Now, with the results of the examination in front of him, John Harley said, “I wish I were in your condition, Kate.”
“Cut the soft-soap, John. What’s my problem?”
“Age, mostly. There’s a little hardening of the arteries, and—”
“Arteriosclerosis?”
“Oh. Is that the medical term for it?” Dr. Harley asked. “Whatever it is, you’ve got it.”
“How bad is it?”
“For your age, I’d say it was pretty normal. These things are all relative.”
“Can you give me something to stop these bloody dizzy spells? I hate fainting in front of a roomful of men. It looks bad for my sex.”
He nodded. “I don’t think that will be any problem. When are you going to retire, Kate?”
“When I have a great-grandson to take over the business.”
The two old friends who had known each other for so many years sized each other up across the desk. John Harley had not always agreed with Kate, but he had always admired her courage.
As though reading his mind, Kate sighed, “Do you know one of the great disappointments of my life, John? Eve. I really cared for that child. I wanted to give her the world, but she never gave a damn about anyone but herself.”
“You’re wrong, Kate. Eve cares a great deal about you.”
“Like bloody hell she does.”
“I’m in a position to know. Recently she”—he had to choose his words carefully—“suffered a terrible accident. She almost died.”
Kate felt her heart lurch. “Why—why didn’t you tell me?”
“She wouldn’t let me. She was so concerned you would be worried that she made me swear not to say a word.”
“Oh, my God.” It was an agonized whisper. “Is—is she all right?” Kate’s voice was hoarse.
“She’s fine now.”
Kate sat, staring into space. “Thank you for telling me, John. Thank you.”
“I’ll write out a prescription for those pills.” When he finished writing the prescription, he looked up. Kate Blackwell had left.
Eve opened the door and stared unbelievingly. Her grandmother was standing there, stiff and straight as always, allowing no sign of frailty to show.
“May I come in?” Kate asked.
Eve stepped aside, unable to take in what was happening. “Of course.”
Kate walked in and looked around the small apartment, but she made no comment. “May I sit down?”
“I’m sorry. Please do. Forgive me—this is so—Can I get you something? Tea, coffee, anything?”
“No, thank you. Are you well, Eve?”
“Yes, thank you. I’m fine.”
“I just came from Dr. John. He told me you had been in a terrible accident.”
Eve watched her grandmother cautiously, not sure what was coming. “Yes…”
“He said you were…near death. And that you would not allow him to tell me because you didn’t want to worry me.”
So that was it. Eve was on surer ground now. “Yes, Gran.”
“That would indicate to me,” Kate’s voice was suddenly choked, “that—that you cared.”
Eve started to cry from relief. “Of course I care. I’ve always cared.”
And an instant later, Eve was in her grandmother’s arms. Kate held Eve very close and pressed her lips to the blond head in her lap. Then she whispered, “I’ve been such a damned old fool. Can you ever forgive me?” Kate pulled out a linen handkerchief and blew her nose. “I was too hard on you,” she declared. “I couldn’t bear it if anything had happened to you.”
Eve stroked her grandmother’s blue-veined hand soothingly and said, “I’m all right, Gran. Everything’s fine.”
Kate was on her feet, blinking back tears. “We’ll have a fresh start, all right?” She pulled Eve up to face her. “I’ve been stubborn and unbending, like my father. I’m going to make amends for that. The first thing I’m going to do is put you back in my will, where you belong.”
What was happening was too good to be true! “I—I don’t care about the money. I only care about you.”
“You’re my heiress—you and Alexandra. You two are all the family I have.”
“I’m getting along fine,” Eve said, “but if it will make you happy—”
“It will make me very happy, darling. Very happy, indeed. When can you move back into the house?”