“This,” he replies, running his fingers down my spine.
“I want to meet your family,” I say. “I mean, your brothers.”
Declan tenses. “Killian lives here, so you’ll meet him.”
There’s something in his tone that sounds unsure or uncomfortable with that, but I’m afraid to press it. The idea to come to Barclay Manor was mine, but Declan didn’t protest. I wanted him to feel at home. And I didn’t want some travel destination toovershadow our time together.
“And Lachlan?” I ask.
“He’s in New York.”
“Oh,” I reply flatly.
It’s quiet between us for a few moments before he finally says, “Colin, listen…”
I bolt my head up, alarmed at the sound of my first name on his lips.
“There’s something you need to know about my brother.”
“What?”
“He has a tendency to drink too much, party too much, go a little off the rails. I just want you to be prepared. He can get rowdy and a little mean when the mood strikes.”
I squeeze my arms around him. “I’m not afraid.”
“I hoped that having me here for the summer would help…” he says somberly.
“It hasn’t?” I ask.
He shakes his head, so I move from his chest and sit up on the bed. Declan lies on the pillow next to me, and I softly stroke his hair.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
“You don’t need to apologize,” he replies.
“I know, but I’m still sorry that you’re going through this.”
“It’s better when you’re here,” he says, and it tugs on my heart to hear him say that.
After a while, Declan’s eyes close. With his arm looped around my thigh and my back to the headboard, he falls asleep, and I feel content just watching him.
All I keep thinking is that we just need to get through this week, and everything will be fine.
* * *
“You have a horse?” I ask as I approach the stall where a beautiful white mare stands. We decided to take a walk around the propertyafter Declan woke up from his nap. I filled the time reading and rehearsing lines for a part I’m playing in a few weeks.
“Aye,” he replies. “That’s Moire, but don’t ask me a thing about her. Killian is better with the horses and farm stuff than I am.”
I laugh at that as I leave his side and approach the animal. She’s gentle, letting me stroke her head and pet her mane.
“You like horses?” he asks as he comes behind me and touches my back.
“I was trained to ride when I was a kid, but I haven’t done it in ages. We should take her out while I’m here.”
“You’d like that?” he asks.
Turning toward him with a smile, I notice a sense of hesitation on his face. There’s a storm brewing inside of Declan. I can tell. I just wish there was something I could do to help. I’m here. I’m giving him all the comfort and affection that I can, but I can’t scale this wall by myself.
