The Heart Of The Game by Pamela Aares

Author:Pamela Aares [Aares, Pamela]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pamela Aares
Published: 2015-03-01T18:30:00+00:00

“Alastair has no family, no one,” Zoe said as Cody slipped into the driver’s seat of her car. She was glad he’d offered to drive the winding road in the dark night. The news had shaken her more than she’d let on. “Just this afternoon I tried to convince him to come with me tonight, to have dinner with all of us. But he refused.”

“Maybe trying to remain independent is a way old people protect themselves,” Cody said in a calm tone.

“Maybe it’s time he accepted a little more help from neighbors.”

She punched in the number for the hospital and waited while the operator connected her to the emergency room. Her heart beat fast. How had Alastair found his way into her heart in such a short time? Maybe it was his connection to her mother. No, her feelings went deeper than that connection. He was like the grandfather she’d never known—quirky, kind and wise. He had asked her for help, but on small things like choosing a paint color for a bedroom in the house he’d built for his son. But he wouldn’t let her help in the stables. Or do anything more than occasionally brush out the horses. He might be stubborn, but she’d come to treasure the occasional afternoons she’d spent at his place. She’d brought him some home-baked goodies and a selection of teas, and had more than once caught him drinking a cup. But he’d refused all further invitations to join the family for meals. Maybe the luncheon he’d attended had been more off-putting than she’d known.

“I told them you didn’t need to call here,” Alastair said in a weak voice that made her feel even worse. “But thanks for feeding my horses. I hope I didn’t disrupt anything.”

“I’m coming over there right after I finish in your barn,” she said firmly.

“You are not. Absolutely not. A man has his pride, girl. Just don’t give them any extra. You’re a soft touch, and they’ll know it immediately. Sugar has your number, and Jericho probably does too.”

She couldn’t help but laugh. He was in the emergency room and worrying about her overfeeding his horses.

“I’ll be mindful of their diet,” she said. “But who’s minding you?”

“There are so many blasted people in this room poking and prodding me, I don’t need any more. I just had one of my episodes, that’s all. Happens once in a while. Damn gardener came over to drop off a pumpkin pie and found me and called the ambulance. I don’t even like pumpkin pie. But I do appreciate him calling you. Just feed my guys and gal, you hear? I don’t need any drama.”

“I’ll feed them in the morning as well. And then I’m coming over to the hospital.”

She heard voices in the background.

“The doc’s here. I told him I’m not staying in his fancy prison. Hospitals are dangerous.”

“If he says you can go home tomorrow, I’ll be over to pick you up.”

“I can take a taxi,” Alastair protested. “Save your gas money.

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