Declan

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

  Copyright © 2016 Christine Baena

  Excerpt from Ethan copyright © 2016 Christine Baena

  Formatting by Dallas Hodge, Everything But The Book

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, redistributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, print, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Author.

  Indie House Publishing

  Books by Chris Keniston

  Available on Kobo

  Aloha Series

  Aloha Texas

  Almost Paradise

  Mai Tai Marriage

  Dive Into You

  Shell Game

  Look of Love

  Love by Design

  Love Walks In

  Waikiki Wedding

  Surf's Up Flirts

  (Aloha Series Companions)

  Shall We Dance

  Love on Tap

  Head Over Heels

  Perfect Match

  Just One Kiss

  It Had to Be You

  Honeymoon Series

  Honeymoon for One

  Honeymoon for Three

  Family Secrets Novels

  Champagne Sisterhood

  The Homecoming

  Hope's Corner

  Farraday Country

  Adam

  Brooks

  Connor

  Declan

  Ethan

  Finn

  Grace

  More on Chris and her books can be found at www.chriskeniston.com

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  or on Twitter @ckenistonauthor

  Acknowledgments

  The Farraday family has been a wondrous adventure in can-you-read-faster-than-I-write. Every time I finish a book I'm amazed to discover people like it!

  Declan's book has been one heck of a ride. Author Kathy Ivan opened her home to me every afternoon to keep me honest and on schedule. Steve Richards once again explained to me, ever so patiently, how the Dallas police department really works, and what DJ could and couldn't do. Bless Author Angi Morgan for knowing all things Texas Ranger (I may need you soon). I thank all of you for the help along the way. All of you made Declan a much better read.

  I especially want to thank all the great new fans who have found me because of the Farradays and faithfully returning fans. It's been an absolute blast reading the reviews and emails. I kid you not even as I write this I am super pumped because of a fantastic review I just saw. Y'all rock. Thank you!

  Prologue

  (Epilogue from Connor mistakenly omitted from first edition –

  If you've read a later edition of Connor that included the epilogue,

  please skip to Chapter One of Declan. Thank you!)

  "Talk about life happening while we're busy making other plans."

  "Tell me about it." Connor shook his head and smiled. "Marriage and settling down was the last thing on my mind when I came home."

  "And now it's more than just on your mind." DJ watched his brother's face light up as he bobbed his head. By the end of the day, two of DJ's brothers would be happily married and from the looks of it, in the blink of an eye Connor would be joining the ranks of not only husband, but like Brooks—father.

  The tiny garden in the back of the old church had to be the most peaceful place on earth. When they were all kids, catching frogs or swimming in the creek after the rainy season was the only place the boys wanted to be. All grown up, riding the far pastures on a breezy spring day always helped remind DJ of what was important in life. Here, on Brooks' wedding day, the green grass, colorful blooms, and his mom's bench reminded him he was damn lucky to be a Farraday. His only regret: that his mother wasn't here to see three of her sons find the loves of their life.

  "I bet I know what you're thinking, Declan James Farraday." The only time Aunt Eileen called him by his full given name was if he was in trouble. Big Trouble.

  "Whatever it is, I didn't do it."

  "Well…Declan." Beside him Connor chuckled and stepped aside. "This is my cue to see what's keeping our big brother."

  Rolling her eyes, Aunt Eileen shook her head. "It's a nice name. I'm sorry we didn't call you that more often."

  DJ nodded. In the marines he'd been known by most as Declan. In Dallas too. At home in Tucker Falls he was DJ to anyone and everyone.

  "Your Mama and Daddy couldn't agree on a boy’s D name for all the tea in China." Aunt Eileen kept her gaze on the vine-covered arbor in the corner of the garden. The one Brooks and Toni would be standing under shortly. "Since Daniel was out of the question on account of the Seven Brides for Seven Brothers movie, it finally came down to David or Dillon."

  Cocking his head, DJ glanced at his aunt. Not once did he remember ever being told that his parents had considered any other name for him.

  "Your mama favored David. Sean liked Dillon. Helen insisted it was because of Gunsmoke."

  DJ had to laugh. That did sound like his father.

  "The day you were born they still hadn't agreed on a name. I remember it so clearly. Sean was at one side of the bed, holding your mother's hand and I was on her other side. The nurse brought you in all wrapped up in a blue blanket like a silkworm in a cocoon." Aunt Eileen continued to look ahead and smiled. "Helen unwrapped you slowly and as soon as your arm was free you snatched her finger in your hand. Sean grinned as though you'd ridden a prize bull, my sister nodded, looked up at us and said, Declan James. To this day I have no idea where she came up with that name. All she'd say was one look at you and she knew."

  "What are you two jawing about?" Sean and Adam came to stand on either side of DJ and his aunt, his brother Connor returning with a grinning Brooks at his side and Father Tim on their heels.

  "Names," DJ answered, watching the joy shining from his brother as clearly as though the guy had swallowed a flashlight.

  "You ready?" Aunt Eileen turned to face the second oldest Farraday son.

  Nodding, Brooks straightened his shoulders. "Absolutely."

