The MacAllisters of Rivers End Collection Books 1-4

Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

Lucas came back from the kitchen carrying a plate of cookies, a cloth over his arm. He said in his best French waiter accent, “Good evening, mesdames. For your dessert pleasure this evening we have a selection of our finest cookies.”

Shannon laughed. He’d always been fun to have around. When Sara was little he constantly made up silly games to play with her. She was glad he hadn’t lost that for good. As much as it made her life a bit more complicated, for Sara’s sake she was glad he was back in town.

Sara’s eyes lit up as her hand shot out. “I want the pink one!” She had a weakness for cookies, and macarons were a particular favourite. Sara liked them for the colours. Shannon loved the way they melted on your tongue.

She had to admit, Lucas paid attention. He had remembered exactly how she took her coffee, and she’d be willing to bet that the macarons were in the bakery box because he knew they were Sara’s favourite.

Shannon picked a chocolate cookie hiding under the macarons. She took a bite and let out a moan as the smooth, rich dark chocolate melted in the heat of her mouth. “Smart, smart man. You went to Indulgence.”

“I like a woman who knows her cookies.”

“Oona’s a magician. I don’t know what she puts in these, but they’re like crack. Totally addictive.” Shannon polished off the last couple of bites and opened her eyes to find Lucas staring at her. She’d read about smouldering glances in romance novels. But this was the first time she’d actually felt the heat from one directed at her. Her insides melted like the chocolate in her mouth, going all sweet and gooey. Interesting.

Feeling inspired by the sinfully good cookie, she licked a bit of melted chocolate off her fingers. He swallowed. Okay, so she wasn’t the only one who was feeling that heat.

He shifted in the overstuffed chair and leaned towards her. “How long will you let me stay if I give you another one of these?”

She grinned and reached for another cookie. “I guess we’ll find out, won’t we?”

They sat on the couch, Sara snuggled up between them, fast asleep. The movie credits were going to end any second, but Lucas didn’t want to move. He’d spent the past hour and a half absorbing the easy affection of his niece and watching Shannon get more and more relaxed around him. She was so good with Sara. Patient, kind. He knew she was a good teacher and she knew her way around kids, but it was more than that. She was open and fun and really listened when Sara talked. It was one of the things he loved about her.

Shannon clicked the remote and the TV switched off. She looked at Sara, avoiding his eyes. “I’ll take her upstairs and put her to bed.”

Lucas scooped Sara up in his arms and eased himself to his feet. They stood, with Sara between them like a shield. “It’s okay. I’ve got her.” He walked carefully out of the room and up the stairs, trying not to wake up his niece.

He took his time tucking Sara in, making sure she had Mr. Perkins—the stuffed bunny that he’d given her when she was born—tucked up beside her. He smoothed the covers, kissed her forehead, and turned off the light, making sure the nightlight cast a gentle glow on the room. “Good night, princess.”

He left the door ajar because he knew she preferred it that way and headed back downstairs, contemplating whether or not he would be thrown out immediately.