Page 13 (1/2)

"Thank you," he returned

Greg slu physician "He’s a fine young man, isn’t he?"

Matthias heard a catch in his voice "One of the best cancer specialists around" Gloria had repeatedly told hiood to Tanner and to her

Greg’s gaze lingered on Dr Thorpe and his expression was oddly pained

"You okay?" Matthias asked

Greg’s nod was slow in co, Matthias frowned "You want to tellmumbled

The tension was broken by the sound of carolers "Joy to the World" drifted toward them, the music festive and lively, a dramatic contrast to their currentasked, seely unaware

"It’s Christ’s eyes widened with surprise "I didn’t realize…"

The round as the two men continued to talk, mostly about Tanner and Gloria Several ht up the subject of the vineyard "I read about the fan leaf proble said

That accounted for his cousin’s haggardness and his beleaguered look, Matthias thought

"A lifetiof course"

Greg shook his head "Takes capital, more capital than I can muster"

"Get a loan That’s what banks are for"

"You think I haven’t tried?" Greg’s voice rose "I’ht Tighter than I realized Despite everything, I haven’t been able to convince a single bank to givewith Coluer, e for you to replant with those"

Greg shook his head again "Hell, I’m sixty Too da out co on with one of the other wineries"

That wasn’t the answer, as Matthias ell aware "You never could tolerate working for others You like being your own boss tooI’m damn near seventy and I don’t think of "

"What about Phil? He works for a bank, doesn’t he? He should be able to help you"

Greg shook his head "He has as much reason to hateout any chance of further conversation Matthias could only iine what had caused such a rift between the two brothers

Meood looks, his social skills and sense of purpose Whatever happened had been building for years Matthias didn’t doubt that Greg had played a role--but Phil had already been holding a grudge Looking for a reason to justify his resent rose slowly to his feet, alainst his will

Matthias looked up and then he knew

Phil saw his brother and Matthias at the sa saw him His first reaction was shock, followed by unexpected coed, features pale and drawn--stood beside Matthias Jamison, of all people

Hardly conscious of what he was doing, Phil stopped singing Sandy did, too Slowly, involuntarily, he separated himself from the band of carolers Almost before he realized his intent, he stood silently before his brother They stared at each other, eye to eye

Neither man spoke For his part Phil couldn’t find the words This hat he’d wanted, what he’d drea his brother, his sophisticated suave rich brother, broken and hu was certainly hulee at the sight

He was incapable of speaking His rown suddenly full His eyes filled with tears, and he struggled to hold everything inside

Then, wordlessly, compulsively, the two brothers strained toward each other and hugged

"What happened?" Phil asked when they broke apart He was looking at his brother’s bandage

As if he’d forgotten, Greg touched his head "Nothingto worry about"

"Matthias," Phil said, glancing toward his cousin, "I didn’t know you still lived in California"

"I don’t I ca He was the bone- had voluntarily given his bone marrow? Phil remembered his brother’s aversion to needles--the way he’d always fainted in the doctor’s office whenever he had to get a shot

"I…" Clearly Greg was flustered "I was a match for the boy Matthias is our dad’s cousin, remember?"

Phil nodded