Why Not Tonight (Happily Inc. #3)(49)

At one time Ronan had assumed he would have children. That he would be a typical guy, not doing enough around the house and spoiling the kids when their mom wasn’t looking. He’d never thought much past that—hadn’t considered who the woman might be or how many children he wanted. There had always been time. All that had changed with his father’s revelation. He no longer knew who he was or trusted himself enough to have kids. That required more faith than he could muster.

He drove through town to the gallery. Natalie was waiting for him outside, practically dancing with excitement in the warm evening air. She was always so happy, he thought, feeling his tension ease. So positive and sure. And beautiful. She had on some kind of floaty dress that fell to midcalf. The colors ranged from yellow to orange to red. Her hair was loose and curly and she was smiling long before he got out of the truck.

“You made it!” she said, rushing toward him. “I was afraid you’d come up with an excuse to duck out of the party.”

“Would I do that?” he asked before he kissed her.

“In a hot minute.” She gazed into his eyes. “Happy birthday. Your present is already at The Boardroom. I hope you like the food. I chose it and think I got all your favorites.” She raised herself on tiptoe and kissed his mouth. “You’re not mad, are you?”

“About the kissing? No. I kind of like the kissing.”

“About the party. You didn’t tell anyone it was your birthday.”

“Maybe no one asked.”

She sighed. “You’re going to be difficult, aren’t you?”

“Maybe a little.”

She linked her arm through his. “That’s okay. We’re celebrating the birth of you. Difficult is allowed. Come on. Let’s get going. I hear there’s going to be cake.”

Whatever irritation he’d been feeling had disappeared the second she’d started talking. He had no idea how she did that, but it was an impressive gift. With Natalie around, the darkness wasn’t so grim and the good parts were even better.

“Where did you go for fun back in Fool’s Gold?” she asked. “Was there a place like The Boardroom?”

“There was a bar called The Man Cave, but it opened after Mathias and I left. Despite its name and its affinity for all things male, women were welcome. Nick used to bartend there.”

“What? Why?”

“He avoided his art for a while. Things were complicated.”

“With your father.” She leaned in closer. “I know it’s wrong, but I really don’t like him.”

“Me, either. He has a lot to answer for.” Ceallach had managed to screw up all his sons. Despite that, each of them had found happiness. Not him, but the others.

“Did you like where you grew up?” she asked. “You must have. You moved from one small town to another.”

“Fool’s Gold is interesting. The entire year of the town is defined by the various seasonal festivals. There are casserole cook-offs and parades and bazaars. They have an elephant now. Priscilla.” He frowned. “I don’t know exactly how she came to be in town, but she’s much loved. Her best friend is a pony.”

“We have giraffes,” Natalie told him. “That’s better.”

He chuckled. “It’s not a competition.”

“It is to me. I’m Team Happily Inc all the way.”

“You’d like Fool’s Gold. We have the longest serving mayor in California history. Mayor Marsha knows all. It’s kind of spooky, but also oddly comforting. Our house was just outside of the main part of town, on the edge of the forest. My brothers and I had acres for our playground. In the summer, we barely spent a second inside. One year Mathias, Nick and I built a fort in some trees. I looked at it a few years ago when we were home for a visit. It’s a rickety thing. We’re lucky it didn’t fall apart and send us crashing to the ground. Whenever our father got in one of his moods, we disappeared. We had a few places we could go to get food.”

“Like where?”

“Neighbors. A couple of restaurants in town would take care of us. I’m sure they sent a bill back to Elaine and my dad.”

Natalie made a little noise.

“What?” he asked.

“You do that. You call your mom Elaine.”

“She’s not my mother.”

“She didn’t give birth to you but she raised you. Of course she’s your mother.”

She lied to me. Ronan didn’t say the words, but he thought them. Ceallach’s deception had been understandable. His father was a narcissist who only thought of himself, but Elaine was supposed to have been different. He was supposed to be able to trust her.

Natalie sighed. “Sorry. It’s your birthday. You get to be a butthead if you want.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re not mad I called you a butthead?”

“Nope.”

She snuggled close again. “You’re the best boyfriend ever.”

“Thanks.”

They reached The Boardroom. The lights were on, the doors open and the sound of music drifted out. Ronan knew the party for him was in back, in the private room. He thought briefly of bolting, but knew that would disappoint Natalie. Instead he braced himself before following her through the main area and down a short hall. Another door stood open and he could see about thirty people inside.