“So, Row likes your baby face, Dad?” Patrick joked.
Hugh shifted Daniel to his shoulder, ignoring the jibe.
“I like it when Dad holds Daniel. He can’t tackle us when we make him mad,” Bran laughed.
They were almost to the women.Ignore them, Hugh chanted in his head.
Bran continued speaking. He obviously was in need of an ass-kicking from his father. “Is that why you were in the bathroom so long? Were you and Row talking about beards?”
And that was all he could take. Running a hand down Daniel’s back, he canted his head toward the baby and said, “Did you know Papa is the only member of the Mile High club here? Your Daddy and Uncle Patty have no game.”
At that announcement, he enjoyed watching Raven and River’s mouths drop open. He really enjoyed Rowan’s blush and sparkling, wide eyes when she met his trademark blank face, huffing a laugh when he winked. The best, however, was hearing Bran mutter, “Damn,” and Patrick’s angry, “What the hell? That was my idea!”
33
After showering and changing, they went to see Nan, who they knew would be anxious to lay eyes on Rowan.
Nan had filled three tables full of food. She’d made the girls’ favorites—allof their favorites—some of their parents’ favorites. The O’Faolains had a table just for them, Devlen had a spread, and her grandma even did Jo’s favorite apricot jam-filled sandwich cookies and Scottish shortbread for MacGregor in thanks for all his help in finding Rowan. Kitchen therapy.
Raven, River, and Rowan, because they could be childish when the need arose, took a picture of them each grinning around a whole sandwich cookie shoved in their mouths and sent it to Jo. She took a picture of her flipping them off with a ‘Paybacks’ caption.
Nan had hugged her for at least an hour, rocking Rowan in her lap and crying over her head, sniffling, and patting her and her sisters at five-minute intervals. It had taken a lot of talking and reassurances, but finally, she’d settled into grandma and great-grandma mode.
Nan insisted on seeing each of Rowan’s scrapes, bruises, and scabs, gently kissing the worst of them. When she teared up, they all did, but it was cleansing.
Hugh, Bran, Patrick, and Devlen moved her things out of the apartment while the women visited and caught up. Hugh wanted her things moved to his flat, ortheirflat as he insisted on calling it, immediately.
With every pass through the living room carrying her things to the waiting truck below, he would make eye contact. She felt her stomach flutter with every box and rack of clothes that went out the door.
She and Hugh were going to be living together. Every day and every night. It still seemed impossible. While River was in the middle of telling Nan about her last doctor visit, Rowan slid her phone from her pocket and pulled up her text messages.
You’re so handsome you take my breath away.
Bubbles appeared...
You’re biased.
Women embarrass themselves daily drooling over you. Why can’t I?
Untrue.
Always so modest, Rowan thought.
What would you like to do tonight…that includes my mouth specifically?
Rowan had just hit send when the apartment door opened again. Hugh looked at his phone and must have seen her last text because the look he gave her was all angry smolder.
Her favorite.
Patrick announced that they had everything loaded and were going to head back to the O Building. Bran walked to Raven and kissed his wife and son. Patrick walked to River, kissing her—far longer than was appropriate, of course—and cupped her stomach, grinning like a maniac. Hugh thanked Devlen for hishelp, accepted a to-go treat box from Nan, and stared at Rowan from the doorway.
He didn’t even say goodbye.
Breathe.She told herself. She knew he wouldn’t become demonstrative in an afternoon. He loved her, and she loved him. It was more than enough.
His huge paw of a hand flexed on the door’s frame as he stared at her one more time, his jaw flexing with emotion before he firmly shut the heavy door behind him.
Thirty seconds later.
