cheek.
I feel like an extra wheel, but I have my wine glass, so that’s a plus.
“How was work? Didn’t kill the bird yet?” my brother asks as he slides a burger onto my plate.
“You know Nugget is part of the deal. Didn’t notice him much, as I was busy, but Connor stopped by.”
“I know. I love the sunflowers,” Brielle gushes.
Looking over at the pool, I point out the obvious. “Quite a boy-girl ratio happening over in the pool,” I taunt my brother and indicate with my head to the teenagers where guys are outnumbered by far.
Spencer chortles a laugh. “Don’t rile him, we just went over his master plan for being the cool dad and promising to keep the hockey team away from my daughter.” Spencer’s daughter Hadley is a few years younger than Connor and has an obvious crush.
“It will only make her want them more,” April adds.
“How about we switch topics so I can sleep tonight?” Ford suggests as he sits down.
Brielle asks him something related to the kids, but I only catch the end of their exchange when he mentions that Declan will be here soon.
“Now that he owns the Spinners and is adamant that they train here in Lake Spark, maybe he’ll be around more. ”
I nearly choke on my wine. Declan’s name sparks warmth inside me, all because of one wild night and his surprise visit to my flower shop. But it’s this new fact that I’m learning which has me thrown off my axis.
“You okay?” Brielle attempts to rub a circle on my back.
I pat my chest while my other hand holds onto the wine glass placed on the table. “Yeah, totally, just drank a little too fast,” I assure her then focus my attention on Ford. “Around more?” I repeat, attempting to sound steady.
“Declan? He’s here this week to help with the hockey camp, but he also wants the Spinners to train here next season. I’m trying to convince him to move here,” Ford answers.
That man.
He’s in my head.
Declan didn’t mention more frequent visits to Lake Spark, only the Dizzy Duck Inn, which normally equates to temporary accommodation, as in a passing-through-town kind of thing.
I feel my face drop from the realization that this bothers me more than it should.
Meanwhile, the sound of an approaching car engine hits my ears, distracting me from my mind racing in a thousand directions.
Luckily, my distraction is broken by one of Connor’s friends who is walking into the yard with his thumb hiked over his shoulder as he calls out, “Con, your parties are always unreal. Not only are the adults here like former pro athletes, but now you have a guy show up in the newest Maserati who I am sure looks like Declan Dash.” The teenager shakes his head with a grin.
Christ, of course Declan would drive a ridiculously expensive car. It fits perfectly with the image of playboy billionaire that everyone has stamped him with, and I’m still undecided on whether it’s true or not.
I notice Brielle has a strange expression while she stares at me, but I ignore it.
I’m about to be tested.
Can I look at Declan with indifference when my brother is so close?
No. I. Can. Not.
There is no sense in even trying. I have stupid butterflies in my stomach because I did the horizontal, vertical, and upside down with the guy who I’m sure I will be passing the salad bowl to in about three minutes.
“Hey, Declan,” my brother greets the guest of honor.
Declan swipes his sunglasses off as he walks into the yard, surveying the scene. There are teenagers splashing in the pool again, the sun is bright but beginning to dip low in the sky, and all the adults are around the table, ready to welcome this guy.
“Hey, everyone, looks like quite a setup,” Declan mentions then hands Brielle a small bag with tissue paper.
“This is for the lady of the house for keeping all the Spears crew together.” He gives her a side hug before giving a high five to Spencer and a nod to April.
His eyes pause on me for a second, then his focus is back on Brielle who is unraveling her box of chocolates.
“Got something from Jolly Joe’s. Your sister-in-law convinced me not to buy from her shop. ”
“You saw Declan today?” my brother asks, with creases forming on his forehead.
I nod. “Yeah, didn’t think it was worth mentioning.” My sight zips to Declan who has a subtle smirk on his mouth. “I knew Brielle was getting flowers already,” I explain.
“But you always say that a person can never have enough flowers.” Ford seems confused.
“True, but—” I begin.
Declan cuts in. “Don’t give her a hard time. She was closing up and busy writing a card for an important order. Between the talking parrot and her need to focus on her delivery, then I’m sure I caught her at the wrong moment. Did you get that order out?” he asks me with a hint of smugness.
“How considerate of you to ask. You know, you should try a burger. Ford seasons it with his own special spice mix.” I smile and do my best to keep this conversation moving and away from myself.
“Sounds delicious,” Declan replies.
Ford hands him a plate, and Declan sits down just in time for everyone to offer him something.
My nephew walks to our table, seeming to be on a break from his afternoon of friends, flirting, and swimming. “Hey, Declan.”
“There’s our future hockey star.” Declan and Connor bump fists together.
“When did you get the car? I wish Dad would go all-out.” He looks at Declan with a bit of worship in his voice.
Declan pats Connor’s arm. “First off, I can only fit one other person in that car, max. Your dad needs a good family car, and he still has a Jaguar for when he has a kid-free day.”
“Dad won’t let me drive it. I’m sure you’ll be the cool guy and let me drive your car.”
Ford scoffs, feigning hurt. “Oh my, Connor is the first kid whose parents won’t let him drive fancy cars because he only just got his license.”
“That car in our driveway isn’t even on the market yet. This is going to skyrocket my popularity at school.” Connor shakes his head then walks away, clearly annoyed that Ford isn’t taking him seriously.
Declan points his finger in the air. “And that is why having kids is not on my radar.”
“Never say never. By the way, are you still dating the model you met at some charity event?” Spencer pipes in.
“Nah, that ended like a year ago,” Declan confirms.
Brielle shakes her head. “Admittedly, I can’t keep up with your dating life, but I’m happy you’re here. Speaking of dating…” Her voice raises an octave. “Sheriff Carter completely has a thing for Violet. He asked me when you normally take a lunch break when I was at the park the other day.”
Here we go again. If the man has such interest, then he needs to make his move, as I’ve been hearing about this for months.
“Ooh, that is some high-quality Lake Spark stock, with deep connections,” April points out.
Ford raises his hand. “He has my approval.”
“She doesn’t need your approval,” Brielle says. “Now, if you will excuse me, I need to go get the ice cream out for the kids.” She begins to stand, but I quickly beat her to it.
“Relax. I’ll go, and I think if by kids you mean hormonal young adults, then yes, I know my instructions.” I salute her then leave, heading straight inside.
I need air. Which makes no sense, as I’ve been outside by the lake for a good hour, but I need air free from Declan and the word dating.
I don’t want confirmation that this guy has no plans to ever settle down, and I sure as hell don’t need to hear about his dating history. Nor do I want to talk about my current lack of love life with him in attendance.
When I arrive in the kitchen, I blow out a breath and take a moment, pausing with my hand on the handle of the freezer. I remind myself that I knew what I signed up for on that night with Declan; it’s like a freaking mantra in my head every time he enters my brain, which is a lot.
It was only one night.
Opening the freezer, I grab the boxes of ice cream sandwiches, and I have to smile to myself. This house is, literally, hangout central, and I don’t even want to know what Connor is going to try when his parents are away for their babymoon.