The Black Sheep's Secret Child

by Cat Schield

  Trent knew it all too well—it was the intro to “She’s the One.” He’d sung it yesterday. He had only seconds to act before it got to the part he’d recorded. “Why don’t we listen to Dylan’s song again.”

  “Wait.” Savannah placed her hand over his. “That’s ‘She’s the One.’ Is Melody going to put that on her new album?”

  The tension in her tone caught his attention. Glancing over, Trent noticed that Savannah’s expression had grown bleak. As his sister sang the first verse, Trent wondered what about the song had caused Savannah’s shift into melancholy. He was equally curious how she would react when she heard him jump in at the chorus.

  “I sure hope not,” he said just as his voice filled the speakers.

  Hearing himself made him wince. It wasn’t as if he sounded off-key or out of practice, but singing for himself and singing in the studio with his sister were meant to be private performances. Now he felt exposed. He’d been thinking about Savannah while they recorded the song, and to his sensitive ears it sounded like it.

  “I had no idea.” Savannah brushed back her hair with a trembling hand. She didn’t finish her thought. “You guys sound great together. Melody should put it on her album.”

  “She needs to do a duet with someone well-known.”

  “You don’t think anyone would remember the lead singer of Chrome Pulse?”

  Trent laughed. “I sure hope not.”

  After a couple seconds Savannah joined him in laughing. “I can’t believe Melody talked you into singing with her.”

  “I can’t believe Nate put the song onto this CD.” Trent would definitely have some choice words for his business partner. “It wasn’t meant for public consumption.”

  “I’m glad he did. And thank you for Dylan’s song. It was really a fantastic surprise.”

  For a while they rode in silence, each occupied by their own thoughts. Trent wrestled with the urge to reach out and take her hand in his. Every shift in her body and subtle change in her expression caught his attention. He yearned to demonstrate how much he’d missed her. But her posture warned him that something was bothering her.

  “You haven’t told me much about your meeting with Fred. How did it go?”

  “He’s really great. I think he’d do a fantastic job running the company.” She quit speaking before she ran out of air and seemed to hold the remaining breath in her lungs. It gave her statement an unfinished feel, as if she wanted to say more but decided against it.

  “But?” he prompted as the silence stretched.

  “I had a run-in with your father.” From the way she was gripping her purse, it hadn’t gone well. “I think your attempt to provoke him worked better than you thought it would.”

  “If he did anything to upset you...”

  She blew out a shaky breath. “I might’ve tipped our hand about Gerry.”

  So that’s what was bothering her.

  “Why don’t you start at the beginning and tell me what happened.”

  She took a few moments to collect her thoughts and Trent grew concerned at her reluctance.

  “As I was leaving the hotel this morning, I was served with papers. Siggy is suing me for Dylan’s shares in the company.”

  “On what grounds?”

  Another long pause. “He’s claiming Dylan isn’t Rafe’s son.”

  Trent tamped down irritation at his father’s ridiculous tactics. “Obviously we have my father on the run, and I am glad to see that, but I’m sorry that you’re the one on the receiving end of his despicable tactics. We’ll get a lawyer and fight it.”

  “I already spoke to one today. I thought I’d better get ahead of this thing.”

  “Is this why you told my father that Fred would be taking over the company?”

  “When I got the papers, I wasn’t thinking very clearly. I stormed over to his house to confront him. I let my temper get the better of me.”

  Trent found this last bit rather funny. “Since when do you have a temper?”

  All the times he’d stepped in and rescued her, she’d never shown any signs of being willing to fight for herself. Now that she had someone of her own to protect, she’d become more lion than mouse.

  “Apparently I’ve grown a spine since giving birth to Dylan.” The corners of her mouth lifted in a sad, ironic smile.

  “You always had a spine,” Trent told her, thinking about how many times she’d braved his temper after his father had gone off on him. Her only motivation had been to see if he was okay. And more often than not, he’d directed his misplaced anger at her. It had taken him years before he understood and appreciated her kindness and bravery. “You just didn’t let anyone see it.”

