Page 65 of Blake

Pax had repeated what Eddie said to her and having heard things only from her side before, things became more apparent. What he still didn’t know was if Clark had known Henrietta had seen him that day when he’d offered the trial to the Nixons and why she had lied to Grace about it. Those he could find the answers too and hopefully he’d also get answers to the more important question of who’d shot Eddie.

None of his team had and nobody had been seen near the cabin. It left a loose end that made him feel edgy. As if everything wasn’t entirely done with.

“You want me to grab you some coffee?” he asked Pax who raised her tired eyes to him.

“Please.”

“I’ll come with you,” Henrietta said.

Blake stiffened slightly but kept quiet as Albert moved beside Grace and put his arm around her shoulders and kissed her head. The man was like a different person. With a nod to Reid to keep an eye on them, he walked down the hall towards the vending machines with a quiet Henrietta beside him.

They stopped and got coffee before she spoke. “I feel I owe you an apology and an explanation.”

“Not me, but to Grace you do,” he said tightly.

“I know.” She wrung her hands and he felt a modicum of sympathy for her.

“Have a seat,” he offered, pointing to the seats behind them.

With a grateful smile she sat and faced him and for the first time he noticed the grit behind the woman. “I was like Grace growing up. I adored my father and he adored me. When my mom died it was just us and we were close. I was the good girl, never gave him a moment of trouble. Clark and I had always been friends, but I never loved him like that.” She looked away as if composing her thoughts. “When my father proposed the marriage, I went along with it and let it happen. I wanted to please him. Then I met Robert and it was love at first sight.” She looked embarrassed as she spoke but went on. “I know it’s a cliché but it’s true. I didn’t know how to tell my father and let things get out of hand until I had to say something or risk losing the man I loved. My father was furious and never really forgave me for the public outrage I caused.”

Henrietta took a sip of the coffee as Blake stayed silent letting her purge her guilt. “Publicly he backed Robert and me, but in private he was cold. I didn’t care. I had Robert and then we had Grace. She was such a beautiful child and became a clever and stunning woman. Robert adored her and she adored him. I saw my previous relationship with my father in them. My husband worked long hours and when he was home, he only seemed to make time for Grace and I’m afraid I handled things badly. I looked for affection elsewhere. Even though I loved my husband and daughter, I was jealous.”

“Why lie about Robert being the one to offer the trial?” he asked not willing to let her off the hook just yet.

“Clark came to me and told me he knew I’d seen him and if said anything, he would hurt Grace.”

“So you decided to say nothing?” Blake stated as he sat forward.

“By that time I had isolated myself. Grace tolerated me, and Robert would have been gung-ho trying to protect us and would have gotten himself hurt. I figured if I drove a wedge between them then it would keep her safe.” She held up her hand to stop him as he went to speak. “I know now it was wrong and I caused a lot of hurt I can never take back. But whether you believe me or not, I love my daughter and husband and would do it again if I thought it would keep them safe. I know it didn’t but that is my guilt to carry for the rest of my life.”

“I think you need to be honest with Robert and Grace. Grace is an amazing woman with a lot of love in her heart and despite everything you’ve put her through, she loves you.” Henrietta went to speak but this time he stopped her. “But make no mistake, if you hurt her again it won’t be her that puts distance between you. It will be me. I love her and I’ll not see her ground into dust by jealousy or bitterness. Do you get me?”

Henrietta nodded. “Yes, I understand.”

Blake nodded once and stood, giving the woman his arm as a peace offering. She took it and together they carried coffee back to the waiting room. Grace looked up and a slight frown marred her eyes before he smiled and let go of Henrietta when the doctor came in.

“Mrs Paxton?”

“Yes, that’s me,” Henrietta said as she reached her hands out to Grace and Albert, seeking their support.

Blake moved in behind Grace and slipped his hand around her waist from behind as she relaxed into his body wanting his strength.

“Your husband is a very resilient man and only received a minor concussion. He is, however, going to need to be monitored more closely because of the recent surgery and heart attack but as it stands, I can cautiously say he will make a full recovery.”

“Oh, thank God.” Henrietta seemed to sag against her father, and he felt Pax lean into him as the adrenalin that had been keeping her awake seemed to leave her as relief hit.

“Can we see him?”

“Yes, but two at a time and no excitement,” the doctor warned with a stern frown.

Blake waited with Albert as Grace and her mother were led back to the ICU and then headed over to Reid and Decker. “Where did Waggs go?”

Decker motioned towards the door. “He went for some air.”

“Any word from Jack?”

“He wants you to call him but said someone will call as soon as Clark says anything of interest.”