“It was the same with me. I don’t think you’re so intolerable, either. I was trusting that you knew it was all an act for your grandfather’s sake.”

“I did,” she assured him, but her pride had been dented, although that wasn’t anything new.

“The last four days have been difficult,” Zach went on. “Not only was Anton gloating about Scotland, but like I told you, he’s been giving me these amused looks and odd little smiles. A couple of times I heard him saying something in his native tongue—I’m afraid to guess what.”

“Well, I know what he was saying, because he’s been doing the same thing to me. He’s talking about babies.”

“Babies?” Zach echoed, his eyes startled.

“Ours in particular.”

One corner of Zach’s mouth lifted, as if he found the thought of them as parents amusing. Or unlikely.

“That was my reaction, too. Every time I’ve seen Gramps in the last few days, he’s started talking about…well, you know.”

Zach nodded. “I do know. The situation hasn’t been pleasant for either of us.”

“Setting Gramps straight was for the best.” But if that was the case, why did she feel this terrible letdown? “If he accepts us at our word—and he just might—then I guess this is goodbye.”

“Yes, I suppose it is,” Zach responded, but he made no effort to leave.

Janine was glad, because these few moments gave her the opportunity to memorize his features. She stored them for the future, when there’d be no reason for her to have anything but the most infrequent and perfunctory contact with Zach.

“Unless, of course, your grandfather continues to throw us together.”

“Of course,” Janine added quickly, hating the way her heart soared at the prospect. “Naturally, we’d have to confront him again. We can’t allow ourselves to be his pawns.”

Zach was about to say something else when the library door flew open and Burt Coleman hurried out, the urgency on his face unmistakable. “Janine, I think we should call a doctor for your grandfather.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m not sure. He’s very pale and he seems to be having trouble breathing. It might be his heart.”

With Zach following, Janine ran into the library, her own heart in jeopardy. Dr. Coleman was right—she’d never seen her grandfather look worse. His breath came noisily and his eyes were closed as he rested his head against the back of the chair. He looked old, far older than she could ever remember seeing him. She felt a sense of panic as she raced across the room to the desk where there was a phone.

“I’m fine,” Gramps said hoarsely, opening his eyes and slowly straightening. He raised his hand in an effort to stop Janine. “There’s no need for everyone to go into a tizzy just because an old man wants to rest his eyes for a few minutes.” His smile was weak, his complexion still pale. “Now don’t go calling any doctor. I was in last week for a checkup and I’m fit as a fiddle.”