Page 13 of Gary

And let on that he was not there for the coffee and muffins? How would she feel about that? And was she involved with someone? He hadn’t seen a ring on her slender finger, but she could be heavily involved. A woman like that would not be single. If she was, what then?

And why was he so interested in a woman he had only just met? He wasn’t going to be here for long, was he? He was going back to Italy. Leaning his head back, he closed his eyes and an image of her played in his mind. She was exquisite and he wanted to taste her.

“Good God.” He groaned. “Get a damn grip.”

But he just knew without a doubt that he was never going to be the same again.

*****

“What brings you to my bedside?”

“You are not exactly in bed, are you?” Graham walked forward to stand next to his brother, Grant, as he stood by the window.

“You are looking much better.”

Grant nodded, securing the silk lapels of his robe around his thin chest. He was feeling the cold clear through his bones. “The quacks have me on a new treatment. Guaranteed to prolong the agony.” His smile was humorless. “Where is the boy?”

“In case you have not noticed, he is no longer a boy.”

“Yeah.” The older man cackled, a shrewd expression on his face. “You always wished he was your son.”

“He is. You might have been the one to donate the sperm, but Gary is as much mine as yours or even more so. You never appreciated what you had.”

“And you envied me for it!” He shot back.

“It’s difficult to envy a man who has always been so unhappy.” Graham’s tone was cool and detached. He had spent years trying to get his father’s and brothers’ approval without success. He was not into their schemes, so he had not fit in. It wasn’t until years later, he realized it did not matter.

His brother turned away from his contemplation of the outside to face him, a curious expression on his face. “Your influence on him was strong.”

“If you are referring to my nephew, then I am happy for it. He turned out to be a fine young man with a strong moral fiber.”

“Unlike his old man.”

“You said it.” Moving away from him, Graham went to the other side of the bedroom where activities of the gardeners and his crew could be plainly seen.

“I suppose I have him to thank for what’s going on in my yard.” Grant remarked gruffly, his attention drawn to the man he had fired not too long ago. “He went over my head.”

“Well, you did tell him he is in charge.”

“I am not dead yet.”

Graham shot him a retired look. “Why don’t you just admit that you are proud of him? Would it kill you to do so?”

“It just might.” The cackle again. “He has always been one to do his own thing, even when he was a boy,” He flicked a glance at his brother. “And you and his mother encouraged him. You formed quite a clique.”

“Someone had to be there for him.”

The silence following that statement was ponderous as the two brothers stared at each other, issuing a challenge. Grant was the first to back down. Turning away from the window, he walked slowly towards the bed and climbed in.

“The treatment leaves me tired and out of sorts.” Resting his head against the pillows, he closed his eyes. “I am trying, Graham.” He said quietly. “I know I cannot make up for the pain I caused, but hell, I am trying.”

Graham walked over to sit on the chair next to the bed. “It is commendable that you are, and I am doing my best to convince Gary that he needs to stay. He was at the office for a couple of days and seems to be interested in the plans we have for the museum and hospital.”

“Good.” A spark of interest appeared in the gray eyes. “I do love him, you know. And in my own way, I loved his mother.”

“I suppose you did.” Hesitating briefly, Graham touched the thin hand slightly. “Regardless of our differences, I am here for you.”

“I know.”