Page 5 of Declan (Men of Clifton, Montana #53)

The two men stood locked in silence, the air taut as violin strings, until the bubbling chorus of children’s laughter erupted behind them. Jenny, cheeks pink with excitement and curls bouncing, burst into the lobby.

“Daddy! I had so much fun today!” she cried, sprinting into Stephen’s arms. Her backpack dangled off one small shoulder as she flung her arms around him.

Stephen scooped her up, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead.

“Good, honey. Now let’s get you home.” He turned back to Elise, his tone unexpectedly gentle.

“I’ll pick you up at six tomorrow night for dinner.

” Then after glancing at Declan with a smirk, he strode out, Jenny’s delighted giggles trailing in his wake.

Elise nodded. Declan’s stern profile didn’t soften as he watched Stephen’s retreating back. She stepped closer to the counter.

“Well,” she murmured, brushing a hand across the smooth surface, “you could have cut that tension with a knife.”

Declan’s lips flattened. “We don’t like each other.”

She rolled her eyes. “No? Really? Why not?”

He shrugged. “Ask him when you go out to dinner.” He straightened, his attention drifting toward the hallway. “Is Frankie ready?”

Elise turned and called out to the corner of the room where a lively cluster of children sat cross-legged on the polished wooden floor, their colorful backpacks resting at their feet.

“Frankie? Your uncle is here,” she announced with a warm smile.

A small, cheerful voice responded, “‘Kay, thanks, Elise.”

Minutes later, Elise observed as the little girl grabbed her pink-and-purple backpack, its colors vivid against the subdued tones of the room and darted eagerly across the floor.

Declan knelt, his arms open wide like a welcoming embrace, and Frankie joyously launched herself into his arms. Her peals of laughter rang out, echoing against the walls.

He rose to his full height, cradling her tenderly against his chest, and she nestled her cheek into the comforting khaki fabric of his shirt, a picture of pure contentment.

“Bye, Elise. Oh, I like that Jenny is in my class now,” Frankie called out, her small hand waving energetically.

“That’s good. Bye, sweetie. See you next week,” Elise replied, returning the wave with a soft smile, her heart warmed by the effortless and genuine bond between uncle and niece as Declan carried Frankie toward the door.

Elise watched through the large studio windows as Declan buckled Frankie securely into her car seat, the late afternoon sun casting a golden glow over his broad shoulders.

He climbed into the driver’s side, the engine roaring to life with a deep, throaty growl, and smoothly pulled away, the SUV’s hood gleaming like a beacon under the fading light of the setting sun.

Elise closed her eyes, drawing in a deep, slow breath that filled her with a sense of tranquility, and let a smile curve her lips.

“Damn,” she whispered, her words a gentle sigh in the quiet air, “what a man.”

It was just too bad he hadn’t asked her out.

She’d love to know him better, but she never threw herself at a man.

With a deep sigh, she locked up, then headed upstairs.

Her date with Stephen was tomorrow night and she was looking forward to getting out.

He told her he was taking her to The Hartland; a nice restaurant, and she was excited.

Maybe she and Stephen could become friends.

She didn’t see more than that happening.

She had some reservations about him but didn’t know why and she was hoping that would change once they went out.

****

Declan walked out of the sheriff’s department to head home. He grinned when he heard Tank barking. It seemed the dog knew the day was over and they were heading home.

Declan planned to relax tomorrow before his date with Denise Dawson. He’d taken her out a few times, but it wasn’t serious. She told him when they first went out that she wasn’t interested in a long-term relationship, which was more than fine by him.

As he got to his cruiser, he heard his name being called and looked to see Killian Doyle walking toward him. Declan grinned and shook his hand when he reached him.

“Hey, Killian. How are you?” Declan asked. Killian was a livestock agent for the Montana Department of Livestock.

“Good, Declan. You?”

“Same.”

“Are you heading home for the day?”

“Yeah. What are you up to?”

“I’m heading home too. It’s been a long day.”

“You got that right.”

When Tank barked, Killian looked at him. “I haven’t seen you in a while. I knew you had a K-9 but I didn’t know it was a Rottie.”

“Yeah, he’s my K-9 but also my dog,” Declan said with a grin.

Killian walked toward the SUV and looked in. “Hey, buddy.” He looked at Declan. “What’s his name?”

“Tank.”

Killian’s eyebrows shot up. “Seriously? I have a Rottie named Tank. It must be a popular name for that breed,” Killian said with a grin.

Declan chuckled. “Sounds like it, but I didn’t name mine.”

Killian grinned. “I didn’t name mine either. I adopted him and kept the name.”

