Page 28 of Declan (Men of Clifton, Montana #53)

“I was doing no such thing, and you know it. I know you told Elise about seeing me at your house and Dawn in a robe. That was a lie, and you fucking know it. I was there to help her with a busted pipe because she couldn’t get in touch with you!

” Declan grabbed him by his shirt and jerked him close.

“Dawn was not in a robe, you lying piece of shit.” He pushed him against the car.

“Now, sit in the car and just shut the fuck up. Let’s see how lenient the judge is this time.

” Declan removed the keys from the ignition then nodded for Johnston to sit.

In the distance sirens answered his call, their wail rising and falling like a restless tide.

A few minutes later Jack Lawrence’s cruiser rolled up, tires crunching the gravel.

Jack stepped out, boots thudding, khaki shirt covered with his protective vest as he strode toward him beneath the glow of emergency lights.

Declan relaxed slightly and offered his hand.

Jack clasped it firmly, then he pulled Johnston out of the vehicle.

Jack guided Johnston to his feet and glanced at Declan. “Hell of a way to spend Thanksgiving, isn’t it? Did you already read him his rights?”

“I did.”

“And the breathalyzer?”

“He refused.”

Jack cracked a knowing grin. “Telltale sign he knows he wouldn’t pass. I’ll take him, unless he wants to ride in the back with Tank.”

“Fuck you both,” Johnston said, then threw up, just missing Jack’s boots.

“Nice, man,” Jack snapped.

“I’ll be along behind you and write him up when we get there.”

Jack nodded, eased Johnston into the back seat, then swung his cruiser around for the drive back to town. Declan watched the taillights disappear into the night. He walked toward the woman.

“Ma’am, have you had anything to drink?”

“No, I don’t drink, Deputy. I’ll take a breathalyzer test if you need me to.”

Declan shook his head. He couldn’t smell any alcohol on her. “You can go. My advice, if he does get out, stay away from him.”

“You have no worries about that. First and last date. Thank you.” She shook his hand.

“Yes, ma’am. Be careful going home, the snow is getting thicker.” Declan touched the brim of his hat before climbing into his own vehicle, Tank’s head resting calmly on his paws. The road lay quiet again, but Declan’s pulse was still racing as he headed to the department, following Jack.

As Declan had told the woman, the snow was getting heavier, and he hoped he didn’t have to stay too long at the office because the roads would get slick.

All he wanted to do was get home, shower, eat, and relax for the weekend. He hoped there wouldn’t be any serious accidents since he was off this weekend. Of course, all he did when he was alone was think of Elise and wonder how she was doing and if she missed him at all.

His family had been disappointed that he couldn’t make Thanksgiving dinner, but some holidays he was scheduled for, and this happened to be one of them. He was off Christmas day, but he’d rather work than sit around and think about Elise and how they should be together on that day.

When he finally got Johnston booked, he headed home. He was tired from the long day, and he knew Tank was too.

The next day, the sidewalks were packed with people doing their Christmas shopping. If he didn’t have to be out in this, he sure wouldn’t be. These people were locals, and it was a good thing tourist season didn’t happen this time of the year or people wouldn’t be able to move.

As he drove along, he swore when he saw Johnston striding along the sidewalk with a woman. He held several bags from stores and Declan was sure he was shopping too.

“Son of a bitch should be in jail,” Declan muttered, but he probably made bail and no doubt his trial wasn’t until after the holidays.

Declan’s gut told him Johnston would, once again, get away with drunk driving.

Since he refused the breathalyzer and blood test, the only thing that could be done was to suspend his license.

The next day, Declan pulled into the diner parking lot. It was lunchtime and he was starving. After parking, he let the vehicle run with the windows cracked for Tank, then he entered the diner.

People called out or waved as he looked around for a seat. He saw Rawley Bowman raise his hand from a back booth, so he weaved through the tables until he reached him.

“Have a seat, Declan. I just got here myself.” Rawley nodded for him to sit.

Declan removed his hat, hung it on the peg on the side of the booth, then slid onto the bench.

“Damn, it’s nuts out there today.”

Rawley chuckled. “Every year at this time. I don’t understand the people that have to shop the day after Thanksgiving.”

“For the deals,” Declan said with a shrug.

“Bullshit. Those deals will come up again right before Christmas.”

“Yeah, I know how you wait until the last minute.” Declan grinned.

“So, how are you doing?” Rawley asked as he stared at him.

Rawley was one of his closest friends and he knew about Elise leaving for New York.

“I’m alright.”

“Again. Bullshit. You miss her.”

Declan sighed. “I do, but that’s why I wanted her to go. She needed to see where she belonged, and she’s made her choice.”

“Why can’t you move to New York?”

“What the hell would I do in New York?”

“Besides having the woman you love? Who the hell cares?”

