Grant was incredulous and said, “I’ve been here all day. You can’t carry that tray by yourself. Also, I won’t let you carry it by yourself.”
“I lift weights,” she replied. “I can handle it.”
“I’m not letting my—” He was about to say girlfriend but caught himself. “Father’s assistant carry that.”
“You’re being awfully stubborn,” Kate said.
“No, you are.”
He grabbed the tray and pushed past her. As he walked down the stairs to the kitchen, his father chose that moment to return home.
“I thought I told you,” he snarled, “tostay in your room.”
“I’ve been there all day,” Grant replied.
“Don’t argue with me and go back up there.”
His father had a wild look in his eyes, but Grant was tired of being cooped up, and besides, he didn’t back down from a fight. In the barracks, if you didn’t hold your own, then it set you up for future grief from other people. You had to set the tone quickly and decisively.
“Move out of my way,” he growled. “I’m a man. I can take care of myself.”
Kate hurried down the stairs. “Walter, please, you’re tired and overwrought. He was in the room all day. I promise.”
“You promised you would keep him there!” his father yelled at Kate. “And yet here he is while that woman and her lackey are running around.”
“Don’t speak to her like that!” Grant yelled.
“She is on my payroll. I’ll speak to her any damn way I please. Now go back in your room.”
“Go to hell.” He threw the tray at his father.
The older Holbrook seemed startled, and it shocked him out of his tirade. “I—” he said.
Stefan crept up and put a blanket around his shoulders. “Come lie down in your study,” he said.
Walter didn’t protest as Stefan led him away.
“You didn’t have to do that,” Kate snapped at Grant as she went to pick up the pieces of the china. “He’s not well.”
“He can’t talk to you like that,” Grant said, grabbing her shoulders.
“He’s had a hard life,” Kate said, throwing him off.
“So have I.”
“You didn’t lose a child,” she said. “Besides, he’s tired. He didn’t mean it.”
“Kate,” Stefan called.
“Excuse me. I need to go see about him.” She hurried off.
Grant finished picking up the rest of the dishes. He threw away the broken stuff and washed his hands, then he went and changed his clothes.
“I’m going for a run, Gus. You’re coming too. All you did was eat and sleep all day.”
It was getting dark out, but he thought there was still enough light to see. It looked as if Stefan and Kate were still dealing with his father.
Grant and his dog snuck out through the doors to the terrace. He did some light stretching, jogged in place to warm up, and then set off, Gus keeping pace with him. Grant increased his pace and ran all out at a full sprint. He thought Gus was behind him, but when he slowed down, the dog wasn’t there. Cursing his inattention, Grant retraced his steps, hoping to find that the puppy was resting on the side of the path, but there was no Gus. He whistled low and called softly for the dog. He didn’t want to go back in and ask for help. His father seemed really upset. He wasn’t sure why. It was so stupid to expect him to stay in that room all day just because.
