Rekindled Dreams (Moon Child) (3 page)

Robert Grantlan straightened. “So you came. I imagine May called you though I don’t know why.”

Words Simon wanted to say were swallowed. He would be polite and calm. “She asked me to come. She seemed worried.”

Robert snorted. “More of her foolishness. Afraid Senator Blan will blame Randy.” He glared. “Don’t expect a fatted calf.”

“Why would I? I was never part of your family.” Simon shelved the urge to slug one of Fern Lake’s richest and most influential citizens. “Where’s Aunt May?”

Robert pointed to the open door. “In there making sure everything is perfect.” He turned his back. “Damned fool. Picked a bad time for an accident.”

Simon walked through the open door. Something hung like a dark cloud over the older man. Wasn’t his place to ask. He stepped into the large room where chairs were set in clusters.

“Sorry about that.”

Simon’s oldest cousin stood just inside the door. “Father’s worried about the business. Randy was his second and the death hit Father hard.”

Simon shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. He’s right. I never belonged.”

“I’m sure he let you know. We all march in time to his drum,” Rob said. “You staying long?”

“Until the funeral. Aunt May asked if I would. I’m sure she has a reason.”

Rob chuckled. “Mom always does.”

Simon studied his cousin. He looked every inch the successful doctor until you noticed the discontent in his dark eyes. Rob headed the medical end of the nursing home/rehab center his father had bought. Must be nice but unhappiness rolled from Rob. What Simon remembered about his cousin when he’d lived at the mansion were the stories Rob had written and sometimes shared. Guess being a writer didn’t fit the Grantlan name.

Simon met his cousin’s gaze. “What’s going on? Aunt May sounded worried about something when she called.”

“Randy’s death.”

“More than that.”

Before Rob said another word, Patricia’s shrill voice made Simon turn. “I see no reason why I can’t take Randy’s place at your right hand.” She grabbed her father’s arm.

“This is not the right place for this discussion.”

“Neither is the office, home or the Club. Most of my twin’s plans were mine.”

“Just be a good girl and act like your mother. She has no need to become involved in business.”

Patricia stamped her foot. “I can’t. I have no money. What are you going to do about my brother’s baby?”

Robert Grantlan grasped his daughter’s shoulder and shook her. “I’m doing nothing. I want no gutter trash in my house. Once was enough.”

Simon’s teeth clenched. He knew who the man meant. Those words brought his anger closer to the surface. He had never brought trouble to the Grantlan family. Where was his aunt? He needed to get out of here before he erupted.

“You’re going to let her raise Randy’s baby? If I had the boy he would learn how to act.”

“Your brother wanted no part of the child. I saw to that when I set the terms of the divorce. If she had followed orders he wouldn’t have become involved with Melanie Blan and he would be alive. Go home. No more alcohol. One drunk to clean up after is enough.”

What had Randy done? Simon drew a deep breath. Did it matter to him? Doubtful. “Where’s Aunt May?”

“Near the casket.”

Simon turned toward the bier and collided with someone. “Sorry.”

“Come to gloat,” Patricia asked.

“Why would I do that?”

“You always hated Randy and me.”

“I had good reason not to want to be around you.”

“Just because you were a jock at the local high school means nothing. Getting your name and picture in the paper didn’t thrill me.”

Simon stepped away. The odor of alcohol on her breath made him cough. “Vodka would be a better choice. That way no one would know.”

“Heard you were a cop. Figures you’d choose a lowlife job.”

Simon’s hands fisted. The scars on his back itched.

“Patricia I’d like to speak to Simon.” May appeared. She waved her daughter away and hugged Simon.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“As good as I can be. I’m so glad you came.” She led him to a corner.

Her eyes bore the signs of tears. “What’s wrong?” Was more than Randy’s death bothering her?

“Randy’s death has Robert scrambling and asking for something I can’t give him. His favorite child did something wrong.”

“The drinking?”

“That upset me and I tried to persuade him to start treatment. Robert seemed to think the drinking wasn’t a problem since Randy wasn’t a mean drunk.”

“Randy’s problem wasn’t your fault. He was an adult and responsible for his decisions good or bad.”

She clasped his hand. “Why don’t you leave the city and move home?”

He slid an arm around her shoulders. “I don’t have a home here. Though you took me in after my parents died that house was never home.”

May sighed. “Will you stay here for a few days after the funeral? Surely you have vacation or personal days.”

He shook his head. “I quit the force.”

“Why?”

“Departmental politics. I was shot because my superior was impatient. I need to make decisions about my future.”

“Can I help?”

“I don’t know how.”

“I have the money your mother should have inherited from our parents. I put it aside for you.” She patted his cheek.

A group of middle-aged women arrived and drew her away. Simon edged toward the door. Fresh air was necessary. A hand clasped his shoulder. “So, Simon Parker’s finally back in town.”

Simon laughed. “Matt Gray, how are you?” He turned to the man who’d been his best friend all through school. Simon had been Matt’s best pass receiver on the high school football team.

“Doing great. Started my own business several months after I left the state police. Let’s find a corner and catch up. What have you been doing since you bolted out of town?”

Simon scanned the area to see who might hear. Seeing no one he spoke in a low voice. “Marines, some college, police academy, city cop.”

Matt stepped behind the open door. “Still a cop?”

“Quit.”

Matt frowned. “Come back to work for your uncle?”

Simon laughed. “Not possible.”

“Why did you quit?”

Simon leaned against the wall. “Raid bombed. Partner killed. Got shot in the thigh. Head of Narcotics an asshole. My tolerance is slim to none.”

