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“Ah, I like that Holly. Doesn’t take any guff and isn’t afraid to speak her mind.”
Declan almost laughed. “You called her an annoying carrot top before.”
“When?”
“Several times, but most recently last year during the holidays.”
“Well, I’ve changed my mind.” His dad hummed his way over to the coffee pot and poured himself a mug.
“What’s wrong with you?” Declan asked bluntly.
So much for finesse.
“Pardon?”
“What’s with the humming and the fluttering about and coming and going all day and night? Who is this friend who’s suddenly taking you out drinking and bringing you home stumbling to your room?”
Liam turned around to face Declan and crossed his arms over his chest. “Now wait a second. Last time I checked, I was the father in this duo.”
Declan lost the threadbare rein on his temper and hit the table with his palm. “But you’re sick, Dad! Like it or not, you have Alzheimer’s and even though it’s early, I worry. I want to make sure whoever you’re with knows what to do if you have a moment and will take care of you, not feed you alcohol—”
“We shared a bottle of wine, Declan. I wasn’t drunk, I was happy. For the first time in almost fifteen years. Like you said, I have a disease and my mind is going, but before it’s gone I finally want to live my life.” His dad sat down across from him, leaning back in his chair. “Which is why I’m thinking of selling the store.”
Declan stared at him, his mind spinning like a fun tube. “You are?”
“Yes. I know running the hardware store was never something you wanted, and while I appreciate you stepping up, you should be living your own life. Besides, with the way things are going in the world, Mistletoe Hardware will be obsolete in a few years. Maybe sooner. At least if I sell everything, it’s all profit and I can use the money to enjoy my remaining time on this earth.”
Declan couldn’t believe it. The man across from him looked like Liam Gallagher, and even sounded like him, but every word coming out of his mouth was foreign. No grumpy snark or pessimistic rants. He sounded happy, hopeful, and Declan had no idea how to respond to it except—
“Blink once if you need help.”
“What?” Liam picked up his coffee with a huff. “Look, since my diagnosis, I’ve been evaluating my priorities. Really assessed my life choices.” He took a sip of his coffee and set it down. “Maybe that’s why I was so angry at your mother for leaving. She chose herself, the right way.”
“The right—what are you talking about, the right way? She waited until I was leaving for college, packed up her stuff, and went jaunting around the world without a second glance.”
“Marriage is complicated, son. I was furious for a long time. At her and…myself. It takes two to tango.”
“What does that mean?” Declan asked.
Liam stood up with his coffee and patted Declan on the back with his free hand as he passed. “It means stop treating me like a child and get a damn life.”
Declan turned in his chair, hollering, “Kim’s supposed to come over and stay with you.”
“I already told her not to.”
He got up from his chair and followed his dad down the hallway. “Why the hell not?”
“Because I’m going out of town overnight, so there will be no one for her to keep an eye on.”
“Where are you going?”
“Declan?” Liam said, stepping into the bathroom.
“What?”
“Mind your own damn business, kid.”
His father slammed the door in his face and Declan shook his head, stomping back into the kitchen to pour his coffee into a travel mug. Get a life? His dad had the nerve to say that to him, after everything Declan had sacrificed? He’d had a life, a good life, and he’d given it up to come back here…and now his dad was telling him Liam didn’t need him?