  “Anyway,” she said, her shoulders lifting and falling in a dismissive little shrug, “I told Siggy that I had hired Fred and intended to turn Gerry over to the police for embezzlement.”

  “You hired Fred?”

  “I didn’t. Or I hadn’t at that point, anyway. But I called him later and explained the situation. He’s willing to go into hostile territory and do what needs to be done. I told him it might be an interim position. Until the lawsuit is settled, everything is up in the air.”

  Trent blew out a breath. “You were busy.”

  Given all she’d accomplished, he didn’t know if she needed him anymore. That bothered him more than it should. Their former dynamic gave him a mission he was comfortable with. She got into trouble. He helped her out. What role did he play in her life going forward?

  “I just hope I didn’t create a bigger mess.”

  “Whatever happens, we’ll tackle it together.”

  Ten

  Savannah considered Trent’s statement in silence. When she’d explained how Siggy’s lawsuit claimed Dylan wasn’t Rafe’s son, she’d expected Trent to grill her for answers. Instead, he perceived the legal action as a simple matter of his father playing dirty. Not for a moment had he doubted her. Savannah felt sick. Lying to Trent was eating at her. But telling him Dylan was his son would be so much worse. He’d never forgive her for deceiving him.

  “I’m beginning to wonder if you shouldn’t let me finish this up alone.”

  Trent’s eyebrows went up. “You want me out just as things are getting interesting?”

  “Who knows what crazy thing your father will come up with next? I don’t want you hurt because of me.”

  “My father lost the ability to hurt me a long time ago.”

  Although that might be true, it didn’t mean the damage had ever healed. Trent remained wary of becoming emotionally invested. And Savannah couldn’t love him enough to fix what he refused to be made whole.

  “That doesn’t mean he won’t try, and you know how he likes to play dirty.”

  “Trust me, when it comes to my father, I’m bulletproof.”

  Savannah nodded. “I should also tell you that before I spoke to a lawyer, I offered to settle with Siggy. I offered him the shares back for the million in debt I owe.” When Trent shook his head, she rushed on. “I know it was foolish, but I’m sick to death of the whole thing and just want to be done.”

  “What did he say?”

  “He told me he’s going to take back the shares and not pay me a cent.”

  Trent nodded. “He’s a pretty good poker player, and he knows you pretty well. He probably expected a bluff like that would scare you. Was this before or after you told him about Fred and Gerry?”

  “Before.” She didn’t want to admit that she’d been scared. “His arrogance made me so mad. And after what he pulled the day I closed on my house, I don’t see him as an all-powerful threat anymore.”

  She didn’t care about the shares and she didn’t care about the money. Once she was working again, she could pay off the debt she owed. The only danger she faced was if the lawsuit made public the truth about Dylan’s biological father.

  “Don’t get between a mama and her baby.”

  “Darn right.”

  Trent laughed. The sound made Savannah smil
e. She was enjoying being on the same team. Being estranged from him this last year and a half had plunged her into a bleak, gray world. They might not ever be together as a family the way she wanted, but being able to laugh with him and watch him with Dylan was pretty great, too.

  When the trio entered the house, Melody was in the kitchen fixing dinner while Murphy sat at her feet, his huge brown eyes luminous as he begged for handouts. Trent had given Rhoda the night off. After having her offer of help rejected, Savannah took her suitcase to the guesthouse and unpacked while Dylan sat on the bed and checked out the new puzzle she’d bought him.

  Half an hour later, the four of them sat on the terrace and ate hamburgers loaded with jalapeño, guacamole and fresh tomatoes. It was a familiar family gathering. While Melody and Savannah had lived in New York City, they’d made an effort to eat together at least twice a month—more often when Trent visited.

  “I really liked the duet you and Trent sang,” Savannah said as talk turned to Melody’s new album.

  “He played that for you?” Melody shot a surprised look at her brother.

