Page 43 of In this Moment

The boy had appeared at his side. He handed him a soda and held up one of his own for a toast. Declan happily made the cheers and they both drank theircola.

“I actually can’t believe you pulled this off,” Cal said to his oldest brother. “But it looks like Dockside Days is a huge success.”

Ian nodded and looked around. “It is. I mean, it’s too early to say how it’s going to affect the bottom line, but it certainly does look like a success.”

“Oh yeah. You’re going to have bookings for the rest of the summer,” Mitch chimed in. “This is huge. And what a great way to give back to the community. This town does like a good party.”

“That it does.” Ian raised his beer can and they all clinked to that. “I’m so glad to be backhere.”

“I’m glad we’re all back,” Declan said. “It’s been too long. Speaking of which, where’s Mom?” He looked around. “Did shecome?”

“Of course she came. She’s been busy over at the kids’ tent, painting faces,” Ian said. “She can’t get enough of the kids. I think she’s desperate for grandkids.”

“We’re working on it. We’re working on it.” Mitch rolled his eyes. “A few more months yet.” Quite a few, since the baby wasn’t due until the end of February.

“Do you think Mom will stay in Cedar Springs if her grandchild will be here?” It was Cal who asked but Declan had been wondering the same thing. He felt bad that he hadn’t spent as much time with his mom as he should have, never mind the whole giant lie he’d been tellingher.

“It’s not just her grandchild, right?” Ian grinned. “I mean, all of her kids are here now. And when is the last time she had all of us in one spot? I think we should ask her to stay. Maybe Milena could find her a little place.”

“Those new condos are going in,” Cal said. “One of those would be perfect.”

His brothers kept talking, making plans for their mother, but he drifted off in thought because they’d just assumed he’d be staying in Cedar Springs, too. Of course they had. After all, if he was marrying Evie Rose, he wouldn’t be leaving. She owned a store and had a child. She had roots in Cedar Springs. The thought was a little scary for a guy who’d spent his entire adult life moving around and avoiding settlingdown.

But it was only a little scary. Not nearly as frightening as he would have thought it would be. The idea of giving up the transient lifestyle to go home to the same house every night, sleep in the same bed, with the same woman…it wasnice.

Especially if that woman wasEvie.

Declan’s attention drifted to the picnic table full of women. The music had started and a few of them were getting up to go dance on the grass. His gaze locked onto Evie and the way she laughed, carefree and relaxed as she swayed to the music.

He certainly couldn’t take all of the credit, or any at all really, but Declan couldn’t help but think that maybe he’d had even a little bit to do with that smile.

He know he did, just like she had everything to do with the way he was feeling, too.

Ignoring his brothers, who were still making plans for their mother, Declan left the group of men and walked over to the table of women.

He tapped Evie on the shoulder. “May I have this dance?”

“Now?” She looked around. “Here?”

“I’ll dance anywhere with you, sweetheart.”

“Oh, how can you say no to that?” Jade asked with a faux swoon.

“I can’t.” Evie held out her hand, which Declan took and helped her to herfeet.

He led her a little distance away and pulled her into his arms. It wasn’t a slow song, but he didn’t care. He wanted her as close as he could get her. “Are you havingfun?”

She nodded against his shoulder. “I really am. Your family is sonice.”

“They are.” He spun her around and caught a glimpse of the women watching them. “A little nosy,” he added. “Butnice.”

Evie laughed. “I think they’re all just so happy you’ve found someone.” Her smile faded a bit so he kissed the doubtaway.

“Don’t think about that rightnow.”

“It’s hard,” she said. “I mean, it can’t go on forever, canit?”

It could. Why couldn’t it? After all, there was no doubt in his mind that he was falling in love with Evie Rose. It may have started as a lie, but it sure felt real. Why couldn’t it go on forever?

The reality of the situation and what he was thinking slammed into him. Was he really thinking of settling down? With Evie? In Cedar Springs? And what if he was? Did she feel the same way? Would she even consider it? For real thistime?

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