She tried to walk by Bran, but he grabbed her hand and drew her close. “Forgive me, Raven. Forgive my family. You and your sisters are three of the bravest women I’ve ever met. I love you. I respect you. You, River, and Rowan protected yourselves and our child. You chose to play a long game. Safer, smarter.”
Raven could only blink. God, her parents would have loved Bran. All the fight drained from her body. “Thank you for understanding. Walk me down?”
“My pleasure.” He looked at his brother. “You guys coming down? We need to let the girls get to work.”
But Patrick surprised all of them, River most of all. He walked to the card table, gently took her sister’s hand, and pulled her out of the chair. “I’m sorry, River. You’re my very best friend. Hurting you was not my intent, but... I guess ignorance and arrogance got in the way. Please forgive me.”
She could tell River was touched. “Sure, Pat. I’m used to you being a dick.” They smiled at each other. “Take me downstairs.”
Bran was already leading Raven out the door. He leaned down, his warm breath tickling her ear, giving her full-body shivers. “Is it too soon to admit, I got so fucking hard when you were handing me my ass. Damn, Raven. I won’t be able to think of anything but you in this sexy dress for the rest of the day. Jesus, babe.”
She grinned up at him but sobered when she considered her body. “I’ve changed a lot, Bran, from before. You might not think... or like... oh geez, I never was some hot, flashy babe, but now...”
He stared at her before answering. “Rave, if I thought there was any way,anyway to haul your ass out that door and to my hotel room this very second, I would do it. I’m trying to be mature and make you love me even more for my selfless behavior. You work. I’ll plan. You agreed to live with me, nomatter what country we’re in. Which means I’ll be looking at real estate.
“You had your say about why you’ve been living in that flat, babe, but last night was your last one here. You do realize that? You and I can’t fit in a single cot, especially with... Baby O. That is what you call the baby?”
She heard River snort behind her. “Yes,” Raven said quickly, “for O’Faolain.”
She was still reeling over the living arrangements. Yes, she had agreed they would be together, but she hadn’t thought that meant— right now!
As they reached the bottom of the stairs and stepped into the office space, she caught the tail end of what Hugh was saying to Rowan. And holy shit, living arrangements left her brain.
“I’m sorry I overreacted.”
“Are you, though?”
“Yes, I just said I was.”
“Whatever.”
“Youaretoo thin.”
“Noted. As I get asked out weekly, you’ll understand if I’m not concerned about my appearance fading.”
“Damn it, that’s...”
“Oh, Raven,” Rowan interrupted Hugh, “Mrs. Little called and is running late but should be here in thirty. River, you and I can head over to look at Henry’s new shipment of carpets and upholstery fabrics. Then all three of us are meeting with Stella, the potter. She has a proposal for us. I imagine she wants us to use her exclusively.”
“It won’t be a hard sell. She’s amazing.”
“If money were no object, I would have bought her entire set of daisy dishware,” River said dreamily. “A totally impractical design that I would use every day,” she laughed.
“And where will you be fitting in lunch?”
Oh, Jesus God have mercy. Her sister was going to stab Hugh. Any. Second.
“The Murphys will drop by some salad or sandwiches, I’m sure. Not to worry.”
Raven lifted her eyebrows. Rowan was taunting Hugh, but she might not realize that any second, that taunt would extend to Patrick.
Right on cue. “Do the Murphys deliver food around town?”
“No, the brothers own a pub in town and come ’round on occasion to bring us... food.”
Oh Lord, Oh Lord, Oh Lord.
“Why?” Patrick snapped. Hugh didn’t speak. I’m not sure he could unclench his jaw enough.
