Ten sighed. “Yeah, you’re right.”
“I think I’d want David to know the kind of man I am. Not out in spite of how he treated me, but to see that I’m a strong man who’s worthy of his love.” A tear trickled down River’s cheek.
Ten pulled his brother into a hug. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted too.”
“Enough crying, you two,” Everly said as she walked into the kitchen, carrying an empty popcorn bowl. “Dad wants more popcorn. Can you make some?”
“You bet.” Ten pulled away from River and started getting the air popper ready.
“Grampa David doesn’t know what to do, Uncle River.” Everly hopped into the seat Ten had been using.
“Doesn’t know what to do about me?”
Everly nodded. “Yeah. He knows everyone is mad at him, including me, but he also knows about the power of forgiveness. I think that’s what he needs from you and Daddy. Do you think you can give that to him?”
River shook his head. “I’m not sure. I need to think about it for a little while. Does he want to talk to me? Be a part of my life?”
“I don’t know. He won’t tell me.” Everly wore a troubled look.
“What does he want from me?” Ten asked, hating every word as it left his mouth. He never thought a time would come when he would have to pump his daughter for information.
“He wants you and Nana Kaye to forgive him, but he doesn’t know where to start.”
“I bet,” Ten muttered. “It’s something I need to think about, but as of this moment, you’re off duty. If David wants to speak to us, he needs to speak with me. You’re not going to be the middleman anymore, got it?”
“Daddy, I want to do everything I can to help our family.”
“I know you do, honey, but this is something River and I need to figure out with David. You’ve helped so much already.” Ten walked to the counter and grabbed the fresh bowl of popcorn. “Here you go. We’ll be in to watch the movie in a few minutes.”
Everly took the bowl. “Okay, Daddy. I love you. We’ll figure a way out of this, I know it.”
Ten couldn’t help being impressed with Everly’s optimism. He wasn’t so sure anything with David would be okay. He wasn’t going to settle for anything less than a heartfelt apology for keeping River a secret. It would be up to his brother to decidewhat he wanted from David. No matter what it was, Ten had River’s back.
5
Ronan
It was Fun-A-Rama day. The most wonderful day of the year when he’d been a kid. Ronan couldn’t help but wonder if his kids would see it the same way. After they’d watchedCinderellalast night, Ronan showed the kids videos of the park from YouTube. Wolf had been excited to try the Viper, while the girls weren’t so sure.
Up at the crack of dawn, Ronan had a crazy urge to wake everyone up, like he did on Christmas morning when the kids were still sleeping. The park didn’t open until ten, so there had been no need to get everyone up, plus he knew Aurora needed every second of sleep she could get. It was going to be a hot and busy day as it was; there was no need for the little girl to start out behind the eight ball.
It had taken a little while to get ready to roll after the huge breakfast he’d made, but at half past nine, the two SUVs were loaded and ready to go. Butterflies danced in Ronan’s stomach when the first sign for the amusement park came into view. He couldn’t decide what he was more excited about, taming the Viper again or seeing the park through his kids’ eyes. Probably the latter.
Pulling into the quickly filling parking lot, Ronan found a spot. He kept the kids in the car until Fitzgibbon pulled into the spot beside them. “Who’s ready to do this?”
“Me!” the kids shouted at the same time, along with Ten and River.
Ronan’s favorite part of the last few days was having a front-row seat to Ten and River’s growing relationship. After the brothersmet for the first time back in February, they’d stayed in touch with daily text messages and twice-weekly video chats.
Being in the same place at the same time was an absolute game changer. River didn’t have the worry of his partner’s murder hanging over his head, and Tennyson had come to terms with his anger at David for keeping his brother a secret and the hurt he and Kaye felt for losing so much time with River. It wasn’t in Ronan’s nature to be poetic or wistful, but watching Ten and River’s relationship blossom was an amazing sight to see and be a part of.
After purchasing the tickets, Ronan gathered everyone near the giant red-and-white popcorn box that sold several varieties of corn, salted, kettle, caramel. It was all Ronan could do to keep from running to the counter and getting treats for everyone. There would be time for that later.
“I want popcorn!” Wolf said.
“Me too!” Everly and Aurora chimed.
It was going to be harder than Ronan thought to keep the kids away from the food vendors. He knew there would be ice cream stands, cotton candy vendors, fried dough, burgers, and chicken tenders, which would all vie for the kids’ attention as the day went on.
