AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Mr. O’Leary, words are one thing, but actions are another,” MaKayla stated.
“Please, call me Declan, and you are correct. I can’t tell you the details, but your mother knows what I have done. And as she said, if she feels comfortable with me, then I hope you can trust her enough to decide what to do. She’s a strong, intelligent woman. Nothing you don’t know,” he said.
“Declan, I can hear it. You mean what you say. Just promise me that you won’t let anything happen to her.”
“You have my word,” he said, and then handed me back my phone.
I took it off the speaker and then said, “Well, that isn’t the way I expected the two of you to meet, but at least the ice has been broken.”
“It’s a start, and I’m glad we did speak. Still not going to tell you I’m happy about any of this. I’d really rather we get to know him better first,” she said.
“I know, but sometimes things don’t go in the order you expect. And if you think back on you and Damien, I’m sure you could attest to that,” I reminded her.
MaKayla chuckled. “Nothing went as I planned.”
“Exactly, yet you’re very happy, aren’t you,” I asked.
“Extremely,” she replied. “And, Mom. That’s all I want for you too. You’ve spent the past twenty-six years living for me. Now it’s time to live for you. If sailing off into the sunset with Declan is going to do that for you, then do it.”
“Thank you, MaKayla. I love you. And I’ll send you pictures whenever I get cell phone service. Not always easy on the open seas.” We ended the call and I put my phone back in my purse. Then I looked at Declan. “That went...I would say better than I expected, but I’m not sure if I should ask you to pitch me or not.”
“I don’t know what she normally sounds like, but she didn’t sound pissed.”
“And it is because of what you said. You didn’t need to say that, you know,” I said. “And she really shouldn’t have asked you either.” It was embarrassing for me. I knew she’d put him on the spot, even though he didn’t let it show.
“I didn’t feel pressured. I meant what I said. I’d like to think you and I are more than just friends,” he said.
This was moving in a different direction. Not that I hadn’t thought about him in ways that were more than just friendly, but there was so much we didn’t know. So much yet to learn.
“I care about you as well. If not, I wouldn’t have asked you to take me sailing.”
“I know. But don’t overthink any of this. Just...enjoy yourself,” he said.
Ha. Not overthink the fact that he and I will be alone on a sailboat for a week or more? So much could happen. Good and bad. And I knew he was thinking about the past that we shared. Even though I hadn’t seen that boat, it now felt a lot smaller.
Before I could respond, the pilot came on the intercom and said, “Please put on your seatbelts. We have started our descent and will be landing in five minutes.”
I turned and looked out the window and I could see the coastline and all the boats on the water. This was real.Who knows. Maybe I’m about to live out one of my fantasies. Any fantasy will do, because they’re all so good.
The heat rushed to my cheeks and Declan asked, “Did you want to hold my hand again while we land?”
I knew he was just teasing because we clarified I wasn’t nervous. But I had no problem playing along. Extending my hand to his, I said, “Most definitely.”
The moment our hands connected; I was filled with a peace that I’d been longing for. This was where I belonged right now. This was right. I had spent so many years either hiding in fear of what was to come or hiding in shame of what had happened.I’m done with both. Life is passing me by and even if it is just a week, I'm not going to be afraid of anything.
I tangled my fingers with his and settled back in my chair. He had called it an adventure, and I hoped it truly was going to be one.
CHAPTER9
Declan
The boat was just as I remembered it. And apparently, Venus was impressed. “This is...yours?” she asked after I showed her around.
“It used to be. I sold it to a friend of mine. He’s not using it so he said we could.” I put her last suitcase below and then came back up to find her laying down, eyes closed. “Is everything okay?” I asked, rushing to her side.
Her eyes flew open, and she sat up quickly. “Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you. I’m just...trying to get used to the feel of the boat.”
“Do you feel ill?” I asked. Never thought she’d be seasick. She wasn’t, all those years ago, but that could’ve changed.
