Fiona flexed her hands around her mug. “I know who Fox’s father is. I’ve always known.”
Raven gasped.
Fiona continued, “I’ve been content not to say anything while Earl was alive. But he’s dead. It’s no longer an issue to keep Fox’s parentage a secret. I understand why you did what you did, but Aidan deserves to know he has a son. He should have known all along.”
“How…” Raven tried to swallow past the lump in her throat. Her mother knew? Had always known?
“I can do the math. I know you said you’d met a man at party, but it didn’t add up. You were already pregnant before you started college. The only man you ever had stars in your eyes for has been Aidan Harte. You and he were thick as willow branches that summer your dad died. I understand why you lied, and at the time I agreed. If Earl had found out he had a grandchild, who knows how this would have all turned out. But that’s the past. You need to make things right.”
“I can’t let Aidan know.” She shook her head. “And what will Fox say? He’ll hate me.”
“No, he won’t. That boy loves you. He might be angry, but he’ll come around.”
“Aidan could take Fox away, have you thought of that?”
“Yes. But I don’t think he would do that. I think Fox will benefit the most with having two parents.”
“I don’t want Fox having anything to do with Aidan or the people he comes from.”
“You raised him to be a fine young man. Have faith, my daughter.” She drank from her tea and set the empty cup down. “Besides, the longer Aidan stays here, the better chance the truth will come out. I am not the only one who will see the resemblance.”
“What resemblance? Just because they each have dark hair and eyes doesn’t make them look alike.”
“Watch them smile. They each have the same dimple in their left cheek.” Fiona gave her a measuring look. “I won’t be the only who will notice.”
Reuben sandwiches and now dimples. What else?
“It’s the right thing to do, Raven.” Fiona stood and laid her hand on Raven’s shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “Put it right in your mind. You were never one to act rashly. But don’t take too long. I’d hate to have someone else spill the news to Aidan.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Aidan woke the next morning after a fitful night. His leg felt better, but the rest of him didn’t. One place in particular ached like a son of a bitch. He could still smell Raven in his room, feel her with his eyes closed. He’d never hoped where she was concerned before. But last night had changed all that. Raven still cared about him. Still desired him. Those were things he could work with. Use them to get her to see past what his father had done to hers. Somehow he needed to make it right. He had no clue where to start, but lying in bed wasn’t going to get him anywhere.
It was dark, though his internal clock told him it was morning. He reached for his crutches, already looking forward to throwing them away. He stood, and with the crutches under his arms, gradually applied weight onto his bad leg. It was painful but not excruciating.
“What the hell are you doing?” Eva asked.
Aidan had been concentrating so hard, he hadn’t heard anyone come into the room.
“Don’t be standing on that leg until it’s been x-rayed.” Eva walked over to him and swatted him on the arm. “Don’t mess with my orders. I’m very pregnant, very moody, and very capable of carrying out my threats. We understand each other?”
“Yes, ma’am.” The little powerhouse scared the shit out of him. How did Lynx live with her? Lynx had always been easygoing, willing to try anything no matter how dangerous or stupid it sounded. If there was fun to be had, you’d find Lynx in the middle of it.
“Sit down. Let me check your vitals.” Eva pushed him onto the edge of the bed. A blood pressure cuff was strapped to his arm and she pumped up the pressure. The woman was efficient. She had his blood pressure read, his temp jotted down, and the dressing changed on his leg before he’d worked up the nerve to ask her a question.
“Have you seen Raven this morning?”
“She’s arguing with Lynx.” Eva finished with the bandages, straightened, and rubbed the small of her back. “They’re fighting over who has to take you Fairbanks. The roads have been cleared.”
He frowned. “I thought that was already decided. Wasn’t Lynx saddled with the chore?”
“Yep, that’s Raven’s argument. But Lynx has been called out on an injured eagle run.”
“Injured eagle?” Sounded like a wild goose chase to him.