Page 3 of Declan (Men of Clifton, Montana #53)

Upon arriving at the attached garage under the house, Tank began whining softly as Declan pulled up, a familiar sound that tugged at the edges of his tired heart.

He pressed the button to close the garage door, the mechanism’s hum mingling with the evening’s gentle ambient sounds.

Stepping out of the vehicle, he swung open the back door, setting Tank free.

The eager dog sprang from the SUV, his paws skittering lightly on the cement floor, and trotted toward the door leading into the warmly lit kitchen.

Declan shook his head fondly and murmured, “You just want to go to sleep,” as though understanding the simple, honest needs of his companion. Tank barked in reply, a playful yet insistent sound, prompting Declan to pause and gently rub the dog’s ears. Together, they stepped into the house.

Inside, after removing his vest and khaki shirt, Declan sank onto a wooden bench and removed Tank’s protective vest and hung it up, then Declan took off his boots, jeans, boxer briefs, and socks, each article of clothing a testament to the day’s work.

With a tired, dragging gait, he made his way toward the bedroom, the anticipation of rest urging him on.

Once within the soft sanctuary of his room, he cast a weary glance at the bathroom door, a silent reminder of the refreshing shower awaiting him, and then collapsed onto the inviting expanse of his bed, his body heavy with exhaustion.

Just as his eyes were about to surrender to sleep, Tank leaped onto the bed, circled around in a small loop, and settled down with a deep, satisfying sigh.

In a few quiet moments, both man and dog melted into a deep, dreamless sleep.

****

A month had passed since Elise opened her dance studio and she was overwhelmed by the amount of people who had signed up for both ballet and dancercise.

“Why am I so tired?”

She’d been pushing herself too hard trying to get the place ready. She was so glad that the apartment didn’t need much work and with it being above the studio, she didn’t have to worry about staying too late and driving home in the dark.

She had hired a few people who had experience with ballet since she would be teaching both dancercise and ballet.

Pulling around the back of the building, she parked, opened the door, then stepped out, closing the door behind her. She gazed up at the flight of stairs and wondered if she could just crawl up them.

Taking a deep breath, she ascended the stairs, unlocked her door, then aimed her fob at her vehicle to lock it before stepping into her apartment. She hung her keys on a peg beside the door, then dropped her purse onto a small table.

She had made the decision to call the studio, Let’s Dance! She really hoped it worked out for her.

Yesterday, she watched Brandy teach the little girls. She loved watching the little ones in their tutus. She loved teaching ballet, but she was anxious to get started with the dancercise classes too.

She made her way down the stairs and into the studio. She had hired four women to teach ballet and one to run the front desk. Elise walked to the front lobby and smiled at Erica.

“How’s it going?”

“It’s great, Ms. Ramsey. Thank you for hiring me.”

“Call me Elise, please. I’m glad to hear it’s going well for you. Any new people sign up?”

Elise watched as Erica handed her a sheet of paper. Taking it from her, Elise’s mouth dropped open at all the names. Each class had more people wanting to partake.

“This is great,” Elise said.

“I think you might need to hire more people.”

“I’m just glad it’s more for the dancercise classes. I can’t take too many more for ballet in the youngest age group and we’ll be dead around here during the day, until the late classes after school.”

“Eventually, you’ll have to turn people away.”

“I know. I don’t want more than fifteen people in the ballet classes and especially the little ones.

Ten in a class of four- and five-year-old little girls is plenty.

They can get a little rambunctious and not pay attention.

Brandy and I can keep a better eye on them.

” Elise looked at the clock. “Almost closing time, Erica, I’m sorry your hours are shorter in the fall. ”

“It’s fine. The last class ending at two-thirty is perfect. I can get some things done once we close at three. I don’t have to work, so this is fine. Do you need me to do anything before I go?”

“Not that I can think of. Once everyone leaves, I’ll be heading to my big tub and relaxing in a bubble bath.”

“That sounds good. My husband is picking up dinner tonight, so I don’t have to worry about cooking.” Erica smiled.

“Good for him. That’s a good man.”

Erica grinned. “Yes, he is.”