  "Good," Eileen dipped her chin. "That's what I want to hear." She turned to face her brother-in-law. "I'm guessing you've taken the time for that man-to-man talk?"

  The senior Farraday's brows buckled momentarily in confusion before breaking into a low rumbling laugh. "At this point I think my sons could teach me a thing or two."

  Two deep lines formed at the bridge of Aunt Eileen's nose and smothering their own laughter, all the brothers took a single step back.

  "Yes, Eileen," their father quickly corrected, a stern expression on his face. "We had a nice long talk."

  Connor leaned into DJ and whispered, "About twenty years ago."

  "Do you think she's kidding?" DJ asked softly.

  Turning his head to see his aunt and father laughing, Connor shrugged. "I honestly don't know."

  Brooks stepped around his Father and came up to his brothers at the same moment the youngest Farraday brother came through the church doors. "Didn't think you were going to make it, little brother."

  "At least I'm not late." Finn slapped Brooks on the shoulder and glanced around. "Always a good sign when I can get to the church before the bride. They should be coming out any second."

  Connor's gaze darted to the doors and back. DJ wasn't sure what to blame for his three older brothers falling head over boot heels in love, one right after the other. Late last night they'd all teased something was in the beer. Adam and Brooks hadn't been too much of a jolt; they were the more stable of the bunch. But Connor? And to an outright city girl?
One terrified of horses to boot.

  Brooks glanced down at his watch, then up at the doors and over to where his father, aunt, best man and the priest were chatting. Brooks looked as nervous as a long tailed cat in the proverbial room full of rockers.

  "Not to be difficult or anything," DJ dared to ask, "but you are sure you want to do this?"

  Staring at his brother with enough intensity to melt steel, Brooks didn't nod, or shift, but merely kept his gaze on his brother. "I'm only going to say this to you once. Ask again and you'll be spitting teeth."

  Fair enough. DJ nodded.

  "I can't imagine another day in my life without her in it. I don't want to imagine any day without Toni."

  DJ nodded again and his brother's sappy grin reappeared. There was no need for DJ to turn and see what had brought the smile to Brooks' face so quickly. The answer was obvious, but DJ looked anyhow. Toni stood by the French doors, Meg and Catherine at her side, little Stacy in front.

  In a simple sleeveless ivory dress that came to just below her knees and a lone strand of collar-length pearls which matched the pearl dots at her ears, Toni beamed. In her hands she held a single red rose to compliment the bud in Brook's lapel. They were the only two with flowers.

  The family took their positions. Brooks and Toni facing each other in front of the priest, Adam and Meg on either side, best man and matron of honor. Connor and Catherine stood to DJ's left holding hands and smiling like besotted teens after their first make-out session, his aunt and father stood to his right. The words said between bride and groom came out slow and careful and soft-spoken, befitting the reverent location. Not that it mattered. Everything Brooks and Toni said was reflected in their eyes. Love, caring, and devotion. The three magic ingredients.

  Rings and smiles, and of course the anticipated kiss, were exchanged. The melding of mouths lasted longer than DJ was comfortable with. Looking away, he leaned over and whispered into his aunt's ear. "You never said, what did you know I was thinking?"

  She brushed against him and without turning her face, whispered. "It's your turn next."

  "Not likely," he practically snorted.

  This time his aunt angled her head and studied him. "I never asked any of you boys what happened while you were living and working away from home. Don't think I want to know."

  DJ nodded. Partly acknowledging her respect of his privacy, but mostly because she was right, she didn't want to know.

  Her hand raised up and she ran her knuckles gently along his cheek. "Someone is going to come along and she's going to think Declan is the most beautiful name and she's going to make you forget all the things I don't want to know."

  DJ dipped his chin, not so much because his aunt was right, but because somewhere buried inside, the carefree young man he used to be wanted her to be right.

  Brooks and Toni broke apart and the small family group erupted in applause. Stacy tossed rose petals at the newly married couple.

  Waiting her turn to hug the newest Mrs. Farraday, Aunt Eileen leaned into DJ again. "Maybe keep an open mind about the local ladies. You know we have some lovely young women."

  "We'll see." Not that he had any intention of changing what had been the unspoken rule amongst the brothers.

  Aunt Eileen twisted one side of her mouth up and recognizing his answer for the stall tactic that it was, she shook her head. "Maybe just keep an eye out for that dog. He, or she, seems to have a better track record at finding good women than any of you."

  "Oh come on." DJ laughed softly. "You can't seriously expect some dog to drop a wife in my lap?" He'd said that a bit louder than he'd meant to, but only his aunt appeared to have heard.

  "No," Aunt Eileen smiled. Taking a step forward, she looked back over her shoulder. "I'd settle for on your doorstep."

  Chapter One

  "The Louisville Slugger strikes again." DJ dropped the receiver into place and pushed back from his desk. "That's the fifth mailbox this week."

