Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
“The program I was in was like the Navy SEALS, but for the Marines. It was honestly just time for me to come home.”
“Makes sense. What made you want to be a cop?”
He looked up, and his hazel eyes seemed to grow darker. “It wasn’t actually my idea to become a cop. It was James Quinn’s suggestion. We’ve kept in touch over the years, and when I told him I was moving back to Moose Village, he mentioned there’d be a spot on the force for me if I wanted it. I was thinking of state police, but this allows me to be home. I’ve been gone for so long, and I didn’t want to do that to my parents again.”
“That was thoughtful of you. I hope your mom gives you more breathing room than she does Sean.”
He scoffed. “Sean needs to grow a pair when it comes to my mother and father.”
“Thank you! I said the same thing.”
His brow quirked up. “Did you?”
“Yes. It’s insane how he lets your mother walk all over him, and this whole stupid arrange…” My voice trailed off when I realized what I was about to say.
“Stupid what?”
Frowning, I stepped back and studied my vase. “This stupid arrangement isn’t looking the way I want.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw him look at it, then back to me. When I glanced his way, I plastered on a fake smile. “Look at you! Those look amazing, Declan.”
When he glanced at his arrangements and smiled, I let out the breath I’d been holding.
The feeling of guilt inside me was almost unbearable. It wasn’t like I owed Sean anything, and Declan had always been so kind to me, and here I was lying to him. Maybe I should tell him the truth. Sean couldn’t be mad about his brother knowing. Could he?
“Harper? Harper?”
Declan’s voice pierced through my wandering thoughts.
“Sorry, I was in my head there for a minute.”
He nodded. “It’s okay. I’ve got mine finished. How many more do you have?”
Looking over the table quickly, I replied, “Four more.”
“Move over, I’ll help you.”
I did as he said and watched as he picked up an array of flowers to put into a vase. It was interesting to see what type of flowers he chose. He’d noticed I was sticking to red, white, and blue, and he proceeded to make an arrangement that could actually put mine to shame.
“Whatever you do,” I said, pushing a blue delphinium next to my Asiatic lilies, “don’t let my mother see how good you are at this. She’ll put you to work here part time.”
He laughed. “I thought you owned the place now?”
“Oh, I do, but that doesn’t stop her from giving me her two cents. Any moment now, my phone will ring, or a text will come through with a reminder to make sure I have the floral arrangements for the BBQ finished up.”
Declan laughed as he held a white rose and studied where he wanted to put it. Not two seconds later, my phone rang.
“Speak of the devil.”
I tapped my phone and smiled. “They’re almost all done. I’ve got a helper.”
When Declan looked at me, I winked. He smiled and went back to working on the arrangement.
My mother’s voice practically purred through the phone. “I heard. Declan Gallagher is there.”
“Mom,” I warned.
“Your father mentioned he was at the shop.”
I was silently thanking the stars above I hadn’t put her on speakerphone. I decided the best course of action was to completely ignore her insinuations.
“The arrangements will be in the cooler. Are you sure you don’t need help tomorrow? I can find someone to cover the shop.”
“I’ve got plenty of people to help with that.”
My plan worked. Her attention was off the Gallagher boys and back on flowers. “Great, then I’ll just leave them be.”
“Sounds good. Oh, honey, I’ve got to run. Granny Larson is arguing with Betty Lou about where the bookstore’s booth is.”
“Okay, Mom.” I chuckled. “See you tomorrow.”
After I hung up, Declan and I faced one another.
“Declan, I can’t thank you enough for helping. You really didn’t need to do that.”
“I know I didn’t need to. I wanted to.”
I felt my cheeks heat, and I turned once more to admire the arrangements he’d made. “Do we dare tell your mother you made these?”
“Hell no. I’ll just say I saw you bringing them to your car and offered to help.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
We worked in silence as we brought the arrangements to my car and carefully placed them in the holder I had for deliveries. I tried to ignore how Declan’s muscles flexed in his arms with every little movement he made. The guy was built like a brick house—the complete opposite of Sean. Not that Sean didn’t have a nice body; he did. His was more of a lean physique. He just lacked the muscles his older brother had.