The next couple of weeks turned into a familiar routine. Zoe found herself working harder in the garage to finish on time. She delegated more work to Jim as well, which made him grumpy. She didn’t care.

She spent most of her time chasing down their debtors so she could find the money to cover what she had lost. Mr. Epstein had been in touch to say he agreed there were some issues with the accounts, but he would need more time to check into them. He had asked her for back copies of old accounts and receipts. In the end, she put every paper record she could find in a cardboard box and dropped it off at his home. She took a couple of cooked meals with her, telling him to put them in the freezer. She also invited him over to dinner one evening with herself, Declan and Dominic.

Declan did what he said he would and went to every game with Dominic. Dominic made the team, and not only did he get a new uniform and sneakers, but so did the entire team. Zoe had tried arguing with Declan, but he insisted that sponsoring a school team was a tax write off. She didn’t know if that was true, but she was relieved she didn’t have to come up with the money for Dom’s uniform.

They didn’t get much time alone, but Declan didn’t complain. In fact, he just fit himself into her life and soon it was hard to imagine him not being there. He spent time with Gertie and Joe, too. Kathy told her about him visiting Flower Meadows on a daily basis. He helped the residents to weed and tend the garden. Everything about him seemed to scream “nice guy”.

* * *

Declan whistled tunelessly as he cooked. It was his turn to cook for Dominic and Zoe. They had decided to eat in Zoe’s house most nights to avoid the reporters. But they took turns doing the cooking. He couldn’t believe he was so happy especially given his latest movie had been put back. At least that was the official version. The unofficial version was the production company was worried the Action Hero franchise had lost popularity and the fifth movie could be a flop. A couple of months ago, this news would have shocked him to the core. But now he didn’t care. He had better things to think about like Zoe.

Thinking of her seemed to prompt a call. Declan picked up his cell.

“Hi babe. Don’t tell me you’re going to be late?”

“No, but I forgot to tell you Mr. Epstein is joining us. Do you have enough for four?”

“That depends on how much you eat.”

She giggled at his teasing. He was always telling her to eat more but she couldn’t keep up with him and Dominic.

“Thanks. And don’t worry about dessert. Mr. Epstein is bringing it.”

“Okay, but don’t be late. Bye,” Declan said, shutting his cell off. He had cooked enough for an army as he’d planned on putting some of it in the freezer. That way Zoe would have something easy to reheat on the nights she got in late.

“Dom, set the table for four please.”

“Aw, I am in the middle of Minecraft.”

“Minecraft can wait. You need to come fix the table or I’ll switch off the internet.”

“Jeez, okay.”

Declan hid a grin. He had complained just like Dom when his ma had called him to do chores. What would his ma make of all this? She’d be so excited to see he was getting close to someone.

The sauce bubbled over. Distracted, he pulled it off the stove. Everything was ready. Cauliflower in cheese sauce, fresh fish and garlic potatoes.

* * *

Mr. Epstein proved to be an interesting dinner guest. He told them stories of his grandparents who had come over to live in America after the first world war. His father had died fighting in the second world war and he’d been awarded the Purple Heart. His wife died some years back and his sons were busy with their own families, which left him on his own a lot.

“Zoe, did you ever bring Mr. Epstein over to meet Gertie and the rest of Kathy’s gang?” Declan asked, an idea forming in his mind.

“No, but I thought about it. Would you want to do that someday? Gertie is nice, but I’m warning you, she is very direct.”

“She’s scary,” he warned. “But she has a heart of gold. I can take you over if you like. I have a few jobs I said I would do in the garden.”

“You’re a regular green thumb,” Zoe teased him. His cheeks warmed as he basked in her approval. She was everything he could want in a woman.

“I would like that very much,” Mr. Epstein said. “But for now, I should be off. I am so full I, won’t eat for a week.”

* * *

Declan let Zoe see their guest out as he cleared up.

“Let me do that, you cooked,” she said, coming back into the kitchen.

“And you’ve been working all day. Go in and put your feet up. I’ll bring you a cup of tea in a while.”

Zoe didn’t argue.

“Dominic, help Declan please.”

“Aw man I was just going to play.” Whatever else he was about to say was cut off by a look from Declan. Although he tried not to interfere, he found it hard to take a step back when Dominic was being rude to Zoe.

When everything was cleared up and Dominic was in bed, Declan went into the living room to find Zoe fast asleep on the couch. She looked gorgeous.

He sat beside her, not wanting to wake her, but needing to be near her. His life had changed so much since meeting her…when? Was it really less than two months ago? He got up every morning looking forward to what the day would bring. Not only had he gotten involved in the local basketball team, but he spent a lot of time in the retirement home too. He loved how Conor and Emily had provided such a haven for the elderly. He wanted to do something similar.

Gazing down at Zoe, he knew he should really wake her and send her to bed before he got going. She had an early start in the morning. She was devoted to the garage but, as far as he was concerned, it was for all the wrong reasons. Dominic wasn’t interested in taking it over and there didn’t seem to be a real future in a small business like hers. She would work herself into an early grave if they let her.