Read The Prodigal Son for Free Online Page A

Matthew’s.” She caught Alex’ eye and her mouth curved into an infinitesimal smile. “You like it that way, don’t you?”
    Alex most certainly did. Matthew had other children, her children, to look out for.
    “But he must have asked… after what Matthew said.”
    “Aye, he did; for months and months he did, and Luke would sit him down and tell him how he was his son, Luke’s lad, and that wasn’t it Luke that had the rearing of him? Matthew had thrown him out, disowned him, so how could Ian possibly think Matthew was his father?”
    Once the boy began shaving it would be enough just to see himself in the mirror to think that, Alex reflected.
    “Oh, so you painted Matthew as the unfeeling ogre. Did you perhaps include some context as well?”
    Margaret obviously didn’t understand the word context, but she got the overall meaning and her face washed bright red.
    “Nay we didn’t, and for now it’s best he doesn’t know – it won’t help him, will it?”
    Alex totally agreed. What boy of eleven needed to know his mother had been a two-timing bitch, married to one brother while screwing the other?
    “Matthew and I are in agreement on this.”
    “Oh, you are?” Alex said, cursing Matthew to hell. “And is this something you’ve been discussing a lot?”
    “Quite often lately, aye? Just Matthew and me.” It came out in a purr, Margaret’s mouth settling into a pouty smile. It made Alex seethe; damn man!
    As Alex turned to leave, Margaret crouched and picked up a rowan frond, extending it to Alex.
    “Here; you like bitty leaves.” She hung back, brows pulled together in a frown. “Matthew is playing with fire; aiding the evicted ministers will sooner or later lead to him being hanged or deported.”
    Alex didn’t know what to say.
    Margaret put a hand on her sleeve. “Luke knows; he has ears and eyes everywhere and if he can, he’ll use it to bring Matthew down.” She sighed and looked away. “He will neither forgive nor forget.”
    “Nor will Matthew.” Alex tried to sound calm, but she could feel her lower lip begin to wobble and bit down hard.
    “Nay, but it’s Luke that has the ear of the king, and Matthew is a fool if he lets that slip his mind. There is only so much I can do, aye? When it comes to his brother Luke is difficult to reason with. So you must make Matthew see sense – if you can. Stubborn all of them, the Graham men.” Halfway to the cottage Margaret turned once more. “Will you care for my son?”
    Alex nodded, shook her apron free of leaves she no longer wanted and turned back home.
    Matthew was irked by Alex’ behaviour; run off to the woods like an irresponsible lassie, and not come back in time for the Bible reading. He saw his own irritation mirrored exponentially in her face when he stepped out to block her way as she reappeared from among the trees.
    “Where have you been?”
    “Walking.” She attempted to sidestep him, but was snared by his arm.
    “I’m talking to you.”
    “I’m not talking to you,” she retorted, pulling herself free. “But hey, I have a suggestion, go up and have a cosy little chat with Margaret. You know, you can sit there together and reminiscence about how wonderful life was when you were newlyweds. Especially for her – after all she had variation in her bed. One day you, the other Luke.”
    He nearly slapped her. His hand was already flying towards her when he brought himself under control. Instead he shoved her in the direction of the house and stalked off towards the stable.
    He should have told her, he knew that, but Alex was oversensitive to the issue of Margaret and so he’d chosen not to. Several times over the last few weeks he had walked with Margaret, talking for hours with her, hours when they had found their way back to some element of respect and basic liking. They had even been able to talk about Luke and his obsessive hatred of Matthew, with Margaret admitting that here, if in nothing else, Luke was somewhat