Letting out a heavy breath, he stared at a spot on the counter’s worn wood. “I don’t know.”
“Well, then, figure it out.” Dan’s tone softened enough to take the edge off. “I like that girl. She’s good for you.”
He huffed out a short laugh. “What, you'replanning our future already? I’ve only known her a week.”
“Well, I’m not getting any younger. Unless I help you boys, I’ll be waiting forever to become a great-uncle. I want to enjoy the little ones while I can. And don’t you dare elope,” Dan added, pointing a finger at him.
“Holy cow! Not only do you have us getting married, now we’re having kids too? Are you serious?”
The older man shook his head. “I know when two people belong together. It was obvious from the way you looked at each other last night. Now, go buy Maura some flowers and apologize for whatever you did—even if you don’t have a clue what it was.”
He stood there as his uncle gave him a wave and strode toward the office at the back of the store. After a moment, KC shook his head and stepped over the snoring dog, heading out into the bright sunshine.
Maybe Dan had a point.
With that thought in mind, he turned toward the florist up the street.
Not long after KC left, Jinx relocated to the middle of the third aisle to continue his nap. Dan glanced up from the stack of bills spread across the counter when the front door opened. The dog was on his feet in an instant, tail wagging as he trotted toward Bonnie Whitman.
With a smile, Dan leaned back as she stepped inside, as comfortable there as she’d been for years. She laughed and bent to scratch behind Jinx’s ears. “Well, hello there, good boy. You always know who walks in with dog biscuits in their pockets, don’t you?”
She reached into her jacket and pulled out a bone-shaped treat. As part of their usual routine, Jinx sat and lifted a paw, and Bonnie shook it before handing over the prize. The dog gave a muffled woof around the biscuit and headed toward the middle of an aisle, clearly pleased with himself.
“You spoil that dog,” Dan said, shaking his head as he set his pen down.
Bonnie straightened with a smirk. “Oh, like you don’t. Besides, I don’t have any grandchildren to fuss over yet, so Jinx benefits.” She leaned an elbow on the counter. “I hear you’ve been playing matchmaker. How did their date—if that’s what you’re calling it—go last night?”
He couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face. “About as well as I could’ve hoped. Dinner went great, and from what I gather, the rest of the night did too. There might’ve been a small hiccup this morning, but KC’s on his way to make it right.” He tapped a finger lightly against his chest. “Those two fit. You can see it plain as day.”
She studied him, then nodded. “You sound pretty sure of that.”
“I am,” he said. The image of them together from the night before came back clear as anything—the way they’d looked at each other, like no one else had been in the restaurant.
“She reminds me a little of Lori, the boys’ mother,” he added after a moment, his tone edged with quiet melancholy. “And KC… he’s his father all over again. It’s a shame their parents didn’t get to see them as grown men. They would’ve been so proud.”
Bonnie’s expression softened. “Like you are. You did right by those boys, Dan. They know it.”
He cleared his throat, not quite meeting her eyes. “I did what needed doing.” After a beat, he glanced up, his smile and sunny disposition returning. "So, what can I do for you, or did you just come in to make my dog fat and me happy?"
As if on cue, Jinx came trotting back for thesecond biscuit he knew Bonnie had for him, and she handed it over before turning back to Dan. "Actually, I came by to see if you could come over to the house sometime in the next few days and look at the toilet in the spare bathroom. I want to know whether it's an easy fix or if I need a new one before I call the plumber. I don't trust contractors anymore since that electrician tried to cheat me last year. Thank God you came by before I signed anything, and he started working. They think they can get one over on dumb, single old ladies like me."
He scoffed. “You're certainly not dumb, most definitely a lady, and don't look a day over forty. I would be happy to swing by and take a look, as long as you make your famous meatloaf as payment for my professional services.”
Grinning, Bonnie winked at him. "You’re on. Is tomorrow night okay?"
"Sounds perfect."
After she left the store and headed toward her boutique, Dan returned to his bills and started whistling a silly tune.
Chapter Fifteen
When he returnedto the house, KC pulled into the driveway with a plan in mind. After more debating than he cared to admit, he’d picked out a large bouquet of mixed flowers, then decided to put together a picnic lunch for Maura. Women liked thoughtful gestures like that—or so he told himself—and he was willing to try anything to get back on her good side.
After leaving the florist, he picked up fruit, crackers, pepperoni, and an assortment of cheeses from the food mart. Then he grabbed a bottle of merlot at the liquor store and headed home, feeling a little more hopeful about the day.
He carried everything inside and set it on the kitchen counter, then searched for a platter. Oncethe food was arranged, he brought it out to the porch, adding the spread to the table along with a vase of flowers.
Back inside, he headed down the hallway and stopped in front of Maura’s door. He hesitated, only for a moment, his earlier confidence slipping as doubt crept in, before knocking softly and waiting.
