“Patricia!”

Trisha glanced swiftly at her mother-in-law. “Oh, you’re awake. Are you feeling better, darling?”

“I would probably feel perfectly fine if I thought I could get your attention for two and a half seconds,” Julia said petulantly. “You’ve been as quiet as a tomb for two days. Obviously you’re still irritated with me.”

For a few seconds Trisha’s sapphire eyes met Julia’s. A strong, independent spirit shone clearly in her mother-in-law’s steel-blue eyes. Julia was a matriarch from a bygone era who could and would put anyone in his place, given the opportunity. But she didn’t have to use her formidable will against Trisha and they both knew it.

“There was no one else I could ask, Patricia. Besides, it isn’t as if I ever asked much of you.”

“I’m not arguing with you, darling,” Trisha said wearily. “We’re nearly there, so please just…let it be.”

“You couldn’t possibly be afraid to see Kern again, could you?”

Trisha’s fingers tensed on the wheel.

“The last time he saw you, you were a waif. And now? Well, breeding will out, I’ve always said. You’ve got aristocrat in your bones-”

“Thank you,” Trisha interrupted dryly. “But what that has to do with anything is beyond me.” She checked her tone abruptly. Julia looked wretched. The steel-blue eyes were surrounded by flesh that was too gray and wrinkles that were too pronounced. The car was cool, yet there was moisture on Julia’s forehead and her hands were limp. Her lip color was a bluish purple. “Sweetheart,” Trisha said quietly, “you want to see Kern, and we’re going to see him. We’ll be there in an hour. Now I want you to relax and stop worrying. There’s no reason-”

“So you keep saying. But there is reason. I told you. If he told me he had a concussion and broken ribs, God knows what really happened! He is my son, Patricia, even if we don’t get along-”