Because I haven’t heard one word about love for your sister or Rebecca.”
“I’m basing my claims on reality.”
“Am I to be enlightened by your argument?”
She heard the bitterness in every word. He’d been pushed to his limit.
“I’m sorry for the way I broached this subject,” she said. “I want what’s best for my niece, and I believe that is with her own family. You are right in stating a good bit of time has elapsed. I had to work and save the money to arrange transportation here.” Jenny locked battle with her gaze. He had to see she was right.
“Posting a missive doesn’t cost a cent. I’d have paid for it. And what about your parents? Were they not able to send a letter, either? I fail to see a display of concern over the welfare of Rebecca. Help me to understand your sudden change of heart for a sister for whom you obviously had little affection.”
Jenny’s head throbbed. She’d utterly failed in this endeavor. “I can’t speak any more of family matters.”
“But you have no problem prying into mine.”
“I believe our conversation is finished, Dr. Andrews.” Jenny stood on wobbly legs. “I will be moving from here within the hour. Please have my bill ready for payment. I do regret that I haven’t been able to communicate what is in my heart. Perhaps we can talk at a later date.”
“Our conversation is not over.” Grant moved to the door and blocked her exit. His presence loomed over her. She would hear what he had to say, whether she chose to or not.
“You may do as you wish, but first you will listen to me. How you feel about your sister is certainly your affair, but how you speak of her is another matter. She happens to be my daughter’s mother. Moments ago, you made derogatory remarks about Jessica, and I would appreciate it for my daughter’s sake that such comments never occur again.” He appeared much calmer than she. “While you are in my home or in the presence of my daughter or any of us who love and care for her, you are forbidden to defame Jessica’s memory. She died a good woman, and she believed I would be a suitable father for her child. I accepted the task. I am not a perfect man, but I love my daughter with all my heart. Neither you nor anyone else will ever take her from me. Is that clearly understood?”
“I’ve upset you, and I apologize—”
He raised his hand, and the gesture silenced her. “You can examine the adoption papers and do whatever else you feel is necessary. Yet understand this: Rebecca Faith Andrews is my child. She is not the fancy of an impetuous, demanding woman who has no more manners than to enter a man’s home and declare his child her property. Good day, Miss Martin. As I stated before, there are no charges for my services. Jessica was family, and you are her sister.”
Jenny’s face grew warm. “I have not traveled all this distance just to turn around and go back home. We have matters to discuss and settle.”
“When you are able to discuss things calmly, perhaps.” He opened the door of his study. “Good day, Miss Martin.”
*****
Grant listened to the sharp click of Jenny’s heels as she marched across the foyer’s wooden floor to the stairway. He closed the door a bit more soundly than usual, repressing a deep desire to slam it until the whole house shook. And once the house shook and the window panes rattled, he’d do the same to Miss Jenny Martin. Anger invaded every part of his body, and he instinctively paced the floor to dispel its fervor. He’d gladly carry all of Jenny Martin’s bags and that massive trunk down the stairs to his wagon and on to the boardinghouse.
So, Jenny Martin came to Kahlerville to whisk away my daughter! How perfectly virtuous of her. He pounded his fist into his palm.
Grant considered how Jenny had paid little attention to Rebecca at breakfast except to make a comment here and there. Not at all the actions one would expect from an aunt who had never seen her niece before. No tender, endearing looks or endless questions about the first two years of his daughter’s life. Rather, she observed her cautiously, as though fearing something.
“Humph.” She probably had been assessing his abilities as a father and planned to make full report of it to some fancy city lawyer. Not one word