Page 26 of Owen's Heart

“I will, and thanks, Janae.”

“You’re welcome, and if it means anything, I always knew you loved her. I also knew you would fall for Chantel’s BS if you had a weak moment. That’s why I tried to keep you and Rania informed about the games happening around you.”

“I wish I could have seen the games Chantel was playing, but I didn’t think I had to do more because I let everyone know I loved Rania and didn’t care about their feelings about it.”

“Well, Owen, I hope you two can put this behind you soon. For what it’s worth, I’m on your side now. Look for a call or text from me by tomorrow.”

“I sure will.” I hang up the phone feeling hopeful. I love and miss my girl, and now that she’s back in the same city as me, I want her back in my arms.

Later that day, I take the ride to the rehab facility to see Mildred. She’s sitting up in a red leather side chair and dressed in a red sweater with Be Mine written across the front of it.

“Oh hey, Owen. I wasn’t expecting to see you here,” she beams.

“Hey, Mildred. You know I had to come to see my friend. I’ve been missing you at the diner,” I tell her.

“Well, I brought in the best substitution for me that there is. Have you made up with my niece yet?” she asks.

“You waste no time in asking the tough questions, I see.” I sink down into the chair on the opposite side of the room and sigh.

“Well, are you even close to making up with her?”

“No, but I have a good feeling things are about to change soon.”

She smiles. “I hope so. It’s a dang-on shame to see the girl wandering around New York pretending to be a city girl. She knows good and well she should be in Prattville, living on your ranch and making me some grand-nieces,” Mildred fusses.

I laugh at her canny remarks. “I agree that she should be with me, but I think Rania can make it anywhere. She can thrive in a small town like Prattville, Alabama or in the middle of New York, New York. Our girl is smart,” I brag with pride.

An abundance of love is in the huge smile that spreads across Mildred’s face. “See, that’s why I’ve been trying to get you two together. You don’t play ‘bout my niece. I love the way you defend her honor.”

I reply, “You planned this, didn’t you?”

“Planned what?” Rania comes into the room. Her pink dress bringing in the rays of the sun along with her glowing brown skin.

Mildred thinks fast and quips, “He’s talking about this Be Mine shirt I planned to wear for Valentine’s Day.”

I smile, knowing for sure now that Mildred planned her surgery during Valentine’s holiday so that I could make Rania mine again.

I stand and gesture for Rania to take my chair. “Here, have a seat…”

She declines the offer with a shake of her head. “Go ahead and sit back down. I’ll stand.”

I walk over to stand by her, leaving the chair open in case she decides to sit down later. “How are you, Rania?”

She stares up at me with an unreadable expression. “I’m doing good. How about you, Owen?”

“I’m fine, sweetheart. Can we talk for a moment? In the hallway?” I ask, happy that she doesn’t glare at me for calling her sweetheart.

Aunt Mildred doesn’t give her a chance to respond. “Go on and talk to him, Rania. I’ll be here when you get back,” she injects.

Rania harrumphs. “Sure, let’s talk.”

“You look beautiful,” I tell her once we’re alone in the hallway.

“Thanks. You don’t look bad yourself. Now, what is it that you want to talk about?”

“I need to apologize for what happened during our date, for Melissa interrupting us and our argument at the ranch. I wanted things to go a lot differently,” I tell her.

“It’s behind us now. No need in talking about it anymore,” she responds.

---