Finding Ronan’s Heart by Melanie Moreland

Chapter Twenty

Beth

Ronan hesitated as I got out of the cart. There was an odd look on his face, and I stopped. “We could leave,” I offered. “You can introduce me to them another day.” I sucked in a fast breath as a thought hit me. “Unless you’ve changed your mind,” I whispered.

“No. No, I want you to meet them. Even more important, I want them to meet you. It’s just now I’ll have to share you.”

I reached up and cupped his face, something in his expression telling me he needed my touch right now. “What if I’m not ready to share you yet? What if I want all your time when we’re together to be with me?”

My words sank in, and the worry eased from his face. He covered my hand with his, pressing it into his skin. The scruff on his face was back, and it rasped against my palm as he smiled. “Oh, yeah, little bird? You don’t want to share me either?”

“I share you at my house already.” I sighed. “Evan and Lucy want you all the time. Now, I’ll have to share you with your family. I suppose it’s only fair.”

“I have the condo. We can hide out there on occasion. Just us.” His smile was wide now, the tension eased from his shoulders. “You wanna hide away with me there sometimes? Have me at your mercy?”

I leaned up on my tiptoes and kissed him. “Yes.”

He wrapped me in his huge arms, elevating me off the ground in a tight hug. “Thank you.”

I laughed. He made me feel tiny and delicate the way he lifted me effortlessly. I liked being held in his arms, and I had missed it.

He set me down and held out his hands. “Let me introduce you to my parents.”

At the door, he looked down at me. “Take a deep breath. Brace yourself.”

“I’m ready.”

He grinned. “They’re not.”

* * *

Ronan was right—they weren’t prepared.

We walked into a large, sunlit, multi-level area. To one side was a living room, filled with sofas and chairs, well-worn and comfortable-looking. There was a massive dining area and open kitchen. A large table was set with coffee, mugs, and a platter of pastries. Four couples sat around it, and I recognized the men from the other day, and their wives from pictures I had seen online and that Ronan had shown me earlier in his house.

Bentley Ridge, the serious-looking man from the other day sat next to his wife, Emmy. Today, his face was wreathed in smiles, his posture relaxed. He had his arm draped across the shoulders of his pretty wife. Her honey-colored hair was shot with silver and her expression sweet. She wore a shawl wrapped around her frame and looked tiny tucked beside Bentley. Maddox Riley sat across from them, laughing, his silver hair gleaming in the sun. He was relaxed and casual, his long legs crossed at the ankles. His wife, Dee, sipped coffee, shaking her head at whatever had just been said, her smile wide. Her free hand rested on Maddox’s leg, and his large one covered it, holding it to him. The oldest couple had to be Sandy and Jordan, Ronan’s grandparents in the blended family. They were a lovely couple, sitting close, fingers entwined on the table. Sandy was scolding Ronan’s dad, who was laughing loudly. He was an older version of Ronan, as tall and wide, his muscles rippling as he gestured. His wife, Cami, had shoulder-length dark hair, stylishly woven with gray and purple highlights. When she glanced over and saw us, she laid a hand on her husband’s arm, her eyes going wide.

The entire table stopped. The laughter ceased as they all stared at us. Instinctively, I moved closer to Ronan, who drew me to his side.

“Hey,” he muttered. “I, ah—” He cleared his throat. “I have someone I’d like you to meet.”

“Well, well.” Aiden smiled. “Isn’t this a nice surprise.”

Ronan led me closer, introducing every person to me. Maddox called me the “beautiful treat girl.” Bentley shocked me by winking and asking if I had brought any of my amazing cakes with me.

I shook my head. “Sorry, it was sort of a spontaneous visit.”

Sandy stood with a smile. “The best kind. I’ll get a couple more coffee cups.”

Aiden stood and shook my hand. His grip was gentle, his smile kind. “Hello, Beth. We’ve heard a lot about you.” He laid a hand on his wife’s shoulder. “This is Cami, Ronan’s mom.”

She stood, elegant and lovely. Her eyes were the same verdant color as Ronan’s. He had her smile. I swallowed my nerves and extended my hand. “Mr. and Mrs. Callaghan, it’s lovely to meet you.”

His mom laughed, waved away my hand, and embraced me. She smelled of jasmine—light, floral, and exotic. She hugged me hard, squeezing my shoulders, then stood back. “Welcome, Beth. And it’s Cami and Aiden. We don’t stand on formality here.”

