Page 39 (1/2)

"I want to thank you for rescuing Ollie," he said

"He needed help I was the closest one who could reach him," Colleen said matter-of-factly She would have done it for anyone

She took a deep breath and exhaled, wanting to discuss anotherover so Do you think my dad was responsible for Robert MacQuarrie’s death? And yourto know the truth

"I believe Theodore Playfair had the ht he did He resented that Neda doted onto , I’ine that the news didn’t go over itha spoon into the stew

"Aye You are right on both accounts I don’t know about one, ht that he couldn’t continue to e the properties My father was in bad shape for quite a while Mya storm or at any other time

"She had three toddlers to care for She adored us and was very happy My father was terribly depressed when she died The whole clan pulled together to watch out for him If he had died on the cliffs closer to the tirief But years later? Nay"

Colleen agreed with Grant’s assumption She watched as he buttered his bread and waited until he’d finished eating the slice to pose another question "I hate to ask, but was my father around when your dad was so depressed?"

Grant scooped up some of his stew "Nay Many believed Theodore was responsible for my mother’s death No one could prove it But he was not welcome When my father didn’t take his own life shortly after my mother died, Theodore left for America and mated with your mother

"Theodore returned every so often to ensure his ive it to my father, I’m certain Great animosity existed between the two men And he hated me and my brothers When my brothers and I were away at university, ht, just like ain, no witnesses It seemed too easy to dismiss as mere coincidence" Grant finished off his meal

"It wasn’t the anniversary of yourher buttered slice of bread

"Nay My father had been talking tohome for the holidays He was so proud of us When my father died, I couldn’t believe it Neda called ement of the pack and the estates And Theodore was still there He was outraged, so certain that upon e the estates Neda explained to him that my father had trained me and the pack was otten aith it, I’m certain he would have killed me for it Even so, I had my doubts that he could have killed either of my parents--not on his own He stormed out of the castle and returned to Maryland He didn’t come back until he inherited the castle"

She took a deep breath, hating that her father could have been involved in anything of the sort "I’ man"

"Aye"