Page 62 of Gary

“I told you I suspected he was seeing someone.”

“So?”

Graham grabbed a chair and sat. “She is a blast from the past, or rather, her dad is.” He told his brother what Gary had told him and watched as his face turned pale.

“Are you all right?” He asked in alarm as his brother pressed a fist against his chest where his heart was. “I wasn’t sure I should tell you…”

“No!” He gasped, taking a deep breath. “I remember the building.” He closed his eyes wearily. “George was determined to acquire that building. It was situated in a prime area, in the middle of the bustling town.’ Lowering his hand, he stared at it listlessly. “He said he did not cause the fire…”

“But you did not believe him.”

“No.” Grant shook his head and stared at his brother. “You have to believe that I would never sanction anything like that. Thebuilding was supposed to be empty…” His voice tailed off. “He’s never going to forgive me.”

“It’s not about you, damn it. Your son is caught up in a situation not of his own making. He is in love with this girl and to hear that his family caused her daddy’s death is a blow he is not able to deal with. He is going to have to tell her, and I would not want to be him when he does.”

Grant shook his head slowly. “He did nothing wrong.” He whispered. “No matter how much we tried to mold him into our image, George and I, he would stick to his guns.” He glanced at his brother. “Just like you did.”

“And now he is the one who will reap the consequences,” Graham remarked grimly. Rising, he walked over to the pull the heavy drapery way from the window to let a little light into the shadowed room and acknowledged to himself that the weak sunshine filtering in did nothing to flatter the large room.

It certainly did nothing to take away the scent of hopelessness and illness that permeated the room.

“When will he tell her?”

“He wants more time with her before he has to break the news. He asked her to marry him, but that was before he heard who her father was.” He walked back over to sit down. “He is hurting, Grant and there is nothing I can do to help.”

Grant suddenly felt very old. He had been looking forward to coming home, sleeping in his own bed, and thinking of ways to make it up to his son. But this was going to make things impossible. He had met a girl and that was what he had always wanted for his son. A chance to be happy, the way he never allowed himself to be.

“Will he take my call?”

“No. Leave him be. He has to work things out in his own time.”

“Is he planning on going away again?”

Graham lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “I have no idea. But I think that’s what he will do.” Graham rubbed the back of his neck wearily. “I thought that when he came back, this would have been a second chance for him, a chance for him to find his niche.

When he started the project, he was so damned excited. And he was happy.” He shook his head. “And now…”

“Now, because of what George and I did, it’s going to screw with his life.” Grant felt the vice tightening around his heart and wondered if he was having a heart attack. It would be poetic justice and everything he deserved. Clutching his chest, he gestured to his brother.

Call the nurse!”

Chapter 13

His eyelids fluttered open to see the shadowy figure of his son standing by the window. The dart of pleasure speared into his heart as he gazed at the young man standing with his back to the room. Midnight blue sweater hugged broad shoulders.

He cut a very impressive figure, but his profile was forbidding. He had a feeling that Gary had come here under extreme duress. But Grant was happy to see him.

Gary must have realized that he was awake, because he turned around, eyes going to the bed.

“I should call the nurse.”

“No, please.” Grant lifted a thin hand to forestall him. “I am fine. I was given narcotics and its coursing through my veins.” He smiled slightly, gray eyes searching his son’s face. “I am happy you came.”

“I did not want to bear the guilt of not being here in case it was your last moment,” he said tightly.

“You are upset.”

“See, I am not supposed to cause added stress. That was the condition put to me by my uncle and the nurse. So, I am just here.” He spread his hands wide. Now that you’re awake…”