“It’s a damn good thing I didn’t know you were coming over,” he growled at his grandfather. “I would have been a wreck.”
Angus tapped the side of his nose. “Which is why I didna send word ahead. I knew ye would have worried like an old biddy.”
“Marie agreed to this?”
Marie Pisnet, Joseph’s grandmother, had raised the child from birth. Normally, she didn’t let him out of her sight and had readily agreed it was best for Joseph to remain in Halifax, under her watchful and loving care whenever Logan was in Scotland.
Angus nodded. “It was her idea.”
Joseph, who’d been hugging Logan around the neck, pulled back and wriggled a bit, as if wanting to get down. Logan eased his hold, propping the lad on his hip so they could look at each other.
“Aren’t you happy to see me, Papa?” A troubling caution lurked in the boy’s coffee-brown gaze.
Joseph had his mother’s eyes. And like his mother, those eyes were open and honest, holding nothing back. Logan had always been able to read whatever Marguerite was thinking from her gaze, and he could do the same with his son.
And it made him feel like a worm.
“I’m always happy to see you, my dearest boy. I was just a little surprised, that’s all.”
Joseph’s mouth tilted up at the corners. “But it’s a good surprise. Grandda said it would be good.”
“The best surprise,” Angus said. “Yer da is just a wee bit upset because I didna write to him first.”
Joseph grabbed Logan’s collar. “Don’t be mad at Grandda. He didn’t want to tell you because you would worry too much.”
He smiled at his son. “He was right. I would have been a gibbering idiot if I’d known you were at sea.”
“But it was lots of fun. Grandda let me spend time with the sailors, and they taught me things, like tying knots. And they use lots of funny words.”
“Oh, dear,” Victoria said.
Logan scowled. “Really, Angus?”
“No need to talk about that now,” his grandfather hastily replied. “We’re here, and Joseph is happy to be in Scotland with his da. Aren’t ye, laddie?”
Joseph’s tentative smile suggested the matter was yet to be decided.
“Well, I am very happy to see you,” Logan said, hugging him close again. “I missed you more than anything in the world.”
Instead of returning his embrace, Joseph wriggled. “Thank you, Papa. Can I get down now?”
Logan’s heart sank. “Of course, my boy.” Emotion made his voice gruff, so he tried to lighten the moment by flashing a broad smile as he set his son down.
The boy straightened his little wool vest and gave Logan an apologetic grimace. “It’s just that you smell, Papa.”
Logan had to laugh. “I just spent three days on the road, and not in the best of conditions.”
“Why don’t you go have a wash and a change?” Victoria suggested. “We’ll have tea while we’re waiting for you. Nicholas had an appointment with his banker, but he should be home within the hour.”
Logan gave her a quick, meaningful glance. “So, he doesn’t know Angus and Joseph are here?”
Her smile was reassuring. “No, but he’ll be delighted to see his grandfather and to finally meet his nephew.”
His sister-in-law knew exactly why he was concerned. Nick had been a widower when he met Victoria, one still mourning the death of his four-year-old son, Cameron. Nick had blamed Logan for little Cam’s death, and not without reason. While it had been a terrible accident, Logan should have foreseen it. He would carry the blame with him always, and it had been the reason he’d exiled himself to Canada.
Over there, Logan had felt too guilt-ridden to tell his family in Scotland that he’d married and had a son. Only when he’d returned home had he finally revealed that he was a widower with a boy of his own. Nick had been stunned that Logan had withheld such important news, but he’d grieved to hear of Marguerite’s death and had offered Logan his deep sympathy. And he’d seemed pleased to know he had a nephew.
Still, Logan couldn’t help being fashed. He had a son, when Nick had lost the child he’d loved more than anything. It wouldn’t be easy for Nick to meet Joseph, when his own boy had been taken from him because of Logan’s horrible mistake.
A gentle hand on his arm pulled him out of the grim reverie.
“Everything will be fine, dearest,” Victoria said. “I promise.”
He mustered a smile. “Yes, of course you’re right.”
