Page 20 of Declan (Men of Clifton, Montana #53)

“I know. ” Elise sighed. “I just hope he has it as bad for me.”

“He rarely takes his eyes off you when he’s here.”

“He’s such a good man, Brandy. I don’t want to lose him.”

“Why would you lose him?”

“I don’t have much luck with men.”

“Well, maybe this time will be different.”

“Maybe. I suppose we should get to the rooms and get our little ballet dancers busy.”

Brandy nodded, then they both walked along the hall and into separate rooms. Elise hoped she heard from Declan today.

****

Declan strode along the hallway toward his office, with Tank on a leash behind him, then stopped in front of Sam’s office.

“Good morning, Sam.”

“Morning. Hey, I need you to go to the Hancock ranch and talk to Mr. Hancock.”

“About what?”

Sam slid a sheet of paper across the desk. “I’d do it but I’m up to my neck in paperwork.”

Declan picked the sheet up and scanned it. “Shit. Alright, Sam. I’ll go now. Damn.”

“Part of the job, Declan.”

“Worst part as far as I’m concerned.”

“I agree. I’d like you to do that before your rounds.”

“I’m on it, Sam. See you later.”

Declan walked back out of the hallway to the elevator but decided to take the stairs. Once he reached the ground floor, he stepped out of the building to see it had gotten cloudy and it was starting to snow.

“Wonderful,” he muttered as he opened the back door of the SUV cruiser and Tank jumped in and laid down.

Declan closed the door, got in behind the steering wheel, started the vehicle and drove to the Hancock ranch.

A few minutes later, he pulled up to the farmhouse where Fred Hancock resided. Taking a deep breath, he stepped out, leaving the vehicle running with a window slightly down for Tank, then closed the door, climbed the steps, and knocked on the door. It opened and Fred Hancock grinned at him.

“Deputy Cavanaugh, what brings you out here?”

“Could we talk, Fred?”

“Of course. Come inside to get out of the cold.”

“Yes, sir.” Declan removed his hat, wiped his feet on the mat, then entered the warm kitchen.

“Would you like a cup of coffee, Deputy?”

“No, sir but thank you.”

“So, what can I do for you?”

“I’m afraid I have some bad news, Fred.”

“It’s about Frederick, isn’t it?”

“Yes, sir. I’m sorry, but he was killed by some prisoners.” Declan watched Fred Hancock go pale as shock set in.

Fred shook his head, as a tear rolled down his cheek. “It’s not like it surprises me. I don’t know where I went wrong with him.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong, Fred. We have no control over how someone turns out. No matter how well they were raised. I see it every day.”

“I know, but…” Fred shook his head. “Will you tell Maggie and Rafe, please? They’re either in the barn or at home.”

“Of course.” Declan walked toward the door, glancing back at Mr. Hancock. “You’ll be getting a phone call about what happens next. I’m sorry for your loss.”

Hancock nodded his head but didn’t say anything.

Declan stepped outside, pulling the door closed behind him.

Taking a deep breath, he headed for the barn.

He entered it to see Maggie and Rafe standing in the middle of the aisle, kissing.

He grinned when he saw Rafe’s hands move down her back to cup her ass.

Declan cleared his throat, making them jump apart.

“Damn, Declan. I’m trying to have a minute with my fiancée and you’re spoiling it,” Rafe said as he strode toward him with his hand outstretched and Declan shook it. “So, what are you doing out here?”

“I wanted to come by and let you know something,” Declan said, his voice low and serious as he moved into the dimly lit barn, the scent of hay and old wood hanging in the air.

“It better not be that Junior is out again,” Rafe replied, a hint of frustration in his voice as he leaned against a wooden beam.

“No. He’s dead,” Declan stated plainly.

“What? Does Fred know?” Maggie asked, her voice filled with shock, eyes wide as she stared at him.

“I just told him. He’s upset, which is understandable, but he also said it wasn’t a surprise to him,” Declan explained, his expression a mix of empathy and resignation.

“How?” Rafe asked, his brow furrowing in curiosity.

“A bunch of prisoners beat him to death. He got cocky with a convicted drug dealer, and they think he had him killed,” Declan shrugged, the weight of the news heavy in the air. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. He deserved it,” Maggie said, a steely resolve in her voice, her eyes hardening as she recalled past grievances.

“You okay, Rafe?” Declan asked, glancing at Rafe with concern.

“I’m fine. I can’t feel remorse about it. He tried to kill me. So, someone beat him to death. Karma.” Rafe replied, his voice steady and unwavering.

“I know. Fred asked me to tell you both,” Declan added, his role as the bearer of difficult news clear.

“I have to see Fred. I have a feeling he’s blaming himself,” Maggie said abruptly, determination in her stride as she walked briskly out of the barn and into the daylight.

“Will she be alright?” Declan asked, watching her retreating figure.

“She will. I’m not real sure about Fred yet, but he did know his son was nothing but trouble. After all Junior did to Maggie, he practically disowned him, but he was his son,” Rafe said, his voice a mix of understanding and unresolved tension.

“Yeah, I get that,” Declan nodded, acknowledging the complexity of the situation. “I need to get going. I’ll talk with you later.”

With that, Declan walked out of the barn and climbed into his SUV cruiser and drove down the dusty path to the main road, heading back toward town.

As the day flew by, Declan realized it was lunchtime already and decided to stop in and see if Elise could get away to have lunch with him.

