Chapter 18
Hugh let himself into his mother’s home. Mom and Tina were in the living room watching a World War II documentary. He paused just outside the room. “Tina. Mom.”
“Oh, good to see you, Hugh.” Tina smiled, eyes twinkling. She probably knew everything there was to know about his personal life.
“Son,” his mother acknowledged, eyebrows raised in question.
“I’m here to see Rowan before she leaves town.”
If his mother was surprised, she didn’t show it. “I’m glad. I wish she didn’t have to drive.”
“Yes.” And before he chickened out, he asked, “Would you be available to run an errand with me Thursday morning? I’ll take you to Wolves for lunch after.” Hugh had an appointment with a jeweler. Christ, he started sweating at the thought. He was looking at stones for a ring. For Rowan. An engagement ring. He wanted his mom’s opinion. Jesus, he barely recognized himself these past weeks.
Mom gave him a shrewd look. She couldn’t possibly know what he was up to, but maybe she did. Parents had superpowers where their children were concerned. Hugh had always been able to sniff out any subterfuge his boys attempted from ten miles away.
“I would love to.”
“Fine,” Hugh replied stiffly before heading back to Rowan’s room, where soft music could be heard through the closed door. He recognized Just a Dream by Nelly. He shook his head. Mozart was probably queued next. Rowan was unpredictable. That made him smile as he tapped on her door softly, aware his mother had purposefully turned the television volume down to make sure she didn’t miss anything.
When Rowan pulled the door in, his heart hammered at seeing her again. It was the first time since he’d taken her phone and made an ass out of himself. She opened the door wider, a silent invitation to enter. He knew Rowan loved him. She’d never lie, but he had hurt her and embarrassed her, and he was still unsure of where they currently stood.
Had Rowan called William later to smooth things over? That was not a thought he should ponder if he hoped to work things out with her.
He saw that she was mostly packed, her bag open at the foot of the bed. He heard the door click behind him and turned to see Rowan leaning against the closed door regarding him.
“Don’t go.” He hadn’t meant to say that, damn it.
“I have to help Angela.”
She wore a white linen blouse tucked into soft white linen shorts. It was simple and sophisticated and completely Rowan. Her bare feet made him ache to kiss each of her delicate toes. Hugh closed the distance between them and, without a moment’s hesitation, lifted Rowan under her arms and brought her body against his own.
She wrapped her legs around his waist as he placed one hand on her ass for support and backed her against the wall. She didn’t say a word. She watched him intently, most of her long, silky hair trapped behind her with a few strands draping her front and touching his chest. He used his free hand to cup her jaw and angle her mouth where he needed it.
Hugh brought his mouth close, sharing Rowan’s breath. Her hands flexed against his shoulder and neck. “I don’t like you being gone from me.”
“I don’t like it either,” she admitted.
“When you get home Thursday, I want you with me always.”
“We still have things to work out. To discuss.”
Fucking William. “I’ll talk. I swear,” Hugh conceded. He’d promise the moon to keep her. “Thursday.”
“Thursday. Fine.”
“Then you’ll stay with me after?” Hugh really needed her to commit. Otherwise, letting her out of his sight—again—would be impossible.
“If we can work through things. I’ve always wanted forever,” she finished tenderly.
Hugh wanted so badly to have forever. He dug his fingers into her ass, pulling her as tight together as he could get their bodies. He bent to kiss her neck, speaking against her skin. “I know we still have to talk about yesterday, but will you kiss me goodbye?”
Rowan cupped his jaw this time, lifting his head so that she could place small kisses at the corners of his mouth. “I want to kiss you hello and goodbye. I want to kiss you good morning and goodnight. I want to kiss you for no reason other than because I want to. So yes, Hugh, you can kiss me.”
Hugh felt his legs quiver, and his eyes—damn his eyes—he felt Rowan’s words like a building pressure behind his lids. She was fierce. She’d known all along that it would always end with Hugh and Rowan.
He heard her phone ding and knew she had to leave. He took her lips gently, moving atop her seam until she gasped, allowing him to slowly deepen the kiss. He tried to put all his love into that kiss. Rowan palmed the back of his head pulling him in deeper, the slow tangle of their tongues wrung moans from them both.
Rowan pulled back...slowly. “I have to go. God, I wish I didn’t,” Rowan spoke between small kisses and nips to his lips.
“Thursday, I’ll talk. I’ll explain, and when you forgive me, I’ll make you promise me forever.”
“Give it your best effort, babe. I’m not averse to hearing you beg,” she chuckled, giving him one last kiss before wiggling out of his arms. She checked her phone. “Angela’s waiting outside the hotel. I’ve got to run.” She quickly threw one more small tote in her suitcase and zipped it closed.
