Patrick looked at Bran and smiled. It looked like they might dodge a bullet.
“Tell them about the boys, Mom.” Dad’s smile was all teeth. Dick.
“Jonathan was a sweet man, and I admit, despite his rough and ready ways, Hugh is very much like his father.”
Gran paused to smile at Hugh, a loving mother, a side of her character she rarely let anyone see. But talk of grandpa tended to make her... softer, for lack of a better word. A benefit, though, was that his dad was full-out blushing now. He deserved it.
“Hugh chose the boys’ first names but let me choose their middle names.”
Bran was thankful no one asked why their mother hadn’t been the one to name him and his brother. That would have been a conversation downer.
Raven glanced at Bran, merriment in her eyes. She had probably guessed where this was going.
“What did you choose for Bran?”
“Bran Knightley.Emma, of course. The last name went much better with Bran than George. Can you imagine, Raven? Bran George.”
Raven was outright laughing now, her cheeks rosy with amusement— at his expense. He laughed too.
Smiling just for Bran, she said, “Mr. Knightley,” she sighed, “helped Emma be her best self. He was kind, generous,caring, loyal, and gave excellent counsel.” She looked at his grandmother then. “You named him well, Mrs.... Matilda.”
“And Patrick?” River asked, all sweet as she smiled at his brother.
“Patrick Brandon.”
“Oh wow! My sisters and I have read the books and watched the movies.Sense and Sensibility’sColonel Brandon was hands down my favorite of all her characters.” She turned to Patrick and bumped him with her elbow. “You totally scored,” she told him, grinning. Bran thought she was actually serious. Patrick looked bewildered at her compliment.
“River’s right. We all love Jane Austen.” Raven asked his grandmother if she was still a reader and what was the last book she’d read. The conversation around the table was easy, and he could tell his grandmother had enjoyed the evening.
Before taking their leave from Gran’s penthouse, she pulled her grandson aside. If his grandmother had something to say, taking it on the chin was best.
Bran’s always elegant grandmother placed her delicate hand on his forearm, looked him square in the eye, and said, “Finally.”
Bran raised his brows at her, not understanding where she was headed. She finally had him alone? The dinner was finally over? Unwilling to guess, he waited.
“You’ve finally chosen well.” And then, after a beat. “I approve. Don’t screw it up.”
Unexpected. Bran hadn’t realized his feelings toward Raven were so obvious. “I... well...” Stuttering. Nice. “We have only known each other a few days.”
“What the hell does that matter?”
“Language, Gran,” Bran whispered, grinning at the only mother he’d ever known.
“I’m old and can say whatever I want when I want. But never mind that,” brushing his interruption to the side with a hand,she doubled down, “Hours, days, months, years— Bran boy, it’s all time. Your grandfather asked me to marry him after two weeks. So, save your nonsense.
“I realize young people today have to think every bloody emotion through, and that’s fine. I just see what I see. You and Raven look at each other the way your grandfather and I looked at one another.” Gran took his hand and pulled him down to her level, gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, and told him to go home.
This time Bran stopped her by placing a hand on her shoulder. When she looked back at him, he said, “I love you, Gran. Thanks for putting up with the three of us.” Her eyes widened in surprise. Damn, he should tell her more often. She placed her hand over his and squeezed before turning to leave again, but not before he caught the sparkle of a tear.
He was still thoughtful and slightly bemused by his Gran as he held Raven’s hand and they crowded into the elevator. He leaned down to speak in Raven’s ear. “Jo has a car waiting out front to take you three to your hotel before she heads home. Would you give me a private minute before that?”
Raven looked up at him, as she was forced to because of their height difference, and smiled at him. “Of course.”
They could have easily drivenhome after dinner. It wasn’t so late, but they decided to check out a few fabric stores and local artisans tomorrow morning. Tick a few items off their growing To-Do list.
Raven practically shoved River and Rowan through the hotel room’s door. “Bran asked me to go to Ireland with him.”
“No fucking way.”
