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“I agree with you. That’s why I’m telling you this. You need to decide what you want and talk to him about it. Declan isn’t a man who will just let you walk away.”
Hot tears well behind my eyes. “This is such a mess. I don’t see a way out.”
“Don’t you?” Ramsey tilts her head to the side. “Sometimes it’s the fear that keeps us from seeing clearly. When you’re too close to a situation, it’s hard for you to see the forest for the trees.” She places her hand over mine. “I can see the forest, Kennedy. You fit here with them. With all of us.” With that, she takes her bottle of water and joins everyone else at the table. I grab a couple of slices of cheese pizza, so that I’ll match Blakely, a bottle of water for myself, and move toward the dining room as well. I’m not going to drink tonight. Not when I promised Declan I would take care of his little girl. I don’t expect anything to happen, but if something does, I’ll be alert.
“Tell them, Kenny,” Blakely says, laughing. “Daddy wears makeup.” She’s giggling so hard her little body shakes.
“I’ve never seen your daddy wear makeup,” I tell her.
“Uh-huh. ’Member hims puts on armpit makeup.”
This time it’s me who chuckles. “Silly, that’s deodorant.”
“Daddy says I’m not old enough to wear makeup just armpit makeup.” The table erupts in laughter, and my little sidekick eats it up.
After dinner, Blakely says it’s time for hair and makeup since her daddy only lets her on girls’ nights. We spread out in the kitchen, with Blakely being our sole focus. Alyssa is curling her hair, and Jade is doing her makeup. Piper, Ramsey, and Palmer are drilling her about what ideas she has for her photo shoot. I guess this is their thing with her, and it’s easy to see how much they all love her, and she them.
My phone rings, and it’s Declan. “Hey, you.”
“Are you surviving?” he asks.
“She’s perfect, Declan. I’m the one who should be asking you that.”
He laughs, and the sound fills my heart. “I’ll be fine. Orrin and Brooks are riding with me while Sterling and Deacon man the grill.”
“Oh no. Declan, that’s a terrible idea. There will be witnesses,” I hiss, stepping out of the room but still staying where I can see Blakely. I don’t know why. These women are her family.
“It’s fine, babe. We can handle Maureen.”
“You underestimate her, Dec.”
“You worry too much. Is Blake close?”
“She is. Hold on.” I walk back into the kitchen. “Blakely, Daddy’s on the phone.”
“I can’t talk right now,” she says, holding up her hand.
I laugh and place the call on speakerphone. “Dec, you’re on speaker. Miss Blakely is afraid to mess up her hair and makeup.”
“Blake, are you being good?”
“I’m always good,” she fires back.
“Your aunts and Kennedy are in charge,” he reminds her.
“I know, Daddy.”
“I love you.”
“Love you too.”
I take the call off speakerphone. “She’s having so much fun,” I tell him.
“What about you? Are you having fun?”
“I am. Your family is amazing, Dec. Everyone is welcoming and they dote on her.”
“Told you she eats that shit up.”
“Her photo shoot is next.”
“That girl is not the least bit shy.”
“No, she’s not. I should get back in there. Text me once Grandma is dropped off, and I’m sorry in advance for anything she throws at you. Tell your brothers I’m sorry too. At least they’re both taken.”
“So am I.” He lets those three words hang between us. “You ladies have fun,” he tells me.
I open my mouth but quickly close it. I almost told him I love him. It seems like the natural thing to do with Declan, especially when I’ve handed him my heart on a silver platter. He might not know it, but it’s the truth. However, I can never tell him. That will only make matters worse when I move back home. This was only supposed to be temporary, but nothing about the ache in my chest at the thought of losing Declan and Blakely feels temporary.
It’s tangible.
A constant ache.
What have I gotten myself into?
CHAPTER
EIGHTEEN
Declan
“This is it,” I tell my brothers as we pull into the driveway of a small house in the center of town. “I’ll try to be quick,” I tell them.
“I’ll move to the back,” Brooks says.
I was expecting them to give me shit for agreeing to do this, but it was the exact opposite. They offered to ride with me. I don’t know if they understand the importance of this moment. The way Kennedy and I have switched roles, her watching over my heart while I make sure her grandmother is delivered home safely. We’re becoming one, and I couldn’t be happier about it.
I make my way up the sidewalk, step onto the porch, and knock on the door. Miss Hattie answers. She’s a widow and never had any kids. She’s lived in Willow River all her life. Everyone knows Miss Hattie.
