“Rave.” Bran stopped the car once they’d crossed the bridge.
Raven waved her hand in front of her, brushing away the feelings. “It’s fine.I’mfine. Honestly. Little girl fantasies... I... didn’t realize.” Once again, she fluttered her hand in a moving-on gesture. Bran caught her hand.
“Don’t try to brush off your feelings like they aren’t important.” He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her fingers gently before leaning across the center console and pressing the gentlest of kisses to her mouth.
Sitting back in his seat, he said, “Only boyfriend.”
Umm. “What?”
“You’re bringing home your only— ever— boyfriend. Not your first.” He clarified.
“Lord have mercy. And men think women are difficult.” Both were laughing as Bran started to drive again. Raven appreciated the distraction from her parents.
Looking around at the tree-lined road, Bran was impressed. “Wow. Very nice.”
“The property has been in the family since the 1700s. It’s a couple miles from town. Remote, but nottooremote.”
“How much land does your grandma own in this enclave?”
“I think almost eight acres. There are two outbuildings, and oh,” she exclaimed, “I can’t wait for you to walk the path leading to the river. Nan placed benches near the water, and there’s a firepit. The wooded grove is mostly ash, hazel, and willow trees. It’s perfect. River, Rowan, and I played hide and seek for hours in that grove.”
The house came into view then. The 1800 square foot, two-story, whitewashed cottage with its light grey tiled roof was a vision. The red double door gave it a pop of color. Lovely and very Irish. The house sat on a neatly packed pebble drive that circled the house, green grass surrounded the narrow path.
The flowers, though, were the showstopper. Nan had planted every type and color in a brilliant, fragrant, wild display. There was no order to it, but the neat little dirt footpath that wound through it twisted into a perfect secret garden oasis.
Having come to a stop, she and Bran climbed out. She walked over and grabbed Bran’s hand. “I want a flower garden just aswild and untamed as Nan’s someday. I want my children to run through it giggling like my sisters and I used to.” She smiled at him. Joy completely washed away the sad thoughts from earlier.
Bran was momentarily stunned.Raven’s smile was electrifying. He wanted nothing more in that moment than to give her all the flowers and children she desired. Thankfully, before he could fall to one knee and propose, an older woman, lovely white hair braided about her crown, stepped outside.
“Raven! My girl.” Laughing, the older woman, who was still quite beautiful, started running out to her granddaughter. Raven yelled ‘Nan’ and took off. They met in the drive, wrapping each other up in warm hugs, kisses, and smiles. Each asking and answering a dozen questions.
“Are you well, my love?”
“Yes! How are your knees?”
“Fine, fine. Your drive? I spoke to your sisters.”
“Good. Lovely, actually.” Raven looked over her shoulder and smiled at the same time the intense stare of Bébhinn Byrne met his.
Raven was leading her grandmother toward Bran. “Nan, I can’t wait for you to meet Bran.” Having reached him, Raven stepped to his side once again. “This is Bran O’Faolain. Bran, this is my grandmother, Bébhinn.”
“I am very pleased to meet you, Mrs. Byrne. Raven has told me so much about you and about your home. It is really beautiful here. Thank you for allowing me to stay the night.”
He was rambling. Jesus, he could feel his face getting hot. He stuck his right hand out to shake her hand in greeting. He’dnever been nervous about meeting new people, but meeting Mrs. Byrne was, in essence, meeting Raven’s parents.
Thankfully, she didn’t leave him hanging and stepped forward immediately, cupping his large hand in both of her small ones, squeezing and patting simultaneously. Her hands were calloused and heavily veined but strong.
“You are welcome in my home, Bran O’Faolain. Call me Bébhinn, please. You’ve some Irish with that last name.”
“Yes. My father’s father’s father’s family was from County Kerry. Fishermen, I believe. Since Raven told me the history of the Byrnes working the railroad across the United States, I’ve wondered if any O’Faolains did the same, as we ended up in Oklahoma too.”
“I enjoy genealogy. Someday, I’ll have to get some information on your family and do some research.”
“That would be great. My Gran would be very pleased to give you our history and help in any way she could.”
“Okay then, let’s get the bags inside. I’ve got rooms made up for you both with fresh linens and towels. And Raven, I made your favorite scones with orange glaze, and I also made some plain sugar biscuits in case Bran doesn’t like scones.”
As Bran grabbed bags out and the three bottles of whiskey they brought for Bébhinn, Bran stared at Raven until she caught his eye. “Rooms?” He whispered.
