Page 307 of The Maxwell Brothers
“Helen, don't be mean,” I said.
Next to me, Declan chuckled.
"It’s nearby," I explained. “And apparently they've got a ton of German bakeries.”
“I've been once. It's not too bad," Helen said, then turned to Declan. "Good for you though, convincing her to take a break. While I was at the house, I never could convince her even to come watch a movie with me.”
“We did bake together though," I said.
"That doesn't count,” she replied. “It was still work for you."
"So, you paid Helen a secret visit, huh?" I said to Declan, still stunned.
Helen looked particularly smug. It warmed my heart to see her so happy. Now that I was going to be my own boss, I planned to come visit her at least twice a week. Helen was like family to me. She basically adopted me when I first moved to Chicago.
“Now, tell me everything you’re going to put on the menu,” she said.
“I don't know about that yet, but I'm going to try out a lot of recipes over the next few weeks. And I promise I’ll stop by with them for you to taste. What do you think?”
“I think that's lovely.”
We chatted with Helen for about an hour. Then it was lunchtime for her, so we left.
We drove straight to Milwaukee from the care home. I made myself comfortable in the car, turning on the music and dancing a bit right before realizing Declan was unnaturally still. I looked at him out of the corner of my eyes and turned the volume down.
“I can practically see you turning into the statue I first met.”
"What are you talking about?"
"Why do you hate music?" I asked.
"I don't hate music."
"You have statue-like posture. You’re gripping the steering wheel tight and looking straight at the road."
Declan shrugged. “I like music, just not when it’s keeping me up. Though I do like seeing you move to it.”
I turned the music down but kept moving to the rhythm.
He laughed. "See, that's what I'm saying."
I liked making him laugh. He looked so carefree right now, not like the serious lawyer or the overprotective cousin.
"I'm super excited," I said, clapping enthusiastically before resuming my dancing.
We arrived an hour and a half later, and we had so much fun. I looked on TripAdvisor and made a list of stuff to do.
First we visited Lakefront Brewery and then headed to the Pabst mansion. It was a gorgeous relic from the gilded age. It was huge too, with sixty-six rooms. Unfortunately, it was closed today, so we couldn't go inside. We only looked at it from outside, but even so, it was quite a sight.
Then we headed to the Old World Third Street—one of the historic neighborhoods. I immediately fell in love with it, such an eclectic mix of traditional and modern buildings. Some had been built recently while others had clearly stood here for centuries. I especially liked the ones made out of cream brick that had masonry here and there. Some also had ornamental brickwork and cast iron. Others were in Victorian style.
"This is lovely," I murmured as we passed a shop selling fruit that had a red-and-white-striped awning.
Declan was looking at me with warm eyes.
"I like the way you look at me," I whispered.
"I'm happy to be here with you. By the way, there aren’t too many bakeries, or am I blind?" Declan asked, putting a hand on my back. I liked being nestled against him like this as we walked down the street.
