“Oh, I think this place will be a dream between the four of us, and yes, I’m excluding James.” Jo laughed and then laughed even louder as the four realized the men were assembled by the front door waiting for the women to take notice.
Giving a quick wave, River and the other ladies approached the men near the entrance. “This will be the most stunning Irish pub, Hugh. It’s good you got this building before it went on the market.”
“Our realtor knew we were looking, and when her friend mentioned the owner was looking to sell but wasn’t in any hurry, I had her send him a very fair offer.” Shrugging, he admitted, “I was more than fair. I knew of the man. He may have been in no hurry to get it off his hands, but easy money is easy money.”
“This area,” Rowan looked to Hugh and waved around them, “is going to be comfortable seating for guests waiting for a bar or table chair. Some of the artwork and perhaps a few mementos can go on this back wall, a teaser, if you will. Very few.
“We want patrons towantto see more— draw them deeper inside. That area to the right of the largest bar is already earmarked for couches and chairs. I thought that space would be perfect for special O’Faolain history pieces. Mostly your father’s, of course.”
She loved to see Rowan so excited about a project. Raven was already picturing the colors and fabrics for that area, wondering how Rowan would set it apart from the rest of the bar but still make it flow.
River left Patrick’s side and walked back toward the lounge area. “Oh, Row, I do love that. Patrick told me the area you’re considering will also have its own wait staff. A person could relax with a drink and feel like they’re in the middle of an exhibit.”
“That’s right,” Jo agreed. “The O’Faolain’s want this pub to have everything. Fine dining, pub food served at the bars, family space, and live music. Something for everyone. I love the idea of that lounge being central to the family’s memorabilia, Rowan.”
Bran stood beside Raven, briefly letting his fingers touch her lower back. Raven let her body lean into his side momentarily before moving away. “James, the garage doors in the back are stunning. I hope the landscaper you hire plants plenty of flowers. Can you imagine how lovely it will be on nice evenings when the doors are open, and all the fragrant scents float in?”
Chuckling, James told Raven, “That’s a Jo job. My sweet sister once told me I wouldn’t know a rose from a radish.”
“God’s truth. Or your asshole from your elbow, but hey, we all have issues to overcome.” Jo danced out of her brother’s reach, moving behind Raven. “Have you girls seen enough fortoday? I’m starved, and I hear Gran O’Faolain has requested dinner be at her humble abode tonight.”
At this unexpected news, Raven swiftly turned to meet Bran’s eyes. “We’re eating at your grandmother’s?”
Her new mantra became— It’s just dinner. It’s just dinner. It’s just dinner. It’s just dinner... with the O’Faolain matriarch. Big deal. Oh God.
Bran went on, thankfully not reading her nerves. “We all live at the same hotel when we’re in Tulsa. We bought out the top floors and renovated them several years ago. Similar to what you guys did with your building in Eufaula.”
“Probably a touch bigger project than ours,” River stage whispered.
Smiling at River, Patrick admitted, “Just a smidge.”
“Dad told Gran Monday about you guys coming to town today and some of your ideas. She’s dying to hear about them. Especially about the area that will commemorate Gramps. Dad thought you,” he nodded toward Rowan, “could give Gran an idea of what you have in mind.”
Rowan looked slightly taken aback but rallied quickly. “Oh, I’d like that. I want to display some family antiques in the lounge. I noted you have plenty at your Muskogee home and I assume you have several unique pieces scattered amongst your other homes as well. We might pick a few to include.” Rowan paused to make a few more notes. “Yes. I would like to go over some things with Mrs. O’Faolain.”
“According to my sister, my work here is no longer required.” James managed to poke Jo’s side. “Let’s get out of here and change for dinner. Last I knew, Hugh, your mother doesn’t tolerate tardiness. Even from you.”
Dinner was lively and relaxing.It felt like they’d been getting together for years. In the past, he’d been on dates where he dreamed of nothing more than its ending. With Raven, he could listen to her all night— not that she monopolized the conversation— she wasn’t reserved like Rowan or boisterous like River, but she was fully engaged.
She cared about what she said and what others said around her. She fascinated him. He knew she’d been nervous about meeting his grandmother, and she hadn’t wanted him to know, but she’d shaken those nerves within moments of meeting Gran.
“You must have had your hands full, Mrs. O’Faolain, with your own sonandBran and Patrick.” Raven smiled as his grandmother all but rolled her eyes.
“Call me Matilda or Tilly. That’s what Jon called me. And as for the boys— I’m sure my hair would still be a lovely shade of brown instead of the silver it is now if they’d been better behaved.”
“Oh, come on, Mother, I wasn’t bad. The boys, though....”
“Hugh Darcy O’Faolain! Don’t you dare tell lies at this table,” she scolded.
Bran and Patrick laughed at their dad’s expense until Rowan asked, “Darcy?” All amusement fled, and he felt his cheeks heat. After glancing at his dad and brother, they, too, had guessed the direction the conversation was about to turn.
Oblivious to their discomfort, his grandmother, allprideand noprejudice, enlightened the sisters about a fun family fact.
“Mother.” A warning to stop. Unheeded.
“Oh, yes. Jane Austen has been my favorite author since I was a young girl, and my Jon let me name Hugh after Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.”
“Oh, it is a beautiful name, and what a lovely coincidence that they’re both the silent, broody type.” Rowan sent a tiny smirk of a smile his father’s way, causing the man to close his eyes and groan under his breath. River and Raven applauded the choice.
