22. Declan

WatchingStone's truck pull away with Miranda and Sophie in it is wrong. Miranda should be at my side. In my arms.

Carter claps me on the shoulder. "Come on. Let's collect your parents and then see what's up with Randi's folks. What's the deal with them?"

I unlock the doors to my Suburban and we get in. As we bump down the dirt driveway, I think about how to respond to Carter's question. "Her mother runs the show. She's beautiful and very charismatic. Charming. Flirtatious. Her father is quiet and does whatever Doreen says. Paul is great with horses. I think he prefers them to people. They are both vets, but the impression I get is Doreen charms the owners and trainers, and Paul does the hands-on work with the horses."

I turn onto the paved road taking us through the woods to the main road to the airport.

"I haven't seen her parents in about nine years. When Miranda was starting her last two years of high school, we all met up in New York City. They made me promise I wouldn't try to date Miranda until after she graduated from college. I guess it was obvious I was interested in her." I direct a smirk in Carter's direction. "It's probably for the best they made that rule. If I had my way, we would have gotten married the second she turned eighteen, if she loved me too, and everyone would have been very young grandparents."

Carter laughs. "Yeah, I can see the wisdom in that. It's been less than a week you've been together here and you're already sleeping together. No surprise what would have happened with teenage hormones raging."

I glance over at Carter. "When you guys were at university, were there any signs she was a witch? I've always known she had powers, but today is the first time I'm actually feeling them from her. I don't know if it's because we have…a deeper connection now or not?"

"No, I didn't have any idea she was a witch. I didn't get those vibes from her." Carter turns and rests his back against the door. "I don't hang out with a lot of witches, but I was with Randi all the time for years. Physical contact too. No jolts, no sparks. Nothing. With other witches I've known—" He must catch the side eye I'm giving him because he changes course with a sheepish grin. "Okay, been with. Generally, you kind of feel that…I don't know. A low grade energy hum. Do you know what I mean?"

I think about what he said and nod.

"Yeah, I do. I grew up with witches. I'm used to the energy and don't even consciously notice it. But I know I haven't felt it with Miranda at all until today."

"Dude," Carter says. "If you say something like your magic peen gave her extra strength with witchy powers, I'm gonna have to punch you."

Chuckling, I shake my head. "No, trust me…I…yeah, no superpowers coming from me."

I sigh. I don't know what to say. I kinda wanna talk to someone. But this is awkward as hell.

"It was the first time for both of us and I don't think it went as well for her as it did for me. And for me, it went too quickly."

Heat rises in my cheeks and I risk a glance over to see if he's laughing at me. To my surprise, he's not.

He's nodding his head. "Wow. Okay. I wasn't expecting that. A virgin at twenty-six? You weren't kidding about being a unicorn." He laughs. "With you both being virgins, I'm not surprised it wasn't fireworks and marching bands. I think everyone's first time is kinda awkward and maybe a little disappointing for the girls. But, given the happiness Miranda was exuding before all the shit hit the fan, I think it went well enough. And with more practice, it definitely gets better for both of you." He clears his throat. "If you ever need condoms or…whatever…there's stuff under my bathroom sink. You know until you stock up or whatever."

Now my face is blazing, and another glance shows a pink tinge to his cheeks too.

"Thanks, dude."

We have about fifteen more minutes until we reach the airport, and a thought occurs to me. Hitting the button on my steering wheel, I call Teagan to see if there's a room available for Miranda's parents.

"I'm interested in hearing what Teagan thinks once she meets Miranda's folks," Carter says. "She's excellent at reading people."

I nod as I pull into a short-term parking spot near the terminal. This is the same airport we use for our team flights and I'm familiar with the layout.

"Yeah," I say. "I'm curious, too, about my impression of them now I'm an adult."

Before I can get out of my truck, I see my parents appear from the terminal with their bags in tow. I give a quick beep to get their attention and restart my engine to pull around.

"I love that your parents pull their own bags even though they are worth close to a billion dollars," Carter says.

"They are very down-to-earth." I shrug as I pull up to the curb where they are waiting.

Carter jumps out and takes my mother's bag to put in the back. I get out and hug Ma first because my father is putting his bag in the back and shaking Carter's hand. I hug Dad as Ma hugs Carter, saying she enjoys watching him play.

My parents sit in the back seat even though Carter offers the passenger seat to Dad. I pull away from the terminal and set course for Devil's Den.

* * *

Teagan looks up as we approach the front desk at Devil's Den and smiles, but it's not her usual friendly, confident smile. It's the smile of a woman who is either on the verge of a breakdown or a felony charge. Miranda's parents must be here already.

"Hello," she says. "Welcome to the Devil's Den. I'm Teagan Penhall, and it's lovely to meet you." She holds out her hand and I introduce my parents as they shake hands.

My parents tell her to call them Nora and Alex, and she tells them to call her Teagan. With that out of the way, she tilts her head to motion us to walk down to a spot away from her employees and comes out from behind the check-in counter.

"The Quinns are already here," she says, "and we have given them a suite on the fourteenth floor. Sophie's suite is there too, at the other end of the hall. Do you want your suite on the same floor or away from them?"

