“With my grandfather, you got the real deal. He didn’t know how to be anything else.”
“I would find comfort in that.” She gave a wistful smile.
Peering through the windshield, he slowed as they approached Blossom Lane. “I think this is the street.”
She glanced at her napkin. “Yes. Number twenty-two fourteen.”
“You know what you want to ask?”
“I don’t really.” She pulled her hair out of the knot and flipped down the visor. “Oh, look at me. I’m such a mess.” She dug into her purse and grabbed a tube of lipstick.
Watching her pucker those plump lips, smear on the pale pink that made them shiny and wet, had him nearly driving into the back of pick-up truck. Braking just in time, he jerked the gearshift into Park and cut the engine.
Just as he started to get out, she said, “The thing is, I don’t know what kind of questions we’ll be asked in the contest. Do I need to know his favorite color? His drink preference? What am I looking for here?”
“I know as much as you do, but I can only assume he wants you to know him. To see him through the eyes of people who knew him well.”
“Yeah.” The simple word came out on a wisp of air. “Well, I suppose I’ll just let her guide the conversation. Maybe questions will pop up from that.”
“Makes sense. You ready?”
She nodded, reaching for his arm. “Thank you, Declan. You’re a good man, and you have the best heart. You could easily have left me on my own and won the ranch, but here you are helping me find out all I can about my…about Kurt.”
He looked down at her hand on his arm. How many women had touched him over the years? He’d had women rub the heel of their palm on his dick, grab his ass, and run their hands up his chest with lust in their eyes. None of it had ever made his skin go hot and prickly. He’d never gotten chill bumps.
Why did he react so strongly to this woman?
But he couldn’t have her, so he had to shut down his reaction. “My interests are with Kurt, so if you still want to sell his place three weeks from now, I can guarantee I’ll win.”
“Just when I start to warm up to you…”
“Come on. Let’s go talk to Leddy Champion.” They got out of the Jeep and headed up the walkway. The homes on the street were older, a little worn. With one arm around a squirming, shrieking child, the next-door neighbor hauled several grocery bags up the walkway to her house.
Declan dashed across the lawn and relieved the woman of the bags, walking with her to the front door. After he set them on the doorstep, he started to walk away.
“Thank you,” she called.
With a wave, he jogged back over to Leddy’s house to find Phinny waiting for him. She gazed up at him with affection. “I see you, Declan Cadell. You come off all mean and badass, but you’ve got a heart of gold.” First, she finger-combed his hair. “There. Now, you look less like a pirate.” Then, she smoothed hers and pressed the doorbell.
“A pirate?”
“Yep. You look like a dashing, rugged, naughty rogue.” Her eyes were full of mischief.
He didn’t know how much longer he could keep from pulling her into his arms and kissing her, drinking in all that sweetness and goodness and joy.
His hand moved of its own volition, brushing the back of hers—nothing more than a tap, a nudge…a subtle invitation. To his great surprise, she responded, turning hers…and they connected, clasped, and just held each other on the doorstep of 2214 Blossom Lane.
He was holding hands with Phinny. And nothing had ever felt so right.
A moment later, the door opened. She gave him a squeeze and let go.
While gestures of affection came easily to her, it wasn’t like that for him. Outside of fucking, he didn’t touch women. He’d never held hands or wrapped an arm around someone while waiting in line. No one had ever snuggled against him. He didn’t invite that kind of thing.
His breath hitched at the realization that he didn’t know tenderness.
Not until now.
“Phinny.” The older woman stood there with a big smile. “It’s so good to see you again. And look, you brought a friend.” She gave a quick scan from his face down to his boots. “Hm, judging by the looks of you, I’m going to guess you’re one of Kurt’s hockey players.”
Phinny laughed. “I might’ve guessed he was a pirate, but I got to watch him skate at the rink, so I can confirm, that yes, he’s definitely a hockey player. Ms. Champion, this is Declan Cadell.”
“Oh, please. Call me Leddy. Well, come on in.” The woman stepped back, allowing them into her foyer. She drew Phinny into her arms. “I didn’t get to say this yesterday, but I’m real sorry for your loss, honey.” She rubbed her back. “Your dad was one of the finest men I know.” She pulled away, holding onto her shoulders. “You look so much like him.”
“Do I?” Curiosity sparked in Phinny’s eyes.
“You sure do. Come with me into the kitchen. I’ve got drinks and cookies all ready for you. It’s a good thing you brought a friend. I made way more than we could ever eat.”
“I should have asked.” Phinny followed her across the living. “I’m sorry about that.”
“Nonsense. This is Calamity. We don’t run on formalities.” In the kitchen, she stopped and turned to him, poking him in the chest. “Besides, Sam’s boy’s always welcome here.”
“You knew his grandfather?” Phinny asked.
“Oh, sure. Everyone knew Sam Cadell.” Leddy grew serious. “And just for the record, he never cheated. Not once. Roy was just a sore loser.”
Grinning, Phinny whirled around toward him. “Cheated?”
Declan just laughed. “Roy lost a lot money at Sam’s poker games.”
“That was a known fact.” Leddy poured lemonade into tall glasses.
“And I guess his wife kicked him out when he lost the money that was supposed to go to a new truck.” Or so Declan had heard.
“One day, Roy stormed into the diner loaded for bear.” Leddy put the glasses on a tray. “Turned into a fist fight. He was banned for life.” A cat jumped onto the kitchen table, and she swatted the air around it. “Go on now. Don’t make me look bad in front of company.” She shooed it, but it just collapsed in a pool of sunshine and closed its eyes. “Let’s go into the sunroom.” She led them into a covered porch and set the tray down on a wicker coffee table.
Once they’d seated themselves on the couch, Leddy said, “Oh, I forgot the darn cookies. I’d forget my teeth if I didn’t like to eat so much. Hang on a second.” At the threshold, Leddy poked her head out. “I’ve left a few newspaper articles for you to read. You go and take your time. I’ll just be a few minutes.”
Phinny picked up the first weathered paper and held it like it was the Magna Carta.
Declan figured Leddy hadn’t forgotten anything. She’d just wanted to give Phinny time alone with stories about her dad, so he got up. “Let me help you.” Instead of following her into the kitchen, though, he hesitated. For some strange reason, he didn’t want to leave Phinny alone. Not while she looked at the articles like they held a treasure. “You okay?”