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Jacob’s Point Of View
After a tense ice was broken and a few proud feathers were smoothed, Craig was grateful beyond belief and warmed to the idea that he was entitled to more. When Alicia emerged from the family home, lugging a heavy suitcase in one hand, holding Cory’s hand in the other, I felt proud.
It wasn’t that Kate and I had raised a great daughter; we hadn’t, but Alicia was part of our lives for the rest of that journey to adulthood, and we could finish the excellent work her parents had invested.
I helped Craig carry more luggage to the truck, placing a loving but restraining hand on Kate’s wrist when she reached for a suitcase.
“You can’t honey. Please don’t exert yourself.”
“No… of course not, sorry. I just-.”
“I know.”
In the truck, our conversation turned to the stables, which I knew would become a priority for the Granger Estate, being its most significant commercial development in decades. The idea was fantastic, but more than that, the project Alicia had conceived of drew family and friends into a shared period of growth.
I imagined us carving our names on freshly laid concrete or engraving initials into thick wooden roofing beams. I hoped we could all help in the construction, even though contractors would be required for the technical and safety aspects.
Our house staff helped freshen a couple of adjoining bedrooms, not quite amounting to a full suite, and Craig, with his son, were settled in quickly.
“Would you join us for dinner?”
“We ate already, Jacob, but thank you.”