Hour of Need (Scarlet Falls #1)(98)

“Really?” Grant pulled back in surprise.

“Yes. Your brother just went with whatever the Colonel called him.”

“I don’t understand.”

“If the Colonel thought your brother was Private First Class Andersen, your brother answered to that.” She swept her glasses off her face. “Mr. Barrett just wanted the Colonel to have a calm day. He found reading to him worked better than trying to have a conversation. The Colonel gets agitated when he can’t get the words out right. He knows he can’t remember things, and it frustrates him. Dementia also makes emotions hard to control.” Empathy shone from her eyes. “Try calling him Colonel instead of Dad, and use your first name. I know it hurts that he doesn’t remember you, but it isn’t his fault. Dad implies you have a relationship, and he’ll instantly feel stressed trying to make the connection. Some days you might be surprised, and he might know you, but that’s not going to happen often.” She paused. “You can’t fix this.”

Grant accepted her statement as the truth, finally.

“His overall health has deteriorated significantly in the last year.” She reached out and touched his forearm. “I’m sorry. Do you want me to have the doctor call you?”

“Yes, please.” Grant gave her his cell numbers. “You should change the emergency contact numbers anyway.” He gave her Mac’s and Hannah’s cell numbers as well.

She entered the information into the computer system.

Grant digested her advice on the way down the hall. His father was awake, staring blankly at a mute TV screen hanging from the opposite wall. Cloudy eyes blinked at Grant. “Who are you?”

“Hello, Colonel. I’m Grant.” He took a deep breath and waited.

“What are you doing here?”

Grant spied the book on the tray. “I’m here to read to you.”

His father nodded, still wary, but seemingly satisfied with the response.

Grant walked closer and eased into the seat next to the bed. He picked up the book and started reading aloud. His father settled back and closed his eyes. Calm. Lee had been right. It didn’t matter if Dad knew their names. Maybe a lot of things didn’t matter.

Two chapters later, after the Colonel fell into a deep sleep, Grant knew exactly what he needed to do. No, not just what he needed to do, what he wanted to do.

He drove back to the motel with a sense of purpose.

The silver Mercedes was parked in front of the unit. Inside, Kate’s parents sat at the dining room table with Hannah. Carson sat on her lap. Faith bounced in a baby seat on the floor.

“Uncle Grant.” Carson hurled his body across the room.

Grant scooped him off the floor. The boy was shaking. “What’s wrong, buddy?”

“They said they’re going to take us,” he sniffed.

Grant scanned the faces at the table.

Stella Sheridan stood, brushing the wrinkles from her gray slacks. “We thought, since the children currently have no home, we could just take them with us now. It would save everyone time. The sooner they get settled in their new home, the better.”

“I don’t think so.” Grant hugged Carson closer. Tiny fingers fisted in his sweatshirt.

Stella crossed her arms. “The more you let them get attached to you, the harder it will be when you leave, Major.”

“That would be true, if I was leaving.” Grant shifted Carson to his hip. The boy smelled like grass and sweat, as if Hannah had taken him outside to run around.

Hannah’s head snapped up. “What are you saying?”

“I requested a hardship discharge.” Grant’s heart felt lighter than it had since he’d gotten the news of Lee’s death. “Just got off the phone with my CO.”

Stella’s frown sagged, deepening the lines around her mouth. “Still, you’re a bachelor. What do you know about raising two children?”

“I’ll figure it out as I go along,” Grant said.

“We’ll see what our attorney has to say about that.” Stella lifted her chin. Her eyes went bright and cold.

The baby fussed, and Hannah picked her up. “Actually, I reviewed the will this morning. Lee and Kate named Grant as the kids’ guardian, so you really don’t have any legal standing.”

Stella turned and scooped her coat off the chair. Staring at the floor, she wiped a tear from her face with the pad of her thumb. “Will you still let us see them?”

“Of course,” Grant said. “You’re welcome to visit whenever you like.”

Bill got up with a disappointed sigh and held his wife’s coat. “If you change your mind, you know how to reach us at the inn.”

They each gave Carson a quick hug. Stella kissed Faith on the head before leaving.

“You’re not going to let them take us, are you?” Carson rested his head against Grant’s shoulder.

“No way, buddy.” Grant rubbed his back. “You’re going to stay with me. Is that OK?”

Carson nodded and curled his arms around Grant’s neck.

“Are you really staying?” Hannah asked.

“I am. I’m not sure whether it was Lee’s death or too many tours of combat that changed me, but I have no desire to go back to the military.”

“What are you going to do?”