“Dr. Madison can talk to you now,” the nurse told them briskly. She led them to a compact office and explained that the doctor would be with them in a few minutes. Janine sat in one of the cushioned chairs and studied the framed diplomas on the walls.

Dr. Madison came into the room moments later. He paused to shake hands with Janine and then with Zach. “So far, my tests don’t show anything we need to be too concerned about,” he said, shuffling through the papers on his desk.

“What happened? Why was he so pale? Why was he gasping like that?” Janine demanded.

Dr. Madison frowned and folded his hands. “I’m really not sure. He claims he hadn’t been doing any strenuous exercise.”

“No, he was drinking coffee and talking to a friend.”

Dr. Madison nodded. “Did he recently receive any negative news regarding his business?”

“No,” Janine replied, glancing at Zach. “If anything, the business is doing better than ever. Gramps is getting ready to retire. I hate the thought of anything happening to him now.”

“I don’t know what to tell you,” Dr. Madison said thoughtfully. “He should take it easy for the next couple of days, but there’s nothing to worry about that I can find.”

Janine sighed and closed her eyes. “Thank God.”

“Your grandfather’s getting dressed now,” Dr. Madison said. He stood, signaling the end of their interview. “He’ll join you in a few minutes.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” Zach said fervently.

Relief washed through Janine like a tidal wave. She got up and smiled at Zach. It was a smile full of gratitude. A smile one might share with a good friend when something has gone unexpectedly right. The kind of smile a woman would share with her husband. The thought hit her full force and she quickly lowered her eyes to cover her reaction.

When Gramps joined them in the waiting room, he looked immeasurably better. His blue eyes were filled with indignation and his skin tone was a healthy pink. “I hope the two of you are satisfied,” he said huskily, buttoning his coat. “Most of the afternoon was wasted with this nonsense.”

“You were a hundred percent correct, Gramps,” Janine said brightly. “You’re as fit as a fiddle and we wasted valuable cribbage time dragging you down here.”

“I should’ve been back at the office hours ago,” Zach put in, sharing a smile with Janine.

“And whose fault is that?” Anton muttered. He brushed off his sleeves as though he’d been forced to pick himself up off the floor, thanks to them.

Once more Janine and Zach shared an intimate look. They both seemed to realize what they were doing at the same moment and abruptly glanced away.

Zach drove Gramps and Janine back to the house, Gramps protesting loudly all the while that they’d overreacted and ruined his afternoon. His first concern seemed to be rescheduling his cribbage game.

Afterward Janine walked Zach to his car. “Thanks for everything,” she said, folding her arms to repress the sudden urge to hug him.