“Are you sure Lord Arnprior won’t be unhappy to see us?” Joseph asked Logan in a worried voice. “Uncle Royal told Grandda that Uncle Nick doesn’t really like surprises.”
“Only bad surprises, and we’re definitely good ones,” Angus said, ruffling the boy’s hair. “The laird will be delirious to see me, ye ken. I canna imagine how the poor lad has been managin’ without me.”
“I can,” Logan said tartly.
Before Angus could bristle up, Logan crouched down to eye level with his son. “Lord Arnprior will be delighted to see you. Aunt Victoria already said so, and one thing you’ll soon learn is that she’s never wrong.”
“I always knew you were the smartest Kendrick,” Victoria said with a twinkle. “Joseph, darling, believe me when I say we are all very happy you’ve come to live with us.”
Logan smoothed a tender hand over his boy’s head. Joseph had his mother’s hair—sleek and black as a raven’s wing. In so many ways he was a miniature of Marguerite, especially in his sweet, gentle nature. In this case, however, that nature was worrisome. Joseph was a sensitive boy, and now he’d been transported into a new and confusing world, unmoored from everything he’d ever known. Logan would do everything he could to protect his son from the negative consequences.
Starting now, by showing how happy he was to see him.
“Aye, it’s officially the best day ever, now that you and Grandda are here.” He dropped a kiss on his son’s button nose and stood. “I’m going to wash and change now, so I don’t smell like a polecat anymore. Is that all right?”
Joseph giggled and nodded.
Victoria held out a hand to the lad. “Shall we go in and have some of those lovely tea biscuits, Joseph? I’m quite sure I saw a plum cake on the tea tray, as well.”
“Can we give some cake to the dogs?”
Angus chuckled. “Aye, we can. The laddies love plum cake.”
As Victoria led Joseph off to the drawing room, Logan snagged Angus by the sleeve.
His grandfather raised a hoary eyebrow. “What’s amiss, lad? Ye are happy to see yer son, aren’t ye?”
“Of course I am, you old goat, but why the hell did Marie agree to this? We agreed—we all agreed—that Joseph should remain with his grandparents, especially since you, Royal, and Ainsley were there in Halifax to help, too.”
Angus pulled a letter from the inside pocket of his coat and handed it to Logan. “Times change, lad. Times always change.”
Chapter Thirteen
Logan slowly descended the staircase, the letter from his mother-in-law in his hand. The news had rocked him so profoundly that he’d sat on his bed for fifteen minutes, choking back emotion.
Joseph Pisnet was dead.
It wasn’t a complete surprise. His father-in-law’s health had been fragile after he’d suffered a stroke some years ago. Still, he’d seemed quite hale when Logan was in Halifax last year. But the old man had been stricken with another stroke a few months ago, one that had killed him.
Joseph had been his first friend in Canada, a wise counselor and excellent business partner. Without his guidance, Logan probably would have died that first winter, a victim of his own arrogant stupidity. But the Acadian trapper had taken him under his wing and taught him how to survive in the wilderness, and how to navigate a cutthroat business.
More importantly, he had saved Logan from the worst of himself by believing in him and accepting him into his family. Because of Joseph, Logan had met Marguerite, the kindes
t lass God had put on this green earth. She’d been the saving of him, too.
And now they were both gone, taken from those who loved and needed them most, especially Logan’s little boy.
No wonder his son had been so solemn. Little Joseph had adored the man who’d been more of a father to him than Logan ever had. Under the circumstances, he worried that separating the boy from the only life he’d ever known could be a disaster. But Marie had been adamant in her letter that it was time for Joseph to be with his father, and it was time for Logan to get off his backside and start acting like a proper parent. His mother-in-law had a knack for making a man feel guilty, and in this case she’d taken no pains to spare Logan’s feelings.
Well, it was time to own up to his mistakes and redress the ones that he could.
He was halfway across the hall when Angus slipped out of the drawing room.
Logan frowned. “Is Joseph all right?”
“Aye. Kade and the dogs are playing with him. Graeme came home a few minutes ago. He was that surprised to see us, and I—” He had to stop and clear his throat.
