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Declan shrugged. “People are allowed to change their minds about the things they want.” He stepped in to her, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and praying no one else would come inside before he got this out. “For instance, I thought I wanted to get out of Mistletoe, and I especially never expected to find someone who made me lose my cool every time she walked in the room and like it, but here you are. Making me fall harder for you every minute we’re together. And when I’m away from you, I can’t wait to get back into your arms.”
“Me too,” she murmured, her voice breaking.
Declan cupped her face in his palms, wiping away trails of tears from her cheeks. “If you’re all right with it, I’d like to have another sit-down when we get home and rework the rules of our arrangement.”
“Like what?”
“First, I want to take you out on a real date New Year’s Eve at the Lodge. We skipped a few steps with me moving into your place and I want to do this right.”
“What else?”
He leaned over and kissed her. “We can figure it out later. Right now, I want to feed these people so I can get you alone.”
“You know we have two more days with them, right?”
“We may have to leave early.”
CHAPTER 36
Declan parked in front of the hardware store on Monday morning and took a deep breath. He’d been mentally preparing for this moment since they’d returned home yesterday and negotiated the new rules of their relationship. One of Holly’s requests included him reconnecting with his father. He knew it was time, but he couldn’t figure out what he wanted to say, no matter how many times he played the possible conversations over in his mind.
Although Holly’s request was the kick in the butt he needed, talking to his dad was ultimately his decision because with everything going on, all the changes to his plans and what he wanted for his future, Declan wanted both his parents to be a part of it.
Especially because he had a lot riding on his new dream.
Declan opened the door and stepped into the quiet entryway, his eyes locking with his father’s immediately. His mom had her back to him, but his dad came around the edge of the counter, stopping a foot from him.
“Hello, Declan.”
Declan’s mom spun around, a wide smile on her face. “Declan! What a pleasant surprise.”
“Hi, Mom,” Declan said, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Hi, Dad. You look good.”
“Thanks. I’ve been walking in the mornings with your mom. She’s got some crazy idea about walking some mountain trail in California in the spring.”
“You’ll have fun!” Diana said, coming up alongside him. “You love the outdoors.”
“I’ll have fun because I’m with you.” When his dad pulled her in with his arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head, it was reminiscent of happier times in his childhood and an emotional lump rose in Declan’s throat.
“Mom, do you mind if Dad and I go into the back office to talk?”
“Not at all. I’ll be here.”
The two of them walked down the aisle of screwdrivers and wrenches without saying a word. When they stepped into the office, Declan closed the door behind him and they both took a seat, the silence stretching for several moments.
“I’ve missed you, son,” his dad finally said.
“I’ve missed you, too.” Declan put his hands on his knees, trying to come up with the best way to start. “I know what happened between you and Mom was none of my business, but it still affected me. I can’t get those years back being angry with Mom, but that doesn’t mean I need to waste time punishing you. It’s done. Mistakes were made and if you and Mom are having another go at it, then there’s no reason for me to keep you at a distance.”
“I am so glad to hear you say that,” his dad said, getting to his feet.
Declan held his hand up. “I do have a few more things to address.”
“All right,” his dad said, still standing.
“You said you’d been thinking about selling the store, but I need you to understand I won’t run the hardware store anymore even if you decide to keep it. I know that it’s been in our family for years and that you love this place, but I don’t. I love art, and while that might not earn a living here, I make excellent money as a handyman. I’m able to plan my own schedule, which gives me time to paint and enjoy life. I hope you can understand that.”
“I do. Your mother and I have already talked about this and we were going to bring it up with you, but I wasn’t sure how you’d really feel after handling it for two years.”