Aiden grinned and moved closer. “If my wife gets a hug, so do I.” Before I could move, I was swept into a bear hug. He lifted me off my feet, laughing. “She’s a little thing, Ronan! I could carry her in my pocket like I used to with Emmy!”

Everyone laughed, and Ronan grabbed his dad’s arm. “Put her down, Dad. She isn’t a new plaything.”

“For you, anyway,” Maddox quipped.

I blushed as everyone laughed again.

Sandy set down some cups. “Behave, all of you. She’ll never come back.”

I sat next to Ronan, grateful when he slipped his hand over mine.

“It’s fine,” I assured them. “I can take it.”

“That’s what she said,” muttered Aiden, chuckling despite Cami elbowing him in the ribs and Bentley rolling his eyes.

“What? I couldn’t let that one slip.”

“Too good to pass on,” I agreed.

Aiden grinned. “I like her, Ronan. Let’s keep her around.”

Ronan met my gaze, the heat in his stare making me blush.

“I intend to.”

* * *

If it was possible to fall in love that fast, I was in love with Ronan’s family. They were down-to-earth and funny. It was easy to see the connection between the three older men. Despite the teasing and the jabs, there was an underlying affection and respect. Sandy and Jordan were the matriarch and patriarch of them all. A while later, Liam joined us, and soon, Ronan’s sister, Ava, showed up, her hair pulled into a messy ponytail, demanding coffee and yelling at her dad for eating all the lemon Danishes. Gracie and Jaxson arrived with their daughter Kylie, and the place buzzed. Soon after, I was introduced to Addi and Brayden, and my head swam trying to remember names and relationships.

Cami leaned over, patting my hand. “You’ll figure it all out,” she assured me. “There’s more to come, but you’ll get it. You just need a little more time.”

“Oh, ah…” I trailed off, unsure how to respond.

She smiled. “You’ll have lots of time, sweetheart. I see how my son looks at you. I’ve never seen him look at a woman that way.”

I bit my lip, holding back wanting to ask her how he had looked at Loni. She must have read my mind because she shook her head and met my eyes.

“Never.”

I felt a small glow of satisfaction in that fact. She smiled back at me and leaned closer. “Thank you for giving him another chance. He’s worth it. I promise you.”

I looked at him across the table from me, holding Kylie in his embrace, listening to Gracie. He glanced my way, smiling and lifting one eyebrow in a silent question.

“You okay?”

I nodded reassuringly, and he returned his attention to Gracie, stroking along Kylie’s forehead in gentle passes. My heart beat faster watching him with her, and in that moment, I saw a future I’d never expected to see.

Ronan, children—and happiness.

As I returned my attention to his mom, I had a feeling she was right.

He was going to be worth it.

* * *

Aiden sat beside me, moving his chair back so he could face me fully. “Ronan told me about your little brother. Evan, right?”

“Yes.”

“He said there’d been an accident. Can I ask you about it?”

I took in a deep breath and told him about the incident. The man who fell asleep at the wheel and plowed into a group of people waiting on the corner to cross the road. The horrendous impact the vehicle had on the crowd.

“My parents were killed, and Evan was severely injured.”

He was quiet for a moment, resting his large hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

I nodded, unable to speak. Behind me, Ronan moved closer. “Dad—”

I shook my head. “It’s fine. Why are you asking me, Mr.—I mean, Aiden?”

“I’m not sure if Ronan told you, but I’ve studied therapy all my life. I believe in the benefits of exercise and massage. Acupuncture.”

Gracie leaned over Aiden’s shoulder. “He helped my dad walk again.”

At my quizzical glance, she explained. “When I was little, Dad was in a bad accident. He was paralyzed for a time. Aiden worked with him. He says, without Aiden, he never would have gotten out of that wheelchair.”

Aiden smiled. “I helped him find his drive and belief that he could walk again. Without that, he wasn’t ever getting out of that chair. Mad Dog and I played good cop, bad cop.” He leaned forward. “I’d like to meet Evan. Would you allow me to look at his records? Ronan says you keep a very detailed file on him.”

“I don’t want—”

He waved aside my words. “Don’t even finish that sentence. You’re part of my son’s life—therefore, you are part of mine. There might be nothing I can do. There may be something. I can try, though. Ronan said he thought he’d seen a difference with the exercises he was doing that I suggested.”

“I saw it too before…” I trailed off, unsure how to finish.

