Rejection and Redeemed

Chapter 37

CHAPTER 37

J acob was just coming awake. He smiled to himself as he heard Joe softly reading. Joe must have spotted Finn’s e-reader and was obviously carrying on with the story.

“I really need to hear that story from the beginning.”

Joe laughed. “I can start it again if you want.”

Jacob opened his eyes and stretched. “I can always read it myself sometime.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Alright, I think. That is, I don’t feel exhausted anymore and my sickness pains have almost all gone.”

“Good. Fran’s not back from the hospital yet.”

“I miss him. How weird is it that I’ve just woken up and I miss him already?” he asked while sitting up.

“That’s not weird. I miss Frank when I’m not near him,” Joe said, jumping up and putting pillows behind Jacob’s back. “Apparently he misses me as well.”

“So, since you mated the pack Beta, does that make you a Beta mate?”

Joe laughed and sat down. “No, because that sounds like you telling people to beat a mate, namely me.”

Jacob burst out laughing. “It does, doesn’t it?”

Clairmont chose that moment to walk in, carrying a large tray. “Lunch, gentlemen. Laura has made a selection of finger foods. She thought you could pace your eating, Jacob. And although there is a jug of coffee on the tray, only a small coffee for you, but I brought you a bottle of orange juice.” As he talked he brought the tray over to the bed and placed it at the bottom.

“Thanks, Clairmont, you’re awesome,” Jacob said happily.

“And you are looking much better.”

“I feel it. Thanks for your help the other night.”

“You’re welcome. Now eat up, the two of you.”

“We will, thanks,” Joe replied.

“Clairmont, can you have some food ready for Fran for when he gets back from the hospital?” Jacob asked.

“I will indeed, and before you ask, Joe, Lord Frank is having lunch with His Grace as we speak.”

Joe smiled. “Thanks.”

“I will be back later to collect the tray,” the butler said, leaving the room.

Joe shook his head. “I keep forgetting Frank is a lord. How mad are our lives?”

“Mad, but they’re going to be amazing.”

“They really will. Now what do you fancy eating, shall I put a little of everything on your plate?”

“Yep, sounds good, but first I need the loo,” he said, sitting up and moving the covers out the way.

Joe jumped up. “Do you want me to help or will you use the walker?”

“I’ll use the walker I think, as I need to get used to using it for a while.”

“Here you go then,” Joe said, pulling the walker closer to the bed.

Jacob stood up. “See you in a bit.”

Fran arrived back at the castle just walking in as Clairmont was descending the stairs.

“Welcome back, Francis. How was the hospital?”

“Busy. Rose Merchant died earlier. I need to let Uncle Berni know.”

“His Grace and your father, along with Christine and Fintan, are in the smaller dining room having lunch. I have just taken food up to Joe and Jacob.”

“Thanks. I’ll go and say hello and then see Jacob. Where’s Ezzy?”

“Lord Ezmond is out and about with Her Grace today. Why don’t you have lunch with the others, then His Grace and your father can fill you in on everything that’s going on.”

Fran thought for a moment. “Yeah that would make sense. Thanks, Clairmont. Are you all rested?”

“I am. I was fine with just the morning off,” the butler said, starting to walk towards the smaller dining room.

Fran touched his arm. “Good, but we’ve created more work for you.”

Clairmont scoffed. “It varies the days,” he replied, opening the door for Fran.

“Hey family,” Fran said, smiling at everyone.

Finn jumped up and hugged him. “You alright?”

Fran nodded and hugged him back before pulling back. “I am. I’ve just come from the hospital.” He looked at his uncle. “Rose died not long ago.”

“Bless her. She’s back with Ike now,” Berni said, as both Finn and Fran sat at the table.

Food was passed to Fran and he filled his plate before digging in.

“Everything is ready for her funeral. We’ll have it in three days,” Berni said. “I know she was loved by so many, but she asked for a private funeral with just our family and she didn’t want a wake.”

“Rose wasn’t really a party person so that’s not surprising,” Frank added, before eating some peas.

“How’s Jacob?” Berni asked, putting his cutlery on his empty plate. “I’ve not been in to see him yet today.”

“So much better. He was over the moon having proper food and coffee. He also had a shower, but that exhausted him and he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. Robbie said if Jacob can make it downstairs and outside tomorrow he could shift,” Fran groaned to himself as he bit into his roast beef, his very rare, perfectly cooked roast beef

“That’s good news,” Berni said.

“I love the fact you’re moving into the castle,” Finn said, grinning at him.

“It’ll be fun,” Fran agreed.

“I have a builder coming in tomorrow to start the building work for your suites.”

“Thanks,” both Frank and Fran said.

“I need to pack my house up.” Fran frowned a little.

“We can help you,” Christine offered.

Finn nodded. “We can totally help.”

“Do you know what you’re going to do with your house?” Berni asked.

“I’ll probably rent it out fully furnished. I need to go back and pack some clothes as I’m wearing the clothes Ezzy leant me.”

“You can borrow some of mine as well until you do,” Finn offered, as he finished eating.

“Thanks.”

“Have there been any updates from Cresswell?” Fran asked.

“There has, I’ll fill both you and Jacob when I come up with you and see him,” Berni said. “I have a few trusted friends in the Council offices who are discreetly looking into things for me. Hopefully, soon we should know what is actually going on and who is involved.”