“I’m going back to my office. Let me know before you leave. I’ll lock up behind you.”

After giving her a little wave, Elise headed back toward her office. She peeked into the room where one of the ballet classes was taught and grinned when she saw Brandy sitting on the floor with a little girl.

Elise sat down on the other side of the little girl.

“Hi, Frankie. How did you like your class today?”

“I had fun. I can’t wait to come back.”

“I hope you do come back.”

“I will. My mama said I could if I liked it,” Frankie smiled.

Elise glanced at the clock, noting the time.

Frankie’s pickup was running a bit behind schedule.

Once summer arrived, her dance studio would welcome students from ten in the morning until five-thirty in the evening, Monday through Friday.

From ten to one on Saturdays were the dancercise classes.

Sundays were a sacred break, a time for everyone to unwind and recharge.

Each class was at different times, but with school being in, they all arrived at four pm, right after school let out.

The only early classes were for the pre-ballet dancers, ages four and five, and were held three times a day/one day a week, each session lasting an hour.

From ten to eleven, eleven to twelve, and one-thirty to, two thirty, the studio came alive with the delicate pitter-patter of tiny feet.

Each class gathered ten little girls, their hair tied up in neat buns, who twirled with infectious enthusiasm and giggled with delight as they learned the graceful movements.

The room was filled with the soft rustle of tutus and the sweet sound of childish laughter, creating an atmosphere of pure joy.

As the children grew, so did the challenge; those aged eight to ten attended the beginner/intermediate level, meeting twice a week from four to five p.m. The intermediate dancers, ages ten to twelve, honed their skills from four to five-thirty, four times a week, their discipline evident in every pointed toe and graceful arm movement.

The intermediate advanced group, ages twelve to fifteen, dedicated the same hours to perfecting their art, while the advanced level students, aged fifteen to eighteen, pushed their limits from four to five-thirty, four days a week.

Elise intended to adjust the schedule for the summer months, but with school in session, only the littlest ballerinas twirled through the studio during the day, their laughter echoing like a sweet melody.

One day a week was filled with tiny dancers.

“Go ahead and head home, Brandy. I’ll stay with her until her ride gets here.”

“Are you sure, Elise? I don’t mind staying.”

“I don’t have to drive home, so yes, I’m sure. You just go home and get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice.” Brandy got off the floor and after telling Frankie and Elise goodbye, she left.

Erica appeared in the doorway. “I’m leaving, unless you want me to stay with you while you wait?”

“No, we’re fine. I’m sure her mama or daddy will be here soon.”

“My uncle Declan is picking me up.”

“Oh, that’s right. I forgot to tell you. Frankie’s mother called and said her brother was picking up Frankie,” Erica said.

“I’m glad you remembered because no matter who he was, she wasn’t going to leave with him. We have a strict policy for that.”

“It’s a good thing we do. You never know.”

“You’re so right, Erica. Go home. I’ll follow you to the door and lock it.” Elise looked at Frankie. “Come with me, sweetie. I need to lock the door after Erica leaves.”

“‘Kay,” Frankie said as she took Elise’s hand, and they walked to the front lobby.

“Be safe going home, Erica. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“You too. Any plans for the weekend?”

“After the dancercise class, I’m not going to do a thing,” Elise said with a grin.

“Same here. Bye.” Erica walked out and Elise locked the door. Just as she turned to lead Frankie to her office, she stopped when Frankie started jumping up and down and pointing to a man stepping from an SUV cruiser with Sheriff’s Department down the side of it and walking toward the door.

“That’s Uncle Declan. He’s a depty.”

“You mean a deputy?” She smiled when Frankie nodded.

Elise’s eyes widened as she watched the man stride toward her.

He literally took her breath away. A white cowboy hat sat atop his head, casting a shadow over his face, while his dark brown hair brushed against the collar of his khaki shirt.

A gleaming badge was pinned to his chest, catching the light with every movement.

His jeans fit snugly, accentuating his tall, lean frame, and on his feet were a pair of well-worn cowboy boots.

Damn! She couldn’t tear her gaze away as he flashed a grin and lifted a hand to wave at Frankie.

