“For what it’s worth, I agree with you and your grandfather.”

“It’s worth a lot, as you certainly know by now.”

“I was supposed to spend a semester in England that I was so excited about, but I never made it there. You know why?”

Grayson shook his head.

“I met your aunt Molly the summer before when we were down South building houses for the needy. One week with her, and England didn’t look quite so good to me anymore.”

Grayson smiled at his uncle. “Thanks for telling me that. It makes me feel less certifiably insane for chasing after a woman I just met.”

“You’re not insane. In fact, I think you’d be insane not to chase after her. She’s a sweetheart and so is her daughter.”

“I’ve noticed.”

“You’ve given a lot of yourself to your family and worked like a dog for that firm in Boston. If anyone has earned the right to focus on himself for a while, it’s you, Gray. Go do what you want and don’t worry about what anyone else thinks. You only get one life. You should live it the way you see fit, as long as you’re not hurting others with what you’re doing.”

Moved by his uncle’s heartfelt encouragement, Grayson said, “I’m only hurting my mother.”

“She’ll get over it. She’s gotten over worse.”

“I guess. So listen to this…” He told him about his father’s illness and what he’d asked of his children.

“You gotta be kidding me.”

“Wish I was.”

“He’s got some nerve.”

“My mother said the same thing.”

“She must be furious.”

“That’s one word for it.”

“I’ll tell Molly to call and check on her.”

“I’d appreciate that. She wasn’t too happy with me when I left.”

“Because you’re going to do it, right?” Linc asked. “You’re going to be tested?”

“Like I told her, I don’t want his death to be my fault in any way. I don’t want to have to wonder for the rest of my life if I could’ve saved him, you know?”

“I do. I get it. I don’t like it any more than you do, but I get it.”

Grayson checked his watch and saw it was inching closer to nine. “We’ve got to get going to make the flight.”

Lincoln extended his hand. “Have fun in New York.”

“I will. Thanks.” Grayson’s throat closed around a lump of emotion. “For everything. You’ll never know…”

Linc dropped his hand and hugged him. “I do know, and being there for you and your siblings has always been my pleasure.”