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Partitioned by screens, the stylish room reminded me of a movie set with its tasteful combination of antiques and modern art.

“That sounded nice,” I said.

“I’m learning a new piece.” She smiled. “Can I offer tea or something? Declan’s upstairs.”

“I’m good.” I noticed a winding iron staircase. “You’ve had a floor added.”

“It was that or move. We like it here too much. And now we’ve got a superb view of the sea. I’ll take you up.”

“I can just go up. Don’t stop playing on my account.”

“I need a break. And I want to make sure Declan isn’t letting Julian stare at a screen.” She rolled her eyes. “He’s too much of a softy with our son.”

I smiled. “Dylan’s pretty cute. Difficult to resist, I imagine.”

She nodded slowly with a chuckle. “Oh yeah. Some days he runs the show, and he’s only fourteen months.”

Ascending the stairs, I entered an enormous open space with surrounding windows where an all-encompassing view of endless sky and white cliffs being pounded by the ocean dominated. I would never have gotten off the leather recliner had I lived there.

“It’s spectacular.” I stood by the wall of windows. “Who needs to watch a television when you’ve got all of this?” I pointed at the blue sky where a V-shape of seabirds glided past.

“I know that’s me some days. I love to sit and daydream,” Theadora said.

“Sounds healthy.” I remained transfixed by the ocean’s turbulence.

“And lazy.”

“For someone who plays the piano so effortlessly, I wouldn’t exactly think of you as slack.”

She smiled sweetly. “That’s nice of you.”

Declan entered, carrying his son. “Carson.”

“Hey.” I touched the warm, puffy cheek of that stunning, blue-eyed toddler. Sucking on his thumb, he returned an adorable shy smile.

Whenever I visited Declan and his family, my heart always grew.

I’d never really given fatherhood much thought, but Declan’s bliss was contagious. After a session with my former army comrade, I always left optimistic about life.

I used to fall into a dark hole when thrown into the company of cheery families. I’d since moved on from that negativity. On a deeper level, I’d just resigned myself to never marrying or having kids. Declan and Theadora, however, made having a fulfilling marriage look easy. Appealing even. Which made my goal of becoming that solitary man who just rolled with life look rather sad and gutless.

Savanah crept into my thoughts.

Where did that come from?

One night. That’s all it had been.

So why can’t I stop thinking about her?

“Julian’s looking more like you every day,” I said to Declan.

He lowered his son, who, like one of those motorised toys, waddled about, moving in all different directions.

“He’s energetic,” I said.

“He’s that and more.” Declan chuckled.

Theadora took Julian by his tiny hand. “Come on, Jules. We’ll go down and make some fairy bread.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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