Hugh grabbed Rowan’s suitcase and followed her to the door. Rowan kissed his mom on the cheek and hugged Tina goodbye. “I’m walking Row to her car, Mom. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
Angela was waiting outside a Mercedes Sprinter van. “My husband got a driver and this van thing for the trip. I filled it with all sorts of drinks and snacks. Oh, hi, Will! Thanks for letting me have Rowan for a few days.”
Hugh clenched his jaw so that he wouldn’t make a scene, only dipping his head in acknowledgment. Angela climbed inside while Hugh placed Rowan’s bag in the back. She was waiting for him when he turned. She placed her hands against his chest. “I’ll make sure Angela knows exactly who you are and what you are to me. Okay?”
“Fine,” Hugh replied stiffly. Rowan just watched him and waited. Hugh sighed, bending so that he could kiss her once more. “And what am I to you?”
“Mine.”
Hugh was just pulling backinto Tulsa. He’d gone to the Muskogee compound as soon as Rowan had left. Even though he had a company that he paid to oversee the property and homes, he wanted to go over the place himself. Plus, he’d always loved his house there, and Sara, his housekeeper, wanted to see him before she and her husband left for a two month holiday to visit family.
Hugh had never minded solitude. Quiet allowed him to center his mind. He could look at any new deal or problem and formulate a plan that would yield the best results. Silence was his friend. People referred to him as a wolf in the business world. They weren’t wrong. Hugh could be cunning and fierce when he needed to be. He’d always expected the best from his people, and in return, he was loyal.
He never needed to be the loudest in the room, everyone’s best friend, or the life of the party. He enjoyed company, but he knew there was always a…separateness. His sons ignored his wall and climbed all over it like he was their own personal jungle gym—and he was grateful for their irreverence. Bran and Patrick were the two people in his life that were easy to show affection.
And then the Byrne sisters. Raven and River were daughters by marriage, and he couldn’t love them more had they been his own. Rowan, though…he’d never thought of her as anything but…his. Hugh had only been at the compound from Tuesday night until Thursday morning, but it had been enough time to realize solitude wasn’t the balm it used to be.
He tried sitting by the pond, watching a game in the outdoor bar, sitting on the patio, reading in the library…lying in bed. He admitted he missed his boys, he missed their wives, he missed his grandson, and he missed Rowan.
He packed up early that morning and headed back to town. He’d barely spoken to Rowan since she’d left. She’d been busy working and had spent hours at the furniture store yesterday and still had one more item to find this morning. Angela thought it was a great idea to share a room, which meant they’d mostly texted. Hugh grinned as he pulled into the hotel’s parking garage—some of their text strands had gotten hot.
Are you asleep?
No.
Angela’s asleep. I’m in bed, but I can’t sleep.
Is it work related?
No.
What then?
Before I tell you, I wondered if when you snooped in my bedroom, if you actually looked in my nightstand drawer.
Why?
Did you?
No. Tell me what I would have seen.
There are two things.
#1?
I didn’t just buy Rave sex toys from that party last year.
Christ. #2?
I have an entire book of charcoal and pencil drawings.
Of?
You. You and me with the family. You and me having sex in every position I’ve ever read about.
Did you get off to the pictures?
Yes.
Fuck me.
I want to.
Jesus.
When we have sex the first time, I was wondering if we would be so crazy to do it that we wouldn’t do any...before stuff. I’ve dreamed of taking you in my mouth.
For fuck’s sake, Row. I’ve literally been hard for days and then you say something like that...
Still, I wondered about it. If I tell you a secret, one that even my sisters don’t know, will you promise not to tell?
Of course.
I’m not a virgin. My sisters were you know. I had sex once in college. In the back of a truck at a party. A totally disgusting cliché, I know. Anyway, alcohol had been involved and I was barely keeping myself together after my parents died. It hurt and it was awful in case you’re wondering. Completely cured me of wanting a repeat. I pretty much ignored all men after that. Until you, of course.
I’m not a virgin either. So, we have that in common. I’ll give you a secret of mine. I’ve told two women in my life, who weren’t my mother, that I loved them. I lied to the first.
You’re my only too.
Goodnight, Rowan. Take a nap on the way back to Tulsa—you’re going to need it.
One word. Condoms. BC made me puke my guts up for weeks. Oh! Do they come in fun colors?
I’m not a room. You aren’t decorating my dick. (If I were ever to break your trust and tell your sisters a story, it would be this condom one) Goodnight.