Aiden bent close. “I was an ass with Cami too. Even more so than my son here. She forgave me a lot, and I will forever be grateful for her open heart. You remind me of her.” He smiled, his eyes crinkling in the corners. “That is one of the highest compliments I can give a person, Beth. I’m glad you’re with us today.” He squeezed my hand. “Thank you.”

Ronan cleared his throat, and Aiden sat back, picking up his coffee cup.

“We should go,” Ronan said. “You ladies have your book club, and I need to get Beth back to Toronto.”

“Book club?” I asked.

Gracie grinned. “Do you like to read?”

“I love it. I don’t have much time anymore, but I love getting lost in a book.”

“We have a book club, and we meet once a month—the second Sunday—and discuss. The men disappear because they can’t handle it.”

I laughed.

Addi came over and sat down. “You should join us. Do you like historical romance?”

“My favorite genre.”

“We’re reading Scarlet Scott. Still.” She laughed. “We’re all so busy, we can only do a book a month. We tried a couple other authors, but she is our favorite so far. Gracie introduced us to her.”

“Oh, mine too. And Paige, my roommate. We trade and reread her all the time.”

“Then it’s settled. You both have to join us.”

I hedged a little. “I’ll ask her.”

Cami leaned over the back of her chair. “Next Sunday is family brunch. We’d love it if you joined us.”

“Oh, um, Sundays, I usually spend with Evan, Paige, and Lucy. I don’t think—”

She didn’t let me finish. “They are, of course, included. Make sure the kids bring their suits. You and Paige too if you want. You can swim in the pool here. The one outside is still too cold.”

I glanced at Ronan, who looked at me, nodding eagerly. Now he’d introduced me, it seemed it was full steam ahead. Even more fascinating was the fact that Liam looked as interested in my response as Ronan did. I had a feeling Paige would like that little tidbit of information.

“I’ll pick you up,” Ronan assured me.

“I have a car seat in the truck,” Liam offered unexpectedly. “I could bring Paige and Lucy. I’ll be in town Sunday morning.”

I looked at him, confused and wondering why he had a car seat. He laughed. “It’s built in to the truck,” he explained. “One of the features I never needed until now.”

“Then I’ll bring Beth and Evan. You can talk to the ladies about the book club, and Dad and Evan can chat,” Ronan confirmed.

“It’s settled, then,” Liam said, sounding satisfied.

“Yep,” Ronan agreed.

I guessed it was.

* * *

We left, and I was hugged and kissed, exclaimed over and hugged again. Ronan steered the golf cart away but didn’t head in the direction of his house. Instead, he took me on a tour of the grounds, pointing out everyone’s house and explaining more of the dynamics of the family.

“We all have our own lives, but we come together here.”

“You have such a large family. Won’t you run out of room?”

He laughed. “Mine is the last generation to get a house. It’s up to us to decide if we leave the house to our kids or turn it back to the company. This property will stay within the family until such time as they decide to sell it all. It can’t be broken up. We have a trust that oversees it and a very strict set of guidelines that exist to protect everyone.”

“Wow.”

He pulled over and parked. He turned my way with a wink. “I guess it does sound like a cult, doesn’t it?” He chuckled. “Many think that, I believe. But we’re a family. I’m so grateful my dad loved this place so much he couldn’t bear to sell it. Bentley felt the same way. Maddox wasn’t as big on the idea, but even he grew to love it here.” He climbed out of the golf cart and took my hand. He turned and swept out his arm, indicating the area of houses. We had been climbing elevation in the cart, and below us, the houses looked like a little village spread out with the water and trees a lovely backdrop. “They made this place so we’d have roots. It’s my favorite spot in the world. It’s not for everyone, and many come and go, but it’s our nucleus, and we all find our way back for important times. Family times.”

“I see why you love it.” I paused. “Your house…” I trailed off, unsure how to say what I was thinking.

“Is sort of empty?”

I thought about the layout. The sparse décor. One chair and a still-in-the-box TV in the living room. When I’d peeked in, his bedroom held only a bed and a dresser. All the other rooms were vacant. The kitchen cupboards had the basics, but that was it. When I thought about it, his condo in Toronto was much the same. It looked as if he were either just moving in or getting ready to move out. As if he were in limbo.

“Rather,” I said.

“I’ve been in between the two spots for so long,” he admitted. “The condo was easier to stay at for work, but my heart was here. Yet, when I was here, I couldn’t put down roots, as if I wasn’t ready. I’ve been living half lives in both spots.”