****

Close to noon, Elise stood at the counter, talking with Erica when the door opened. She glanced over and gasped, then ran toward the woman and hugged her.

“Wynonna! Oh, my Lord, what are you doing here?”

“I’m on my way to California for a show and decided to stop in to see you.”

“I’m so happy you did,” Elise said with tears in her eyes as she pulled her mentor into her arms again. She pulled back from her. “Did you drive all this way?”

Wynonna laughed. “Heavens no. Roberto and I flew into Kalispell, then rented a car to come here. We’re going to stay overnight then drive back to the airport tomorrow and fly to San Diego. I had to see how you were doing. Your mother says you’re happy here.”

“I love it here. Oh, Erica, this is Wynonna Branson, she taught me everything I know about dancing. Wynonna, this is Erica Sommers, the receptionist here and I’d be lost without her.”

Erica stood and shook Wynonna’s hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Branson.”

“You too, dear, but call me Wynonna,” she said then looked at Elise. “Do you have somewhere we could talk in private?”

“Of course, follow me. Oh, Erica, please hold my calls.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Elise smiled at her, took Wynonna’s hand and led her to the office. After they entered, she lightly closed the door and motioned for Wynonna to sit on the sofa, then she sat beside her.

“I’m so happy to see you,” Elise said.

“Same here. You know you were one of my best students. You became a beautiful ballerina.”

“You know I loved it.”

“But?”

“I was more than ready to quit.” Elise chuckled.

“More than ready to quit dancing, but what about teaching?” Wynonna tilted her head.

“That’s why I love it here. I’m teaching all ages. Though only a few of the older girls have experience, it is fun watching them all learn. The class of the four- and five-year-olds are just so much fun to be around.”

Wynonna took Elise’s hand in hers. “I would love for you to come back to New York and work with me teaching new students.”

“I don’t think so, Wynonna. I am very happy here.”

“But how do you know you won’t be even more happy back in New York, teaching?”

“I know I’m happy here.”

“Elizabeth, you could be doing so much more teaching with me. You’d make an excellent ballet teacher.

Do you know that most of my students know who you are?

I have that beautiful photo of you on stage dancing in Swan Lake as Princess Odette.

You were pure perfection in that. I keep that photo in the studio to show the students just what they can accomplish. ”

“I’m flattered, but I am very happy here.”

Wynonna looked at the watch on her wrist, then stood and Elise did too. “I need to go. Walk me out.”

“I wish you didn’t have to go so soon.”

“This was just a quick stop to see you. We’ll talk more.”

Elise took her hand, and they entered the lobby. She smiled when she saw Declan leaning against the counter, talking to Erica. He straightened up and smiled when he saw her.

“Declan, I wasn’t expecting you.”

“I just thought I’d stop in and see if you wanted to get lunch together.” He grinned, then looked at Wynonna. “Ma’am,” he said as he touched the brim of his hat.

“Wynonna, this is Deputy Declan Cavanaugh. Declan, my ballet teacher and mentor, Wynonna Branson.”

Declan removed his hat, put his hand out to Wynonna, and shook her hand.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“You too.” Wynonna looked at Elise. “I can see why you’re happy here, but please give it some thought. The students would love you.” She kissed Elise on the cheek, smiled at Declan and Erica then walked out into the bitter cold.

Elise blinked back tears as she watched her leave. She hated letting her down, but Elise knew her place was here in Clifton with Declan. She looked at him.

“I’ll grab my coat.”

“Sure.”

“Come to my office with me.”

Elise entered her office, and Declan closed the door behind them. She started toward the peg where her coat hung, but he wrapped his fingers around her wrist, pulled her close, and kissed her lips.

Elise wrapped her arms around his waist, then stared into his eyes.

“Do you know how sexy you look in this protective vest?”

“No, I can’t say that I do.”

She laughed. “It’s very sexy. This gun on your side. The badge on your shirt, but this cowboy hat is the sexiest of all,” she said with a smile.

“Do you know what’s sexy about you?”

“What?”

“Everything.” He kissed her lips again, then raised them. “What was your ballet teacher doing here?”

“She stopped in on her way to California for a show. I haven’t seen her in a while.”

“What did she want you to think about?”

“She wants me to return to New York and work with her, teaching ballet.”

“I see.”

“I’m not going, Declan.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. This is my home now and besides, you’re here.”

“Elise, I don’t want to be the one to hold you back.”

“You’re not holding me back from anything. I want to stay here. With you.”

Declan stared at her then nodded. “Alright. What do you want to do this weekend?”

“How about we just stay in and watch some movies and fool around?”

He laughed. “I like that part. My place or yours?”

“Yours. I love sitting in your living room, watching the flames in the fireplace.”

“Alright, sweetheart. I’ll pick you up Saturday around one. We can spend the rest of the day together and Sunday too.”

“Sounds perfect.” She kissed his lips.

“Let’s go to lunch, then I’ll walk you back.” He kissed her, then they walked out the door.

“Where’s Tank?”

“In my office. After lunch, I’ll get him, and we’ll make our rounds.”

“I bet he doesn’t like being away from you. Like me.” She laughed.

“At this time of the year, he’s happy to be out of the cold.” Declan kissed her lips. “I don’t like being away from you either.”

At the diner, he opened the door, nodded for her to go inside, then followed her. They smiled at the people calling out or waving at them as they made their way to a booth.