Finding Ronan’s Heart by Melanie Moreland

Ten Years Later

Evan

Sun beat down on my neck as my feet pounded on the compacted wet sand. Water lapped lazily along the shore as I maneuvered my way around the rocks of the cove, finally stopping by my favorite hiding spot.

I sat down on a flat boulder, pulling my water bottle from the clip at my waist and drinking deeply. I wiped away the sweat on my forehead, lifting my face to the breeze blowing off the water.

Aside from the waves hitting the sand, the gulls flying overhead, there was a stillness to the early morning hour. It was my favorite time of day. My favorite place in the compound. What better way to start what was going to be my favorite day of my life than here?

I opened my eyes, watching the mesmerizing, ever-changing water. With the sun breaking through the early morning fog, its rays cast a burnished glow on the water, throwing thousands of glittering shards of glass along the surface. I pulled up my leg, resting my elbow on my knee, the action causing my loose shorts to ride up on my thigh, the edge of my scar visible.

I traced the marred flesh, lost in memories. To this day, the sound of the out-of-control car, the screams of people as it tore into the crowd, throwing bodies, crushing others, echoed in my head. I supposed it always would. I lost my parents, the life I knew, and my ability to walk that day. When I woke up to a world of pain and grief, the only person, the only thing holding me to this earth, was my sister, Beth.

For a long time, life after the accident was numb and dark. We both struggled in different ways. As a child, I knew Beth was having a hard time, but now as an adult, I could understand how hard. She gave up her life, her plans, and became my caregiver, my parent, and the provider for us. Doing it all on her own, with little help, the weight of the world on her shoulders, yet she never faltered—at least as far as she let me see. She went to school, she worked, she created a home for us. Paige and Lucy became our new little family, and we struggled along until the day she met Ronan Callaghan.

I recalled the day I first saw him. Larger-than-life, he filled the doorway of the living room, looking like a giant to me. Strong, vibrant, confident. Yet his voice was gentle, his eyes kind, and he made me feel as if he saw me. Not the boy with the crutches who felt sad and tired all the time, but the boy I used to be. The one who loved to play and laugh. Build Lego structures and run in the backyard. He didn’t pity me but asked me questions. Listened to my responses.

Became my best friend, big brother, and the father figure I so desperately wanted and needed.

Ronan Callaghan and his big, crazy, blended family changed our lives.

His love and dedication changed my world.

Because of him and his father, Aiden, I could now walk. Run. Jump over rocks. It took a long time, a great deal of patience, and months of tears, struggle, and pain, but the day I was able to walk without aids was one of the greatest days in my life. I hadn’t stopped since then. I pushed and pushed until I could walk a mile. Then two. Slowly, I began to jog. Jogging became running. Marathons. I never wanted to lose the feeling of being able to use my legs again. It was a gift I was given that I would never take for granted.

When it was time to choose my career, there was one clear path.

I decided to become a physiotherapist. If I could help just one person the way Aiden and Ronan helped me, I would be satisfied. I immersed myself at school, the kinesiology courses absorbing and fulfilling. I already had a head start, having hung with Aiden so much, and I graduated with honors. We sat for hours talking about methods, approaches, other therapies aside from Western medicine. My favorite part of school was when I was able to have time in the clinic using the skills I was taught to treat patients. I loved the hands-on aspect and soaking up the wisdom of the more knowledgeable therapists as they shared their experiences and helped me to grow as one.

The sound of footsteps on the rocks made me look up. From around the bend, Jenny appeared, her red hair catching the bright sun that was now filling the sky. Tall and willowy, she was graceful as she picked her way carefully toward me, taking the hand I stretched out in welcome and letting me tug her to me.

She laughed as I pulled her onto my lap and kissed her.

“What are you doing here, Jenny? Isn’t it bad luck for the groom to see his bride on their wedding day?”

She snorted, rolling her pretty eyes. “You know that’s a bunch of BS. Seriously, when have we ever stuck with tradition?”

I laughed, tightening my grip on her. “Good point.”

“Besides, I missed you last night. I can’t start my day without Evan kisses.”

