by Tara Randel
“Now I get why you didn’t want your face on the website.”
“I know people like the idea of Aunt Mary inspiring me. I suppose I should ease away from it, focus more on my own talents, but to be honest, she’s been with me from the start.”
“I get it. She may be a story, but she’s your story.”
“Yes.”
The room went silent. Serena folded her hands. She’d done it. She’d unburdened a lie she’d lived with for years. Why didn’t she feel better?
“Can I make a suggestion?”
Serena met her friend’s solemn gaze.
“Keep Aunt Mary alive. Even if she’s made up, she’s important to you.”
Tears blurred Serena’s vision. “Thanks,” she whispered.
Heidi reached out to place her hand over Serena’s. “We all have secrets.”
Serena glanced up, wondering what Heidi’s secrets were.
“Yours are safe with me.”
It was all Serena could do not to slump in relief. Being honest with Heidi had been a huge step. It didn’t diminish the shame she felt at having duped families with her father, but it made her feel that maybe, just maybe, she might be able to figure out a way to reconcile what she’d done and still maintain relationships with those who were becoming important in her life.
Logan Masterson topped that list.
* * *
DINNER AT MASTERSON HOUSE hadn’t been as excruciating as usual, a bright spot in Logan’s busy day. Reid had declined the invitation—again—but at least his father didn’t harp on it during the meal. Or blame Logan for his brother’s defection. Grandmother and Bonnie carried most of the conversation, highlighting such topics as the next Golden Ladies’ Guild project, the crowds swarming the town for Oktoberfest and the delicious meal Alveda had prepared.
He kept waiting for his father to hound him about joining the family business, and was pleased when an entire evening passed by without a word. Could he have finally come to terms with Logan’s decision?
After he’d said goodbye to Bonnie and his grandmother and was about to escape to the town park, his father stopped him in the foyer.
“Logan, a word.”
Holding back a sigh at losing his chance to slip out of the house, he turned to face his father. “I have to get to my shift at Oktoberfest.”
“It will only take a minute. My study.”
Resigned to the fact that he wouldn’t take no for an answer, Logan strode down the hallway to his father’s inner sanctum. He’d come to hate this room after the truth about his birth was revealed here. They’d argued and shouted at each other until Logan had stormed from the room. He could still hear the front door banging off the wall after he’d gone, fueled by hurt and anger. Remembered disappearing into the night, then sitting by the calm lake, where he came to a final decision to join the military.
His father closed the ornate office door behind him and motioned for Logan to have a seat in a leather armchair. Logan tensed as he tried not to let the events of that time long ago color their discussion tonight.
“What’s so important?” Logan asked as his father took a seat behind his massive mahogany desk.
“Your grandmother.”
Logan sat forward, fingers gripping the chair arms. “Is she ill?”
“No. Nothing like that. Her health is fine.” His father rested his forearms on the desk. His gray hair gleamed in the light pouring from a nearby floor lamp. “She informed me today that she wrote a check for Serena Stanhope’s business.”
Grateful that his grandmother wasn’t experiencing health problems, Logan sat back. He wasn’t surprised by his grandmother’s decision. He’d expected it, especially in light of her friendship with Serena. “And you have a problem with that?”
“Your grandmother is business-savvy, but as I said, I have questions.”
“Which Grandmother didn’t want to hear.”
“As usual, she’s made her mind up and there is no swaying her.”
Logan allowed a small grin.
His father cleared his throat. “Have you learned anything new?”
Logan squared his shoulders, sure the old man wouldn’t like his answer.
“You did the background check on BRC, Co.?” He raised a hand as if to hold off Logan’s response. “I simply want to make sure the proposal is legit. We don’t need another episode of tenants taking advantage of your grandmother.”
Logan rose and walked to the bookshelf. Studying the neatly shelved books with worn covers, he weighed the wisdom of how much information to reveal. He glanced at his father. Just like their discussion at Smitty’s, Logan couldn’t ignore the impression that life had worn down Arthur Masterson. The lines on his face and the rounded shoulders were more pronounced than usual. His father still maintained a larger-than-life presence, but he looked every bit his sixty years.
His mind flashed to the conversation at the park with his grandmother. How Logan had admitted that he and his father were alike. Did he really want to resemble a man he didn’t admire? Once again he wished that his father had handled things differently in the past. Hadn’t blown off the truth that had torn apart Logan’s world. Instead he had marginalized events and their relationship had suffered. That didn’t, however, mean they couldn’t look out for the woman they both loved.
“Since Grandmother hired me to check on Serena’s business, nothing has changed.”
His father’s eyebrows rose. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. You are thorough.” He paused. Met Logan’s gaze. “So why are you still in town?”
Logan couldn’t answer, not without revealing the entirety of his investigation.
When he looked away, his father tried a different tactic. “Can you be more specific about Serena?”
