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“It actually wouldn’t be a bad idea to put in a security system. You’ve got expensive stuff in the front yard anyone could make off with while you sleep.”
“I ordered one last night. Let’s just hope the holidays don’t delay the shipment.” Holly set the cup of coffee down in front of Delilah with a smile. “Now, I’m thinking I might take you up on your offer and get cleaned up.”
“Yeah baby, and then you can get dirty again. Ha!” Delilah laughed when Holly nudged her shoulder as she passed. “Bestie abuse!”
Holly found herself moving at lightning speed to get dressed and ready, coming back into the kitchen to find a note from Delilah and a cup of coffee just the color she liked it.
Sniff that booty, girl! Love you!
Shaking her head, Holly warmed up her coffee, planning in her head what she wanted to say. She didn’t have any trouble with men, but Declan was a flight risk and she didn’t want him bailing before he explained what that kiss meant.
Or did it again.
Holly grabbed her coffee from the microwave and stepped outside. There was no sign of Declan, but she saw scenes one and two were set up on the ground. She followed the walkway down to the other side of her garage where a ladder leaned against the house and she spotted Declan on the roof bent over, his jean-clad butt in the air.
Nice butt.
“Morning,” she called.
Declan stood up and took a step back to look over the edge of the roof at her, his expression unreadable. “Good morning.”
“Want some coffee?”
“I grabbed some at the café, so I’m good. Thanks.”
“Sure. How long before you come down?”
“I’m anchoring these down right now, so five minutes?”
“Okay, I’ll come help you,” she said, setting her coffee down on the ground.
“You don’t have to do that,” he protested, but she was almost to the top before he finished. Holly took the hand he held out to her and stepped onto the roof with a grin, careful not to crush the strings of white lights that looked like fallen snow when they were lit up in the dark.
“Whew, I forget how pretty the view of town is from up here.”
“It is a good view, but you could have waited on the porch.”
“Why, when I could be up here helping you?” Holly glanced around at the bare gables above them, hating to ask but looking for honesty. “Are you sure you’re going to get this done?”
“I hope so, but you’ve got a lot of lights. I can see why the guy who usually does this didn’t want to take the job without a full crew.”
Holly’s heart sank. “I appreciate you trying at least.”
“The day ain’t over yet.” Declan nodded to the wooden chimney cut out with the Grinch popping out the top. “You hold onto it while I make sure it’s secure enough to stand on its own.”
“I can do that,” Holly said, lifting the display into place, watching the top of Declan’s head as he squatted down.
“I’m sorry about last night,” he said abruptly without looking up from what he was doing.
Holly almost let go of the wooden piece, thrown by his apology. “What exactly are you sorry for?”
“Kissing you. It was inappropriate and I hope you won’t tell Sam. It was a momentary lapse that won’t happen again.”
Tell Sam? Momentary lapse?
Declan stood up, waving a hand. “Go ahead and let go. Let’s see if I need to tighten it.” Holly did what he asked and the object didn’t budge. “Perfect.”
“What did you mean by ‘don’t tell Sam’?”
