Would her grandfather be safe when they left? Were they making a big deal out of what had simply been a hunting accident? She was so confused. Maybe she could pull her thoughts together after she’d gotten some rest. She lay down and pulled the comforter over her.
Eve’s mind refused to let her sleep. Her thoughts kept bouncing between the pride that had been in her grandfather’s voice, the pain on Graham’s face for his father, the surge of fear she’d felt first when the boat had started to sink and later when she’d seen those two closely-set bullet holes. The thrill of Darius’s declaration of love.
With a sigh, Eve sat up. If she couldn’t sleep, she might as well call her father. He wouldnotbe happy. She picked up her phone.
“Are you calling to tell me you’re boarding the plane?” he asked.
“No, we’re still here.”
“And why is that?”
“Do you have time to talk, because I really need your advice,” she said.
“I always have time for you. What’s wrong?”
Eve had mentioned Graham the night before and said he was a jerk, but now she told her father about her fears that he was an addict and how broken up he was over his father’s death. She couldn’t bring herself to mention the shooting.
“You still haven’t told me why you’re still there.”
“Because I think your father’s heart has softened.”
“Don’t you be asking me to forgive him.”
Eve massaged the bridge of her nose. That was exactly what she wanted her father to do. With Darius’s declaration of love, he’d granted her one of her dearest dreams. Another was one she’d barely admitted to herself. She wanted her dad to make peace with his father and to see them together, the wound healed.
“I know that would be asking too much,” she said, resigned, “but I think if you were aware of a situation like this with a stranger, you would do something to help. Can’t you at least look at them like you would at strangers? He doesn’t want to shut Graham off, but he doesn’t want to leave control of the estate to him either. I told Granddad that I would look for things he can do to protect the family legacy.”
Her father laughed, and his bitterness rang through. “He’s sucked you in, has he?”
“Work with me, Dad,” Eve said between clenched teeth. “Remember? Look at it like you would if this was a stranger. Pretend he’s a widow with a son in the throes of addiction who lives in her basement—but a son she loves.”
“Doesn’t he have a solicitor to do this for him? Who drew up his will? If they’re incompetent, he should hire someone else.”
She couldn’t tell her father that if the advice came from him that it’d be one tiny step toward her goal.
“He’s old and could get confused easily. I think he should know what he wants before he sets anything in motion. Couldn’t you find out what an estate planner would recommend? Forme?”
Her father was silent for a few seconds. “Is Graham the worthless son living in the basement?”
“He’s an addict, and he needs help. Did you know your father’s manservant Alan?”
“Is he still there?” Her father’s voice lifted. “Alan was the one bright spot after my mother died. He’s dedicated to the family.”
“I talked with him about Graham’s plans—and they’re to sell the property when your father dies. He’ll use that money to feed his addiction. I’ll be surprised if he survives a year.” Eve rose from the bed and started pacing the room. The photo of the two brothers flashed through her mind. “Duncan’s only son, Dad.”
“Oh, Evie.” Her father’s voice held the first emotion she could remember besides anger when talking about his family.
“Why didn’t you stay in touch with your brother?”
“I left it up to Duncan to contact me. He never did. Being the ever-obedient son, I wasn’t surprised.”
“I’m sorry, Dad.” Eve couldn’t imagine leaving home and never speaking to her brother again.
“No.I’msorry I brought you into this. Has it been bad for you to be there all alone?”
Eve hadn’t told him she’d brought Darius with her. Maybe it was time to start preparing her father.
“Didn’t I tell you? Darius came with me, and I’m so grateful he did.”
