by Cat Schield
“Your brother and I have sort of come to an understanding. I can thank your father for that. I wouldn’t be here if there wasn’t trouble with West Coast Records. And if Siggy hadn’t threatened me with taking Dylan away.”
“It seems like there’s more going on here than just a simple understanding.” Melody put special emphasis on the last word and gave Savannah a knowing look. “I mean, you’re living with him.”
“In the guesthouse,” Savannah explained. “And you’re right—there’s more going on. Rafe’s and my finances were really bad. I’m almost a million dollars in debt. And until I’m working again, I have no income to live on.”
“What are you going to do?”
“My plan is to go to LA tomorrow with Scarlett Fontaine. Thanks to her, I’ve set up three interviews with agents.”
“Who’s watching Dylan while you’re interviewing?”
“I’m leaving him with Trent’s housekeeper. She’s been terrific.”
“Oh, good. Since you’re leaving him here, then I can pitch in. I need a little practice taking care of a baby.”
Savannah stared at Melody in confused silence, unsure if she should voice the first thing that popped into her mind. “I’d love for you to spend some time with Dylan. But why do you need practice?”
“I’m pregnant.” Melody offered up a tremulous smile. “Yikes.”
“That’s great. I’m so happy for you and Kyle.”
“Well, you can be happy for me.”
From the tenor of Melody’s response, Savannah sensed not all was well. “Kyle isn’t happy? How is that possible? He adores you.”
“I haven’t told him yet.”
Savannah closed her eyes briefly, recalling the confusing muddle of uncertainty and joy when she realized she was pregnant.
“You know he’s going to be great about this.”
“I don’t know that. We haven’t been together that long and haven’t talked about marriage. I don’t know where he stands on the whole kid thing.”
“How far along are you?”
“Barely six weeks. I took a long weekend off from the tour and flew to LA for his birthday. It was a fantastic three days.” Her eyes glowed with heartbreaking fondness for several seconds before dimming. “And then Nate called to say that they’d added an extra two weeks to the tour and Kyle got so mad. He complained about how much time we’d been apart and told me to quit. We had a huge fight.” She trailed off, looking miserable.
“But he was all for it. He’s been one hundred percent behind your career from the very beginning.”
Melody gave a little shrug. “I don’t think either one of us realized how hard it was going to be to be apart.” She sat down and put her hands in her lap. “He’s been so distant these last few months. I don’t know what’s gotten into him. I’m worried he doesn’t love me anymore.”
“That’s impossible. I’ve seen you two together. He adores you.”
Melody pressed her lips together, shifted on the couch and heaved a huge sigh. “A month ago, he practically accused me of cheating on him with Hunter Graves.”
Savannah understood why Kyle might be worried. “Because of that photo of the two of you holding hands as you left that New York club?” She’d wondered what was up after seeing the image, even though she knew without a doubt that Melody would never risk her relationship with Kyle. “Okay, I’m sorry, but I could see where he might have gotten the impression that you and Hunter were together.”
“But we’re just friends. Nothing more. It was a madhouse as we left. Hunter grabbed my hand so we wouldn’t be separated on the way to the car.”
“You dated him on and off for a year and a half before you and Kyle got together.”
In fact, at one point Melody had tried to use Kyle to make Hunter jealous. The plan had backfired, but in the best way possible. The ruse had awakened Kyle’s true feelings for Melody and made her realize the man she was meant to be with had been right under her nose.
“And I was miserable,” Melody said. “Why would Kyle think I would go back to that?”
“Maybe you should talk to Kyle about all this. Tell him how you feel.”
Given her own situation, Savannah wasn’t the best person to be offering relationship advice, but she felt compelled to say something that might ease her friend’s mind.
“I don’t know, but we haven’t spoken more than a half-dozen times in the last three months.”
And Savannah knew that wasn’t like them. “You need to talk to him about this.”
“I will. I promise. But I really need to get the album finished first.”
“How long do you think that’s going to take?”
Melody had been living with Kyle three months before going on tour with Nate. They’d been dating for six months before she moved in with him. And before that, they’d known each other and been friends since high school. Kyle had been Trent’s best friend since they’d met freshman year, and Savannah had known Kyle from all the times he’d hung out with Trent. She hadn’t been surprised when Melody and Kyle finally got together.
Melody looked uncomfortable. “I don’t know.”
“The longer you wait, the worse it’s going to be.” Since Rafe’s death, at least once a day Savannah regretted not telling Trent the truth about Dylan when she first learned she was pregnant. She’d kept quiet because she’d been afraid to get hurt again. Which had been silly, because she’d lost Trent anyway.
“You’re right. But if I go to LA and tell him, I’ll know how he reacts. If I stay here and finish the album, I can pretend for a while that when he finds out he’s going to be thrilled.”
Melody was operating with the same faulty logic Savannah had used. It had backfired for her; she could only hope that the same didn’t happen to her good friend.
“He is going to be thrilled,” Savannah assured her, trusting that truth. “He loves you.”
“Sometimes love isn’t enough.” Melody stared at her hands.
