Bran and Mike finally straightened from their bent positions over the rough table they’d been working over. Sawhorses holding up a mishmash of wooden panels were far removed fromthe sleek boardrooms Bran was probably used to making deals in, but the earthy honestness of Mike’s workroom was perfect.
“Thank you, Mike.” Bran shook hands with the owner and artist. “Remember to call me when you’re ready to ship to the States, and I’ll work all the details out.” Bran’s face was flushed with the excitement of success.
“It’ll be no problem. I’ve your number, Bran. I thank you and your lady for the business.”
Raven flashed Mike a smile. “You’ve made our whole trip. I can’t wait to see what you create for Wolves.” Holding her hand out to shake his hand, she added, “When next I’m in Dublin, I hope to have my sisters with me. They would love to meet you and check out your shop.”
The older man looked at Raven and then at Bran. “You’ll let me know when you marry.” Not a question. “I’ve something in mind as a gift. Good day to you both, and safe travels.”
As Mike walked away, leaving the two of them to find their way out, Bran looked quite pleased with himself. The marriage comment obviously not throwing him as it had her.
“You are one hundred percent off the hook for nodding off like Gran last night.” Grinning down at Raven, he swung his arm around her body, dragging them close together.
“I’m ignoring the Gran comment because I’m too excited. Mike was great, right?”
“You and your sisters were spot on with this place. I can’t wait to show some pictures to Dad and Pat.” Giving her a squeeze, Bran quit walking and bent low enough to kiss her. She could kiss him the rest of the day.
Once the kiss ended and they stepped out of Mike’s shop, Raven found breath enough to answer. “I’m pleased you felt the same way I did. As my dad would say, ‘Mike’s a proper talent, he is.’”
Bran’s smile was broad. Both were feeling the success of their day. “How about we call Dom for a lift back to downtown Dublin and then set out for our afternoon of exploration? We need to work up an appetite before our special dinner tonight. Dom’s assured me it’ll be spectacular.”
“Perfect.”
“I just wanted to run the plans by you in case you think they’re too much.”
Raven gave Bran a questioning glance. “Why would they be too much?”
“I only hoped you would be able to stay awake for dessert.”
“Pain and suffering will find you, O’Faolain. Pain and suffering.”
13
Bran and Raven spent the rest of the afternoon exploring Dublin Castle, The Book of Kells, and the Old Library exhibition at Trinity— they got a special tour when they found out an O’Faolain was present. They stepped into colorful shops amongst the grand, historical buildings in the city, visited museums, and stopped at small cafés or pubs for appetizers and drinks. Dom would check on them occasionally, but he wasn’t really needed since they walked everywhere.
Relaxing in a lovely bit of sun outside one of the café’s outdoor seating areas, they both checked in with their families. River and Rowan asked a million questions and couldn’t wait to hear how the fancy dinner went tonight. And what might happen after. They both threatened to disown her if she didn’t call them the next day and give them a play-by-play. Raven smiled to herself. Hopefully there was something to report.
Rowan said she’d been communicating with an Irish artist that worked in both oil and watercolor. Rowan was very interested in some of his work for Wolves. He lived in Longford, which she and Bran would travel through on their way to Boyle.Rowan said she sent an email with the artist’s address and number.
Promising to talk to them tomorrow after she saw the artist, and with another promise to spill her guts about this evening, they hung up.
“All’s well with your sisters?”
“Oh, yes. Row found an artist she wants us to check out in Longford tomorrow.” Bran got his phone out and looked him up while she continued. “She sounded pretty stoked, and River agreed his work would look phenomenal in the pub.”
“We’ll be traveling on N4. That route leads us directly through Longford. Very easy.”
“That’s what they said. I’ll call the artist in the morning before we head out. How are your dad and Patrick?”
“Dad’s brooding about something. He’ll tell me when he tells me. Patrick has been working all hours since we left on a website for Wolves.”
“I didn’t know he was going to build it himself. I assumed you would hire that out.”
“Pat lives for that kind of thing. He’ll spend three times longer building it than a design company because he’s a perfectionist, but I do not doubt it will be what we want in the end. He mentioned that he is working with River on it. He said she is almost as good as he is.”
That made Raven laugh. “Hopefully, he worded his praise differently to my sister.”
“Coming from my brother, that was the highest of praise. I’m actually shocked he’s sharing the project. He’s usually quite territorial.”