Rowan texted Hugh this morning to let him know that it would probably be closer to three before she was back in town. That worked perfectly for him. He had an appointment with a jeweler.
Hugh heldthe door to Wolves for his mother to pass. He was trying his best not to smile, but it was a difficult ask. Hugh had told the jeweler when he made the appointment that he only wanted to see yellow diamonds, and he’d made sure there were several stones to choose from. Yellow was Rowan’s favorite color, and he wanted the ring to make her smile when she saw it on her finger.
The jeweler had thought Hugh should choose a white gold or platinum band, but Hugh really loved the gold. It made the yellow diamond shine brighter. Mom had agreed and helped with the band design and setting. He couldn’t wait to see it done. If they were already back in Dublin, the store’s owner assured Hugh that everything could be shipped.
He and his mom decided to sit at a table near his father’s memorial. He loved being able to glance around and see so many wonderful pictures and special mementos. Rowan had outdone herself with the space.
Once their waters were on the table, his mom said, “Oh, Hugh. That will be one of the most beautiful rings when it’s finished. I’m so glad you went ahead and had earrings and a bracelet made to match.”
He loved the bracelet. Hugh had chosen a linked gold chain. A yellow diamond would be encased in gold and soldered to the chain. He could picture how beautiful it would look wrapped around her delicate wrist. He had the jeweler add tiny gold H and R charms.
“I thought she could add charms to the bracelet over time.” Hugh felt his cheeks heat and knew his mom had caught the blush.
“I’m so very happy for you, Son. So happy. Your father would have adored Rowan,” she added, dabbing her eyes with a napkin. “I think this calls for a celebratory drink. Don’t you?”
“I do.” Hugh did feel celebratory. He wanted to call the boys but decided against it. They would tell their wives who would start texting him proposal ideas.
“I’ll take a tall vodka and Sprite with a splash of grapefruit. Make sure it’s Absolut Elyx. Rowan got me started on Elyx. She said it is the best and she was right.”
Mom was grinning, clearly excited by the visit to the jewelers. When he picked her up and told her his plans to pick out an engagement ring, she squealed in delight, gave his arm a squeeze, and told him to hurry up. Hugh knew his mother enjoyed her life and friends here in Tulsa, but he had thought about asking her if she might consider living part of her time in Dublin. She would be able to watch her great-grandchildren grow. He knew she also missed seeing Bran and Patrick. She and Bébhinn really enjoyed each other, and Ireland was closer to all the holiday spots she and Diana enjoyed visiting.
Hugh gave the waitress their drink orders, a double of Redbreast for him, and was about to ask his mom what appetizers she wanted when he heard someone address him. The last voice he ever wanted to hear again in his life.
“Hugh, how wonderful to see you.”
Without an invitation, which she would never have received, Helen, her white hair in a perfect shoulder-length bob, and her perfectly made-up ice-cold face, sat in the open seat at their table. He despised absolutely everything about this cold bitch of a woman and really regretted sitting at a three-person table.
When Hugh didn’t respond or acknowledge her presence, she turned to Mom. “Lovely to see you, Matilda.”
“Mrs. O’Faolain. We aren’t friends or family.”
Hugh watched in satisfaction as Helen’s lips pinched in anger. That’s right, Helen, you can’t yell and scream and break things. No public spectacles today. She surely had several of her old Country Club girlfriends near, watching the show.
“I didn’t realize this was your little place, Hugh, when Sheryl set up the lunch date. I’m in town for her daughter’s wedding this weekend.”
“Have you had a chance to look at the appetizers, Mom?” His mom looked up from her phone. She’d been texting or pretending to text someone.
“I rarely eat appetizers. Why don’t you order several so I can try a bite of each,” she suggested.
“Such a rustic restaurant, but then, it suits you, Hugh. You’ve always been rough around the edges. At least our children didn’t inherit your lumberjack personality.”
Hugh felt his face flush. She’d always told him he was embarrassingly big with no conversational skills. Helen had always done her best to undermine his confidence. It had hurt, but he’d taken it. He’d taken her malice and her coldness and her cheating.
He saw his mother’s eyes were getting glassy. She didn’t like Helen speaking to him this way. Hugh was about to throw Helen out on the sidewalk when another woman addressed him.
“Hugh! I’m so happy you haven’t eaten yet. I got back earlier than expected, and I can join you and Tilly for lunch.” Smiling brightly, Rowan walked over to their table, standing between him and Helen. Hugh felt the momentary paralysis of absolute mortification stiffen his limbs. He didn”t want Rowan to be anywhere near that white-headed viper. She made him feel…less, unworthy. He never wanted her poisonous fangs to sink into the woman he loved.