I slipped my fingers under her chin, fanning them out along her cheek. “Well, heaven forbid, I not give you what you want.” Then I covered her mouth with mine, kissing my future wife. She sighed the way she always did when I kissed her, opening for me, her cinnamon-scented breath filling my mouth. Our tongues slid together languidly, connecting us on an intimate level. I pulled her tighter, the emotion surging through me as it always did when she was close.

I eased back, holding her to my chest. “Excited?” I asked.

“Hmm.”

“Nervous?”

“You plan on pulling a Forrest Gump on me and running?”

I chuckled and kissed her head. “Nope. I’m looking forward to our wedding. To being your husband.” I tilted up her chin and kissed her mouth again. “Never having to be apart from you again.”

Her eyes danced in the sunlight. “Me too. The apart thing. I’ll play the wife.”

“Hmm. My wife.”

She sighed happily. “Your wife. My husband.”

She snuggled into my arms. “I can’t stay long. The women have a whole day of torture planned.”

I chuckled. Jenny wasn’t much for makeup, fussing, or dressing up. She wore her long red hair in a ponytail most of the time, preferred jeans and sneakers to dresses and heels, and her idea of getting “fancy” was a swipe of lip gloss, some mascara, and a clean shirt.

I loved that about her.

“Let them have their fun. Just wipe off the excess so I recognize you.”

She laughed, playing with the edge of my sleeve. “My dress is pretty, though.”

“Good. You’ll be beautiful.”

From above us on the bluff, I heard Beth’s voice calling. “I know you two are down there, hiding. Jenny, it’s time to get ready, and Evan, Ronan is looking for you.”

“Do you think if we stay quiet, she’ll go away?” Jenny asked, looking mischievous.

“I can hear you!” Beth laughed. “The acoustics are great right here.”

Jenny looked at me, panicked, no doubt thinking of all the times we came here to make out and talk. I shook my head. “She can’t hear the words, just the sound,” I assured her. “And you have to know we’re here.”

“We’re coming!” I shouted.

“You better not be until later.” Ronan’s voice was amused.

“Oh shit, the big guy is there too,” I breathed. “We better go.”

We stood and made our way around to the beach where Ronan and Beth were waiting. He stood beside her, his arm around her protectively. He was never not touching her if they were close. He adored my sister and was a great husband to her and an awesome dad to their two kids. All these years, he’d shown me the same love and compassion he held for them, and I would forever be grateful. His friendship and guidance meant the world to me.

I looked down at Jenny. She was tall, although I was taller by five inches. I had filled out over the years, my shoulders widening, my waist thick, and my arms and legs heavily muscled thanks to the workouts with all the BAM men, especially Aiden, Ronan, and Van. I liked being taller and heavier—a protector for Jenny and, hopefully, for my family one day.

“I guess I’ll see you at the altar?” I murmured, squeezing her hand.

“I’ll be there.”

We stopped before we reached Beth and Ronan, and I faced her.

“I can’t wait, Jenny. Today, you’ll be my wife, and I’ll never have to leave you again.”

She pressed a kiss to my mouth. “I know.”

“Our life is going to be great.”

She smiled. “It already is. It’s only going to get better.”

She and Beth left, but first, Beth kissed me and fussed a little the way she always did. She was my sister and my mother and had been my rock since I was a kid.

“I’ll take care of her,” she promised. “You only have a few hours until the service.” Then she flung her arms around me. “I’m so proud of you, Evan. I love you.”

I hugged her back. “Love you too.” I pulled back and wiped at her cheeks. “I’m getting married, Beth, not dying. Stop with the crying.”

I looked at Ronan, who shared a look with me before pulling her to his side and pressing a kiss to her head. “Wait until one of yours gets married.”

I grinned. Ronan was a big softy when it came to their two kids, Zoey and Luke, who owned him totally. I had to admit, I was pretty much a pushover for them as well. Good thing Beth stood strong.

His words warmed my chest. “You are one of ours, Evan. Always will be.”

That made Beth cry harder, and for some reason, my eyes began to water. I wiped at them, muttering about the sand being blown around by the wind.

Ronan dryly pointed out there was no wind.

I flipped him the bird, and Beth laughed at our antics.