“You’ll move here now the company is opening up?” I asked, feeling sad he would be so far away and wondering what that meant for us. I certainly wouldn’t see him very much. I was shocked how distressed that made me feel.

“Not right away. We’re doing a slow transition until everything is set and running. We’re working on a schedule.” He gripped my hand. “I’ll still be around. I’m not going anywhere, little bird. We’re going to work this out. I promise.”

His words made me feel better.

He tugged on my hand. “Come with me.”

We walked through the trees, the area familiar. When we broke through the woods, I knew why.

“This is where we came for the picnic!”

“Yes. I come here because it’s right at the edge of the property. BAM owns everything behind us and as far as the water’s edge. This bluff is the last of it. We leave it undeveloped for many reasons. Privacy, wildlife, and the fact that it’s so beautiful. I don’t think they had the heart to disturb it. I always came here when I was younger. When Paul and Jeremy drove me crazy and I needed to be alone. I could see the water, feel the wind on my face, and hear the silence. I was the only one who ever did, for the most part. It felt like my special spot.” He paused before confessing. “We came from the other direction when I brought you. We parked just beyond those trees.”

“So your family wouldn’t know.”

He sighed. “Yes.”

He sat down on a huge boulder, his legs splayed. He gripped his thighs, meeting my eyes. “I shouldn’t have kept who I am from you. Who my family is. I kept telling myself, by not saying anything, I wasn’t lying. But I was. I was hiding. Partly to protect myself, even though I knew you were nothing like Loni, and partly because I didn’t want to have to share.” He laughed. “Then today, they meet you and fall as hard as I did. And I realized what an idiot I had been. It doesn’t matter if we’re in a room full of my family or alone—you still make me feel like Ronan. Just me. All you have to do is look at me, and I am more me than I have ever been.” He shook his head in wonder. “I risked you, us, because I was stupid.” He reached out his hand. “I will never lie to you again, Beth. I promise. Give me a chance. Let me be Ronan with you.”

I slipped my hand into his and let him pull me close. I stood between his legs and wrapped my arms around his shoulders. With a sigh, he buried his face into my chest, pulling me close. I felt the weariness in him, the need of his huge body melding to mine. I ran my fingers through his thick hair, smiling at the groan of satisfaction that escaped his lips. He nuzzled closer, and I loved how he felt next to me.

“Forgive me,” he murmured, the sound muffled but the plea clear.

I knew we had more talking to do. There were a lot of things we had to say. Questions I needed answers to. But the fact was that I had missed him so much. I understood what he meant about being Ronan with me. I felt I was Beth with him. He saw through my brave front to the worry I carried inside. His arms were the safe place I had been longing for. His touch was a healing balm, and his smile made my world brighter.

I pressed a kiss to his hair. “I have forgiven you.”

He lifted his head, his eyes glassy. “I’ll do better.”

“I know.”

“Kiss me, Beth.”

I lowered my head and pressed my mouth to his. Instantly, the world faded away. He pulled me tight, moving his legs and lifting me to his lap. He kissed me with an intensity and passion that made me shiver. His tongue stroked along mine, possessive and deep. He splayed his hand over my back, holding me close. The other hand, he slid into my hair, fisting it as he dragged his mouth across my cheek and down my neck, licking, nipping, kissing, and teasing.

“I missed you. Your taste, the feel of you,” he groaned. “How your hair feels in my hand. I love your curls.” He captured my mouth again. “How you feel pressed against me.”

The heat of his body soaked into mine. My breasts ached from the feel of his firm chest, my nipples hard peaks. I gasped as he moved his hand, cupping and stroking my nipple.

“God, Beth—”

I whimpered, the breeze picking up my hair and the cool air hitting my skin. It reminded me that we were outside, and although this was a relatively private place, anyone could show up. I eased back, Ronan following my body, his mouth seeking mine, protesting his displeasure with a little grunt. I cupped his face.

“Too fast,” I whispered.

He opened his eyes. “I know. I was getting as much of you as possible before you stopped me.”

I couldn’t help kissing his full mouth again. His lips were red and swollen, damp from my tongue. “Incorrigible.”

He grinned. “Yep.”

“I have to go home.”

“Can I come in and see Evan? I want to talk to him.”

“He would love that. Lucy will want some Ronan snuggles.”

“I’m up for that.”

“Okay.” I slid from his lap, trying not to notice the huge bulge in the front of his sweats. We weren’t ready for that.

Yet.

But it didn’t mean I couldn’t look.