Free Declan by Ava Manello Page A

smiles.
    “Absolutely.”
    “You’d best go check out that wardrobe of yours and let me know if you need to borrow any short skirts.” Eve offers.
    “It’s okay,” I smile. “I think I’ve got this one covered.”

Declan
    The chef has made us up a picnic that could probably feed the five thousand. Okay, I may be exaggerating, but there’s plenty of food. I remembered to go over to the bakery and buy blueberry muffins for Holly, as I know she loves them.
    I pack the last of the bottles of coke and beer in the cooler, and check my watch for the fifth time in as many minutes. It’s almost eight. I’m grinning like a schoolboy, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by Lucy.
    “What are you up to?” She teases me. I offer to tell her if she spills the beans on her and Cowboy and that soon shuts her up. There’s definitely something between them judging from the blush she gets on her face whenever I mention his name. I’m just grateful she didn’t call me on my bluff. I’m not ready to tell anyone about Holly yet.
    I grab the cooler and head out of the back door of the kitchen to sit and wait on the stoop. I’ve barely sat down when Holly’s truck pulls into the yard.
    I motion for her to stay in the drivers seat as I load the cooler and blankets into the bed of the truck, before pulling myself up into the passenger seat. I almost draw in a breath as I see her long bare legs peeping out of the almost not there denim skirt. She’s wearing a cotton check shirt that’s tied around the waist and shows off her cleavage under the tight white vest top. Shit. I I’ve got a hard on already just from looking at her.
    She smirks as she sees me trying to adjust my jeans, pulling out of the yard and asking me if I have a destination in mind.
    “I’ve not been here long enough to know where’s where.” I confess. “You got any back roads next to an old creek or something?”
    “How cliché.” She giggles. “I know just the spot.” She heads out of town and takes a side road. Pretty soon we’re on a dirt track lined with trees. It’s peaceful out here, no noise from passing vehicles, just the buzz of the odd insect and the quiet burble of the water in the creek as it flows around some small rocks.
    Holly parks the truck, and before I can get round to open her door for her she’s jumped down and standing at the side of the water.
    “I love it here. My brother and I used to play here when we were little and visiting my Uncle.” I can see she’s lost in a good memory. I stand behind her and enclose her in my arms, not wanting to disturb the moment.
    “I have a creek like that back on my Gran’s farm.” I tell her about playing there with my friends on hot summers days. They’re good memories.
    “Won’t you miss your Gran, living this far away from her?”
    “No, I’m used to not seeing much of her. I used to travel a lot. Besides, she’s only a plane ride away. I’ll probably see more of her than before.” I know that I’ll make the effort to see my Gran.
    Holly sinks further back into my arms. This feels comfortable and right. “Why did you used to travel?” I knew she’d want to know more of my past, I’m just not sure if I want to tell her it, and if I do, how much I want to share.
    “Work.” I try and escape the conversation. “Tell me about you first?” I encourage her. “Then I’ll share my deep, dark secrets with you.” She begins to laugh, but something stops her. It’s a memory. I can see the smile fall from her face. “Let’s get this picnic set up, and you can tell me what you feel like sharing.” I offer.
    Holly looks a little more comfortable once we’ve got the picnic laid out on the blanket. Slowly, over the next couple of hours she tells me about her ex, about her brother Justice, and how she lost him and her friend recently. I can sense the guilt in her.
    I don’t tell Holly everything, but I do tell her that I used to be in the Army, and that I lost a friend as a result of