Chapter 16
DECLAN
Not going to deny it, there is a bit of pep to my step as I walk along Lake Spark’s Main Street holding a tray of two coffees, intending to surprise Violet.
The sun is out, and my mood is great.
But since the other week after agreeing to keep seeing one another, then I’ve been in a damn good mood. We’ve been texting all week, but still, she doesn’t know that I’m swinging through Lake Spark today.
With a satisfied grin on my mouth, I balance the tray of coffees, and with my other hand, I swipe my sunglasses off my face as I use my back to push the door to The Flower Jar open, with the bell announcing my arrival.
But then I instantly stop in my tracks when I hear Ford’s voice deep in conversation about babies as he leans against the table where Violet is cutting a few stems.
Ford’s head turns in my direction, while Violet looks up and smiles, but her eyes turn slightly fearful when they bounce between her brother and me.
“Hey, what are you doing here?” Ford, at least, seems happy to see me. “Didn’t know you were in town.”
“Hey.” My greeting isn’t as steady. “Yeah, I… was going to do another walkthrough with my realtor before placing an offer. A last-minute kind of thing.”
“Sounds like you’re ready to settle here, which is great.” He looks around the shop then back at me. “What brings you to The Flower Jar?”
“I…” I’m not sure how to get myself out of this one.
Violet is behind Ford’s view and begins to gesture with her hands a steering wheel then points to Ford.
“I… noticed your car.” I think that’s what she was going for, and she nods.
“Yeah, noticed your car parked nearby and thought I would stop by to say hi.”
“Cool.” He hikes a thumb at his sister. “I was just telling Violet about the latest doctor’s appointment for Brielle. This baby is going to be huge, the biggest yet.”
“Fun,” I simply state.
Ford’s eyes turned puzzled when he notices the coffees in my hands. “What’s with the second coffee?”
“Duck it,” the parrot chirps.
We all look at the bird then awkwardly at one another, with Violet letting out a nervous laugh.
“Thought I would bring a coffee to my real estate agent,” I lie.
“Jolly Joe’s, excellent choice,” Violet adds, but her eyes tell me she appreciates the effort that I’m bringing her favorite.
Ford walks to me and places his hand on my shoulder. “See? Lake Spark is rubbing off on you. I bet you’re like the rest of us and on a mission to get a purple jellybean.”
“Yeah… I heard they’re rare,” I reply. Just like Violet.
“If you want, you should stop by the rink later,” he offers.
“Thanks, but I’m a bit short on time today, but I’ll be back soon,” I promise him.
Ford looks between Violet and me, and maybe he picks on the fact that I can’t keep my hands off his sister when he isn’t around. I’m not sure, but he seems to have a peculiar look flash across his face as we have a break in conversation.
That is until Violet disrupts the silence. “Just text me what time you and Brielle want to leave this weekend, and I’ll be there.”
Ford glances to Violet with appreciation. “Thanks.” His sight lands on me again. “She’s helping us out with babysitting. She’s special, this one.”
Okay, now I’m certain that he is trying to transmit a secret message to me.
I stand a bit taller as he says goodbye, looks at me skeptically, and walks out.
Violet and I look at one another, holding our breath, until she heaves a sigh when she feels the coast is clear.
Stepping forward, I bring the coffees to the table. “Wasn’t anticipating him being here,” I admit.
“Wasn’t anticipating you being here.” She smiles softly.
Offering her the coffee cup, I state the obvious. “That’s called the element of surprise.”
“Do you really have an appointment?” she wonders as she takes a sip of her drink.
My head bobs side to side. “Yes… only after I arranged it. I was hoping that I could steal you away for lunch.”
“We might be destined to hide in the closet in the back since Tilly called in sick, so I’m here alone.” She sits down on her stool to get comfortable.
“Doable.” I allow myself to drown in the view of her for a few extra seconds. “Everything okay with Ford?”
“Yeah, he was just stopping by, going over the rules for the kids, and checking if I’m ready to hit the dating scene, as he would like to see me get out there more.
That’s when I told him that he shouldn’t worry, as his hot friend is banging me against walls on a regular basis now.
” A smirk curls on her lips which informs me that she’s messing with me, at least for the last sentence.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I hold up a finger to indicate for Violet to wait a second. Glancing at the screen, I groan when I see my father’s name.
Violet scoffs a sound. “Still avoiding your parents?”