Savannah’s voice rang with conviction. “And sometimes it’s all you need.”
Their conversation was interrupted by the appearance of Trent and Dylan, with Murphy trotting along beside them. As always when Savannah saw father and son together, her heart gave a big bump.
“How’d his swimming lesson go?” she asked, holding her arms out for Dylan’s towel-wrapped body.
Trent showed no inclination to give up Dylan. “He’s already learned how to hold his breath when he goes underwater.” He leaned forward to kiss Melody on the cheek. “It’s good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you, too.” She looked a little startled by her brother’s sunny demeanor and shot a sidelong glance in Savannah’s direction. “I hope it’s okay if I crash here for a couple weeks while I finish my album. Unless it’s too crowded?”
“I have plenty of room. When is Kyle coming? I’ll make a couple tee times to get him out of your hair.”
“He’s not going to come this trip.” Melody made a stab at looking undisturbed, but couldn’t quite pull it off.
Her brother frowned. “Why not?”
Savannah decided it might be easier for Melody to have this conversation with her brother if they were alone. “I’m going to change Dylan.”
With Trent focused on his sister, Savannah had an easy time making her escape. She dressed her son in dry clothes and wondered what Trent would make of his sister’s situation. He had demonstrated the same sort of protectiveness with Savannah as he had with Melody. Especially when it came to her relationship with his best friend.
While he and Kyle had always been the best of friends, Trent hadn’t been wild about Melody dating him. But since she was a strong-minded woman in her twenties, with a successful career and clear idea of whom she was getting involved with, Trent’s warnings had been unwelcome.
To distract herself from what was going on in the main house, Savannah took stock of her limited wardrobe and began planning for the upcoming interviews in LA. She was still o
perating with the same suitcase of clothes she’d brought to Las Vegas the first time. While preparing to sell the house, she’d packed up the bulk of her wardrobe and put it in storage with the idea that she would sort through it as soon as she’d gotten settled.
Dylan’s swim had taken the edge off his energy, and he was content to sit on the floor in her closet and play with his musical bear. By pushing on the bear’s right paw, he was able to scroll through the playlist until he found his favorite song. Then he waved his hands and sang along in his cute baby way while Murphy barked and growled at the noisy toy.
“Why am I not surprised that he’s musical.” Trent’s voice came from the doorway. “I hope you don’t mind that I let myself in.”
“I don’t mind. This is your house. And that’s why I’ve been thinking that maybe Dylan and I should move out.”
“Move out? Why?”
“Melody needs the peace and quiet of the guesthouse in order to finish her album.”
“Where are you thinking about going?”
“I thought something nearby.” She paused. “Or LA.”
Trent’s eyebrows crashed together. “Have you forgotten the reason you moved in here in the first place?”
“I haven’t forgotten.”
Trent thought she’d come to Las Vegas to keep Dylan safe, but that wasn’t the only reason. She’d foolishly hoped that once Trent spent time with her and Dylan that he’d miraculously decide that being a family with them was all he wanted.
“But things are different now,” she continued. “And depending on how my auditions go in the next couple days, I might need to be closer to make the most of the opportunities.”
“That’s not the tune you were singing two days ago, and don’t give me the excuse about Melody. You knew she was coming. Why the sudden change of heart?”
Savannah couldn’t explain the real reason to him: the awkwardness of living in his guesthouse and wanting to be more than just a convenient fling. Falling in love with him all over again wasn’t good for either of them. For a second, Savannah’s chest became tight and her lungs refused to work. She searched for calm.
It was good for Dylan that she and Trent were getting along, but keeping things friendly and uncomplicated would be best. In addition, she needed to stop relying on Trent to save her and stand on her own two feet.
“I guess it comes down to not having a plan and not having much in the way of options because of my financial situation. What Siggy did spooked me. I reacted before thinking everything through.”
“There’s no reason to believe he won’t try something again.”
“That’s why I’m leaving Dylan here while I meet with agents. I know he’ll be safe with you.”
“I don’t understand why you’re so determined to get back to work. You’re more than welcome to stay here as long as you want.”
“That’s generous of you, but I really need to move forward with my life.” And if it wasn’t going to be with Trent, then she needed to put some distance between them as soon as possible. “And speaking of Melody, have you spoken with her about what’s going on between her and Kyle?”
“She said they’re having a little trouble.” He ran his hand through his hair and his mouth tensed. “She warned me to leave things alone and mind my business.”
“She’s right. Melody’s a big girl. She doesn’t need her brother messing in her love life.”
“So what am I supposed to do? Sit by and let her be miserable?”
“Why don’t you focus on what we’re going to do about West Coast Records and let Melody sort out her own problems? If she wants you to step in, she’ll say so.”
“Fine. I found a guy who can take over running the company. I’ll text you his number so you can meet with him while you’re in LA. I think you’ll like him.”
“That’s wonderful. I’ll look forward to talking with him. And if I want to hire him, do you have a plan for how to get him past Siggy and Gerry?”
“If things go the way I think they will, you won’t have to.”
Savannah shook her head. “Will it do me any good to ask you what you have planned?”