Logan squeezed his grandfather’s shoulder. “I know you missed the twins, and Kade especially. I’m glad you’re home.”
“I missed all of ye, ye ninny.”
“Thank you for taking care of Joseph. I’m indebted to you.”
“That lad is as quiet and good as ye can imagine, but too quiet now. He’s missing his grandfather, ye ken.”
Logan glanced at the letter in his hand. “They were very close.”
“Pisnet was a fine man, and Marie is a fine woman. But she was feelin’ the loss and wanted to return home to her people in Cape Breton.”
“Still, I can hardly believe she would wish to be separated from her grandson. She all but raised him.”
Angus poked him. “She did raise him, and now ye need to take over.”
“Believe me, she made that clear, especially since Royal and Ainsley have another baby on the way.” He smiled. “Royal must be happy about that.”
“Over the moon, the pair of them. But the Halifax house was feelin’ a wee bit crowded already.”
“Marie and Ainsley didn’t always see eye-to-eye, I take it.”
Angus snorted. “The house was barely big enough to hold the two of them, and that is a big house ye have there in Halifax. Ainsley truly loves Joseph, but she’s better with little girls than boys. Joseph is six years old now, and he belongs with his da and the rest of his family. Marie knew that.”
“Agreed, but I’m not sure he’ll feel at home in Glasgow. Our good citizens are not a particularly tolerant lot. They barely put up with the Irish immigrants, much less . . .”
“A boy with Mi’kmaq blood?” Angus bluntly finished. “Ye’ll need to throw it back in their faces and stop pussyfooting around it.”
Logan scowled. “I’m not ashamed of my son’s heritage, if that’s what you’re suggesting.”
“Don’t be daft, but the wee lad might get other ideas, if yer not careful. He already thinks ye don’t want him here.”
“That’s ridiculous. Why would he think that?”
“Because yer livin’ in Scotland and he was livin’ in Canada?”
It was hard to ignore that logic. “I’ve made a mess of everything, haven’t I?”
“Now ye have a chance to fix it, laddie.”
Victoria popped her head out of the drawing room. “Are you two coming in? Graeme is eating all the plum cake, and Joseph is asking for his father.”
As Logan followed Angus, Victoria stopped him with a touch. “I was sorry to hear about your father-in-law.”
“Thank you. He was the best of men.”
“Joseph is a terribly sweet boy. I’m so glad he’s come home to us. To you.”
Logan watched his son, sprawled on the rug with Kade and the terriers.
“As am I,” he said in a voice tight with emotion.
Kade waved an arm. “Logan, come join us.”
The youngest Kendrick brother was now seventeen, a tall beanpole of a lad. He’d grown strong these last few years, finally leaving years of sickness behind. It was because of Logan that Kade had taken ill as a boy—the consequence of that terrible day by the river. But Kade had never held it against him. The lad had a huge, loving heart, and it seemed he was well on his way to loving his new nephew, too.
Logan hunkered down on the plush Aubusson rug where the boys played with Toby and Daisy, the youngest of the terriers.
Joseph glanced up with a smile. “They’re very nice dogs, Papa, don’t you think?”
Nice was the last adjective anyone but Angus would likely use to describe the dogs. They were yappy, disobedient, and had a tendency to roll in whatever disgusting muck they could find.
“They are indeed,” he said, returning the smile.
He had to repress the instinct to sweep the boy into his arms and hug him tight. Despite Angus’s advice, Logan’s instincts told him to go slow. Joseph was grieving the separation from his grandmother and now the loss of his grandfather. He needed patience, love, and the time to regain trust in the father he’d not seen in over a year.
Whatever his son needed, Logan was determined to give.
Angus settled into one of the needlepointed wing chairs beside the fireplace and pulled out his battered clay pipe. “Those two were just pups when I left, and now they’re as fine as any terriers I’ve seen. Ye did a grand job with all the dogs, Kade. I thank ye for lookin’ after them.”
Angus had been heartbroken to leave his darlings when he fled Scotland. Only Kade’s promise to care for them had prevented the old fellow from trying to smuggle the whole pack onto the boat.