“Blue Ridge Cottage is in good financial shape. No bankruptcy issues. Not behind on vendor payments. I believe her vision to expand the business model is her only motivation.” While he still had questions about the Stanhopes, could Logan swear that Serena would never intentionally mislead his grandmother? He hoped she wouldn’t, especially in light of his growing attraction for her.
The woman had started and grown a very successful business. Logan admired her and found it hard to believe she could be a con artist, like they suspected her father to be. She seemed to be on the up-and-up. Was sensitive, kind and fun. He’d laughed more with her than he had with anyone in a long time. And if he was totally honest, she stirred up strong romantic feelings he’d never experienced with another woman. As much as he had no control over his growing regard for her, he sure hoped she didn’t prove him wrong.
“Hmm.” His father tapped a finger on the desk blotter. “You’re still here because of your interest in Serena?”
His father may look tired, but he was still sharp as a tack.
Logan leveled his tone. “Why would I discuss my reasons for staying in town with you?”
His father waited a beat. “Fair enough.”
Logan didn’t expect that answer. He was too used to his father telling him what to think or do.
Talk about a dilemma. Did he engage in this personal side of the conversation? It all boiled down to how much he wanted to reconnect with his father, if at all. In the few weeks he’d been in town, he couldn’t deny how much he’d missed his family. Yes, he’d been shocked and hurt by his father’s betrayal and handling of the truth, but he was a man now. He was weary of carrying the anger he’d let define his life for so many years. It was time to either forgive his parents or keep perpetuating this schism with no productive outcome.
“To be honest, I’ve enjoyed catching up with family,” he admitted. “Staying with Reid has been like old times. And I’ll always come when Grandmother calls.”
“Unlike your mother and me?”
Logan gritted his teeth.
“Unfortunately I kno
w the answer to that.” His father rested his elbows on the arms of his chair. “I’ve been pleased that you’ve come to the house for dinner.” He paused again before emotion crept into his voice. “Your mother has missed you.”
Hearing the unspoken “I’ve missed you, too,” Logan tried not to cringe. He loved Bonnie, but she’d been part of the cover-up as well. She was trying hard to draw him back into the family, but was that enough?
His father continued in a hushed tone. “We all get to a certain age when the mistakes of the past are too much to bear and must be rectified.”
Logan met his father’s gaze. Saw the sincerity reflected there.
He returned to the chair and sat. Since his father was in a mellow mood, Logan decided to take the risk. “Can I ask you something?”
His father nodded.
“Tell me about my mother.”
Surprise flickered in the older man’s eyes. As he gathered himself, the only sound in the silent room came from the steady tick of the mantel clock. Finally, he said, “She was a good woman. Pretty. Kind to everyone she met.”
Logan noticed a hint of sadness on his father’s face, but it was quickly gone.
“I was leaving a meeting in Atlanta. As I hurried out of the building, we collided. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her to watch where she was going, but she stepped back and sent me the most beautiful smile. I stopped in my tracks. She asked where the fire was and I started laughing. To apologize for my behavior, I took her to a nearby coffee shop. We spent the afternoon talking. Her sunny personality was infectious, and as our conversation continued, about everything and nothing, her positive outlook on life encouraged me.” He met Logan’s gaze. “It was easy to be smitten by your charming mother.”
Logan swallowed around the knot lodged in his throat. “You became involved?”
Arthur rose and stalked to the window. Stared out at the rapidly approaching nightfall. Logan could just make out the stars in the sky over his father’s shoulder.
“I’m not the easiest man to get along with.” He shot Logan an amused glance before sobering. “Bonnie and I had...marital problems and I was too full of myself to consider her feelings. After we separated I met your mother and we...clicked. The attraction was sudden and strong and I allowed it to get the best of me. When she discovered she was pregnant and I refused to divorce Bonnie, your mother left.”
“Did you look for her?”
“To no avail. She contacted me after you were born. Then the accident transpired and Bonnie and I decided to raise you together.”
His voice tight, Logan asked, “Why not tell me the truth from the beginning?”
His father ran a hand through his thick hair and returned to his seat. “Pride.” A ghost of a smile moved his lips. “When your mother died, I asked Bonnie what we should do. She took one look at you and declared she was your mother. I guess I thought that would be enough. Why tell you about my sordid past when I could cover it up, like it had never happened?”
“But it did.” Logan paused. “I wouldn’t have been angry with you.”
“That’s what you say now.” He sent Logan a sad smile. “You looked up to me and I’d kept this huge secret for years. As you got older, it seemed smarter to never reveal the truth.”
“You know the truth always comes out. It’s one of the fundamentals I’ve learned since becoming a private investigator.”
“I realize that now. And why being honest is so important to you.”
Both fell silent again. Logan ran a hand over his chest. “I’m mostly angry over the way you handled the situation when I found the birth certificate.”
“Again. My narrow thinking. I’d decided what was best, regardless of your feelings. Thought I knew better. Didn’t give your reasonable reaction any validity. I could have listened to your point of view. Taken into consideration your shock. I was too stubborn to do otherwise. I’m sorry.”
