“Did you let Rowan know I wasn’t happy with the memorial?”
Dad was as close to growling as a human could get.
“River told me that if you were unhappy with Rowan’s work, her sister asked that you hire another designer. She wasn’t spending anymore unpaid time on the project.”
“I would have paid her, goddammit. I would like to pay all three of them for the work they did.”
“Well, that’s nice, but neither here nor there, I suppose. Rowan did mention that the senior O’Faolain could stick his font up his ass. I’m not sure what left field that flew in from, but maybe it’ll make sense to you guys.”
“That young lady is impossible.”
“I can change none of that, Hugh. I want a date for Wolves’ grand opening.”
Dad sighed. Clearly knowing when to give in. “Choose what day works best for you. Tell Bran or Pat.” He hung up. Conversation over.
27
“Ican’t believe our adventure has come to an end, girls. Well, my part of the adventure anyway. You three are ending one and beginning another when we land.”
“And just think, Nan. In six months or so, you’ll be a great grandma!”
She laughed, “Oh Lord, I can’t wait. I’ve been trying out names for myself— leaning toward Nana.”
They oohed and aahed at the choice. Raven was so lucky to have such loving women in her life. This baby would be spoiled rotten.
“As we’re about to land, and I’ll have only a few minutes at the airport before my friend takes me home, I wanted to talk to you three about something.” They all groaned. “This is not a lecture, but with your attitudes perhaps I should give you one,” she hmphed.
Ignoring their chuckles, Nan plowed ahead. “I’ve been thinking a lot about Bran and Patrick’s mother since he called me yesterday.” That got everyone’s attention. “Now, I’ve only met Bran in person, but I’ve been on a video chat with Patrick and Hugh. Despite the nonsense and heartache Bran put Raventhrough, would you consider the O’Faolain men to be good men— decent and honest men?”
Raven answered first. “Yes, I do.”
“Yes.”
“They are. Bran is questionable, though.” River squeezed her sister’s leg and smiled.
“I’m not going to wax on about this, but I do think it’s worth saying. That woman, and I won’t call her a wife or mother because those titles are earned, and she didn’t earn a damn thing, is a horrible excuse of a human being. Raven told me some of the family history that Bran told her.
“So, this Helen married Hugh, and from the sound of it, never planned on a true marriage. I imagine she made Hugh feel unwelcome in his own home, unwanted, and unneeded. Bran related that she never hugged them or told them she loved them, and when she and Hugh divorced, she never looked back.
“Can you imagine, girls, how differently you might view relationships if one of your parents had treated you in such a way? Left you? Made sure you knew how unimportant you were, how... disposable?”
Nan dabbed her eyes with a Kleenex. They all were dabbing their eyes.
“I’m sorry to get so emotional, but I’ve been a wife and mother and a grandmother. There is nothing in this world so joyous as loving and being loved. You know this because of your parents.”
“And you!” They all quickly tacked on.
“Yes, and from me. Hugh stepped up and, from what Bran described, is an amazing father. They all love each other, which is a testament to how he raised them— but in the back of their minds, you know there has to be some residual hurt. They might not even be aware of how much it affects them.
“And I’m not just talking about the boys, but Hugh as well. That woman left a stain behind. I hope, for their sakes, that they can eventually recognize it and wash it away.”
“I hear the truth in your words, Nan. It is something to remember as we go forward. River and Patrick are friends, or they were, and I believe they will be again. Raven is having Bran’s child, and I think we all know, including you, sister,” she smiled at Raven and winked, “that he will be a part of this family, one way or another.”
Raven smiled back and shrugged.
“I’ve missed Patrick, and I am going to give him my number again. I honestly didn’t think he would care about me leaving one way or another. There were times I felt we were getting closer, but it’s like, as soon as he would start to open up, he’d get scared. He has a wall, Nan, and I think you are spot on with its origin.”
“I want to be clear, though, that knowing they may have reasons for certain behavior and reactions does not give them a free pass. They are grown men. Raven staying her course, allowing them both to see what they’re like after a separation is the right course,” Nan added.
