Page 67 of The Forsaken
“But she is my grandma,” Emma protested. “And Jude will be there.”
Gabe and Quinn exchanged looks.
“Grandma Phoebe is coming down for your birthday,” Gabe announced.
“But what about Grandma Sylvia? And what about Grandma Susan and Grandpa Roger? I miss them.”
“Sweetheart, you know they live in Spain,” Quinn explained patiently.
“Why? Why do they live in Spain?” Emma demanded. “They are not Spanish.”
“My dad has severe arthritis, Em. Living in a warmer climate helps him feel better.”
“Will he die if he comes back? Like Grandpa Graeme?” Emma asked, her eyes round with worry.
“No, he won’t die, but if he remains here permanently, he’ll be in quite a lot of pain. He can come and visit from time to time though.”
“Grandma and Grandpa Allenby came for the wedding, and they are going to come for the new baby,” Emma reasoned. “Don’t they think my birthday is important?”
“Of course they do. I’m sure they’ll send you a lovely present.”
Emma stared at Quinn balefully and stabbed at the lettuce on her plate. She was clearly hurt, but Quinn wasn’t at all sure what to say. Her parents were comfortably off, but they couldn’t afford to fly back to England for every occasion.
“I’m finished,” Emma announced, pushing her plate away. “Can I go to my room?”
“Of course. Wash your hands first,” Gabe reminded her. Emma stomped off and Gabe turned to Quinn. “It’s all right,” he assured her. “Emma has to get used to dealing with disappointment. It’s a part of growing up.”
“She’s only going to be five, and she’s had to deal with so much pain already.”
“I know, but your parents are not coming, so Emma can either accept that as fact or feel bad and allow her disappointment to ruin her party,” Gabe reasoned.
“Should I have invited Sylvia?” Quinn asked and giggled when Gabe’s eyebrows shot upward.
“After the conversation you two just had? I think not. Let it be, Quinn. Emma will have a wonderful party regardless.”
“I know. I just want it to be perfect for her. It’s her first birthday with us, and five is kind of a big deal. It’s a rite of passage, since she’ll be starting primary school next month.”
“Don’t remind me. The pressure is on to make a decision about the move,” Gabe replied.
“Have you spoken to your mother about it?”
“She’s moved back home, but she hasn’t been herself, Quinn. I think she’s depressed.”
“She’s still grieving for your dad.”
“Of course she is, but it’s more than that. It’s almost like she can’t stand being in that house. She’s even taken up gardening, which she hates, just to get outside.”
“She’s lonely, that’s all.”
“It’s a lonely place,” Gabe replied with a sigh.
FORTY
JANUARY 1463
Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Northumberland
The half-light of dawn was just beginning to chase away the darkness of night when Kate came slowly awake. She’d drunk more than usual last night, having been invited to Stanwyck Hall along with Hugh, Guy, and Eleanor to celebrate the end of the Bamburgh Castle siege. The Earl of Stanwyck had entertained all his knights and their spouses at a gathering that had begun at noon and turned raucous by nightfall. Hugh had been in fine spirits, but Kate sensed a suppressed anger in him, and feared it might be directed toward her, although she couldn’t see what she’d done to give offense since he hadn’t seen her since November and her letters to him had been brief and not overly detailed.