Finally. A real apology.
Whenever they’d discussed this topic before, his father had been haughty and belligerent. Tonight, he seemed remorseful. Could his father finally, after all this time, truly be sorry?
“So where do we stand?” Logan asked.
“The ball is in your court, son. I’ll always be your father, so I must ask again, do you forgive me?”
Did he? He’d carried the anger around like a tight-fitting coat for so long, he wasn’t sure how he’d feel devoid of it.
“We’re family, Logan. For better or worse.”
His father was right. It was time to accept the olive branch, but it would still take a while to repair their relationship.
“Apology accepted.” Logan rose. “In the meantime, I’ll continue to watch Grandmother’s interactions with Serena. Make sure everything is legitimate.”
“Thank you.”
“And a word of advice?”
His father nodded.
“Lay off Reid. He’s got to figure out his life on his own.”
“Point taken.”
Logan closed the door behind him and started down the dim hallway. He hadn’t expected the conversation to go the way it had, but the usual tightness in his chest after spending time with his father was missing. It felt good to finally reconcile the past.
He stepped into the foyer when his grandmother appeared.
“I thought you’d left.”
“Dad and I needed to speak first.”
“And...?” One perceptive eyebrow rose.
He sent her a reluctant grin. “We made progress.”
His grandmother rushed over to hug him. He inhaled the familiar perfume, savored the love she wrapped around him and felt more a part of the family than he had in thirteen years.
She pulled back, tears shimmering in her eyes. “You know this is what I’ve wished for.”
“I know.”
She patted his arm. “You’re such a good boy. Now you’ll fulfill my next wish.”
“Next wish?”
“For you to be married and give me great-grandchildren.”
He held back a groan.
“I mean it, young man. You’d better get serious before some other discerning man swoops up Serena.”
“You’re rushing things.”
“Am I?” she asked, all fake innocence.
He kissed her cheek and stepped into the dark night, focused on Serena. Because his grandmother had mentioned her?
No, an inner voice taunted. She was already on your mind.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
THE FOLLOWING WEDNESDAY, Logan jogged into Gold Dust Park thirty minutes late for his Oktoberfest shift to find Deke manning the station. He slowed his steps, happy to see his friend for two reasons. One, he’d never hear the end of it from Lissy Ann if he was late and hadn’t found a replacement to cover his post, and two, he had good news on the Stanhope case.
“Thanks, man,” he said as he reached the park entrance.
“No problem,” Deke replied. “But I have to ask, what kept you?”
Logan glanced toward the food tent, catching a glimpse of Serena delivering a tray of items to hungry visitors, then returned his gaze to Deke. His excitement was tempered by the fact that his discovery might affect his relationship with Serena, but he had to move forward. “I finally got my first concrete lead on Stanhope.”
Deke’s eyebrows rose. “Credible?”
“I’ll let you know in a few days, but I think so.”
Deke pushed away from the stone archway he’d been leaning against. “Care to share the details?”
Logan made sure to angle away from the ticket table. No point in allowing the chatting ladies to be privy to the conversation. He stepped closer to Deke and in a low voice said, “I haven’t found a social security number for Serena, which is a whole other problem, but discovered early in the investigation that she does ha
ve an employer ID number. That got me thinking that Stanhope might have applied for a number if he was running a business scam. It took a couple of hours, but I found an employer number attached to the name Stanton.”
“A close variation of Stanhope.”
“Correct. There were different types of businesses listed, but they all closed up years ago. I ran the names through a fraud database and found a complaint. I’m going to talk to the couple who filed it and see what information they can provide me.”
“What kind of business?”
“A savings and investment firm. Something called Tomorrow’s Solutions. From what I could gather, the company was meant to help people save money or increase their investment funds through deals and other projects.”
“Only they never received the money when they needed it? Or any money, for that matter.”
“Bingo.”
When Logan had first made the connection, he was pumped. Putting in the hours was necessary when hunting a good lead, and his patience had paid off. James Tate, Stanton or Stanhope had covered his tracks, but all it took was one solid lead to uncover all sorts of secrets. Logan was sure that checking into the complaint would help him make progress on the case.
But after thinking about what he was doing—digging into the life of a woman he was involved with to get information on her father—he couldn’t quell his doubts. Serena took him at face value, having no reason to believe he was a PI delving into her family history. Sure, it seemed like a great case for his agency, but on a personal level, he had mounting reservations about his deception, because Serena would certainly look at his actions that way.
“Want me to tag along when you question the couple?” Deke asked.
“I know you’re champing at the bit, but it’s best if I talk to these folks alone. I want them to feel comfortable enough to confide in me. If you’re hovering, it may add stress to the situation. This time, I go solo.”
Deke nodded. “When are you leaving?”
“I’m heading into Atlanta to my office first thing tomorrow morning. After setting up an appointment, I’ll drive out to see the family.”
