Awakening Book One of the Trust Series(44)

“Good. Are you ready for dinner?”

“Honestly?” She threw the last breadcrumb into the pond. “I’m starving.”

****

Declan and Caitlyn entered into the charming New England town in fairly quick time, traffic being light exiting the city. They drove into one of the more historic parts of the village, and it did not surprise her when Declan pulled up into a cobblestone driveway to a blue colonial house that belonged to another time. The wildflower gardens out front grew lush, and were well maintained and cared for. The house looked like it fit Declan.

“Welcome to the home where I grew up.”

She stepped out of the car, inspecting the home more closely. “This is so nice. You must have loved growing up here.”

“I couldn’t have asked for a better childhood.” Declan walked up to the door, rapping on it quickly when a man in his early fifties with balding red hair answered the door.

“Declan!” The man embraced him tightly.

“Michael!” He stated fondly. “How are you? My father told me that you weren’t going to be able to make it tonight.”

Michael smiled at Caitlyn briefly before turning his attention back to Declan. “We completed the project just under the deadline. Talk about cutting it close.”

“I’m thrilled you completed the program. I know Trust Corporation was putting a lot of pressure on your group. Michael, may I introduce you to my student, Caitlyn Young.”

Michael shook her hand. “Caitlyn, it is an absolute pleasure meeting you. Let me assure you, you cannot be in better hands than you are with Declan.”

Caitlyn noticed that Declan blushed at the comment. “Nice to meet you as well, Michael.”

Another figure popped out from behind him. It was a person she recognized but was not expecting to see today. “Caleb! What are you doing here?”

The hacker gave her a quick hug. “Hey, Caitlyn! Told you I would see you soon. I see you met my dad.”

She could see the resemblance between the two of them. “Do you live here?”

Caleb laughed. “I practically did as a child. My dad and mom live down the road.” His next question was directed at her only. “How are you holding up with the change?”

“Better than I expected. I do miss Garrett at the same time though. I’ve not seen him since the Council made the change.”

“Don’t worry. Isla and I have been hanging out with him since I found out. He is taking it hard, but I think he does understand that it is for the best even if he may not admit it to himself. He really cares for you.”

She blushed slightly. “And I him.”

“So he told me. I hope you don’t mind that I know.”

“I didn’t think it was going to stay a secret for long anyways. I know that Declan suspects something, and if he ever asks, I’ll be upfront with him. It’s not something I’m hiding and there is no reason to keep it quiet especially since Garrett is no longer my mentor.”

“True. For what it is worth, I think the two of you are really good together.”

“Thanks.”

Declan’s voice then roused her from the private conversation she was holding with Caleb. “Would you like a tour of the home?”

She gave one last glance at Caleb. “I would love that.”

Declan first showed her the first floor. As expected, it was old, but it was well lived in and comfortable. He brought her room by room fairly quickly, until he stopped in what appeared to be a more formal living room. He stood in front of an oil painting. The painting showed a man whom she recognized as his father, a pretty brunette woman in her late twenties, and then a boy, who could be no older than eight. She recognized from the eyes that it was Declan.

“Is this a family portrait?”

“Yes. We had this done when I was seven. My mother was twenty-nine years old in this picture.”

“She was beautiful.”

Declan nodded. “And kind. She was one of the most generous people you would have ever known.”

“You must miss her a lot.”

“Not a day goes by that I don’t think of her.”

He took one last look at the portrait, and then led her to the stairwell. When Declan had finished giving Caitlyn the full tour of the upstairs of the house, Michael appeared again, this time to advise that Declan’s father had returned home and that dinner was ready and would be outside in the back garden.