Page 64 of Returning to Everton

I move us along and when we’re finally out of sight I whirl on Quinn.

“Really? You couldn’t step in and sayanything? Some help you are.”

“Sorry, I try to stay out of any drama involving the two of you. I’ll only step in if Ireallyneed to. Besides I thought you handled that well.”

“Yeah yeah. Can we just go home? I’m getting tired of walking and this motorcycle is getting heavy,” I whine.

“Sure Rowe. We can come back next weekend.” Quinn agrees and I sigh. She’s always got my back. She knows damn well that’s not why I wanna go home. But she doesn’t call me out on it and for that I’m thankful.

Violet doesn’t seem to mind heading home early. Then again, she did get new doll clothes, made a new friend, and ordered a cool new sign for her door. So I think this day has been a success for her.

We load the car up with our haul and head back to the house. I never did get my damn snack. Hudson better make it up to me tomorrow. Had I known they were going to be closed today I might have saved some of the coffee cake he brought over last night. Probably not. But now we’ll never know.

24

Hudson

Iwake up early Monday morning. Too excited for Rowen’s first day to sleep any longer. I get dressed and head downstairs to get some coffee before I wake up Declan. To my surprise, when I get to the kitchen, I find Declan already made a fresh pot of coffee, and is sitting at the island with a cup.

“Hey, Dec. You’re up early.”

“Yeah, Hud. So are you.” We both chuckle at our shared ability to point out the obvious. “Couldn’t sleep either huh?”

I sigh, as I make myself a cup of coffee and join him at the island. “No. I guess I’m too anxious to spend the day with Rowe. I spent a little time alone with her that first day at the bakery, but it wasn’t long enough. She had to get home and I had a bakery to run. Today, we’ll be alone just baking for hours before we have to open the bakery. I’m really looking forward to baking with her again. That was always our thing.”

“Well, maybe y’all can start getting to know each other again today. I’m sure you’ve both changed, at least a little since she’s been gone,” he points out.

“True. I can’t wait. You think she’s up yet? We can always get an early start,” I suggest, only somewhat joking.

“I doubt it,” he chuckles at my eagerness. “She said she’s not a morning person, remember? I’m sure she’s going to snooze her alarm five times before she finally gets up. It’d probably be best to just wait for the agreed upon time.”

Yeah, he’s probably right. I’m just getting a little too excited to spend some real alone time with her. We sit enjoying our coffee and the peaceful morning. When the time finally comes, we get in my car and head over to Rowe’s.

When we get there, I gently knock on the door, not wanting to wake up Violet. Rowen opens the door a minute later, looking like she just rolled out of bed and blames me.

“Good morning gorgeous.” I lean in to kiss her cheek but she pulls away at the last second.

“Nuh-uh. No kiss for you. You’re the reason I’m not in my warm comfy bed right now,” she says grouchily and I shake my head at her. She looks over at Declan. “You, on the other hand, are doing me a huge favor Declan, so you can have a hug and kiss.”

What?! He gets a hug and a kiss and I get nothing? That’s not fair.

Declan walks past smirking at me and rather smugly wraps his arms around Rowen.

“Good morninga mhuirnín,”I hear him whisper before he kisses her cheek.

“I brought coffee cake. Do I get a hug and kiss now?” I raise my eyebrow in challenge.

“Well, why didn’t you say so Hudson?” She opens her arms for me, but then quickly closes them. “Show me the goods first.”

I laugh and shake my head. “What’s the matter Rowe, don’t you trust me?”

“Hmmm let me think about that,” she taps her finger to her chin. “No, I don’t. I would absolutely not put it past you to trick me into giving you a hug.”

“Hey don’t forget the kiss now. That’s important.” I give her a crooked smile. “Come on Rowe I’m not trying to trick you. It’s right here.” I snap my fingers and the coffee cake I left in the car appears in my hands. “See? Now, what about that hugandkiss?”

“Alright, alright. I suppose that does earn you a hug,” she teases.

I cross my arms and stare her down. “Damn it, Rowe. Why do you keep leaving out the kiss? You don’t want a kiss from me?” I demand, with just a hint of the emotions that thought stirs in me.

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