love you. All she cared about was your money,” Avery’s grandfather called out loudly.
“No, all you ever cared about was money,” Avery shot back.
“It never bothered you to spend the money I earn,” the older man answered sharply. “You never had to work for anything…and that was my fault as much as anyone’s.”
“What you really mean is that I’ll never amount to anything. I’ve heard this speech before.”
“I have been guilty of saying that in the past, that’s true, but I simply wanted you to stop wasting your life.”
“It’s my life. Which is something you never understood.”
Dakota had finished his meal and walked over to Jennifer. He nickered softly and nuzzled at her pocket. She pushed his head away. He gave a loud snort and she tensed. He snorted again and whinnied.
“Shh,” she whispered with her fingertips pressed to her lips, hoping to quiet him and praying the men wouldn’t notice anything unusual.
“Thanks for the visit, Grandfather. I’m sure you can find your own way out.” Avery’s voice drifted to her from the front of the barn and she knew he had walked away.
“Wait!” the older man called out. “I didn’t mean for this to become one of our shouting matches. Please come back.”
There was no answer. Jennifer heard his heavy sigh, then his unsteady footsteps faded, too.
A wave of sympathy engulfed her. How terribly sad for both men. Avery had always avoided talking about his family except to tell her that his parents were dead. He had never mentioned his grandfather. Now she knew why.
Rising, she opened the stall door and stepped out. A few feet away, the elderly man from the limousine sat on a bale of straw. His eyes opened wide at the sight of her.
Heat rushed to her cheeks. “I’m so sorry,” she stammered. “I didn’t mean to, but I couldn’t help…overhearing.”
He closed his eyes and waved his hand. “It doesn’t matter. I’ve lost him. He’s all I have and he hates me.”
The resignation and pain in his voice touched her deeply.
“You mustn’t think that. There is always a chance for reconciliation.”
He shook his head. “You don’t know all that stands between us.”
She took a step closer. “You’re right. I don’t, but I do know that faith is a powerful tool. Faith and hard work can overcome the most insurmountable problems.”
“Wise advice from someone so young, but my grandson isn’t the forgiving kind.”
The old man tried to rise to his feet, but sat down abruptly with his hand pressed to his chest. Beads of sweat popped out on his forehead and his face grew bright red. She dropped to her knees in front of him. “Are you okay?”
Nodding, he fumbled at the breast pocket of his jacket. He pulled out a small, dark glass bottle but couldn’t hold on to it. It tumbled from his trembling hand. Jennifer caught it before it hit the stone floor.
A quick glance at the prescription label confirmed her suspicions. It was heart medication.
She opened the cap and shook one tiny white tablet onto her palm. Pinching it between her thumb and forefinger, she held it out to him. “Put this under your tongue.”
He nodded, took the pill from her and put it in his mouth. She closed her hand around his wrist to check his pulse. It was fast, but not irregular. “I’m going to call 9-1-1.”
He managed a tight smile. “No. The medicine will help. I don’t need an ambulance.”
“Shall I get Avery?”
Shaking his head, he said, “I don’t want him to see me like this.”
“Sir, you aren’t well. You grandson should know that.”
“I’m fine now.”
Although she was relieved to see his color returning to normal and his voice growing stronger, his statement didn’t fool her. “Not to be disrespectful, sir, but you are not fine. Those pills are for angina. If you are having heart pain, you need to see a doctor, ASAP.”
“I thought perhaps I was talking to one.”
“Me? I’m a veterinary student. Give me a lame horse and I can help, but I don’t treat people.”
“That is a pity.” He patted her hand. “You have an excellent bedside manner and you’re much prettier than the crusty old fellow who treats me.”
She relaxed a fraction and smiled at his teasing. “Flattery—while always deeply appreciated—will get you nowhere.”
“I really am feeling better. As you must have heard, I’m Avery’s grandfather. My name is Edmond Barnes. I don’t believe I caught your name, young lady.”
“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Barnes. I’m Jennifer Grant and I should still call an ambulance.”
He rose to his feet. “I’ll simply refuse treatment.”
Rising, she planted her hands on her hips. “When I first saw you I thought I noticed something familiar. Now I see the resemblance. You and Avery share the same strong chin, the same eyes and the same hole in your head where your common sense belongs.”
He chuckled. “You must have more than a passing acquaintance with my grandson.”
Heat rose in her cheeks. “We’ve met,” she admitted.
Edmond studied her intently. “What do you think of him?”
His question caught her off guard. Should she tell the truth, or amend it to make a sick old man feel better? She didn’t want to do either. “Perhaps you should ask his commanding officer that question.”
“I’m asking you.”
“Avery and I don’t exactly see eye-to-eye on things,” she admitted slowly. “Sometimes, I think he is his own worst enemy.”
“That’s very astute.” Edmond began walking toward the stable door. Jennifer took his elbow to steady him. When they reached his car, his driver got out and opened the door for him.
Edmond paused, but glanced back at her and said, “When I was a young man, I started a small real estate firm. Over my lifetime I turned it into a multi-million dollar corporation. I learned to read people well and quickly because I had to, but I’ve never been able to tell what Avery is thinking.”
Jennifer hesitated, then found herself saying, “You shouldn’t give up on him.”
Where had that come from? She was the last person who should be sticking up for Avery.
“I’ll admit things didn’t go well today, but thanks to my crusty doctor and a triple bypass surgery, I’ve been given the
