Lingering Presence

She glanced down. When she saw the caller ID, she froze for a second.

It was Declan.

The man beside her, Kaelen, naturally saw the name on the screen too. His eyes darkened.

Clara pushed the car door open, answered the call, and strode up the steps into the house.

Kaelen let out a deep breath, his expression complicated.

*****

Once Clara was home, Declan told her why he'd called.

"Grandpa's birthd