“You’re the one who cut me out of your life,” Heather reminded her, then asked, “Where’s Dad?”
“Back home working,” her mother admitted, looking chagrined.
“So it wasn’t much of a wake-up call for him, was it?” Heather asked wearily, then closed her eyes. “I can’t talk about this now.”
“Then I’ll just sit here while you rest,” Bridget said determinedly. “I’m not leaving this room, and I’m certainly not leaving town until I have my daughter back.”
Heather noted the unyielding glint in her mother’s eyes and recognized it all too well. She’d still be here come Christmas, if that was what it took. Which meant that sooner or later, Heather was going to have to deal with her.
Closing her eyes again and turning away, she opted for later.
CHAPTER 17
Connor found his mother in the waiting room, where she’d been stationed every day since the accident. She’d paid an occasional visit to Heather, but mostly she seemed to be here for him, and for the past couple of days for Bridget Donovan.
“Mom, aren’t you sick of hanging around this place?” Connor asked, unwilling to admit how relieved he’d been to know she was nearby. “It’s depressing.”
She smiled at the comment, then glanced around the room, which was long overdue for a paint job and new furniture. “I can’t argue with you, if you’re referring to the decor. In fact, I’ve already spoken to your father about having one of his crews come in here and paint the place. Then your grandmother, sisters and I will find some new furnishings. I have a couple of paintings at the gallery that will brighten things up as well.”
He stared at her. “Why?”
“Because it needs it, and we have the means to do it,” she said simply. “We’re all very grateful to everyone here for what they did to save Heather. This is our way of showing it.”
“I’m amazed,” he said.
She smiled at that. “You shouldn’t be. You have a nice family.”
He frowned at her. “I know that,” he grumbled. “After a couple of days around Mrs. Donovan, I’m more thankful for you all than ever.”
His mother’s expression sobered. “She’s doing the best she can, Connor. This situation—you, Heather and little Mick—it’s not what she expected for her only child. We’ve talked a lot, and I think I have some idea of where she’s coming from.”
“Would you have ostracized Abby, Bree or Jess if they’d told you they were pregnant and weren’t getting married?” he asked, curious about her reaction.
“Absolutely not,” she said at once. “I don’t care what flaws any of you might have. My job is to advise you if you want to hear it, listen when you need to talk, but most of all to love you, no matter what. Still, I can understand a mother wanting the best for her daughter.”
“So can I,” he conceded. “It’s the my-way-or-the-highway approach that I don’t get.”
“Because, despite your sometimes low opinion of the upbringing I gave you, you were taught to be more tolerant of other’s choices.”
“I’m not sure Dad shares your approach,” he said. “He hardly ever shuts up about the mistakes he thinks any of us are making.”
“But in the end, you all know his love is unconditional,” Megan stressed, then studied him closely. “You do know that, don’t you? Mick learned that from Nell. She grew up with strong beliefs and did her best to teach them to her sons and to all of you, but right or wrong, you’re her family, and she’ll go to bat for any one of you against any outsider who dares to criticize you.”
“Maybe she’s the one whose attitude will rub off on Mrs. Donovan. I’m sure they share the same Catholic values,” Connor said wistfully. “And as unhappy as she might be with me, Gram’s never made me feel that she was one step from disowning me.”
“I think maybe we need to view this accident as a blessing in disguise,” Megan suggested. “It’s brought Bridget here. I think she’ll see how much you and Heather love each other and your son, even if your relationship isn’t traditional. Give her that chance, Connor. Make it a point to spend a little time with her, so she can see for herself what a fine young man you are.”
Connor squirmed. “About that,” he began. “The traditional thing.”
His mother tilted her head, clearly puzzled. “What?”
“All of this has made me do some serious thinking,” he began, then stopped. If he said the words aloud, his mother could try to hold him to them. What if he then panicked and changed his mind?
She continued to regard him with curiosity. Then, it seemed, a lightbulb went off in her head. “Connor O’Brien, are you saying what I think you’re saying?” she asked excitedly. “Are you going to ask Heather to marry you?”
So much for hedging his bets, he thought. “I think so,” he admitted.
Her expression fell at his response. “Your enthusiasm is less than overwhelming.”
“Look, you know how I feel, but I realized the other day when I could have lost Heather that I didn’t want to go through the rest of my life without her. If we don’t get married, eventually she’s going to marry someone else and I’ll lose her. I’ll lose both her and little Mick.”
“First of all, you will never lose your son,” Megan said. “And not wanting to see Heather happy with another man is not a reason to marry her yourself. That’s just selfish. Here’s the question that counts—do you love her?”
“Of course,” he said without hesitation. “I thought that was a given. Everyone’s thrown it in my face often enough.”
His mother smiled slightly. “Good
