Ransom Drysdale - Thorns 💛

Chapter 14

Rose stepped out of the car, fixing the skirt of her dress as she did. She turned back, helping Sloane out of the car. She grabbed her hand as Paul followed them into the house. She first saw Linda who looked down at Sloane.

"Rose. Who is this?"

Rose smiled, "this is my daughter, Sloane. And my father, Paul. I'm really sorry for your loss. We saw the announcement of Harlan's death in the newspaper."

Linda nodded, "thank you dear." She looked around, "I'm not sure where Ransom is."

Rose sighed, nodding, "okay." She walked into Harlan's study with Sloane and Paul, finding Ransom sitting in a chair alone in the corner of the room.

He looked up as she approached him, "Rosie. You came?"

She saw tears welling in his eyes as she nodded, letting go of Sloane's hand as she knelt in front of him, between his legs, wrapping him in a hug. She felt him bury his head in her shoulder. "Ransom. I'm so sorry." She felt him pull away as she placed her hands on his cheeks. She saw him close his eyes as he leaned into her hand.

Sloane grabbed Ransom's hand, making him turn to look at her, "I'm sorry about your grandfather."

Ransom smiled, "thank you sweet girl." He looked up at Rose before looking back at Sloane, "I'm Ransom. I'm sorry we haven't been properly introduced. It's my fault."

Sloane smiled, "I'm Sloane! Mama says it means warrior."

Ransom laughed, looking up see Rose smiling, "well it's nice to meet you Sloane." He stood up, offering his hand to Paul, "you must be her father?"

Paul nodded, "Paul. It's nice to meet you. I'm sorry sorry about your loss."

Ransom grabbed Rose's hand, "can we talk? Alone?"

Rose looked at Paul who only nodded as he ushered Sloane away. She sighed, "okay." She turned back to Ransom, "I'm so sorry about Harlan, Ransom."

He nodded, pulling her to him. He held onto her for a few minutes before finally pulling away to look at her. "You came." He ran his fingers through her dark hair, "you look beautiful Rosie."

"Thank you Ransom. And of course I came. Even though we aren't talking and you don't want me around anymore, that doesn't mean I don't care about you."

Ransom groaned, bringing his hand up to her cheek, "no. I've been an idiot Rosie. And I'm sorry."

She sighed, looking down. "I lied to you. I don't tell men that I have a daughter because..."

"Because they act like I did?" He interrupted her as he sighed, making her look back up at him. "You didn't lie to me. I'm sorry. I panicked at the thought of you having a kid. And then I was a coward because I didn't know what to say. I'm sorry. Can we start over? Please?"

Rose groaned, "I don't know Ransom."

He sighed, "please Rosie. Let me buy you and Sloane ice cream tomorrow? We can talk?"

Rose nodded, "okay. What did I say about calling me Rosie?"

He smiled at her small smirk, "I miss you. Can I kiss you, please?"

Rose smiled, running her hands up to his neck as she pulled his lips to hers. She heard him chuckle as he pulled away. "I miss you too, Ransom."

Ransom pulled her to him once more, kissing the top of her head as he rested his head on hers, "I'm so glad you're here. I don't know if I would've been able to make it through today without you."

She sighed, "of course I came Ransom. I need to get back to Sloane."

He nodded, pulling away, "okay. Will you guys stay though? Eat."

Rose nodded, "sure." She felt him grab her hand as he led her to the sitting room where Sloane was sitting with Paul as he talked with Linda.

Sloane stood up when she saw Rose enter with Ransom, "mama. I'm hungry."

Rose laughed, "well sit, and I will get you something to eat."

Ransom let go of Rose's hand, looking at Sloane, "can I sit with you?"

Sloane smiled and grabbed his hand as she sat next to him on the couch.

Rose smiled as she watched Ransom smile at Sloane, talking to her on the couch. She felt Linda come up to her as she made a plate of food for Sloane.

"I didn't know you had a daughter. Are you the reason Ransom has been withdrawn the last few weeks?"

Rose sighed as she turned to face Linda, "probably. I'm sorry I wasn't forthcoming about my daughter. I just like to vet men first. And make sure they're serious about me before they meet her."

Linda smiled, "of course dear. I do believe he's quite serious about you."

Rose nodded, "I hope so. Because it's too late now." She went back into the sitting room to see Ransom laughing as Sloane seemed to be telling some sort of animated story. She smiled, sitting next to Ransom as she handed the plate of food to Sloane. She felt him grab her hand as she rested her head on his shoulder.

Ransom walked them out at the end of the wake, "will you come over? Stay the night? I need you Rosie."

Rose shook her head, looking at Sloane in the backseat, "I can't Ransom. It's a school night." She watched him nod disappointed as she sighed. "Ugh! I'll break my one rule and let you come sleep at my place. If you want."

Ransom grinned, "you will?"

Rose nodded, "yes. I'll text you my address. 9:30. After Sloane goes to sleep."

Ransom smiled and nodded, wrapping his arms around her, "deal. I'll see you in a bit."

She only nodded as she kissed him before getting into the car.