“I’m not a New York type of person. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve been there and it’s a great city, but I’m small town. Just like you.”

“I get that, Declan, but you’re miserable.”

“I’ll get over it. I have to. We’re from two different worlds and I don’t fit in hers and she doesn’t want to fit in mine.”

Rawley sighed. “I have a feeling nothing I say will change your mind.”

“Nope. Are you going to Nate’s wedding or does MDOL have you working?” Declan asked. Rawley was a livestock agent for Montana Department of Livestock and they’d worked cases together. That’s how they met and became friends.

“You know I’m off on weekends, unless called in, so I’m going to the wedding. Nate’s on cloud nine.”

“I bet. I haven’t seen him for a while, but he did ask me if I would be at the wedding. Hell, I wouldn’t miss it.”

After ordering lunch, the men talked about cases and Declan told Rawley about Johnston being arrested again.

“That prick needs to be in jail for vehicular homicide,” Rawley growled out.

“Bad thing is, he wouldn’t take a breathalyzer, so all he’s going to do is lose his license. Even though he’s on the dashcam.”

“Yeah, but you know as well as I do that he can say he fell. Hell, he could say the road was slick and lost control of the car. It wouldn’t be the first time a drunk lied. The only thing he has to worry about this time is he won’t get a restricted license. Hell, Declan, he could walk again.”

“I know.” Declan shook his head. “Losing his license isn’t enough.”

“You got that right. He’s a damn menace on the roads. He’s going to kill someone again.”

“I want him in jail for killing Dawn and to get him off the roads. He drives with his daughter in the car. What if he killed her?”

“I know. Drunks think they can drive just fine. I have a feeling he’ll get away with it again. Hell, losing his license is nothing to him. He’ll find someone to take him where he needs to go.”

“I’m going to be keeping my eye out for him. I’d love to see him driving because I know for a fact he has no license.”

“I’ll keep an eye out too.”

After lunch, the men parted ways and Declan made his way to his SUV cruiser and saw Tank on the back seat, asleep.

“Some K-9 you are,” Declan said when he opened the driver’s door, then grinned when Tank huffed out a sigh.

“Just a few more hours and we’re heading home. I just hope the snow lets up so we can get home.”

Declan pulled out of the parking lot, stopped at a light and saw Johnston standing on the sidewalk waiting to cross the street. He smirked at Declan when he passed in front of his car.

“My foot could slip, and no one would know,” Declan murmured, but sighed, knowing he’d never stoop to that level, but he promised himself, he’d get him one day.

****

Elise sat in the living room, watching her mother decorate the Christmas tree as her father sat in his recliner giving orders. She watched her mother turn around and glare at him.

“Simon, if you don’t stop telling me where to put the decorations, you’ll get one where you don’t want it,” Muriel Ramsey said, making Elise laugh.

“I’m just trying to help, honey,” Simon said with a grin.

“I don’t need, nor do I want, your help. We go through this every year.”

Elise stood. “I’m going to take a shower. I’ll be down soon.”

“Honey, are you staying for Christmas?” her father asked.

“I’m going home for Christmas, Dad. Where I belong.”

“It’s about time,” her mother said.

Elise smiled. “I cannot wait to see him again.”

“I’m sure he misses you too. Let’s just hope the weather cooperates for you.” Muriel looked out the window to see snow falling heavily.

“I hope so too.” Elise hugged her mother and father, then walked upstairs to take a shower. It had been a long day, and she was tired.

All she did was think of Declan and what he was doing. She hoped he had a good Thanksgiving, and she wanted to get home to him in time to go to the wedding with him. She wanted to surprise him.

She smiled as she entered her bedroom, then the bathroom and turned on the shower. After stripping off her clothes, she entered the stall and groaned as the warm water cascaded over her.

Elise thought back to telling Wynonna she was going and smiled as she remembered her reaction…

“Well, I knew that was coming. I hate that you’re leaving, but in my heart, I know you belong with your man. Can’t say as I blame you. He is a lady killer, as your mother would say.” Wynonna smiled.

“I miss him so much. I wanted to stay as long as I told you I would, but I can’t. I just want to go home to him now.”

“Okay. I get it. It’s where you belong. I’m happy for you, but I’ll miss you so much.”

“Come visit me. You’d love all the shops in Clifton.”

“I’ll do that once we get to summer.” Wynonna pulled her into her arms and kissed her cheek. “Be happy, honey. You deserve it. Invite me to the wedding.”

“If he asks, yours will be one of the first invitations I send out. I’ll be happy when I’m with Declan again.”

She finished out the week and left the studio for the last time. She was so anxious to get home. Home to Declan.

But the weather didn’t cooperate and all flights out of New York were cancelled when a huge snowstorm shut the city down. All Elise could do was wait it out, but she hated missing the wedding.