Page 14 of Declan (Men of Clifton, Montana #53)

“Not long, but I’m hoping it will continue,” Declan replied, his voice tinged with a mix of hope and excitement. Suddenly, he halted mid-step, realizing Sam was no longer by his side. He turned to see Sam standing a few paces behind, a bemused expression on his face. “What’s wrong?”

Sam shook his head with a wry smile and resumed walking, the crunch of fallen leaves underfoot punctuating his words. “You. I have never heard you say something like that about seeing a woman.”

Declan chuckled. “I’m surprised myself.”

“She seems like a good person. Very beautiful,” Sam noted, a teasing grin spreading across his face. “Not as beautiful as my wife, but close.”

Declan laughed heartily, the warmth of his amusement cutting through the chill. “I think Elise is beautiful too.”

“I’m sure you do. I’ll see you later,” Sam said as they reached the courthouse steps, the imposing brick structure looming above them.

“Call me if you need me. I’m off to make rounds,” Declan nodded, his eyes scanning the streets.

“Be safe out there.” Sam offered a final wave before he ascended the steps, his silhouette disappearing into the building as the door closed behind him.

****

The apartment was enveloped in the rich, mouthwatering aroma of lasagna baking in the oven, and the savory scent made Elise’s stomach rumble with anticipation. Just as she was about to pull open the oven door to check on it, her cellphone vibrated on the countertop, interrupting her.

Grabbing the phone, her face broke into a wide smile as her mother’s familiar, beaming face filled the screen.

“Hi, Mom,” she greeted warmly.

“Hi, sweetheart. How’s Clifton treating you?” her mother inquired, her voice carrying the warmth of home.

“I absolutely love it here, Mom. I’ve met someone, and although it’s only been a brief time, I think I could really fall in love with him,” Elise confessed, her voice tinged with excitement.

“Oh, honey, that’s wonderful news. Does he feel the same way?” her mother asked, her tone filled with curiosity and hope.

“I’m not sure yet,” Elise admitted, a hint of laughter in her voice. “He’s a Sheriff’s Deputy and incredibly handsome.”

“Well, what could be more handsome than a man in uniform?” her mother teased playfully.

Elise chuckled. “He doesn’t wear a full uniform. It’s more of a rugged look, khaki shirt with his badge pinned on it, jeans, cowboy boots, and a very sexy cowboy hat.”

“Oh, my. Maybe I should come for a visit,” her mother quipped with a chuckle.

“I wish you would, Mom. I really miss you and Dad,” Elise said softly, a touch of longing in her voice.

“We miss you too, honey. I’ll talk to your dad about it, but it might be best to plan for spring,” her mother suggested thoughtfully.

“Yes, definitely. I heard it actually snowed here last June. Can you believe it, Mom? June! Clifton is nestled in the mountains, and from here, you can see the breathtaking Glacier Mountains,” Elise explained, her voice brimming with awe.

“It snowed in June?” her mother echoed; her voice filled with disbelief.

Elise laughed, the sound bright and cheerful. “Unreal, huh?”

“Yes. The reason I’m calling is to tell you that Wynonna was asking about you. I saw her at the theatre the other night. She said she’d love to see you.”

“I’d love to see her too. It’s been a while.

Is she still teaching ballet?” Elise smiled at the memories of her teacher.

A wonderful woman who pushed her to excel, but made sure her students knew how much she loved being their teacher.

She’d been a ballerina in her early years, and she’d been one of the best.

“Yes, I believe that’s why she wanted to know about you. She said she’d love to have someone else helping her with her students. I think she meant you.”

Elise didn’t know what to say. “But I’m here now and I’m happy.”

“Honey, I’m not telling you to do it. That is your decision if she does get in touch with you about it. If you’re happy where you are, then stay there. You do sound happy.”

“I am. Especially since meeting Declan.”

“I like his name.”

“Me too. Declan Cavanaugh.”

“Irish to the bone,” her mother said with a laugh.

“Yes, he is. I’m making dinner for him. He’s supposed to be here at six.”

“And what are you making?”

“Your wonderful lasagna.”

Her mother laughed. “I’m sure he’ll love it. I have to run now, honey. Call me soon or text. We love you.”

“I love you both. Bye, Mom.” Elise hung up and smiled.

Her parents were wonderful people, and she did miss them, but she knew she could visit them.

She nibbled on her lower lip wondering if Wynonna was asking about her to offer her a position as a teacher.

Not that she would take it, but she was curious.

At exactly six o’clock, a firm knock echoed through the room, prompting her to rise and approach the door.

