Page 51

Yeah, he was aware that everyone knew which were the Sullivan grandsons and how they were in charge. It put his cousins and him a cut above the rest, but he’d begun to see the others as regular people. Kaci, for instance. Heather, on Maxwell’s construction crew. Tyler, over in the stable.

But the longer he rubbed elbows with such a varied crew, he was coming to realize they weren’t intrinsically different.

Cadence had known that all along. She’d seemed content from the beginning to live with Paisley, her only comment being how much Paisley talked. Now, it seemed, they spent a lot of time together.

“Graham? Speak to the old man.”

He refocused on his father. “I don’t think you need to worry about treehouses or yurts at any of the Sullivan hotels. We’re doing something different here at the resort. It’s a distinctive clientele, and that’s okay.”

“While you’re talking to him, get his permission to return to the Chicago office. I’m afraid the air out here is getting to you.”

“The air?” Graham straightened his spine. “I’ll be back in the office when Grandfather is ready to release me. He knows what he’s doing.”

Dad rolled his eyes. “If you ask me, he’s sliding off his rocking chair, bit by bit.”

“You’re wrong. He’s as sharp as ever.”

“This whole affair has derailed him.”

“It’s made him more human. He’s less of a machine, more interested in the people around him. That can hardly be seen as a negative.” A glimmer of light filtered into Graham’s mind. Maybe the same was true of him. He was also starting to see people. Starting to see nature.

“This rundown ranch was a ridiculous purchase, made only out of guilt.”

“Made out of a desire to know his daughter and grandsons.”

“Guilt, like I said.”

When had Dad gotten this way? Graham had never seen this side of him before. Or maybe he had, and it had simply seemed as ordinary as the Italian marble or the Swedish wallpaper throughout his parents’ home.

“I, for one, hope Nadine’s mother agrees to meet with him.”

Dad snorted. “They’re only after money, the whole lot of them. That’s all.”

“No.” Although that had certainly been Graham’s thought a few months ago. Now, while he was pretty sure the Klines wouldn’t turn down cash, he’d come to understand that what they wanted most was a sense of family, a sense of belonging. Didn’t look like Dad would ever open up enough to offer that.

Dad shook his head. “It’s worse than I thought. I’ll speak to my father myself about recalling you to Chicago.”

“No.” When had Graham used that word so often with his dad? Never. “I’m committed to seeing this project through, however long it takes. It’s been a pleasant change of pace.” To his surprise, it was even true.

“One thing you need to do for sure is back off of Cadence Foster.” Dad leaned in. “It’s no good, you interfering in the situation with your Aunt Frances and Uncle Donald. With Paul.”

“Paul is an imbecile.”

The man winced. “He is your mother’s sister’s only son. Your only maternal cousin.”

“I said what I said.”

“So did I. Back off with his fiancée.”

“They’re not engaged anymore. Paul is the one who broke it off.” And Cadence would have married the jerk if Paul hadn’t gotten cold feet. Graham didn’t want to think about that.

“That’s not how I heard the story.”

“I was there.”

Dad fisted both hands as though restraining himself. “Graham. Son. Let it go. Don’t let testosterone do the talking in your life.”

Graham stared at his father, long and hard. “Do you love Mom?”