As if summoned by his thoughts, Rebecca appeared in the doorway. Jack put his finger to his lips and glanced meaningfully over to where Aislinn was sound asleep, tucked securely in the safety of her father’s arms.
Rebecca followed his gaze, meeting Kane’s. The connection between them was almost tangible; such was the way of true croies. Her features softened, her eyes reflecting the love she had for her husband and child so much that even he felt it.
“How are you doing, Dad?” Rebecca asked softly, leaning down to gift him with a kiss on the cheek.
“Good,” Jack answered. It wasn’t a total lie. Physically, he was getting stronger every day. Her golden brown eyes glimmered knowingly, but angel that she was, accepted it for what it was. A partial truth.
“Jake’s here. He brought Riley.”
Jack nodded. He was expecting them. Taryn had stopped by the day before and filled him in. Riley hadn’t been by to see him since the day of his heart attack. They hadn’t pressed the issue. Riley was a spitfire, but, like her mother, felt things very deeply. The girl needed time to process what had happened in her own way. After nearly a week of moping silence, it became clear that there was more to it than that. Riley finally admitted to believing she had somehow caused (or at least contributed to) his attack. Of course Jake and Taryn had tried to talk to her, but it wasn’t until Michael sat her down and explained things from a medical point of view that she’d really started listening.
Kane rose, his big hand spanning the back of his sleeping daughter and greeted his brother with a nod.
“Jake.”
“Kane.”
Of all of his sons, Kane and Jake were probably the most alike. Both were born leaders, and were extremely competitive. Growing up, the two of them butted heads more often than not, which had led to some full-blown brawls over the years.
Neither would admit it, but they were also each other’s biggest, fiercest supporter as well.
Jack didn’t bother thanking Kane for spending the afternoon with him, even though he had enjoyed the quiet company. Kane already knew, and the words were unnecessary.
Kane and Rebecca took their leave, and Jake came farther into the room. Riley held her daddy’s hand, her gaze fixed somewhere around her feet. A curtain of long, wavy black hair concealed her pixie-like features and bright violet eyes.
“Hey Dad,” Jake greeted.
“Jake. Who have you got there with you? A muppet?”
“It’s me, Grandpa,” Riley mumbled.
“Me,” Jack echoed thoughtfully. “Hmmm...”
She lifted her gaze, revealing her face. “Me.”
“Ah, Riley. There you are, lass.”
Jack swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood. He’d become adept at moving carefully to minimize the pulling on the staples holding his chest together. It was imperative that the child see that he was doing just fine.
Her eyes went wide. She studied his face, searching. “You don’t look sick.”
“Jake. Leave us for a while, will you?”
Jake nodded. “I’ll be in the living room with Mick and the others.”
Riley continued to stand just inside the door. She bit her lip and looked back at her father, as if afraid to be alone with him. It damn near broke his heart.
“Come over here, lass,” Jack prompted, patting the recliner.
Riley made her way over to him, continuing to chew her lower lip in a classic feminine tell of uncertainty.
“Go on then. Sit.”
She settled herself in the comfortable chair, and he handed her the remote control. She looked up at him with wide eyes. “Try it.”
Jack watched in amusement as Riley tried the different buttons, unable to completely hide her delight at the warmth and vibrating massage. When she looked back at Jack, though, her smile faded and she grew serious again.
“You scared me, Grandpa.”
Leave it to his granddaughter to cut right to the heart of it.
“Aye,” he admitted. “But not on purpose.”
“I know. Uncle Michael explained it to me.”
“So you understand that nothing you did that day is to blame for what happened.”
Riley looked down at her hands. When she spoke, she did so in a whisper. “I made you walk down to the pumpkin patch. Walking is exercise. Exercise makes your heart work harder. And you had a heart attack because your heart couldn’t handle the extra work.”
Jack was momentarily stunned by the seven year old’s logic.
“Aye, and thank God it happened when it did.”
Riley lifted her head and stared at him.
“Do you think it was an accident that you were there; my clever, brave, lass to fetch me the help I needed? Or that your uncles were all right there, able to take care of me and get me to the hospital so quickly?” Jack shook his head. “No, lass. That was no accident. Everything happens for a reason. And the truth is, I am here now because you were with me then.”
Her lips fell open and her eyes, now shimmering with moisture, grew wide. He could practically see the wheels turning. “You’re right.”
“Of course I’m right,” he grunted. “So how about giving your old Grandpa a hug?”