Tucking the phone back into my jeans pocket, I roll my eyes. “Kind of. My mother not so much, but my dad… It’s just… I don’t want to disappoint him or appear overly selfish, even though I know that is 100% what I am.”
“Ah, so it’s your issue, not his. You’re afraid of what you might feel when you see him face to face and confront the fact that Declan Dash will not be taking over the family empire, despite being the only child and getting everything he normally wants.” Her wry smile doesn’t fade.
“Something like that.” Swallowing the last sip of my cortado, a little pebble hits the lid. I take the lid off and have to grin. “A sign?” I show her the cup with the purple jellybean that must be covered in who knows what food coloring to have survived my coffee.
“Maybe.” Violet swirls off her stool and walks around the counter to stand in front of me. “I guess things we believe are impossible don’t seem so hard once it happens.”
I narrow my eyes at this beautiful vixen in front of me. “Are you trying to connect the jellybean to my parents?”
Her lips quirk out. “Is it getting the wheels in your head turning?” She slips her arm around my waist.
“Maybe.”
“Trust me, you will focus better once you face your parents.”
I pinch her stomach and pull her closer. “I know you’re right. I’ve been holding off on seeing them, but they want me to have dinner with them this weekend. What are the chances I can see you after to recover?”
“Zero, sadly. I’m babysitting my nephews and plan on enjoying the pool after they go to sleep.”
I wince at the thought of her in a bikini alone and me nowhere in sight. “What an image in my head now.”
“You know I appreciate that you stopped by and brought me coffee, it’s cute.”
“Babe, I’m not cute.”
“You kind of are,” she argues. “My point is that I wasn’t sure when I would see you again, but here you are.”
“Want to know a secret?” I whisper.
“Yes.”
“I have no clue what I’m doing other than I had an urge to see you.”
She checks nobody is outside. “Well, I may know the feeling. Now, follow me to the closet and let me blow your mind so you have something to think about when you see your parents.”
My mother can’t stop smiling as she grabs a few vegetables from the tray on the table. She’s a contrast to my father who hasn’t said much, nor blinked as he continues to stare at me.
“Carrot?” She offers me the plate. I can tell she went to the salon today, as her blonde hair is partially curled, and her nails seem freshly painted.
I shake my head. “No, thanks.”
“We are so happy you’re finally joining us for dinner. I know you’ve been busy, but we always appreciate when you make a little time for us.”
My lips stretch from her sentiment, and I glance at the wall of their dining room which has my signed jersey and a photo of me holding a trophy. “New?” I indicate with my head.
Dad chuckles. “You mean the shrine to our beloved, only, and firstborn son? Why, yes. That is exactly what your mother was going for.” Even with his face stern, he manages to execute sarcasm with perfection.
It causes me to grin. “Should we just lay this all out on the table? I’m not planning on taking over the business. You know it’s not about money, I have that from my own doing.”
My mother touches my hand on the table. “We know, it’s about what you enjoy. Right, Walter?” Her eyes aim a warning at my father.
He grabs hold of his scotch. “We let the boy enjoy his hockey career. He can’t take a little time to give back to this family?”
“You have people who are by far more suited to handling maple syrup,” I explain. “Besides, I’m still young and need to ensure I enjoy my life ahead.”
Maybe Violet was right, and this isn’t as bad as I had built up in my head. After the initial look from my father, walking into the dining room to a well-spread meal seemed like a piece of cake. Now words just flow out of me.
“You’re the only one who can carry on the name,” he nearly grumbles, “unless you get to work on settling down with someone to give us grandkids, but nothing you have done has ever indicated that’s on your mind. Hell, you’ve never even introduced us to a woman.”
“Now isn’t the time to pressure him to settle down.
” My mother flashes him an unimpressed look before turning her attention to me.
“Your father just had it in his heart that after your hockey career, you would spend more time with him to take on the company. But you kind of took us by surprise with your grand purchase.”
“You mean the hockey team? Yeah, because if I can’t play, then I still want to be involved. It’s too much in my blood,” I clarify.
“Of course, dear, but maybe you can find a way to balance your time a little.” She’s trying to offer an olive branch to the two men at this table.
“Heaven help us, Pearl, I probably would have to have a heart attack before Declan even considers.”
I rub my forehead, now getting aggravated. “This is beginning to feel like a bad idea that I ca—”