Page 59 of Wanting You

“I wonder who…”

“There are my girls!”

“Dad!” They all called out, and Chloe instantly got to her feet and ran over to hug him. “What are you doing here?”

Ronan hugged her tight and then did the same to Ashlynn before giving a more reserved hug to Billie and then straightening. “Well now, I’ve been keeping in touch with all of you about your mom and I’ve come to help!”

You could have heard a pin drop.

“Um…what?” Billie asked as she slowly made her way back to her seat.

Nodding, Ronan smiled when Levi handed him something to drink. “I’ve had to cut back on my hours at the pub. Kate and Shane keep nagging me about taking it easy, but they’re just worriers. Plus, with Jamie essentially running the pub, I’m feeling like a bit of a dinosaur there.” He let out a happy sigh. “So it was the perfect time to come up here and see where I can lend a hand!”

“But…uh, Dad?” Chloe asked hesitantly. “I’m not sure you’re exactly the…right person?”

“Bah! Your mother and I have had some time to talk through some things since I’ve been coming up to visit all of you some more. And while I’m never going to be her favorite person, I’m probably the most qualified to step in and help her.”

Ashlynn’s maniacal laughter brought everyone up short. “This is perfect!” she laughed. “Perfect!”

“Ash, come on,” Chloe murmured, nudging her sister. “That’s not funny.”

“But it is! Can you see the two of them together with Mom on crutches and unable to do anything for herself? It’s poetic justice!”

“Ashlynn Jane!” Ronan boomed. “You will respect your mother! She’s injured and you should not be mocking her or taking delight in her trauma. Shame on you!”

At least her sister had the good sense to look remorseful. “Sorry.”

“Believe it or not, I’ve spoken to Marie several times since she got to that rehab place and she knows I’m coming. And again, I’m not her first choice and she openly admitted that I was the last person she ever thought would come through and help her, but…there was a time when we loved each other. I don’t wish her any ill will. Plus, I know how hard all of you work and how little free time you have. She doesn’t want to be a burden on any of you…”

There were several snorts that no one seemed to want to own up to.

Ronan paused and his attention turned to Tanner. “You’re new,” he said with a big smile. “Ronan Donovan. And you are…?”

Beside her, Tanner gently cleared his throat. “I’m Tanner Westyn, Mr. Donovan. Chloe and I are…uh…we’re dating.”

“Really?” Ronan sang. “Well, it’s very nice to meet you! How did the two of you meet?”

“We work together,” Tanner explained. “I just started teaching at Sweetbriar Elementary.”

“Fabulous! What grade?”

“Kindergarten.”

Ronan’s eyes went wide. “Oh, my! What a wonderful coincidence! Like fate!”

Oh God…

All she wanted to do was slink down in her seat and slide under the table out of embarrassment.

Tanner laughed softly as he nodded, but all her siblings were giving her sympathetic smiles.

“Are you from around here, Tanner?”

“Um, no, Sir. I grew up in upstate New York.”

“Tanner used to ski professionally,” Levi said cheerily, winking at Chloe.

Why? Why wink, you doofus? She wanted to yell!

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