“Can you forgive me?” Greg’s voice was raw with pain.
“The Lord takes away, but He also gives. Mary’s gone, but because of you, young Tanner’s got a real chance at beating the same cancer that killed his grandmother.”
“Mr. Bennett.” Tanner’s doctor joined them. Judging by the way he was dressed, he was about to leave. Not that Matthias begrudged him that, seeing as it was Christmas Eve. Edward, like everyone else, wanted to be with his family. “I just heard about your accident and I came to tell you how sorry I am.”
Matthias, for one, was grateful for the distraction. It gave him a moment to compose himself.
“Not to worry,” Greg said, as if the stitches in his head were of little significance. “It’ll be healed in no time. Besides, I should’ve known better than to stand up without the nurse there.”
“I did warn you not to be in too much of a hurry.” The doctor smiled, then glanced at Matthias. “I see you two have met.”
“We’re old friends.”
“Cousins, actually,” Greg added, and because they needed an excuse to laugh they both did.
“I see…” the doctor said. “You have a ride coming for you?” he asked Greg next.
“Yes. My wife will be here any minute.”
“If there’s anything else I can do for you, don’t hesitate to let me know.”
“I won’t,” Greg promised.
Dr. Thorpe nodded. “I probably won’t be seeing you again, Mr. Bennett, but I want you to know that I think you did a brave thing. A selfless thing. Thank you.” With that he held out his hand. Greg stood and clasped it firmly.
“Thank you,” he returned.
Greg slumped back into his chair, eyes on the retreating physician. “He’s a fine young man, isn’t he?”
Matthias heard a catch in his voice. “One of the best cancer specialists around.” Gloria had repeatedly told him of the wonderful caring physician who’d been so good to Tanner and to her.
Greg’s gaze lingered on Dr. Thorpe and his expression was oddly pained.
“You okay?” Matthias asked.
Greg’s nod was slow in coming. “I will be.”
Not understanding, Matthias frowned. “You want to tell me about it?”
“Perhaps someday,” Greg mumbled.
The tension was broken by the sound of carolers. “Joy to the World” drifted toward them, the music festive and lively, a dramatic contrast to their current mood.
“Is it close to Christmas?” Greg asked, seemingly unaware.
“It’s Christmas Eve,” Matthias told him.
Greg’s eyes widened with surprise. “I didn’t realize…”
The music made for a pleasant background as the two men continued to talk, mostly about Tanner and Gloria. Several minutes later Matthias brought up the subject of the vineyard. “I read about the fan leaf problems in your area.”
“It wiped me out,” Greg said.
That accounted for his cousin’s haggardness and his beleaguered look, Matthias thought.
“A lifetime of work destroyed in a single season,” Greg murmured.
“You’re replanting of course.”
Greg shook his head. “Takes capital, more capital than I can muster.”
“Get a loan. That’s what banks are for.”
“You think I haven’t tried?” Greg’s voice rose. “I’m not a poor risk, at least not on paper, but money’s tight. Tighter than I realized. Despite everything, I haven’t been able to convince a single bank to give me a loan.”
“I’ve been working with Columbia Wines up in Washington. The vines there are stronger, more resilient. Say the word and I can arrange for you to replant with those.”
Greg shook his head again. “Hell, I’m sixty. Too damn old to start over now. Lately I’ve been thinking of selling out completely and hiring on with one of the other wineries.”
That wasn’t the answer, as Matthias was well aware. “You never could tolerate working for others. You like being your own boss too much. Besides, you’re still young. I’m damn near seventy and I don’t think of myself as old.”
“Well, I can’t get the financing.”
“What about Phil? He works for a bank, doesn’t he? He should be able to help you.”
Greg shook his head. “He has as much reason to hate me as you do.”
The carolers drew closer, drowning out any chance of further conversation. Matthias could only imagine what had caused such a rift between the two brothers.
Memory told him that Phil had always resented Greg’s good looks, his social skills and sense of purpose. Whatever happened had been building for years. Matthias didn’t doubt that Greg had played a role—but Phil had already been holding a grudge. Looking for a reason to justify his resentment.