Sweeter Than Candy (The Davenports 1)

“My sister-in-law is a feisty one. She needs to be to put up with you. You’d run over anyone else.”

“I’d be offended if it wasn’t true.” He shrugs unapologetically. “When are you going to bring the new flame around? If they find out via third person, they’re going to be hurt.”

“I know. Next time we do brunch at Sugar and Spice, I’ll bring her.” The family traditionally gets together for brunch once a month at a local restaurant.

“I’ve been thinking about opening a local office again. It’d bring jobs back to the place we’re from, and allow us to spend more time here. Plus, Cincinnati has really come a long way. If we made it a hands-on experience, it’d do well in Over The Rhine.”

“OTR has a chocolatier.”

“Yes, but Davenports offers so much more. What if we had a build your own chocolate bar feature?” Luka asks.

“You might be on to something.”

“It’s a concept I’ve been thinking on for a while. We’re all starting to settle down and the desire to spend more time at home is growing. We’ve put enough time into training our managerial staff to keep things running smoothly with fewer trips and more reports. I think we’ve earned it.”

“We should bring it up at the next family meeting. I think Micah would be on board, but I can’t speak to Kane. He’s still sowing wild oats, and in love with travel.” I shrug.

“He can still travel if he wants to. This is one of those greater good instances.”

We continue to dream up plans as we coast through the air toward Cincinnati.

Misgivings aside, Clara deserves to be treated like the queen she is. I hit the stores still dressed in my suit and climb the stairs of the condo with bag after bag on my arm. I fight with the keys to unlock the door and stumble inside.

“Are we hosting a party?” Micah asks from the couch.

“No, I have a date.”

“W-with who?” he sputters.

“Clara.”

He throws his head back and laughs.

I roll my eyes. “Get the laughs out now.”

“I’m happy for you, man. Luckily, I have a previous engagement tonight, so you kids will have the house to yourself. I’m spending my evening with the Cincinnati Paranormal Society.”

“You and Trisha are getting close.”

“It

’s not like that. Her boyfriend is a member, too. I like helping people. I’ve been doing research so far, but tonight, I’m going on my first case.”

Dropping the bags by the front door, I kick it shut. “ I didn’t realize you were so into this.”

“Yeah. It feels like where I need to be right now. You know?”

“I do,” I say, thinking of my own journey. We’re all growing and moving forward.

“What do you have planned?”

“She’s bringing Rook over, so I thought I’d set up the patio.”

“Like I said before, Mr. Suave.”

I shake my head. “It’s been a long time since I did this, and I want it to be right for her.”

“The best thing about you and Clara is how well you two connect. Don’t complicate it.”