  “I don’t think he meant to. It was on the same CD with the song you and Dylan sang. Which was amazing, by the way.” Savannah saw Trent drop a bit of hamburger to the waiting Murphy and frowned at him.

  “Wasn’t he great?” Melody said. “I think if the album doesn’t work out I might do one for kids.”

  “Your album’s going to be great,” Trent said. “But you might think about recording your other songs, as well. I can hear kids singing about noses, roses and toeses all around the world.”

  “I second that,” Savannah said. “So when do I get to hear more of the album?”

  “She’s not including the duet on her album,” Trent insisted. “As a matter of fact, I’m going to get Nate to destroy the master.”

  “So I’ll have the only copy?” Savannah rather liked the idea.

  She recalled the first time she’d heard the song. Melody had written it during their days in New York. It had been a collaboration of sorts: Savannah’s life put to Melody’s music. Trent had never caught on that the song was about him. Originally the song had been titled “He’s the One,” but that had hit a little too close to home. Once Melody had changed the gender, Savannah could pretend that the lyrics were about anyone.

  “Can we talk about something besides my album?” Melody said.

  “Sure,” Trent said, sliding a look his sister’s way. “Kyle’s coming into town next week. He, Nate and I are going to talk about a new business venture.”

  Noticing that Melody hadn’t commented on Kyle’s imminent arrival and was instead fussing with her nephew, Savannah picked up the conversation. “Another club?”

  “Kyle wants to open one in LA. Something he can manage on a day-to-day basis.” From Trent’s manner, he was trying to engage his sister. Obviously Melody hadn’t divulged any details about what was going on between her and Kyle. “He’s been scouting properties and has narrowed it down to three.”

  “I’m not surprised you’re looking to expand, given how well Club T’s is doing.”

  “Of course, LA is a different market. But one that Kyle knows pretty well. He said he’s been out a lot lately. I suppose it’s because he’s been missing you while you’re on tour.” This last was directed at his sister.

  “It has nothing to do with me,” Melody said. “Kyle’s never been one to sit around for long. He likes being busy. I’m surprised it’s taken this long for him to take this step. I know whenever you need him to fill in for you at Club T’s he really enjoys it.”

  “I know he does. That’s why I’ve asked him to stick around for the next month. I have some business in LA that’s going to require me to be gone from the club quite a bit.”

  “He’s going to stay here?” Melody didn’t sound happy. “Can he do that? Take time off from his other investments, I mean.”

  A line formed between Trent’s brows. “I thought you’d be happy to have him around while you’re working on your album.”

  “I’ll be too busy to spend time with him.”

  “I’m sure you can make time to be together.” Trent cocked his head. “Is there something going on?”

  Melody pushed back abruptly from the table, her wrought-iron chair screeching against the patio tile. “Everything is fine,” she snapped, picking up her plate and heading for the kitchen.

  “What the hell is going on with her?” Trent looked to Savannah for explanation. “Are she and Kyle having problems?”

  “I think the tour was hard on their relationship.” Savannah didn’t feel bad about sharing that bit of information. It only made sense that not everyone could handle a long-distance romance. “I think it will be good for them to spend some time together here.” On neutral territory.

  “And it will give you and me a chance to spend some time together in LA.”

  “You and I? Together?” Savannah’s breath caught. What was he suggesting?

  “I’ve been thinking about it since you left. I don’t feel comfortable with you and Dylan in LA by yourselves.”

  “If you’re worried about Siggy trying to take Dylan away from me, I think his attitude on that score has changed.”

  “I’m not worried about my father.” Trent reached over and took her hand. “I missed you these last couple days.”

  Savannah’s throat tightened. She lowered her gaze so he wouldn’t see the tears that brightened her eyes. He’d never said anything to her like that before, and the joy she felt left her paralyzed.

  “I missed you, too,” she whispered, the strain on her vocal cords almost painful. “It would be nice to have you with us in LA.”

