Page 109 of Craig

"He wants to see both of you." Dr. Matthews glanced at his watch.

"I'm afraid I can only allow five minutes. He really needs his rest."

"We understand."

With a nod, the doctor led the way to the private wing.

"I take it that Muldoon owns the hospital?" she murmured as they wound their way through the narrow and sterile hallway.

"We have some interests, yes. Particularly the oncology department."

Taking a deep breath, he hesitated before stepping into the large, well-appointed room. Regina had time to think about the power of tremendous resources before glancing at the man propped up on the pillows.

She could not believe how shriveled he looked. It was like the robustness had been stripped, leaving him shrunken.

Craig was thinking the same but was careful not to let the concern show on his face.

"You stayed." He had not expected they would have and had been pathetically grateful that they were still here.

"Not that you deserve it, but yes, we did. You're still my grandfather."

Pulling up a comfortable chair, Craig sat, tugging Regina down on his lap. "At least, we have it on good authority you weren't faking the heart attack."

A grimace met his words. "I can only apologize for the method."

He lifted a hand and then let it drop.

"I wanted you home and would have done absolutely anything to make it happen. You're the only family I have left."

His eyes drifted to Regina. "Both of you."

Reaching out, she closed her hand over his. He gripped hers with surprising strength.

"We forgive you."

"Do you?" he asked the question but lifted his eyes to meet Craig's.

Sighing softly, Craig realized that he was no longer angry. Regina had pointed out something.

It might have been devious the way the man had gone about doing things, but the end result was amazing. He had the woman he loved more than life itself because of his grandfather's manipulation.

"Yes. We're not going to be staying long. George gave us five minutes."

He gazed at them pleadingly, and for the first time, it hit Craig that his grandfather was an old man. "You will come back?"

"Of course." Regina assured him with a smile.

"You're good for him, for me." His eyes were moist.

"You brought light into that dark home, and I'm hoping you'll reconsider and stay. The house needs some young blood."

He swallowed the lump that had lodged in his throat.

"I never appreciated my son and his wife. And that's something I will regret for the rest of my life. I would like you to forgive me for the way I acted while you were growing up."

"Water under the bridge."

"Thank you." He lifted his free hand hesitantly, not sure the gesture would be reciprocated.