“Grab dinner with him at Cuts Beverly Hills.”
“So your father will get wind of the meeting?”
“Exactly. The restaurant’s practically in his backyard, and he’s sure to hear if you show up.”
“And then what? We sit around and wait?”
“If I know my father, we won’t have to wait for long.”
* * *
Pushing a stroller that contained his sleepy nephew, Trent sauntered into the recording studio of Nate Tucker’s indie label, Ugly Trout Records. Since Savannah had left for LA this morning, Trent had been feeling edgy and out of sorts. While he knew it was important to her that she get back to work, he couldn’t help but feel as if it was a huge mistake for her to think about returning to LA. After what had happened the week before, he’d assumed she would hide out in Las Vegas with him at least until they figured out how to handle Siggy. Trent’s intention was to untangle Savannah from his father’s company. Today, he was going to present to Nate an idea for how to go about that.
The receptionist directed Trent to studio B, where Melody and Nate were doing some recording for her album. When Trent entered the studio’s production booth, Nate’s gaze flicked over his two visitors before returning to Melody.
Trent leaned against the wall and listened to his sister. Accompanied by a guy in a knit cap playing the guitar, she sat at an electric piano, her strong, pure voice pouring out a song of heartbreaking angst. The uncomplicated arrangement allowed her songwriting to shine. Trent felt the hairs rise on the back of his neck at the emotion resonating through the lyrics. What was going on with his baby sister?
As she finished the song, Nate blew out a breath and rocked back in his chair. “She sounds amazing. This album is going to be a knockout.”
A little dazed, Trent nodded. “It sure sounds like it.”
Although Trent had seen his sister perform in several large venues, he continued to be amazed at her talent. Unlike Trent, who’d dabbled a bit here and there, Melody had embraced her musical side. As soon as she could pick up a violin, she’d started taking lessons. At eight, she’d taught herself how to play the piano and had begun composing silly little songs that her friends sang all the time, driving her two older brothers mad.
All this had ended one day when she was ten. Melody had written her first serious piece, and Trent had suggested that she record it. What was the point of having access to your very own recording studio and not using it? Trent had set up a one-hour session as a surprise for her, suspecting that if he told her in advance she’d never go through with it.
As it was, encouraged by Trent’s confidence in her, she’d reluctantly agreed to record her song. She’d been struggling with the start of it when their father walked in. Or perhaps stormed in was a better description. Siggy had been furious at what Trent had done. He didn’t want the expensive studio time wasted on his daughter. Melody had been so upset she never finished recording the song and stopped singing altogether.
From that point forward, she concentrated solely on her violin and piano, in her own way trying to please her father, just as Rafe did. Trent had gone the complete opposite direction, aggravating his father at every turn.
“Nate,” Melody said from the booth, “can you play the song back so I can hear it?”
“Sure.” Nate cued the song before turning to Trent. “She’s such a perfectionist. I think she’s recorded fifty songs.”
“And I’m sure each one is better than the last. She just doesn’t think she’s any good. We have our father to thank for that.”
Dylan was awake, his eyes bright as he listened to Melody’s song. Trent unbuckled him from the stroller and lifted him so he could see his aunt. She grinned and waved. Dylan blew her a kiss and wiggled in Trent’s arms.
“I’ve told her she has a month to whittle her album down to fourtee
n songs. I’m just afraid that in that time she’s going to record a dozen more.”
“A month? Is she planning on sticking around that long?”
“I don’t know.” But Nate looked troubled. “Originally I gave her two weeks, but she asked for more time.”
“Is there something going on between her and Kyle?”
The way Nate’s expression shut down told Trent everything he needed to know. “It’s none of my business. And it’s none of yours.”
“She’s my sister. He’s my best friend.”
“Stay out of it.”
“Fine.” He ground out the word, taking his frustration out on the wrong person.
In truth, Trent didn’t want to meddle in his sister’s love life, but focusing on her distracted him from fixating on Savannah. His initial intention to keep his distance had been shattered in his office the night she’d come to Club T’s. Since then, he’d involved himself in her struggles with his father and had tumbled back into her bed and under her spell.
“Melody and I agree that the album could use a duet,” Nate said, unaffected by Trent’s bad mood. “What would you think about recording ‘She’s the One’ with her?”
“Me? Sing?” He preferred to make music with a guitar.
“Melody said you’re pretty good.”
Trent felt his face grow warm. Singing was something he enjoyed doing in the privacy of his car or shower. “I’m not professionally trained.”
“You think I am? I’m just a poor kid from North Dakota who happens to like playing in a band.”
Nate might be from North Dakota and he might have grown up without money, but his talent and ambition as a singer, songwriter and producer made his statement laughable.
“I’ll sing,” Trent said, surprising himself. “As long as you promise not to put it on the album.”
“Let’s record it and see how it goes.”
“She’d be much better off doing a duet with you. She needs someone established to kick-start the album so she can make a pile of dough.”
“You know she’d really love to put the album up for free, right?”
Trent wasn’t surprised. Melody had always been about the art, not the money. “But you talked her out of that, I hope.”