  Teenage hijinks were one thing, but this was getting totally out of hand. And picking on old Mrs. Peabody this time. Since her husband died, the woman had more than enough imaginary problems, she didn't need real ones. Who knew how long he and his department would have to drive by her house more regularly until she found something new to fret about. With only a few officers besides himself for the small town and the handful of ranches inside the Tuckers Bluff limits, circling Mrs. Peabody's neighborhood all day—and night—wasn't practical, but he'd do it.

  Esther, his dispatcher, stuck her arm out. A single pink message slip dangled between her fingers. "You may want to call your brother back."

  "Which one?"

  "Brooks. I took the call while you were calming down Mrs. Peabody."

  DJ looked at the note. Says he may have saved your day. "Thanks." A rustling noise near the front door caught his attention, but his cell phone ringing pulled him back. "Farraday."

  "If you're coming over you'd better get here sooner than later," Brooks said quickly. "I'm almost done with Christopher Brady."

  "Christopher?" More movement out front had him crossing the bullpen toward the window. "What about him?"

  "Mom brought him in with a broken arm."

  "Oh really?" Christopher was about to learn the hard way, Karma was a bitch.

  "Yeah. I'm guessing you had another mailbox go down."

  Scanning the street, DJ nodded even though his brother couldn't see him. "Mrs. Peabody."

  "If you want my professional opinion, looks like this Brady son isn't taking too well to the attention the twins are getting."

  "Yeah, you're probably right. I'll be right over." DJ slid his phone into his pocket and took a step toward the scratching sound coming from the front door and waited. Nothing. Maybe his family was right, he needed a little time off. A break. Tuckers Bluff was no Mecca for crime, but sometimes having nothing to do all day was as draining as having too much to do. Though he'd take those long winter days with no sign of trouble anywhere on the horizon and the increased mischief come spring over big city crap any day. Turning to face Esther, the indispensable dispatcher who'd worn a badge long before he'd become a cop, he waited for her to finish her call.

  "Yes, ma'am," Esther said with a smile. "I know how you feel." She also nodded even though the caller couldn't see her. "You can be sure I'll remind him." This time Esther chuckled. "I don't know if I'd say that." Her head bobbed a few more times before her eyes rolled and then the smile came back again. "Yes, ma'am, you have a better day now."

  "Let me guess," DJ shifted his weight. "Mrs. Peabody."

  Esther nodded. "You talk to your brother?"

  "On my way now." Almost at the door, another scraping sound drew his attention. Waving to Esther, he took a quick broad step and yanked the door open. "Well."

  Resting on his haunches beside one of the old wooden benches flanking either side of the front stoop, with his tail wagging and tongue lolling, a dog who had to be first cousins with a neighborhood wolf sat as contented as any family mascot.

  "Hey there." DJ inched forward, not sure how long that tail would keep wagging. He was rewarded with a raised paw. "You shake, do you?" Taking his chances, DJ accepted the proffered paw, pumped it once and then scratched the animal's neck in search of a collar or tags. "You must belong to someone. No stray learns to shake." Wait a minute. "I bet you're the fellow who has been popping up all over the place."

  DJ would have sworn the dog nodded.

  "Don't go anywhere. I know some people who are going to want to check you out." Continuing to scratch the dog's neck, DJ pulled out his cell and called his other brother's office. Came in handy having both a people and animal doctor in the family.

  "Animal Clinic, how may I help you?" Becky Wilson's jubilant voice came through his phone and made him smile. The kid was always so happy and perky, just the sound of her voice could put a smile on the Grinch.

  "I've got someone here for Adam to check out."

  "Well, he's not here. Things were pretty slo
w so he and Meg took off for some shopping in Butler Springs."

  "Dang. I've got the dog."

  "The dog?" she repeated. "Oh wait. You mean that dog?" Her voice kicked up an octave and now he really smiled.

  "I think so."

  "Cool! Don't let him go. I'm on my way."

  Before he could say another word, the line went dead and he decided the Brady boy could wait. It wasn't like DJ didn't know where the family lived. He just really wished Christopher hadn't graduated from TPing houses to destruction of private property. Turning a blind eye wasn't an option and this level of vandalism surpassed the token stern warning.

  "Becky's on her way," he explained to the dog. "You're going to like her."

  Again the pooch did that head bob that looked like nodding. Spinning around, he leaped up on his hind legs as if he were asking to dance, and then coming back down, shifted to the opposite side, giving DJ a better view of what had been nestled under the old bench behind the fluffy dog.

  "Don't tell me someone dumped your puppies here and that's what's brought you out into the open." Keeping one hand on the dog's collar, DJ leaned over, grabbed hold of the cardboard edge and slid the box out into the open. For a split second he thought he was hallucinating. Blinking once and then twice, he shook his head. No hallucination. Squatting down, he reached forward. "Son of a—"

  ***

  Bolting up from her seat, Becky spun around to face her friend and receptionist, Kelly. "Looks like DJ found that mysterious dog. He's got him at the station. I'm running over now."

  "Is he hurt?" Like everyone else in town who'd heard about the disappearing dog, Kelly knew some reports had the pup limping. No one liked the idea of an injured animal out on its own.

  "We'll see. I'll bring him back. Even if he's not hurt, the poor fellow needs a good home."