Rowan was still giggling about the pee. “It was almost a blessing we were dehydrated. I couldn’t imagine experiencing that again,” she admitted, shaking her head. “He’s grumpily perfect, isn’t he? Trust me, he’ll be the next person through that door and the last until morning if I have anything to say about it.”
“Oh, I almost forgot, your sisters came to see me. Did you tell them about what happened between William and me?”
Katy didn’t seem angry, just curious.
“They asked if you knew about us going on a few dates. I told them you knew everything. I didnottell them anything personal you shared with me. I promise. But,” Rowan couldn’t help but smirk, “I did tell them that William must be the dumbest man alive to have let you go.”
She snorted at that, a blush tinting her pale cheeks. “When Raven and River came to my room, my kids were there, and I believe Will was still lurking outside the door. They told Ben and Evelyn that you said I was doing Thanksgiving in Dublin this year with your family, and they would love it if they would come too.
“I will preface their reaction by reiterating how devastating the last couple of years have been, enduring the holidays as theex-wife. They didn’t mean to, but they acted differently. I guess they were unsure. I felt out of place and…unnecessary. So, I was thrilled when both kids immediately said they’d be thrilled to join.
“There was a loud crash in the hallway. I think William may have thrown a chair,” she huffed in amazement. “The kids acted like they didn’t hear it. I feel ashamed to have thought this of my children, but…I never believed they would pick me over William. It meant everything.”
Rowan reached over and took Katy’s hand between her own, squeezing in understanding. “I’m glad they know what atreasure you are. Will’s directed your path for long enough. It’s time to take charge of your life. You should never feel second best, Kat. Plus, you promised to bring me samples of your woven wool table mats.
“Our customers want custom everything. Bring me product, and I’ll bring you customers,” Rowan assured. One of the gazillion topics she and Katy had discussed when they were in the basement was her dream of starting a small business, starting with her woven table mats.
“I know I spoke with your sisters, but how are they doing now that you’re back? They seemed great, but they were united in making William squirm, so it could have been false cheer,” she grinned, letting Rowan know she’d enjoyed her sisters’ antics immensely. “I know you are very close.”
“Raven and River...they...we,” she paused, trying to explain in a way that would make sense to Katy, “love one another so deeply, we’re so damn close that sometimes it feels like we’re the same person. When one of us is hurting, we all hurt.
“We do our own things and have our own relationships, but our cores, I guess, are inseparable. Raven is a new mother, and Riv is seven months pregnant. Emotions are running high in the Byrne circle,” she snorted and rolled her eyes.
“Mentally, I feel pretty good. I’m tired and sore, but we’re safe and with family, and I don’t care if I sound like a princess, but I’m damn happy to be sleeping in an actual bed tonight.”
“Well, you are old money, dear,” Rowan teased, and Katy pretended to swat her leg. “I almost cried when Raven washed my hair, so yeah, no judgment zone here. Change of subject, but have you spoken with Will? At all?”
Katy twisted her shoulder-length red hair several times around her finger before blowing out a deep breath, and her head dropped back to the top of her wheelchair. She let out a moan and admitted, “Not one word. Nothing. Flipping nothing!”
“Jesus! What a jackass, and yet...he’s stalking you like a tiger with his first boner.”
Katy’s head was still tilted back, and when she laughed, it turned into a choke and coughing fit. She was now bent forward, her forehead touching Rowan’s mattress, wheezing in laughter.
“I’m not wrong. My sisters are nothing if not informative, and I have it on good authority that Auntie Diana called William a twat when he wouldn’t go into your room.”
They giggled uncontrollably at that tidbit. Once their mirth receded, they looked at one another, no words, just simple contemplation with their partner in terror. It’s funny how shared fear can bind. Rowan understood that she and Katy were inexplicably connected. Humans can’t survive such a harrowing experience together without creating an unbreakable bond.
“I wonder if I should tell Hugh that those men took us to the restroom while we were drugged. That I’m worried they touched us. That I’m worried they did more.” Rowan swallowed the lump lodged in her throat. “I woke up once, and my bra was below my breasts. I didn’t remember that until a few hours ago.”
“Between the drugs and our fear, I imagine our brain is trying to blur the edges of what happened.” Katy leaned her head back once more, contemplating the ceiling in all its white wonder before continuing. “If William and I were together, I would tell him. Your fears are yours to share and his to bear, and vice versa. Let him take those fears and crush them. No matter what, Row, never forget those cowardly pieces of shit are dead. They can’t hurt us or anyone else ever again.”
Rowan felt fat tears slip down her cheeks. All truth. It was strange to feel so shaky and out of sorts now that she was safe.
“Here, help me up,” Katy said as she leaned forward and held her hand out for her to grab. “I’m tired of being in this chair. Let me lay by you for a few minutes before I go find my own bed.”
Rowan was already sitting up in bed, so she scooched over and fluffed two pillows for Katy to lean against.
“Ahhh, much better. My bony ass is going to be bruised forever from sitting on that darn concrete floor.”
Rowan knew Katy was trying to give her comfort and ease her moment of anxiety. She knew that imagining scenarios that may or may not have happened wasn’t going to help her heal mentally or physically.
She would give her fears to Hugh, and hewouldburn them to the ground. With that decision made, Rowan felt her heart slow and peace settle more easily on her shoulders. At least the police took their statements while they were still at the hospital, and they said they didn’t believe they would need anything further. No trial meant no testimonies.Thank God.
“Plus,” she added, patting Rowan’s leg, “it feels nice to have a snuggle bunny after one of those dratted kidnappings.”
She laughed. Laughing was so much better than crying. With Katy’s wacky sense of humor and Jo’s irreverence, she knew those two would become fast friends once they met tomorrow.
“Oh, I plan on having a snuggle partner tonight. I wouldn’t call Hugh a bunny, though.”