  “Then it’s settled. Let’s get this cleaned up and then I want to hear all about the movie you’re going to audition for.”

  When they carried the dinner dishes into the kitchen, Melody chased them out before they could offer to help. “The kitchen isn’t big enough for all of us.”

  Which wasn’t at all true, but Savannah could tell Melody needed time to herself. She and Trent took Dylan to the comfortable couches in the outdoor movie theater. With the screen retracted, they enjoyed watching the sunset decorate the mountains in shades of orange and gold.

  “It’s beautiful here.” Savannah let her head drop onto Trent’s shoulder as they watched Dylan running around the open gas fireplace, currently unlit.

  “Staring at that view, it’s hard to believe that less than five miles away there are millions of lights and people.”

  “Do you ever get tired of just how crazy it is on the Strip and in the hotels? That was what drove me crazy about New York. It was always people, people and more people. I think that’s why Tennessee appealed to me. Wide-open spaces where days could go by without seeing anyone.”

  “That’s why I bought this place. To get away from it all.”

  “You do have your own little vacation spot here.”

  “Do you really want to go back to LA? The traffic? Everyone on top of one another?”

  “If I want to get jobs, I’m pretty sure that’s where I need to be.”

  “Scarlett makes it work, going back and forth.”

  “She has two careers and a husband who lives here.” Savannah hadn’t meant to imply anything by this last remark. Nevertheless, she felt Trent stiffen. Containing a weary sigh, Savannah patted him on his knee and got to her feet. “It’s past Dylan’s bedtime.”

  She expected Trent to be happy to escape after the direction the conversation had gone, but he surprised her by dogging her steps to the guesthouse. When she gave him a questioning look, he shrugged.

  “I’ve been reading Dylan a bedtime story. I know it’s something you do for him every night, so I thought he’d expect it.”

  Once again Trent had taken her by surprise. “That’s nice, but I’ve got this.”

  “Sounds like you’re trying to get rid of me.”

  “Not at all.” But suddenly she understood a bit of what Melody was feeling.
Keeping disappointment or upset hidden wasn’t easy. But the last thing she wanted to do was talk about how she was feeling and have it end in an argument. “I just thought maybe you’d be tired of babysitting.”

  Savannah entered Dylan’s room and began pulling out what she needed to get him ready for bed. Trent demonstrated just how much time he’d been spending with Dylan as he made himself useful, gathering diapers and baby wipes.

  “We still haven’t talked about the movie,” he said, spreading a changing pad on the bed.

  Savannah laid Dylan down and began stripping off his clothes. “We can talk about it tomorrow.”

  “You are trying to get rid of me.”

  She didn’t answer right away but kept her hands busy and her attention focused on her son. But their nighttime routine of tickling and giggling couldn’t distract her from the tall man standing beside her, observing their antics. At last all the snaps on his pajamas were closed and her son was ready for bed.

  “Who’s ready for bed?” she crooned, making her son smile. His upper teeth were starting to come in, and she was struck by how fast he was growing up. Overcome by a rush of sentimentality, she lifted him into her arms and snuggled him against her chest, but to her shock, he reached out to Trent.

  “I think he wants me to read him a story.”

  Flabbergasted, Savannah turned her son over to Trent. He settled with Dylan in the chair and pulled out a board book. While Savannah watched her two favorite men, Trent read one book after another until he had gone through Dylan’s library.

  “That’s enough reading for one night,” Savannah said, her tone firm.

  She picked up her sleepy son and settled him in his crib with his favorite toy. She turned on the lamp that threw dancing shadows on the ceiling and then headed to the door. With one last glance at the crib, she turned off the overhead light.

  “Are you okay?” Trent asked as they made their way into the living room.

  “Fine. Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “You and Dylan have been alone for a long time. With so many of us taking care of him now, I thought you might miss having him all to yourself.”

  He’d captured a little of what she was feeling. “Not at all. I’m thrilled that he has so many people in his life who love him.”