Peering through the peephole, she felt a smile tug at her lips as she saw Declan standing there, a bag dangling from his hand.

She opened the door with a welcoming wave, inviting him inside.

As expected, he removed his hat, wiped his boots on the mat, and stepped inside.

His lips met hers in a warm kiss before he hung his hat on the nearby rack and offered her the bag.

“Damn, that lasagna smells incredible,” he remarked, his fingers gently caressing her cheek. “Almost as good as you.”

“Thank you. And what’s this?” she inquired, holding up the bag with curiosity.

“Chocolate from the bakery. You do like chocolate, don’t you?”

“I do,” she affirmed, as she opened the bag to reveal a delectable sight. “I love fudge.”

“Well, if you didn’t, I guess I’d have to eat it all myself,” he teased with a broad grin.

“You’re shit out of luck, cowboy,” she retorted playfully.

Declan chuckled. “Women and their chocolate.”

“Do you have a lot of experience with women and chocolate?” she asked with a smile.

“I don’t think I should answer that,” he replied, smirking.

“Good call,” she laughed. “What would you like to drink?”

“Water is fine.”

“Okay. Have a seat, and I’ll get that for you,” she said, moving toward the kitchen. She selected a glass from the cabinet, filled it with ice, and held it under the fridge’s water dispenser. Turning back toward the living room, she noticed him standing beside the sofa. “Declan, please sit.”

“I will, after you.”

“You may as well sit. I have to get the lasagna and garlic bread out, and it has to sit for fifteen minutes,” she said with a smile.

He gazed at her for a moment, then walked over and gently kissed her lips once more. “Yes, ma’am.”

She returned his smile as she handed him the glass and headed back to the kitchen, her heart light with him being here.

As she carefully removed the steaming food from the oven, a wave of savory aroma wafted through the kitchen.

She glanced at him and sighed, feeling a familiar flutter in her chest. Yep, she was in trouble .

The lasagna dish landed on the counter with a slight thud, the golden cheese on top bubbling and sizzling, creating an enticing symphony of scents.

Elise walked to the living room and bit back a grin when Declan got to his feet. She smiled as she sat on the sofa, then he sat beside her. She picked up the remote for the TV and turned it on.

“We can watch a movie after dinner, if you’d like,” she said.

“That’s fine. No chick flicks though,” he said with a grin.

“Okay. We’ll compromise somehow.”

“Whatever you want to watch is fine.” His stomach growled. “Sorry, I’m starving. I skipped lunch today.”

“Were you busy?”

“Not really. I just didn’t get back to town. Clifton County isn’t big, but it’s spread out.” He shrugged.

Elise was about to answer him, but the timer rang, and she got to her feet, as did Declan.

“I need to put the lasagna on the table.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Come on dinner is ready,” she announced with a warm smile, watching as he walked toward the kitchen, his water glass glinting in the soft light. She placed the warm, crusty garlic bread into a woven basket, nestling it next to the lasagna.

Declan set the glass down gently, then moved to her side, pulling out a chair for her. She shook her head slightly as she settled into the seat.

“What was that for?” he asked.

“What?”

“Shaking your head.”

Elise chuckled. “You have wonderful manners. Stephen did not.”

He raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. “No? Somehow that doesn’t surprise me.” He seated himself across from her.

“You really don’t like each other, do you?” she probed.

“No.” His jaw tightened visibly, a hint of tension etched across his features.

Reaching across the table, Elise placed a gentle hand on his clenched fist. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring him up. It’s just that you and he are night and day.”

“Thank God,” Declan muttered under his breath, a hint of relief in his voice.

“I agree wholeheartedly.” Elise picked up a knife, slicing neatly into the lasagna, the layers of pasta and rich sauce yielding easily to her touch. She scooped a generous portion onto his plate before offering him the basket of garlic bread.

He selected a slice, laying it carefully on his plate, but paused, waiting for her to serve herself a piece of lasagna and garlic bread before diving in. As he cut into the steaming dish, spearing a piece with his fork, he took a bite and let out a deep, appreciative groan.

“This is fantastic. I mean that,” he praised.

Elise beamed with pride. “Thank you. I love it too.”

“Does it take long to make?”

“No, not at all. Maybe thirty minutes to assemble everything,” she explained casually. “The best part is the noodles don’t need to be pre-cooked.”

“You don’t have to boil them?” he asked, surprise coloring his tone.

“Nope. The only real cooking involves browning the hamburger, and mixing the ricotta cheese with shredded mozzarella, some parmesan, an egg, and parsley. Then it just gets layered,” she replied with a nonchalant shrug.