I can tell from her tone her vote is to be on a different planet than the Quinns, and I agree wholeheartedly. My parents look at each other and have a silent conversation of lifted eyebrows and eye rolls until Dad sighs and nods.

Ma smiles and lays a hand on Teagan's forearm. "Oooh, I love this. Merino wool?" Mom pets Teagan's cranberry colored sweater. Teagan nods. "Very nice. Anyway, it would be best if we have a room as close to the Quinns as possible. Next door or across the hall. We have a lot to catch up on."

I'm not picturing tea parties and giggling. My mother is every inch a lady, but I pity anyone who tries to push her or hurt someone she loves. She loves Miranda like she's one of her own kids. Depending on the foolishness my brothers get up to, sometimes she loves Miranda more.

Teagan's eyes widen slightly. She's picking up on the steel behind the velvet of my mother's words. If we were talking about anyone else, I'd almost pity the Quinns, but we're not and I don't.

"How is Miranda?" I ask as she leads us over to the bank of elevators taking us to my parents' suite. That's all I care about. Her parents can take a long walk off one of the shorter piers lining the Boardwalk as far as I'm concerned.

"She seems to be shell-shocked. I think her parents being here is throwing her for more of a loop than discovering she's a witch."

When we get off the elevator on my parents' floor, I automatically turn left.

"The suite is this way," Teagan says, turning right.

"Miranda is this way." I don't need a room number, her scent lures me. Now that we've mated, her scent is even stronger to me, my soul is connected to her. My parents can get settled without me. I need to see Miranda.

I knock on the door I instinctually know is Sophie's. Miranda is behind that door, and I need to see her. I knock again.

"Miranda!"

"Declan, are you daft?" Sophie asks as she opens the door. "You don't need to bellow."

"Dec?" Miranda asks from over Sophie's shoulder. "What are you doing here?"

I gesture behind me with my thumb. "Dropping my parents off. Your parents arrived?"

Miranda nods, her gray eyes tired. "Aye. My Dad isn't staying. You know he doesn't enjoy being away from the horses."

Can't say I blame him. I'd rather be with horses, too, but that dream must wait until Miranda is ready to settle down and go back to Ireland. Or wherever she wants to be. I don't care where we are as long as we're together.

"Can I come in?" I ask.

Sophie rolls her eyes. "Come in, but don't be gross."

I enter and look over the room. It's a small suite. I'm not sure if it is one or two bedrooms. I could get us another room if necessary if she's determined to stay here to be close to her mother.

Miranda takes a sip of tea and sits in the armchair of the seating area. No embrace or kiss. Is she letting Sophie make her feel awkward about our relationship?

"Could I have a cuppa, Soph?" I ask as I take a seat on the sofa, as close to Miranda as I can get.

"I don't have any, sorry," Sophie says.

I look pointedly at the mugs both she and Miranda are holding.

"My mother gave it to us," Miranda says, a note of apology in her voice.

"What did your parents say? Have they cleared everything up?" I ask. Please let them have explained everything so Miranda and I can get back to planning for our future. I know that's selfish and I'm not proud of that side of me, but I've been patient for years. I don't want anything to slow us down now we're finally together.

Sophie gives an impatient huff. "They've been here an hour, Declan. Be patient."

After all the years I've waited for Miranda to be mine, I think I've been patient enough.

The light knock on the door delays me telling my sister to butt out. Probably for the best. With a huff, Sophie walks over to the door and wrenches it open.

"Sophie," Ma sweeps her in a hug as she crosses the threshold. "Miranda," she exclaims as she releases Soph and moves to hug Miranda, who has risen from her chair. Her eyes drift closed as Ma hugs her tightly and my heart clenches as a single tear trails down Miranda's cheek. Dad hugs first Sophie and then Miranda when Ma finally releases her.

"It's been too long, sweetheart," Dad says, pressing a kiss to her cheek. He reaches out a long arm—I get my height from him—to pull Sophie back in for a hug. In his Scottish brogue he says, "Having both of my girls together is the best way to start a new year."

My Dad is not the most demonstrative of men, but he has always made sure we've known we are loved. That he easily shows his love for Miranda too makes me appreciate him even more.

There's another knock at the door and since I'm closest, I open it to reveal Carter. I step back to let him in, and he says hello to everyone like he hasn't already seen all of us today.

"What are you doing here?" Sophie asks.

"Sophie Eileen, don't be rude," Ma chides her. "Trevor, come in. I apologize for my daughter, she was raised better."

He gives the smile that always charms the ladies. "No worries. I'm getting used to Sophie. For the next two months, we will be the best of friends. She's getting her hostility out of her system early, before she falls in love with me."

His wink makes Sophie give a low growl. I don't know if it's a wolf's growl or an angry Sophie growl. They sound alike.

"Dance? You're partners for the show?" Dad asks.

"Aye," Sophie grumbles.

"Anyway," Carter says, "to answer your question. I'm here for Miranda. For support. She's my best friend. Where else would I be?"

