Page 53 of River
“Patrick writes a lot, huh?”
“He does,” River answered as she smoothed the crinkles from some of the envelopes. She looked at Rowan then. “Nan wants to come to Dublin on Monday.”
“Oh, really? That’s perfect! I can’t wait for her to see the progress to her apartment. Too bad she didn’t come early enough for the shower.”
“She told Raven weeks ago that she, Matilda, and Diana Gaines wanted to have a simpler shower at The Fitzwilliam. In Diana Gaines’ speak, simple meant black tie. We’ll need to take Nan shopping for a few special event dresses.”
“Definitely. Diana is lovely, but even when we decorated her penthouse, I kind of felt like I had spinach in my teeth, and a brown stain on the seat of my pants.”
River snorted at the visual. “Pat said Mr. Dunn would be driving Nan to town.”
“Really?”
“Something about unpredictable weather conditions. Umm, we’re not looking at an Oklahoma winter here.” River raised her eyes in obvious disbelief, mirroring Rowan.
“So... driving the same roads for half a century hasn’t prepared her?”
“Mmmhmm. I guess.”
“What of Patrick? Is he coming home early?”
Having gone back to fidgeting with the letters’ edges, she had to glance up. She would prefer not to say, but she would never lie to her sister. Sighing, she admitted, “He asked me to let Nan know if he could come too.”
When River didn’t continue, Rowan prompted, “And?”
“And— I told Nan this morning that he could come.” It was a huge, ginormous, and momentous decision.
River knew it.
Nan would know it.
Patrick would know it.
“He said he would stay at the hotel, at least until Baby O’s arrival.”
“I’ve given you space. I see you read Patrick’s letters like they’re manna from Heaven. I see you reread them, and reread them, and read them again. You smile. Did you know that, Riv? Your smile is the brightest when you have one of his letters in your hands.”
“Do you think I’m making a mistake?” River’s resolve waffled a hundred times a day at least.
“Nan believes he’s been doing the work. He talks to her about personal things. She would never break his confidence, but she believes he’s changed.”
River stared at Rowan for a moment. “I asked ifyouthought I was making a mistake.”
“No. I don’t. That said, I hope you don’t go too fast. Get to know the man he is now or is trying to be. Make sure he is what you want. But,” and here Rowan rubbed her eyes, sadness flashing across her features— there and gone, “if you decide to keep him. It will be forever. No takesies-backsies.” she grinned then. The sisters’ childhood pact made them both smile. “I think you and Patrick have what Bran and Raven have. I do. It’s been rocky, and he hurt you badly, River, but I think he will spend the rest of his life proving his love to you and you to him.”
It was like pure peace washed over her, head to toe. She had promised Patrick that night that she would love him forever. She meant it, then. She felt no different now. Though River felt giddy inside, she didn’t celebrate. Rowan’s attempt to hide her own sadness tempered River’s joy.
“And what of you, Row? Who do you think will bring you a lifetime of love and happiness?” River knew who that person was, and damn it, she wanted her sister to live her own love story.
It had to be Hugh, though her sister had never said a flipping word. It was a shock to consider, River admitted, but love was love, and her sister wasn’t some flighty woman who would decide on a different man next week. No, River knew that once her sister had chosen the O’Faolain patriarch, it was over for her. It was him or nothing.
She didn’t answer.
“You want to know something?”
“What?”
“Hugh is the biggest of fools if he doesn’t love you back.”