Kade touched his grandfather’s knee. “I’m sorry about Bruce and Bobby. I took very good care of them, but they were already old when you left.”
“I know, but I still canna believe they’re gone,” Angus replied in a doleful voice.
“Tina has had another litter of puppies,” Kade brightly added. “Six in all, and each in perfect health and scrappy as anything.”
“As you can imagine, Taffy is simply thrilled,” Victoria said wryly.
Taffy, the housekeeper at Castle Kinglas, had been managing the place with the precision of a drill sergeant for decades.
“Och, she’ll get used to them,” Angus said with a casual wave of his pipe. “She always does.”
That was debatable, but the rest of them tactfully refrained from saying so.
“Can I have one of the puppies?” Joseph asked his great-grandfather in a hopeful voice.
“Ye’ll have to ask yer da, but I ken he’ll say yes.”
When Joseph shot a wary glance his way, Logan swallowed a sigh. “Of course you can, son. You can pick out whichever one you want, and that pup will be yours from now on.”
Joseph’s shyly grateful smile twisted his heart with guilt.
“You look like you could use this,” Graeme said, handing Logan a generous tot of whisky.
His half brother had been sitting quietly on the settee next to Victoria, before rising to pour out the drinks.
Graeme, once the biggest hellion in the family, was finally settling into a semblance of maturity now that he was well into his twenties. Unlike Grant, his twin, Graeme was still a restless soul, unsure what he wanted to do with his life.
He returned Logan’s smile then carried a glass to his grandfather.
Angus took a sip. “Not bad, but nothin’ as good as we used to brew—”
“Ahem,” Victoria loudly interrupted.
Angus and the twins had once run an illegal still on Kendrick lands. It had been a sore spot for Nick, who’d been forced to pay a large fine when excise officers stumbled across the operation.
“We don’t do that sort of thing nowadays, Grandda,” Graeme said.
Angus heaved a sigh. “It was grand while it lasted. Our brew was miles better than this Glasgow stuff.”
“It made a great deal of trouble for Nick,” Graeme replied. “We tr
y to avoid that now.”
“It’s true,” Victoria said. “I can’t remember the last time you and Grant engaged in a brawl or had an unfortunate encounter with the local constables. You haven’t even broken any furniture.”
Angus thoughtfully eyed his grandson. “Ye’ve changed, lad. I hardly recognize ye.”
Graeme shrugged his broad shoulders, looking uncomfortable with the attention. “Everyone’s got to grow up eventually, Grandda, even me.”
Joseph stared up at his uncle, wide-eyed. “You look very grown up to me. You’re almost as big as Papa, and he’s a giant.”
Graeme squatted down and ruffled his nephew’s hair. “No one’s as big as your da, Joseph. But I’m thinking you’ll grow up to be as big as he is one day.”
“Do you work with my papa too, like Uncle Royal and Uncle Grant?”
Graeme straightened up. “No. I . . . I’m still thinking about what I want to do.”
“Trade isn’t for everyone, Graeme. There’s no shame in that,” Logan said.
“You never worked for Papa, did you?” Joseph asked, looking up at Angus.
The old man snorted. “Ye wouldna catch me dead working in some dusty old office in the city, lad.”
Logan had to swallow a tart reply.
“Grant and Royal enjoy working with your papa,” Victoria said to Joseph. “They’re both very good with numbers and organizing things.”
“I’m not exactly a booby with such matters,” Angus indignantly exclaimed. “Dinna forget I managed Kinglas when Nick and Royal were away fightin’ the war.”
“And splendidly, too,” Victoria said without batting an eyelash. “Nicholas would have been lost without you.”
The family maintained the fiction that the old fellow had done a bang-up job.
“Graeme has other talents,” Victoria said to Angus. “His work was invaluable in helping to clear your name after, er, after that regrettable incident with the Marquess of Cringlewood.”
“Do you mean the scaly Sassenach that Aunt Ainsley almost killed?” Joseph asked.
Logan almost spit out his mouthful of whisky. It took him a moment to wrestle it down his gullet. “Joseph, who told you about Cringlewood?”
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