"Aww…thanks Trev." Miranda gives him a hug and kiss on the cheek.

What. The. Hell? She hugged and kissed every person in the room but me. I'm the one she's in love with, but she hasn't touched me or given any indication of her feelings for me. How have things changed so much between us this quickly? If it has, does it mean what she told me last night, the promises we made, the dreams we shared, mean nothing?

The knocking at the door deters anyone from saying anything more. Ever gracious, Sophie stomps over and opens the door. Miranda's parents are on the threshold. We should have used the ballroom from last night.

Sophie's smile is huge as she steps back to let them into the suite. I glance over at Miranda and her face doesn't betray any emotion. I know she's already seen them, but if someone didn't know better, they'd think Sophie was their daughter based on the greeting. The years haven't brought many changes to the Quinns. Paul is still lean, standing around six feet tall. There is more gray in his brown hair and it is thinning. When I step forward, he shakes my hand and murmurs, "Hello." Miranda has his gray eyes.

Doreen is a beautiful woman at fifty-something years old. Her hair is still the same black as Miranda and her green eyes remind me of a house cat sizing up a juicy mouse she wants to pounce on. She has a dainty build, but there is no doubt she is physically strong from her work with horses. She is the type of woman who would be equally at home in riding breeches and boots, as she is in an exquisite gown. Miranda laments she doesn't have her mother's timeless beauty, but she doesn't realize Doreen's brittle manner detracts from any physical beauty she possesses. Anyway, I think Miranda is stunning whether she's in a gown or an old t-shirt. Sixty years from now, when we are both old and gray, she's always going to be the most beautiful woman in the world to me.

I turn away from Paul and face Doreen Quinn.

"Declan," she says, tilting her face toward me and presenting her cheek like I'm going to kiss it.

"Hello Doreen." I step back. Her green eyes flash with anger because I didn't fawn over her like most men do. Too bad. Miranda is the Quinn woman I'm kissing, no one else. Carter introduces himself and shakes both of their hands, rejecting Doreen's proffered cheek as well.

"Miranda," Paul says in an American accent. I'm shocked because he's always sounded as Irish as my mother. I guess I know where Miranda gets her changeable accent from. "I need to get back to the racetrack. The horses need me."

I think it's more he needs the horses. He strikes me as the type of man more comfortable with animals than with people.

"I'm sorry we don't have more time to spend together, but I hope you do well."

With that, he steps toward Miranda, and she meets him halfway, opening her arms to hug him. She quickly drops them when he holds his hand out to shake. It is damn awkward. Miranda recovers quickly and shakes his hand. On what planet does a man shake his daughter's hand? My dad isn't a big hugger, but even if he shook Sophie's hand, he would use his grip to pull her in for a hug as well.

"I understand," Miranda says. "Thank you for coming down, Father. I appreciate it. I hope the horses are well." She turns to Doreen. "Mother, I hope you have a safe trip home."

"Oh no," Doreen says, her Irish lilt sounding harsh. "I'm not leaving. You need me here, this is where I will be. You're my daughter."

Am I projecting the flash of alarm flitting across Miranda's face? Everyone says goodbye to Paul as he leaves. I don't know why he bothered to come down. Maybe Doreen didn't want to drive.

"Get your bag, Miranda," Doreen says as she follows Paul out of the suite. "We'll get you settled in my room,"

"I'm going to stay with Sophie, Mother," Miranda says.

Doreen stops and looks over her shoulder with her cat-like green eyes slightly narrowed.

"Miranda," she says with a note of sharpness to her voice. "I came down here to spend time with you, not to stay in a hotel room by myself. If you don't want to see me, say so and I will leave with your father."

Carter and I share a look saying good riddance. However, Miranda says, "Of course, Mother. I'm sorry. Let me get my bag."

I go to grab Miranda's bag to carry it for her, but Doreen says, "She can carry it herself, Declan. She's built like a hockey player. She's not helpless."

Miranda flushes a deep pink as she picks up her bag. Of course, she's not helpless, but she deserves care and consideration. I would do this for my mother or my sister. For Carter's sister. Hell, I'd do it for everyone. Except for Doreen. She can carry her own damn bag. Goodness knows she's given Miranda more than enough baggage to deal with.

As I go to follow Miranda out of the room, Sophie says, "Really, Declan? Can't you allow Miranda and her mother a moment alone? You don't need to be joined at the hip or the lip or any other parts."

Now it's my turn to flush. I don't remember when my sister got this nasty edge to her. Being the girl with five brothers, she's always given as good as she's gotten. But now there's a meanness and cruelty to her remarks and I don't like it.

"Sophie," Ma exclaims. "They're in love. Of course Declan wants to be with her. You'll understand someday."

"Not anytime soon," she scoffs. "Dance first and only. I don't have time to be distracted by love or hormones or whatever they have going on."

"You're a charmer," Carter says, and my dad chuckles. Earning them both scowls from Sophie.

"Miranda, come along," Doreen commands. Before I even have a chance to give Miranda a hug, or a kiss, or have a private word with her, she is out the door and closing it behind her. I worry that closed door is a statement about our relationship.