Then she and Jenny walked away, leaving Ronan and me watching them. I adored my sister beyond reason. It was her strength, determination, and love that got me through the first rough months after the accident and losing our parents. I knew what she sacrificed for me, and in some small, crazy way, I thought Ronan was the gift she’d been given for her incredible work. I knew he was like a gift to me when he entered our life. It wasn’t the money and the life we were able to have after he arrived. It was him. His heart, love, and devotion to us both. He never once made me feel as if I were a burden or something he had to put up with because of my sister. He genuinely loved me. His soul was a gift to us both.

He clapped me on the shoulder. “You ready?”

“Get me to the church, Ronan.”

He grinned. “We have to observe the BAM custom first. Basketball and food at the Hub with the men. Then you get married.”

I laughed. I was good with that.

* * *

Later that afternoon, we stood looking out over the water on the outside balcony of the winery. The game was done, the food eaten, and the trash talk complete. The hands on the clock slowly advanced to the moment I was waiting for. I knew Jenny was in the building, her mother and all her adopted aunts and cousins fussing over her. The room behind me contained the people we loved the most—our family and friends. I was ready to start this new chapter of my life. Husband, father, all of it. I had been waiting for this since the first time I’d kissed Jenny on the beach, our lips sloppy and messy, uncoordinated and inexperienced.

And perfect.

Together, we learned, grew, and fell in love. Together every step of the way, our future clear.

Ronan stood beside me, a silent support. Aiden was inside, making sure everything was in place. The two men I loved the most would stand beside me today. No friend could ever mean what these two did to me, and they were who I wanted with me. They had been at my side every moment since they’d come into my life.

“Ronan,” I began, turning to him.

He was patient, waiting for me to speak. Still tall and strong, his shoulders were broad, his expression open and his eyes full of life.

“You, today, being with me. It means a lot.”

“For me too,” he said.

“I remember meeting you the first day when you came to pick up Beth.”

He chuckled. “You were a kid. You looked at me like you’d never seen someone so big.”

I laughed with him. “I hadn’t. You were like a giant.” I paused. “Your size reflected your heart.”

He huffed out a surprised breath.

“I don’t say it enough, but thank you. For being the husband you are to Beth. The dad you are to Zoey and Luke. The friend, brother, and father you’ve been to me.” I had to clear my throat. “I wouldn’t be standing here today getting ready to marry my Jenny if it weren’t for you. Everything you’ve done for me. For her. For my sister.” I paused, feeling like I was twelve again. I shuffled my feet, looking down. “You made my life better, Ronan. You made all our lives better. I wanted—I wanted you to know how much you mean to me. How special you are to me. I love you, and I’m glad you’re with me today.”

He was silent, and I looked up. His eyes were filled with tears he let overflow, not embarrassed to show his feelings. He rested his hands on my shoulders, the strength in his muscles belied by the gentleness of his touch. He smiled despite his tears.

“I’m proud of you, Evan. I’ve watched you grow from a boy to a man. I’ve seen how you’ve overcome. Pushed. Taken every obstacle in your way and kept going. You’re an incredible young man.” He shook me slightly. “I’m here for you—anything, anytime.” He laughed and wiped his cheek. “But I think you’re going to do fine on your own. You’ve got this.”

Our eyes met. “I couldn’t love you more if you were my own. You know that, right?” he added, his voice thick with emotion.

I nodded, unable to speak.

“Then let’s get you inside and married. Today is a day of celebration.”

He embraced me, his arms tight, his hold firm. He had always offered his affection freely. His hugs were legendary, and I’d often sought them as comfort when I was younger. Now, I used them to show my love, because my affection for this great man knew no bounds. He was the example I planned to follow in my life. I wanted to be the friend, the husband, and the father he had been to me.

Everything that was right and good in this world.

He pulled back.

“You ready?”

Thanks to him, I was.

“Yes.”

And with him by my side, I headed toward my future.

* * *

Thank you so much for reading FINDING RONAN’S HEART. I appreciate all reviews. Make sure to drop me an email with a link or tag me on social media.

Would you like to read more about Liam and Paige? Subscribers get a first look at LOVED BY LIAM - Vested Interest: ABC Corp #3

If you have just started reading this series and would like to get to know the Ronan’s parents, start with the prequel: BAM- The Beginning