Declan wasn’t about to have that. Seb was such a good man; he deserved more happiness than this isolation had given him. Here he was, thinking only of what good he could do in the world, almost like his own needs and happiness didn’t matter.
And damn if Declan didn’t feel like it was his job to meet those needs and to show Seb how much he did truly matter. If not to his father, at least to Declan.
“Come on,” he said abruptly, then knocked his hand on the counter. “Let’s take a break.”
“A break?”
Declan stood. “Even a uniquely talented guy like you has to get out of the house every now and then. Let’s go for a walk, check out the woods you haven’t explored.” He glanced down at Ellie, who was snoozing on her blanket pile. “She’ll be fine for a while.”
“Oh,” Seb said, rising. “I don’t know about that.”
“I’ll do a loop first, make sure things look clear and safe. We won’t go far, just enough to enjoy the nature.” The more he followed the impulse, the more confident he felt that it was the right idea. “It’s a shame to have a place like this and never appreciate it, Seb. And today is a beautiful day.”
Seb twisted his mouth in thought, then nodded. “Okay, yeah. Why not? If you promise it will be quick.”
“Great,” Declan grinned. “Bundle up, Seb.”
