She’d been in Switzerland. It crushed him to know she’d been so far away while he’d arrogantly believed she’d stayed in Oklahoma.
Dad turned to Patrick. “You going?”
“Already packed. I knew if Bran got a call, I’d needed to be ready too.” He shrugged.
Bran wanted to say no. Hewantedto wait for some sign that she would see him. “My bags are packed. I’ll meet you at the truck.”
They drovestraight to the airport, where their jet was waiting. One of the airport employees would take the truck to a parking garage. The three men unloaded their bags and headed for the plane. Bobby waved to them as he secured the open door and stairs. Through the windows, Bran could see someone moving around the cabin, prepping for them. Most likely, it was Brenda. He hoped she didn’t ask him about Raven.
Bran was tense as they boarded and settled into their seats. He hoped this was the right move. His coat pocket began vibrating. Taking his phone out, he saw that it was an Unknown Number. Oh, God.
Before he answered, he held a hand up to his dad and brother, halting all conversation. His dad immediately got up and walked toward the front. Presumably, to tell the pilot to hold off taxiing for a few minutes if he could.
He answered, knowing in his heart it had to be her.
“Raven.”
Silence, and then, “Yes.”
Bran fought tears. He fought gulping the deep breaths that his body desperately needed.
“I was afraid you wouldn’t call.”
“Nan told you I would.”
Bran didn’t know what to say, where to start. An apology? Tell her how much he loved her? Only her. For fuck’s sake, he’d been practicing this very conversation for weeks.
“Thank... I... I’m so glad to hear your voice.” Not going according to plan.
“This is harder than... I’d hoped.”
“Please don’t give up or hang up, Raven. Please don’t.”
“I would like to...”
Oh God, Raven, finish that thought. He was going out of his mind. His dad was back, sitting by Pat across from Bran.
“I wanted to invite you to visit me in Dublin. At your convenience... and, that is... if you even want to.”
She rushed all the words together, but he had never heard anything so wonderful in his life.
“I want to. Immediately. If that’s fine.” Dad cuffed his head in admonishment for giving her an out.
“Well, we just opened a new Triskelion, so we’re pretty swamped just trying to get situated and meeting new clients. A few weeks?”
“I would like...” His dad was getting up to deliver another blow. “Raven, I want to come soon, now... maybe. I won’t interrupt your work. I’m so... proud of you for building a new business there.”
She didn’t say anything.
“Please, let me come.”
And then... finally... before she hung up, she sighed but said, “Okay.”
Bran leaned his head back. Had someone asked him to move, it would have been impossible. His body had been wound so tight for so many weeks it seemed perfectly happy to be still.
Dad pushed the intercom button on his chair. “Brenda, please tell Bobby we’re ready when he is.”
“Of course,” she replied instantly.