“That’s crazy, isn’t it? I guess people see those big block heads and think of tanks.”

“Yeah, but my Tank is a pussycat.”

“So is mine. Just don’t make him chase you.” Declan shook his head. “It won’t end well.”

“I bet. He’s a lot bigger than my Rot.” Killian laughed. “Oh, did you get your invitation to Nate’s wedding?”

“I did. I’ll be there. I wouldn’t miss it.”

“We’ll be there too.”

“I haven’t seen him. I wonder if he’s nervous?”

Killian grinned. “I saw him yesterday, he said not yet, but I’m sure he will be. I’m sure he’s ready to marry that woman.”

“I’m happy for them. Markie’s a good woman.”

“I need to get going. Celine and I are going out to dinner this evening.”

“I’m heading to the diner tomorrow night.

I’ll talk to you soon, Killian. Tell Celine hi for me.

” They shook hands again and Declan watched as Killian headed for his truck, then he climbed into his SUV.

He put his fingers through the caged partition and rubbed Tank’s nose.

“Let’s go home, boy.” He laughed when Tank barked, then realized he had to stop by his sister’s house.

He had bought Frankie a doll she’d been telling him about.

He could do it tomorrow, but he planned to do nothing on his day off but relax and maybe fish a little.

Pulling up to the house, he picked up the doll from the passenger seat, got out, letting the vehicle run to keep Tank cool, and walked up the steps. The door opened and Frankie stared up at him, then at the doll.

“Is that for me?”

Declan squatted down. “Now, who else would it be for?” He handed her the doll. She giggled and hugged him.

“Can Tank come in?”

“Not this time. I’m heading home.”

“Declan, come inside for a minute,” his sister said, then when he entered the house, she narrowed her eyes at him. “Uh, oh,” he muttered, then looked at her. “What?” he said.

“You bought her that doll.”

“I did.”

“You’re spoiling her.”

“She’s my only niece.” He grinned.

“You’re the best uncle!” Frankie said as she pushed the door to close it.

“He’s your only uncle.”

“Doesn’t matter, he’s the best one I have.”

“Well, that does make sense.” Mona grinned.

“Yep, if I had another one, I bet Uncle Declan would still be the best one.”

“But you won’t have another one,” Mona said.

“Yeah, but still—” Frankie started to say.

Declan interrupted and laughed. “I believe that’s my cue to leave. You two can sort this out. Enjoy your doll, Frankie. I’ll see you soon, sis.” He walked out the door, climbed into his vehicle, and laughed as he drove home.

****

Elise stood at the counter in her kitchen, waiting for Stephen to pick her up for dinner. She wore a red dress that hugged her torso, but the skirt swirled out above her knees. On her feet were white stilettos. Being their first date, she wanted to look nice.

When a knock sounded at the door, she jerked, then sighed and walked to the door.

She looked out the peephole and saw him.

Taking a deep breath, she opened it to Stephen standing there in a suit and tie.

She smiled. Declan probably would have shown up in jeans and a dress shirt.

Stop it! You have to see how this goes because Declan doesn’t seem interested.

She sighed again. Just give the man a chance.

“Hi, Stephen, come in.”

“Hello, Elise.” He ran his eyes over her then smiled at her. He glanced around her apartment and seemed to dismiss it. “Are you ready?”

“Yes.” She picked up her white sweater, pulled it on, and frowned when he didn’t even help.

Then she got her purse, and they walked out the door.

He didn’t even hold her hand as they walked down the metal stairs, in fact he walked down them ahead of her and reached the car before she did.

She clenched her jaw when he opened his door and got into the car, leaving her to do the same.

Mentally shaking her head, she wondered if this was a mistake.

As they sat at the candlelit table, the faint clink of cutlery and soft murmur of other diners enveloped them.

“This is a beautiful restaurant,” she said as she looked around.

Stephen shrugged. “It’s the only nice one around here.”

The dinner was wonderful but the conversation not so much. The entire time, all he did was drink his whiskey and glance around the restaurant. He barely touched his food.

Elise cleared her throat. “So, who is watching Jenny tonight?”

“A neighbor’s teenage daughter.”

“Does Jenny like her?” Elise picked up her glass of wine and took a sip.

“Jenny likes everyone,” he said with a shrug. “Hey, want to go to a movie after dinner?”

“Uh, sure—”

“Or we could go to Dewey’s.”

“What’s Dewey’s?”

“Some call it a cowboy bar.” He shrugged.

“Cowboy bar? Seriously? You’re not a cowboy,” she said, teasing him.

“It’s just a bar, Elise,” he snapped. “Forget it. We’ll go to a movie.”