“Then go talk to them,” Mom urged him.
We followed Ronan to the living room. His dad was a proud man. I was beginning to think it was a Moore trait. Declan was holding Siena now, low enough that Stevie could see her too. They were both cooing over her then everyone got quiet.
“Hi,” Ronan said to them.
His father ignored him. His mother gave him a weak smile. “Ro, how are you?”
“Fine Mom.”
Nothing else was said. An awkward silence ensued. He took my hand and pulled me through the living room behind him. When we reached the porch he stopped a step below me so he could look me in the eye. I wasn’t sure what he was thinking or doing.
He leaned in until our foreheads touched. “I’m going home,” he said. “You stay here. You’ve missed enough Sunday dinners because of me.”
“I’d rather come with you. I kissed his nose. His eyes closed at the touch of my lips.
“I’d rather you stay,” he said softly.
“Don’t do anything stupid.” I regretted the words as soon as I said them when I saw the hurt in his eyes.
“Trust me,” he said.
“I do.” He didn’t look convinced.
“Call me or have one of my brothers bring you home when you’re ready to come.” He patted my back just above the curve of my ass.
I nodded. I watched him walk to his truck then I ran down the stairs. “Ronan,” I shouted his name.
He hesitated at the door. I went to his open arms and he held me close. Then he tipped his head down and Ronan kissed me. Warm soft lips. A kiss with a little fire behind it. A girl could get used to this. “That’s better,” I told him when he lifted his head.
“I’ll see you in a little while.” He winked at me. His old, charming self was back.
“Okay,” I told him. I released him and he got into the truck. As he drove away I wished I had told him that I loved him because I did but it just wouldn’t have made sense to him, I knew that. Ronan was in a different place than me but I wanted him to love me.
I ran up the porch steps and into the house. I stood in the entry for a moment watching the interaction of my family enjoying Siena. Then I cleared my throat. Everyone turned to me. “He went home,” I said. “We’re getting married next week. You can decide who is coming and who isn’t. That will let me know who is on our side and who isn’t.”
“Skylar,” my mother interrupted me and Adam interrupted her.
“Let her speak,” he said gruffly.
“Thanks Gramps.” I knew then that Adam Moore was on our side. He smiled at me
giving me the encouragement I needed to continue.
“Not on our side don’t bother thinking you’ll be a part of Luke’s life. There’s no room for you there. So Declan you better fix your shit with your son before December because I can’t imagine you don’t want to be a part of your grandson’s life.”
I stomped through the mass of people that was my family. Noah stepped aside to let me into the kitchen because he was blocking the doorway. He looked at his brother and said, “I guess she told you.” I didn’t even hear Declan’s response to that statement.
Gramps joined me in the kitchen a few minutes later. I was sitting at the table about to cry. He sat beside me in one of the high backed, wooden chairs. The set ancient and as familiar as the house. “What can I do?” He asked.
I shook my head and burst into tears. “You’re in love with Ronan?” He asked or told me. I wasn’t sure which. It didn’t really matter when it was the truth.
“I am.”
“Does he know that?” He asked resting his cheek in his hand.
I shook my head no. How do you tell a man you’ve known your whole life…one who sees you as his little sister that you’re in love with him? “So about this wedding,” I said wiping my face. “Could we have it here?”
“Sure,” Gramps replied. “Want me to see if Bob can do it?”