Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
“Welcome home, by the way,” I added, once we’d entered the kitchen. “Is it for good?”
Declan smiled, and I was momentarily dizzy. I actually reached out for the counter to steady myself. Wow. Could a man be even more handsome when he smiled? Based on the smile directed toward me, yes. Yes, he could.
“Yep. Home for good.”
Maddie handed me a plate and one to Declan. “It’s a system. Start here and make your way around. Harper, you’ll sit at your normal spot.”
“Thank you,” I said, taking the plate and falling in line behind Sean, who was still ignoring me. I poked my finger into his back, causing him to turn and look. He almost seemed taken aback when he saw me.
I gave him a sugary smile. “Did you forget I was here, darling?”
His cheeks turned red.
“Jackass,” I hissed.
Declan chuckled, and Sean glanced at him, then back to me with a warning look that honestly did nothing for me. The man couldn’t even stand up to his own mother.
“Everything looks so good, Maddie,” I said, my voice full of phony cheer and happiness. “It smells good too. Is that homemade bread?”
Maddie nodded. “It sure is.”
Declan leaned in, and I shivered when his hot breath swept over my skin as he whispered, “You’re laying it on too thick. Pull it back some.”
I let out a nervous laugh. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“If you say so.”
Once everyone had their food, we sat at the dining room table, and conversation revolving around Declan soon broke out. I could see Sean growing tired of hearing about his brother’s accomplishments while in the Marines and how proud Maddie was of her boy. The old me would have tried to steer the conversation to Sean somehow, but the new me…she didn’t give a rat’s ass if Sean was jealous of his brother or not.
So, I sat back, my wine glass in hand, and asked yet another question.
“Declan, what will you be doing now that you’re out of the military?”
He finished off his beer and set it on the table. “Probably go work for the Moose Village Police Department.”
It was clear the moment he said it, he hadn’t meant to divulge that information just yet.
“You’re going to be a cop?” Sean shouted.
“Why are you yelling?” Matt and Maddie said at the same time.
Sean looked around the table. “Putting yourself in danger again? At this point, I think you’re just doing it for the attention it’ll bring you, and nothing else.”
My mouth dropped open as Maddie shot daggers at her younger son.
Declan laughed. “Wow, tell everyone how you really feel, Sean.”
He rolled his eyes. “I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just saying, don’t you think Mom has worried enough over you? Now you want to be a cop and make her worry even more?”
Leaning back in his chair, Declan folded his arms across his chest, and I nearly let out a whimper at the muscles on display. Instead, I looked down at my plate and contemplated whether I wanted to finish the lasagna or leave a bit.
“It’s Moose Village, Sean. Not New York City,” Declan stated.
“I thought you didn’t know what you wanted to do?” Maddie said.
Declan looked at his mother with a sheepish smile. “I wanted to wait a few days before I told you. I knew you’d be worried.”
Sean huffed.
“I worry about you boys no matter what, so it’s a moot point.”
“A moo-point,” I said with a giggle. When all eyes turned to me, my smile faded. “I take it we don’t have any Friends fans at the table.”
Sean, Matt, and Maddie all frowned, while the corner of Declan’s mouth twitched with a hidden smile.
I wiped my mouth and set my napkin on the table when no one said anything. “Maddie, let me clear these dishes for you.”
She smiled. “Thank you, Harper. That’s very sweet of you.”
My eyes met hers. Why was she being so nice? If she were finally accepting me as Sean’s girlfriend, that would really stink. I mean, yay for me winning her over, but boo when we eventually fake break up.
After clearing the table and getting the dishes in the dishwasher, I looked toward the living room, wondering if I could slip away without anyone noticing I was gone.
“Don’t do it.”
Turning, I let out a small yelp and placed a hand over my heart. “Declan, you scared me.”
He flashed me his brilliant smile and made his way farther into the kitchen. “I saw the way you were looking longingly at the front door. If you sneak away, my mother will wonder why.”
I sighed. “It’s just been a long day, and I’m ready to get home.”
He nodded and leaned against the counter, placing his hands to the sides, slightly behind him, and grabbing the counter. The motion caused his arm muscles to flex, and I had to force myself to look away.