Page 69 of On the Edge

“Oh yeah.” Declan’s voice went dreamy and fond, like a teen seeing a classic project car for the first time. “I figure a lot of evenings and weekends working out here until the house is habitable. Then there’s the work to make the track rideable again. Not for actual races, mind you. But as a practice facility.”

“For you?” I’d support him no matter what, even if this was a waystation on his road to professional racing again.

“Among others.” Declan’s tone went cagey. “John’s friends need someone who knows what the hell they’re doing coaching them up.”

“Who’ll coach them when you’re back on the pro circuit?” I stared at the house, imagining it fixed up yet remaining empty and lonely.

“I’m still leaning toward retirement.” Declan threw an arm around me. “This seems like a nice place for a retired couple, yeah? The first step is some rocking chairs for the porch over there.”

“Declan. I’ll be okay if you race pro again.” I turned to peer deep into his eyes. I needed him to believe me. “I promise. Like your dad said, everyone simply wants you happy. Me very much included. Racing or not. I want whatever makes you happiest, baby.”

“You.You make me happiest.” He stretched to offer me a kiss. For someone who’d remained closeted so long, he’d becomeremarkably comfortable with open affection the past few weeks. “We’ll figure the rest out, but this life we’re building, that’s what I want.”

“And you want this place to be a part of that life?”

“If you do.” Declan tossed the question back at me, but the want in his eyes was unmistakable. “It’ll be a lot of work. Probably months until we can move in. It might be haunted. There’s a secret room.”

“I’m down for a mystery. And work.” I matched his somber tone. “I can pitch in. I know my way around a drill too. I’ve got savings if you want my help.”

“Of course I want your help.” Declan looped his arms around my neck. “I want to do it together. You did want me to find a hobby after all.”

“This is a pretty big hobby.” I gestured at the acres surrounding us before embracing him back. “And yes, we can tackle it together.”

“Good.” He grinned so wide the corners of his lips almost touched his ears. And his eyes turned even bluer with relief as he exhaled. “Good.”

“You already put an offer in, didn’t you?” I adopted a stern tone even as I smiled back.

“Patience and impulse control aren’t my strong suits.” He offered a sheepish look. “But I had a Plan B if you hated it.”

“Kissing me until I changed my mind?” I suggested, going in for a kiss myself, but he sidestepped to grab my hand instead.

“And show you this.” He led me around to the back of the house, which had another fenced-in garden area, this one with a mini cabin that was either a playhouse or a fancy doghouse, and either way, I loved it.

“Okay, you win.” I chuckled, pulling him in for a swift kiss. “Finalize your offer. I’m all in.”

“I love you.” Far from unreadable, his expression held such trust and tenderness that every doubt I had about him, this thing between us, the age difference, how fast we were moving, faded in the face of his unwavering love.

“I love you too,” I whispered before kissing him again, longer this time. And before my eyes drifted shut, I took one more look at that miniature house. Fresh paint there, maybe some flower boxes. Little kitchen inside, along with a shelf for books and a small padded bench big enough for a kid and a couple of dogs. Put some paver stones leading to the backdoor, and it would be perfect. Exactly like we were together.

Epilogue

Declan

Graduation day in Mount Hope dawned sunny and clear, the early June perfection everyone had counted on. Gardens were sprouting all around town. Grandma kept forcing baby lettuce blends on our house. Meanwhile, Denver and other cooks had started their weekly treks to the farmers’ market, where strawberry season was in full swing. Rowan had requested strawberry shortcake for a graduation dessert while Caleb’s brother, Scotty, had a cake shaped like a giant donut, complete with pink icing and sprinkles. Like many families, both parties took place in the park by the riverfront.

In fact, there were so many post-graduation parties in the park that they had all started to blend together, younger kids running from picnic table to picnic table sampling various desserts. Denver was operating a griddle for smash burgers at Rowan’s request, while others grilled hotdogs and sausages. John bounced between Rowan’s table and Scotty’s, where the rest of the football team had taken up residence.

Myself, I’d planted my folding double-sized camp chair directly between the two parties. Jonas was helping Wrenarrange condiments and side dishes while I’d already finished my task of setting up the chairs and a pop-up canopy.

“Are they letting you go to the Project Graduation party tonight, or are no juniors allowed?” I asked John as he wandered by with a hotdog in his hand.

“Seniors only.” His expression was grim, and I couldn’t tell whether his misery was because of not being included or because his best friend and a lot of the team were graduating. Maybe both. “Work tomorrow?”

“Hell no.” I scoffed at the very idea of making my teenage landscape crew work the day after graduation. “The other guys might not be drinking or wild partying, but I doubt any of the graduates are getting sleep tonight.”

“I’ll get plenty of sleep.” John sounded stubbornly resigned. “I can be there early.”

“You wanting extra money or a distraction?” I’d appreciated the help of the landscape company John and several of his friends worked for, but John was by far the hardest worker on the crew.

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