Page 47 of The Tides of March
“Ye’ll bring more the next time ye come?” Ronan said as he helped himself to hisfourthserving and winning his mother’s heart forever.
“Don’t you worry, sweetheart,” she said, patting his cheek. “I’ll freeze a few for you.”
“By a few, she means eight,” Tony said, sealing the deal for Ronan too, he suspected.
“Ye really are an angel.” Ronan told Celia and nodded at Winston. “Don’ let this one get away from ye.”
Winston hummed in agreement. “I’ve already introduced her to my mother and we’re renting an RV this summer.”
“Brilliant!” Tony was genuinely happy for his mother and Winston. He might be a little…sad to know that his old room was being renovated so quickly, but he had worried about leaving his mother alone. Now, she’d have a new puppy, a girlfriend, vacations, and her dream reading room to occupy her time.
“I’m really happy for you too, baby,” Celia said as she helped Tony wash the dishes. “I can tell that Ronan takes good care of you and this place feels like you already.”
He looked around and considered the subtle changes. His books, pictures, and nerdy knick knacks were scattered around the cottage and Ronan was building a built-in armoire for Tony upstairs. Ronan had insisted on hanging all of Tony’s diplomas, clearing an entire wall in the loft.
“It really does. I felt like I belonged from the first moment I woke up but it feels real now. I resigned from the university,” he added gently but she shrugged it off.
“This is where you’re meant to be. So what does an oracle do these days?” she whispered while Ronan and Winston took the dogs out.
“I’m not really sure,” Tony admitted. “Right now, I’m focusing all my energy on finding whoever it is that’s responsible for all the victims Nox and Nelson have been investigating. We’re pretty certain it’s the same person who sent that zombie shite after me and Ronan,” he said, using Ronan’s nickname for the undead changeling Hugh Dùbhghlas had created.
“You know, you’re much safer here with the ghost and the minefield,” Celia said, waving dismissively.
“Ronan won’t let anything happen to me,” Tony agreed.
“When is the wedding?”
“Ma!”
“You said it would be soon.”
He nodded. “Yeah, but Ijustmoved in. It’s been a week.”
“You quit your job,” she countered with a pointed look.
“That wasn’t all about Ronan. I’m not really cut out to be a professor and they wouldn’t let me be Nox’s TA again.”
“I will miss you,” Celia said, sighing sadly as she curled her arm around Tony’s.
Tony shushed and kissed her hair. “You and Sheila can visit whenever you want. Or give us a call and Ronan will come and get you. We’ve already discussed adding a tiny bungalow right next door. Ronan doesn’t think anyone will say anything if it looks like a large shed.”
“Like one of those tiny houses on the HG channel?” she asked.
“Exactly!” Tony said. “Ronan knows how close we are and he wants you to feel at home on Pooles Island too.”
Celia gasped and fanned her eyes as they watered. “He really is the loveliest man. I don’t know why you said he’d be cranky.”
“He’s been on his best behavior for you and I think he’s secretly wished he had a real mom.”
“That poor baby!”
Tony grinned, already looking forward to seeing how she’d decorate and had a feeling she’d have Ronan wrapped around her little finger by the end of her next visit. His big man was very partial to sweets and Tony’s mother was an even better baker than his cousin Marie.
“I don’t think he gets a lot of chocolate out here.”
“Say no more. You should have a chocolate wedding cake,” Celia suggested, making Tony throw up his hands.
“I’ll talk to Merlin and Nox about it and let you know.”
