His Taste of Temptation: In the Line of Duty, Book 3
toward his granddad’s room and told them to have a seat outside assuring them both the doctors would be out to talk to them shortly. They both took a seat and as he worried for his grandfather, Madison took his hand.
    “I’m sure he’s going to be okay,” she said.
    Brad nodded and squeezed her hand. He’d sat outside his grandfather’s room a time or two over the past year, but this time it felt oddly comforting to have Madison there with him.
    “I know, but I like to be here anyway.”
    “Do they always call you?”
    He nodded. “Yeah, I had the nurses put a note on his file to call if anything changes.”
    Emotions moved over her eyes. “Not only are you a good big brother, you’re a good grandson too.”
    “Granddad was always there for me after Mom and Dad died. We sort of count on each other.”
    “You two have a special bond.” The softness in her voice, and the way she nestled against him, felt like a healing balm to the soul. “That’s nice, Brad.”
    “He’ll be happy to see you,” Brad said, attempting to change the subject before his emotions got the better of him. “He always liked you.”
    “I always liked him too.”
    “Just remember,” he said cautiously. “He doesn’t have the same filters as he used to.” When she crinkled her brow he went on to explain, “He says things without thinking. It’s the dementia.”
    Just then the doctor came out, and Brad stood. “How is he?”
    “He’s going to be fine. His heart began racing through the night, but we were able to stabilize it.” He flipped through the pages on his clipboard. “I’ve given him something to help him sleep, so you won’t have much time. Just be sure not to say anything to excite or upset him.”
    Brad nodded, captured Madison’s hand and quietly moved into the room. He stepped up to the bed, his heart tightening as he took in the machines and oxygen tubes.
    “Hey, Granddad,” Brad said quietly.
    “That you, Brad?” Chester asked, his eyes lighting as they turned Brad’s way.
    “Yeah, it’s me,” Brad said a bit louder, knowing his granddad was hard of hearing. “Doctor said you had a bit of trouble. Are you feeling better now?”
    “I’m feeling fine. Dang nurses, I told them there was no need to call you. Hate to bother you.”
    “You’re not bothering me,” he assured him, even though he knew how happy the old man was to see him.
    “Who’s that with you?” He sat up a little in his bed, a smile on his face when he peered at Madison. “Why, is that little Madison Graham?”
    Madison moved closer to Brad. “It’s me,” she said.
    He gave a low whistle. “’Bout time you figured it out, girlie.”
    Brad stiffened then shot her a look to suggest she humor him.
    “Figured what out, Granddad?”
    “Jonah’s a nice kid,” he said, tsking. Then he wagged a finger toward Brad. “But I knew this boy was the one you always wanted. Couldn’t hide that from me. No siree.” He shook his head, a gleam in his eyes as he jerked his thumb toward Brad. “Took this fool long enough to figure it out, though. He can be dense sometimes, you know. He get’s that from his grandmother’s side. She had an uncle that wasn’t all there either.”
    Brad laughed. “Did you just call me dense?”
    “Brad?” he said, his voice suddenly turning serious as his mind shifted directions, as it quite often did.
    “Yeah, Granddad? What is it?”
    “Have you moved into the house yet, son?”
    “Not yet,” Brad hedged. “I’m still working on repairs.”
    That seemed to satisfy his granddad. He nodded. “Okay, but don’t take too long. Before I go, I like to see it full of grandkids.”
    When his eyes slipped shut, Brad stood there for a moment longer, emotions choking him as he remembered his younger days at the old Victorian house Granddad had built by hand. He and Jonah and his mom and dad had spent a lot of time visiting, and both Brad and Jonah loved their overnight trips, especially when they were

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