“I can’t believe I’m getting food for that man,” Raven muttered under her breath, her head inside the refrigerator looking for leftovers. No way in hell was she cooking for him.
“To the right on the third shelf there’s some roast left over from dinner,” Fiona said.
Raven lifted her head over the door of the refrigerator to find her mother leaning against the counter, her arms folded across her chest. “Why aren’t you sleeping?” Somebody should be getting some shuteye. Raven pulled out the container her mother had indicated and closed the door to the refrigerator.
“I heard someone roaming around in my kitchen.” Fiona raised a brow. “You really ought to work on your muttering. Never know when someone might hear something you don’t want them to.”
“Why? You hear something tonight?”
“Aidan isn’t the bad man you think he is.”
“I don’t want to get into it, Mom.” Raven grabbed a plate and filled it with roast and potatoes that were also in the container.
“Both you and Lynx have blamed him for far too much over the years.”
“Yeah, and you haven’t blamed him enough.” She didn’t want to hash over this. Not again.
“You need to keep an open mind, my daughter. You’re too young to be this cynical. People make mistakes. It’s what makes them human.”
“So, I’m what? Supposed to forgive him of murder?”
“He didn’t murder your father.”
“He might as well have.” She returned the container and slammed the door to the fridge. “I gotta go. Mr. Harte is hungry.”
“Raven, I didn’t raise you to hate like this.” Fiona pursed her lips and then hit Raven with words that had the power to twist guilt like a screw in her gut. “I’m disappointed.”
There was nothing worse than having Fiona Maiski disappointed in you. She loved everyone, thought the best of everyone. Case in point, Aidan Harte resting comfortably in her place about to eat her home-cooked food.
“I’m not willing to forget, and I won’t forgive. I can’t.”
“If you don’t soften your heart, I fear for your happiness, daughter.” Another final look and Fiona turned and left the kitchen.
Hell. Aidan was back and she was fighting with her mother. The one person who truly had her back. Those qualities she’d listed earlier were the qualities that Raven counted on herself. She needed her mother to love her unconditionally, to be proud of her. Because she was a bitch to love. She knew it, and so did everyone else. And she had no intention of changing. Especially for a man. She lived perfectly fine without one. Had all these years. The only man she needed in her life was her son. And she was raising him to be a fine man, one who could handle a woman like her. Not that she wanted Fox saddled with someone like her. But if he fell in love with one, he’d know what he was in for and be able to handle it.
Raven grabbed a fork, stabbed it into the roast, and picked up the plate of food she’d gathered for Aidan and headed out of the room, snagging the plate of brownies her mother had set on the counter as she left. She didn’t need the sweets, but she was up late and having to deal with the one person she’d hoped never to see again. A few brownies didn’t even come close to making this night bearable.
Raven entered the bedroom and handed Aidan the food, keeping the plate of brownies for herself. “Here. Don’t choke on it.” Then she turned and walked around to her side of the bed and climbed in.
“I didn’t think you were coming back.”
“Scared of Eva, remember? Now eat, and shut up.” She bit into a brownie. Oh, man, her mother sure could cook. Raven felt bad for the way she’d talked to her. She’d have to apologize tomorrow. Another thing to throw at Aidan’s feet.
“Oh, wow, this is great.” Aidan chewed and swallowed. “Moose?”
“Hmm,” she agreed around the brownie in her mouth.
“I haven’t had this in years. Even cold, it’s great.”
What? He expected her to warm it up for him? He was lucky she actually fed him anything.
“Thanks, Raven. I appreciate it.”
Hell. “You’re welcome.” Now she was feeling guilty for the way she’d treated him? What was up with her? Her time of the month? No, at least she didn’t think so. She’d never been that great about keeping track. Look at Fox. That should have taught her, but then Fox was the greatest blessing she had in her life. He was the reason she got up in the morning. “Here.” She held out the plate of brownies. “Want one?”
“Yeah, thanks.” Aidan took one off the plate and bit into it, making an appreciative noise. She remembered that sound. Just like that she was eighteen again and Aidan had his hands on her.