You’re my only too.
Goodnight, Rowan. Take a nap on the way back to Tulsa—you’re going to need it.
One word. Condoms. BC made me puke my guts up for weeks. Oh! Do they come in fun colors?
I’m not a room. You aren’t decorating my dick. (If I were ever to break your trust and tell your sisters a story, it would be this condom one) Goodnight.
Rowan texted Hugh this morning to let him know that it would probably be closer to three before she was back in town. That worked perfectly for him. He had an appointment with a jeweler.
Hugh heldthe door to Wolves for his mother to pass. He was trying his best not to smile, but it was a difficult ask. Hugh had told the jeweler when he made the appointment that he only wanted to see yellow diamonds, and he’d made sure there were several stones to choose from. Yellow was Rowan’s favorite color, and he wanted the ring to make her smile when she saw it on her finger.
The jeweler had thought Hugh should choose a white gold or platinum band, but Hugh really loved the gold. It made the yellow diamond shine brighter. Mom had agreed and helped with the band design and setting. He couldn’t wait to see it done. If they were already back in Dublin, the store’s owner assured Hugh that everything could be shipped.
He and his mom decided to sit at a table near his father’s memorial. He loved being able to glance around and see so many wonderful pictures and special mementos. Rowan had outdone herself with the space.
Once their waters were on the table, his mom said, “Oh, Hugh. That will be one of the most beautiful rings when it’s finished. I’m so glad you went ahead and had earrings and a bracelet made to match.”
He loved the bracelet. Hugh had chosen a linked gold chain. A yellow diamond would be encased in gold and soldered to the chain. He could picture how beautiful it would look wrapped around her delicate wrist. He had the jeweler add tiny gold H and R charms.
“I thought she could add charms to the bracelet over time.” Hugh felt his cheeks heat and knew his mom had caught the blush.
“I’m so very happy for you, Son. So happy. Your father would have adored Rowan,” she added, dabbing her eyes with a napkin. “I think this calls for a celebratory drink. Don’t you?”
“I do.” Hugh did feel celebratory. He wanted to call the boys but decided against it. They would tell their wives who would start texting him proposal ideas.
“I’ll take a tall vodka and Sprite with a splash of grapefruit. Make sure it’s Absolut Elyx. Rowan got me started on Elyx. She said it is the best and she was right.”
Mom was grinning, clearly excited by the visit to the jewelers. When he picked her up and told her his plans to pick out an engagement ring, she squealed in delight, gave his arm a squeeze, and told him to hurry up. Hugh knew his mother enjoyed her life and friends here in Tulsa, but he had thought about asking her if she might consider living part of her time in Dublin. She would be able to watch her great-grandchildren grow. He knew she also missed seeing Bran and Patrick. She and Bébhinn really enjoyed each other, and Ireland was closer to all the holiday spots she and Diana enjoyed visiting.
Hugh gave the waitress their drink orders, a double of Redbreast for him, and was about to ask his mom what appetizers she wanted when he heard someone address him. The last voice he ever wanted to hear again in his life.
“Hugh, how wonderful to see you.”
Without an invitation, which she would never have received, Helen, her white hair in a perfect shoulder-length bob, and her perfectly made-up ice-cold face, sat in the open seat at their table. He despised absolutely everything about this cold bitch of a woman and really regretted sitting at a three-person table.
When Hugh didn’t respond or acknowledge her presence, she turned to Mom. “Lovely to see you, Matilda.”
“Mrs. O’Faolain. We aren’t friends or family.”
Hugh watched in satisfaction as Helen’s lips pinched in anger. That’s right, Helen, you can’t yell and scream and break things. No public spectacles today. She surely had several of her old Country Club girlfriends near, watching the show.
“I didn’t realize this was your little place, Hugh, when Sheryl set up the lunch date. I’m in town for her daughter’s wedding this weekend.”
“Have you had a chance to look at the appetizers, Mom?” His mom looked up from her phone. She’d been texting or pretending to text someone.
“I rarely eat appetizers. Why don’t you order several so I can try a bite of each,” she suggested.
“Such a rustic restaurant, but then, it suits you, Hugh. You’ve always been rough around the edges. At least our children didn’t inherit your lumberjack personality.”
Hugh felt his face flush. She’d always told him he was embarrassingly big with no conversational skills. Helen had always done her best to undermine his confidence. It had hurt, but he’d taken it. He’d taken her malice and her coldness and her cheating.
He saw his mother’s eyes were getting glassy. She didn’t like Helen speaking to him this way. Hugh was about to throw Helen out on the sidewalk when another woman addressed him.
“Hugh! I’m so happy you haven’t eaten yet. I got back earlier than expected, and I can join you and Tilly for lunch.” Smiling brightly, Rowan walked over to their table, standing between him and Helen. Hugh felt the momentary paralysis of absolute mortification stiffen his limbs. He didn't want Rowan to be anywhere near that white-headed viper. She made him feel…less, unworthy. He never wanted her poisonous fangs to sink into the woman he loved.
19
Rowan had practically been dancing in her seat during the last hour and a half of their trip. Angela had teased her about it. “I wonder if I ever was as excited to see Steve as you are to see Hugh.” She groaned, covering her eyes, “I still can’t believe I called Hugh O’Faolain, Will! I’ll blame you forever for that embarrassment.”
