“Does he know that I’m here, yet?”
“He’s been watching out the window since early this morning.”
I nod with a laugh. My mother had my grandfather declared mentally incompetent while he was recovering from a stroke a few years ago. I’ve been kept in the loop enough by Oliver to know he was left partially paralyzed, but his cognition was as sharp as ever.
I know he’s been asking to see me all this time, but the minute she had the opportunity, she slapped an injunction against me to keep me away. Oliver has told me that my grandfather is no more incompetent today than he has ever been, but Margret somehow managed to get a couple of doctors to sign off then to say he wasn’t well enough to appear before a judge. My half-sisters were her witness, all supposedly acting in his best interest. And I wasn’t notified of the hearing until it was too late. Until they’d accomplished all they set out to do.
It has taken me years to have it all undone.
“I’m sure Margret will be here soon, Oliver,” I tell the man that has been by my grandfather’s side since before I was born. “Not that you’ll probably needto but let me know when she arrives.”
A throat beside me clears, and I remember I haven’t introduced anyone.
“Diana, Oliver, this is Heaven, my girlfriend, our son, Tyler, and Heaven’s brother, Matt.”
Diana’s eyes begin to mist over again. “You didn’t need to tell me that was your son, Ryder. He looks just like you did. Did you say Tyler?”
Tyler steps forward with his hand outstretched. “Tyler Christopher Sinclair, but mom and dad said it’s getting changed soon to Jamison.”
“My goodness, you are like your father,” she wheezes out. “He was an amazing little boy.”
I sigh, remembering Diana when I was child. She always showed Rayna and me so much affection when we were here. It was a welcome reprieve from Margret.
“Why don’t we take you two and get you something to eat? I’m certain you’re both hungry.”
When they leave the room, Oliver turns toward me. “We need to get you to Christopher before he starts coming down. He’s not supposed to come down the stairs alone, but you know it won’t stop him for long.”
“Lead the way, Ollie,” I joke, knowing he hates to be called that.
“Still a little wanker I see.”
“Always.”
I start to follow when I realize Heaven isn’t beside me. I look over my shoulder to find her looking a little nervous. “I don’t want to intrude on your time,” she tells me when I raise a brow.
I grab her hand, pulling her into my side. “You won’t be.”
We make our way up the stairs until we reach my grandfather’s study. When we open the doors, I feel like I’m a kid again. It’s been ten years since I’ve been in this house - in this room. Everything is exactly the same. The walls lined with shelves from floor to thesixteen-footceiling filled with books upon books. The same high-back gold chairs and the single most uncomfortable sofa known to man sits by the window that overlooks the driveway.
In the center of the room, the massive, ornately carved mahogany desk that belonged to my great-grandfather sits with my grandfather behind it, just like when I was a kid.
Until a couple of daysago, it had been two years since I heard his voice. While Oliver kept me up on him and his condition, I wasn’t allowed to talk to him. My grandfather tried to argue, but I couldn’t take the risk once I realized what I had to do. It was the most restraint I’ve ever shown in my life.
But it’s been even longer since I’ve seen him. The last time was just before we started our first tour. He came to New York forbusiness, and we spent the day together.
He still looks like my grandfather. A little older andfrailer, but still imposing and indomitable. He is indomitable. That is why my mother has played her underhanded games,involving several members of my grandfather’s company.
“Ryder,” he belts out with shining eyes. He starts to stand from his desk, and that’s when I notice that he’s not exactly the same. He’s much slower, using a cane and the desk for balance. As he walks to me, his left side seems to drag behind a second longer than the rest of him.
When he reaches me, he wraps me in a hug, his shoulders heaving with silent tears. “My God, it’s good to see you, my boy. I’ve missed you so much.”
I wrap my arms around shoulders that aren’t as wide as they once were. “I’ve missed you too, Grandfather.”
He leans back a bit, his hands still on my arms for support. His eyes are wet with unshed tears as he looks me up and down. “My beautiful boy. You seem different than last time I saw you. Lighter.” I nod, knowing what he means, but don’t reply. “And who is this beautiful, young woman?”
“Grandfather, this is Heaven,” I say, pulling her into my side with a kiss to her head.
“A fitting name,” he smiles kindly at her. “I’m pleased you found her again despite your mother.”