“Let me open the door for him.” Elise unlocked the door and ushered him inside. Good Lord, he smelled fantastic. She watched him squat down to talk to his niece.

“Hey, kiddo. I’m sorry I’m a little late.”

Elise smiled when Frankie hugged her uncle, not that she could blame her. She’d like a hug herself. She looked at his hand and didn’t see a wedding band.

“That doesn’t mean anything,” she murmured then blushed when he looked at her.

“I’m sorry?”

“Nothing. Just talking to myself. So, you’re Frankie’s uncle?”

He stood up. “Yes, ma’am. Declan Cavanaugh,” he said as he put his hand out for her to shake.

The minute their hands touched; she didn’t want to let go. Their eyes met and she couldn’t look away.

“Elizabeth Ramsey, but everyone calls me Elise. It’s nice to meet you, Deputy Cavanaugh.”

“Declan, please, and it’s nice to meet you too. Elise is a nickname for Elizabeth?” he asked as their eyes held.

“Yes. When I was born, my uncle started calling me Elise and it stuck.” She was sure she was going to burst into flames.

“I see.” Then he looked at his niece. “Are you ready to go?”

“Is Tank with you?”

“Yep.” Declan grinned.

“Yay! I have to get my backpack first.”

“Alright. I’ll be right here.”

“‘Kay, I’ll be back.”

When Declan chuckled watching her run off, Elise wanted to rip his clothes off.

“Will you be picking Frankie up all the time?”

“No, ma’am. Her mother had a doctors appointment and the doctor was running late and since I’m on my lunchbreak, I said I’d do it.”

“That’s how most doctor appointments seem to go,” she said with a smile. “What is Frankie a nickname for? Frances? Francine?”

“Did you ask her?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, but she won’t tell me.” Elise grinned.

“Then I can’t tell you. What kind of uncle would I be if I told her secrets? Only family knows,” he said with a grin.

When his eyes met hers again, she had to stop herself from wiping drool from her mouth. Damn, he was really good-looking and a deputy at that. His light gray eyes were beautiful, and she knew her mother would call him a lady killer.

She wanted to fan herself. No man had ever affected her this way. He was tall too and she loved tall men, even though she was only five six. He had to be close to a foot taller.

“Who or what is Tank?”

Declan grinned and she swore her knees buckled.

“He’s my K-9.”

“You have a K-9?”

“Yes, ma’am. He loves Frankie.”

“He’s not dangerous?”

“Not to her or anyone, unless he’s told to.” Declan shrugged. “He’s just a regular dog with a job.”

“Where is Frankie going to sit? I mean, isn’t the dog in the back?”

“He is. I have her car seat in the front. She’ll be fine. I do know how to put a car seat in.”

“I’m sure you do.” Elise shook her head. Idiot!

Frankie came running back into the lobby with her backpack and slipped her hand into her uncle’s.

“I’m ready, Uncle Declan.”

“Alright, let’s get you home.” He looked at Elise and touched the brim of his hat. “Ma’am, you have a nice day.”

“Thank you. You too. I’m on my way out. We’re done for the day.”

“Do you need me to walk you to your car?”

“Oh, no. Thanks, but I live upstairs and there’s a door in the back that leads up to my door. I could go outside, but why do that when I can just walk out the door in here…” Shut up! Just shut the hell up! She blushed to the roots of her black hair when she saw him trying not to grin.

“Okay.”

“Bye, Elise,” Frankie said.

“Bye, sweetie. I’ll see you next week.” She waved as they walked out the door, then she locked it behind them.

Elise quickly turned out the lights, except for the small lamp sitting on the counter, then entered the hall that led to the door to her apartment.

She stopped, put her head against it and banged it slightly. “You just couldn’t shut up, could you?”

Shaking her head, she headed up the stairs, locking the door behind her. At the top of the stairs, she entered, walked toward the window that looked down over Main Street and saw the SUV cruisers’ taillights as Declan Cavanaugh drove it out of town. She heaved a heavy sigh.

“You’re too gorgeous for my peace of mind, Deputy Cavanaugh,” she murmured then headed for the bathroom.