I can see the hurt and love he has for her. His lips part a little, and his chest rises and falls heavily. It’s hard to see anyone hurt Hadley, but it’s clear that Declan cares and will do everything he can to protect her, which is his thing.
The protector.
The one who will deny himself everything if he thinks it’s for the greater good.
He’s an idiot.
However, today, I don’t want to fight. I want to enjoy the time with Hadley and give her happy memories of the fair I grew up attending. She should smile, laugh, and be spoiled by people who love her.
“Where are Connor and Ellie?”
Declan looks around and then shrugs. “I think they had something to do or had to go get something. They’ll probably meet up with us later.”
Oh, they’re doing something, all right. “You gave them some alone time, huh?”
He laughs and shakes his head. “I mean, I wouldn’t doubt it, but no, Connor took the truck and had to pick something up.”
Whatever that means. “That’s good for us then, huh?” I ask Hadley as Declan opens the back door to his Jeep.
“What is?” she asks.
“That we don’t have to worry about your mom or dad telling us no.” I give her a wink, and she grins back.
“Will Uncle Declan tell us no?”
I drop my voice to a whisper, but I know he can hear us. “I know all the tricks to get what we want from him, you leave it to me.”
She buckles herself in and leans back in the seat. “I love you, Aunt Syd.”
“I love you most.”
Declan’s deep voice sounds resigned. “And I’m in so much trouble.”
“Yes, yes, you are,” I reply, feeling lighter than I have in days.
Chapter Sixteen
Sydney
“Can we get another snow cone or maybe a funnel cake?” Hadley asks after we finish with the petting zoo. Well, if you can call it that. Basically, it’s a pig from the farm down the road, two goats, and a few cows, which may be from the pasture and not part of the zoo at all.
“I think your stomach might revolt if you keep up at this pace,” I suggest.
As much as denying this kid is the last thing I want, I also don’t want her sick to her stomach. Since we got here, she’s had pizza, a pretzel, a fried Oreo, and a snow cone.
“Okay, then can we go to where all the toys are?”
Declan leans in. “What toys?”
“I have no idea.”
“Are you going to clue her in that it’s a bunch of crap?”
Not a chance in hell. I’m not breaking her heart. “Nope.”
He slides from the bench of the picnic table and extends his hand to help me up.
“Thank you.”
“I may be an asshole, but I’m always a gentleman.”
I laugh. Sure, he’s not. “Whatever you say.”
“Come on, Aunt Sydney!” Hadley grabs my arm, and we start to walk.
It doesn’t take long before we’re in the throngs of the town people. It’s busy, and people stop to wave as I see them. This town has been a huge part of who I am, and I’m going to miss it.
“Sydney!” Mrs. Symonds, the principal at the high school, calls out. “Are you feeling better, dear? I was so upset when I heard you weren’t well.”
“You were sick?” Declan asks.
My mouth goes dry, and I speak quickly, ignoring him. “I wasn’t sick. I was just really tired after being out on a call last night.”
She pats my arm. “I’m so glad to hear that. I understand being tired, with running this event and working, it’s a lot even for me. I heard that Mr. Grisham fell and broke his leg. Is he all right?”
I nod. “Yeah, just a fracture. I’m sure he’ll be all good.”
We really need to get some people in this town a hobby. Mrs. Symonds is so incredibly busy, yet she still listens to the police scanner as though it’s the radio. She knows everything that goes on in this town. She also knows everyone in this town since she either taught them or was the principal when they were in school.
“And you”— she turns her attention to the tall, sexy, and commanding man at my side—“Declan Arrowood, you have grown up to be a very handsome man and so tall.”
He grins, takes her hand in his, and places a kiss against her knuckles. “And you haven’t aged a day.”
“Clearly, you haven’t lost that silver tongue of yours.”
“Never.”
The mention of his tongue causes my belly to flip. I can feel his lips, taste the mint on his breath, and my body yearns for it.
Mrs. Symonds laughs and then claps her hands together. “It’s wonderful seeing you two here together, feels like fifteen years ago when you two would sneak off behind the tents and think no one saw you.”
I feel the heat on my cheeks. Declan was always stealing me away, kissing me whenever he could. It was impossible to keep away from him back then, and it seems as if I still suffer from the same affliction.
“That was a long time ago,” I say, needing not to go on another stroll down memory lane and end up at the same dead end.
“Yes,” Declan agrees. “And a lot has changed.”
She tsks. “Of course it has. We all grow and evolve, but there are very few relationships I’ve seen in my time that were anything like yours.”
I blame every damn hormone that’s coursing through my pregnant body for the tears that come. I have never been a weepy girl. I’ve been strong, angry, determined to prove people wrong. Do I cry? Sure, but not like this. I turn my head to hide, but I know he saw.
“There’s no one in the world like Sydney.”
“I would agree there,” she says. “And is that you, Miss Hadley Arrowood?”
She nods. “Hi, Mrs. Symonds.”
Of course, she knows who Hadley is.
“Are you having a good time?”
“Uncle Declan is going to buy me a pony!”
“Two of
