Page 6 of Devlin

"I remember them both. We celebrated sixty in Monaco on a yacht and sixty-five in London with a few royals in the crowd." He paused. "Did you want a bigger party?"

"It's not about the party; it's about the intent."

He didn't know what she was talking about, but she was definitely worked up about something, and he had a feeling his dad was in the doghouse."Tonight will be fun. We're all together."

"Are we?" she asked cryptically. A glint of determination entered her eyes. "You know, Devlin, I think I've finally realized that the only person who can make me feel better is me. Will you excuse me?"

"Of course, but where are you going?"

"To do something I should have done a long time ago."

He wanted to ask her what thatcould possibly be, but she was already on her way out of the living room.

"What was that about?" Phillip asked with concern. "She seems very angry with Uncle Graham."

"She does." His parents had been married for thirty-seven years and while they'd had their share of arguments, they'd always seemed very solid. "Maybe it's just her birthday. She's feeling her age."

"Well, youmight want to give your father a heads-up."

"I will, as soon as he gets done talking to the McKinney brothers. He won't hear me if he's trying to make a deal." He paused as his youngest brother Logan joined them.

"What's going on with Mom?" Logan asked. "She flew out of the room like a woman on a mission."

"I'm not sure. She seems to be upset with Dad for turning this partyinto a business meeting."

"What else is new?" Logan drawled. "It's Dad. It's what he does. She knows that."

"Maybe I should go talk to her," he said, not really sure he wanted to deal with his mother in the mood she was in. Before he could move, his grandmother, Fiona Blackthorne joined them.

The white-haired Fiona was dressed in a bright floral dress, her face perfectly madeup, and long dangly earrings adding a bit of fun. At eighty-six, Fiona enjoyed being herself in as many bright colors as possible.

"Nana," he said, giving her a kiss. "You look very pretty."

"I know I do," she said with a happy smile. "Thanks for noticing, Devlin. Where is your mother?"

"I'm not sure. She walked out of the room a few minutes ago. She's unhappy that Dad isdoing business tonight."

Fiona's gaze moved to Graham, and she sighed. "My son can be an idiot."

"I can't disagree."

"Sometimes I wonder how he has managed to hang on to Claire for as long as he has. She has always been a beautiful and popular lady. He had to work hard to get her attention in the first place. She had all kind of suitors back in the day. But he was determinedto win her, and he did. I'm not sure he's putting in that same kind of effort now." She paused, her gaze moving back to them. "Anyway, what is going on with all of you? Any new ladies? Logan, I saw you talking to a very pretty woman," Fiona said with a sly smile in Logan's direction. "Did you bring her with you?"

Logan grinned. "No. That's actually Rhea Holmes, Tom and Laura's daughter."

"Oh, goodness, I didn't even recognize her. So, she's not your date."

"No, I came on my own." Fiona turned to Phillip. "And you, dear?"

"No news. Just working away."

"You're still enjoying the non-profit sector?"

"Absolutely. Sending kids who have suffered a tragic loss to camp is the best thing I've ever done."

"Who better to understand the loss of a parentthan you," Fiona said gently. "Mark and Julie would be so proud of you, Phillip."

"I hope so."

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