Matt hit Simon’s shoulder. “Makes two of us. Couldn’t abide office politics so I looked for an out. Looked up a college buddy. He’s former special ops and is buddies with a computer guru. Started a security company and is offering franchises in different parts of the country. Bought in. How about you?”

“Not sure.”

“Come in with me. I could use a partner with the right skills. How are you with the physical end?”

“Not bad. Three kinds of self-defense. Was a sharpshooter.”

“What about computers and tech stuff?”

“Some.”

Matt handed Simon a card. “Don’t leave town without talking to me.”

“I won’t.” Simon slipped the card into his pocket. He’d forgotten how good the friendship with Matt had been. On and off the field they had been there for each other. How could he have let the friendship drop as though it didn’t matter? “I wish.”

“Me, too.” Matt moved away. “Got to get home to my wife and kids.”

“You’re married? When?”

“Six years ago. Right after college.”

“She didn’t come.”

Matt laughed. “Bev has no tolerance for Grantlans. She dated Randy and kneed him on the second.”

Simon chuckled. “Good for her.”

Matt saluted. “Call or I’ll hunt you down. I have the means.”

Simon slid around the door to follow Matt. A crowd arrived. To offer sympathy or gloat. He didn’t care. He had to leave.

A flash of auburn hair halted him. A woman paused in the doorway, a very pregnant woman and one he knew and wanted to avoid. Simon backed into the corner. If he stepped forward he would encounter Dana. So a divorce wasn’t all Randy had given her. Anger stirred. So she was the object of Patricia’s anger.

Good luck, cousin. Dana wasn’t one to be pushed into something she didn’t want to do. He knew that all to well. He also knew family way important to her.

* * *

Dana halted in the door way of the funeral home’s largest viewing room and fought an urge to leave. She’d thought arriving at dinner time would find just a few people. She faced a mob scene. Before she could retreat the crowd moved and she stepped forward. Had half the town decided to turn this into a social hour? From the bits of conversation she heard she didn’t think sympathy was on people’s tongues.

Stay or leave? The debate continued as she was pushed forward. She nearly bucked the flow when her former sister-in-law grasped her arm and pulled her to the side.

“You have a lot of nerve showing your face here, especially after what you did,” Patricia said. “You’re not part of the family. You might have married him but you weren’t his friend.”

“He was my former husband and I tried to make the marriage work.”

“Just don’t push what you’re carrying and try to get more money than you already have.” Patricia poked Dana’s belly with her French-tipped nails. “Unless you want to give him into my custody.”

“Him?” Dana searched for an escape. “There’s a better than even chance the baby’s a girl since more girls are born than boys. And you know we divorced because Randy didn’t want children.”

“Of inferior stock.” Patricia glared. “You refused his demands and ended in the cold. Or was this a ploy for money. Really dumb of you.”

Dana straightened her shoulders. “Or smart. During the two years we were married Randy was seeing other women. He was an alley cat.”

“Don’t go spreading lies like that around.” Patricia’s hands fisted. “We’re from the richest and best family in town. My father owns most of the place. Keep your mouth shut or you’ll be sorry.”

No sorrier than she was now. Dana drew a deep breath. Her desire for a family had kept her in a marriage that couldn’t survive. Also her decision never to return to work as a nurse had added to her inability to walk away.

Gooseflesh covered Dana’s arms. She tensed as if expecting a knife in the back. The odor of alcohol on Patricia’s breath was one Dana recognized from living with Randy.

Dana collided with someone who caught and steadied her. “Sorry. Just be careful around Patricia,” Rob whispered. “She’s still furious about Randy’s marriage to you and about his latest engagement. She and Randy were close. She believes what was his must be hers.”

Dana turned. “She won’t win.”

“But she will make trouble.” Rob leaned closer. “Have you considered returning to the nursing home after the baby’s born? We need nurses.”

Dana shook her head. “I’ve begun a business I believe will grow.”

“Good luck.” He walked away.

Dana’s forehead wrinkled. How dangerous was Patricia? For a moment she wanted to leave town. Not yet. Once the billing service had enough clients she could leave Fern Lane and work anywhere with internet service.

Another thought occurred. Did Patricia understand the terms of the divorce settlement? Both Randy and his father had been adamant. Randy had given up any claim to the coming child boy or girl.

She drew a deep breath that aggravated the pain in her back. She spotted May and walked toward the older woman.

May hugged Dana. “You didn’t have to come. How are you feeling? You look exhausted.”

“Ready to have this child.” She studied her former mother-in-law. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.”

“I’m sure you’re grieving.”

May exhaled a deep breath. “No mother should lose a child but when a child refuses to listen all is lost. Randy, well, he should have gone for help.”

Dana pressed the older woman’s hand. “Don’t blame yourself.”

“I don’t but how I wish things had been different.”

“You have my sympathy and my thanks for the beautiful clothes and the cradle you sent for the baby.”

“Your child will be my grandchild no matter what Robert says. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Thank you.” Dana stepped away.

May touched Dana’s arm. “Simon’s here.”

Dana’s stomach lurched. Did she need to see him now? She had to leave. She couldn’t talk to Simon. She had loved him. After he left she had waited but he’d never returned. Then two years ago, she had married Randy. No matter how much Simon had disliked his cousin, his anger toward her would be a thousand times hotter.

What about her own anger? That night, Simon had demanded what she hadn’t been ready to give. He had left and she’d waited. Her anger had deepened. Finally she’d given up.

Praying for a quick and successful escape she tried to weave between the clusters of people. Instead of forward she was pushed back toward the coffin. She stared at her ex-husband and saw something she had forgotten. Though Randy’s coloring was dark, facially he resembled Simon. She felt ill when she considered the meaning. Why hadn’t she noticed before?