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“I’m good with it,” Declan said.
“That’s settled then. I’ve already had buyers approach me, interested in the space.”
“Wow, you’ve been talking about this with people?”
“No, I haven’t. I thought it might have been you since it was a couple of friends of yours. Anthony and Pike?”
Declan sat back in his chair. “What do they want it for?”
“Some kind of adventure guide company. They brought in a business plan and had a loan approval for what I’m asking with cash down, but I didn’t want to say yes until I spoke with you.”
Declan thought about what Holly had said about opening a gallery in the space, but it would take him years to get everything together to launch it properly; meanwhile Pike and Anthony were prepped and ready to go after their dream. He didn’t want to take that from them.
“I think that’s amazing, Dad.”
“There’s something else. We were going to give you a third of the proceeds from the sale. That way if you want to move and start again somewhere else, you have a little something to give you a leg up.”
“Thank you, but I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying in Mistletoe.”
His dad ran a hand over his thinning hair with a sigh. “Well, that makes this next decision a little tricky. We were planning on selling the house, too.”
“Really? The doctor said you need a familiar space—”
“Declan, my memory is going to go one way or the other. I haven’t been out-of-state in over forty years and I’m ready. We’re going to buy an RV and explore the US until I can’t anymore.”
Declan reached across the space and squeezed his dad’s hand. “You should. And don’t worry about the house. I’m renting a room and I’m happy where I’m at.”
“You mom told me. She also mentioned you might come over for Christmas Eve dinner?”
“Yeah, I was going to bring Holly, if that’s all right.”
“That’s great. I always liked her. A little high energy, but she reminds me of your mom in some ways.”
Declan groaned. “Don’t say that, please.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t want to think of the woman I’m in a relationship with having similar traits to my mom.”
His dad chuckled. “Sorry.”
The two of them embraced, and they walked out to the front, where his mother was pretending to look busy but the minute she saw them, she grinned.
“Well, did you tell him?”
“Of course I did, what do you think I was doing back there?”
“Hey, don’t get smart.”
“I’m sorry, love,” he said, kissing her cheek.
“When do you guys plan on leaving?” Declan asked.
“As soon as everything sells.” His dad put his arm around his mom and Declan hadn’t seen his face so relaxed in years. “I never considered myself the adventurous type, but I’m looking forward to this.”
“Adventures can be life-changing, but they are better with someone you love,” Diana said, kissing Liam.
“Um, okay, on that note, I’m going home to Holly. I’ll see you Christmas Eve and if it’s okay with you, I’ll clean out my studio after the New Year.”
