Rowan knew exactly how to shut both boys up. “He wasn’t, but I imagine he would be an amazing carpenter. I’ve learned his hands are quite…handy.”
“Jesus Christ! I’m leaving, River. Tell your sister to stop being disgusting.” Patrick’s mantrum was priceless.
“For fuck’s sake. Tell your sister to never speak of naked things or…Dad’s…whatever,” Bran whined.
As soon as Rowan heard the front door thud shut, all three sisters began to laugh. Men were all big talk until a mom or dad was mentioned.
“Oh my God, Row, I ate way, way, way too much to be laughing this hard, but damn, did you ever put our husbands in their place,” River chortled in glee.
“The disgust on Bran’s face was—oh God, priceless,” Raven finally got out between bursts of giggles.
“They deserved it,” Rowan said after her laughter ran its course.
“So, tell us about last night.”
“And this morning,” River added.
Rowan told them about Hugh finally opening up and some of his revelations. Not everything, though. Some of the stuff to do with his ex-wife was too personal. Raven and River had dealt with Bran and Patrick’s own shit where that woman was concerned, so they would understand what a big step that was for Hugh without needing details.
“I’m so happy—happy for both of you. It’s been really hard watching you two hurt and be so lonely. I’m relieved,” Raven admitted. “Whatever happens, I hope Hugh is finally able to properly heal. No matter if you guys stay together or not, which you better, he needs closure from his past.”
“She and Hughwillbe together. Right, Row?” River demanded.
Rowan hesitated, wanting to choose her words carefully. “I want that. More than anything, but you know Hugh. He’s complicated. He wants a relationship with me. He made that clear. Will he talk himself out of it next week? The answer is, I don’t know.”
“Does he love you? Did he admit it?” River asked.
“Yes, and yes. I love him too, and I told him.”
“I understand that you’re afraid, and rightly so. He’s broken your heart before. Of course, you would hesitate. I only know this, River and I had to make tough decisions for the men we loved. We had to take a chance that they meant it when they promised us forever.
“If Hugh comes to you and offers you forever, then I think you should be all in. He’s your person. Your other half.”
“I agree with Raven. Last time I checked, my youngest sister didn’t shy away from a challenge. You’ve been locking horns with that growly grump since the moment you laid eyes on the man. Don’t give up now,” River encouraged.
Rowan took several deep breaths. Her sisters had laid some pretty big truth bombs on her head this morning. “If he wants forever, I’ll give him forever.” Her sisters were instantly whooping and clapping and prematurely congratulating her. Rowan loved them for it.
“Not to put a damper on this moment, but William said he’d be in meetings all day. He’s having some issue at work but said he will call me tomorrow and discuss his jet picking me up Friday afternoon for a weekend in Houston. I’ll have to tell him about Hugh when he calls. God, I feel like such an asshole!”
“You couldn’t have foreseen Hugh storming your castle. Don’t be so hard on yourself,” River encouraged.
“If William’s half the man you thought him to be, even though he isn’t the love of your life, I believe he’ll understand,” Raven reminded.
“Thanks, you guys, and thank you so much for all the support. I’m going to hang up so I can call Nan and fill her in on the Hugh Havoc. You guys know she’d never forgive me if I didn’t keep her in the loop, and for some reason, she has a sweet spot for all the O’Faolain men.”
Five more minutes of goodbyes and three minutes of promises to give them more of her and Hugh’s sexual exploits, she was finally able to hang up and call Nan.
“How’s my sweet girl?”
That’s how Rowan’s grandma always answered the phone. “You call all of us your sweet girl, Nan,” Rowan laughed.
“Because you are,” Nan defended. “River is more like my sweet and salty girl, but I’ll deny that if you choose to tattle.”
This was why everyone in the world should have a Nan, Rowan thought. “Is Devlen there? Tell him hello if he is.” Rowan absolutely loved her grandma’s new husband. He may be a man of few words, but he fiercely loved his wife. He had Rowan and her sisters’ loyalty forever for that.
“Dev says hello. He planned a picnic by the lake for us today. We were just about to leave so I’m glad you called when you did.”
Rowan could hear love in her grandma’s voice. So much love. “Well, I won’t keep you, but I thought you might want to know that Hugh came to Oklahoma, and he told me he loves me, Nan. What do you think of that?”
