Even though he’d given her a backstory of sorts, Sally had a feeling he was still holding something back. As it was, she was still hurt he’d had such an influence in Kirk’s life and yet never shared any of that information with her.
“Marilyn called me just before you arrived. She tells me that Kirk took you to the doctor yesterday, that you collapsed or something during your presentation. Honey, you have to stop pushing yourself. You may never get over that public speaking thing, and if so, that’s fine. But, that aside, tell me—you’re all right?”
His pale blue eyes, the mirror of her own, looked concerned. While he might not see fit to include her in his business plans, he was still and always would be her dad, and she knew he loved and cared for her.
“Everything’s fine, Dad. Nothing to worry about.”
He looked at her with a piercing gaze. “What are you not telling me?”
She gave a gentle laugh. “I could ask you the same thing. Like why had I never heard of Kirk before the merger announcement. Don’t you think that’s something you might have shared with me at some stage? You’ve treated him like an absentee son.”
An awful thought occurred to her. Could Kirk be his son? But her father’s perspicacity showed true to form.
“Don’t be silly. You can turn that overactive imagination of yours off right now. There’s no reason for the secrecy other than the fact that his mother wanted no reminders of her late husband or her life in Seattle in any way. While she reluctantly accepted financial help, that was where she drew the line. I had very little direct interaction with her or with Kirk. Your mother and I were friends with Sandy and Frank. We would have supported Sandy here, too, if she’d have let us.”
Sally felt all the tension drain out of her in a sudden rush. Jennifer chose that minute to return to the library.
“Dinner is served in the small dining room, if you’d like to come through now.”
Sally got up and tucked her arm in the crook of her dad’s elbow, and together they walked to dinner.
“Dad, this place really is too big just for you. Have you ever thought of downsizing?”
“Why would I do that, honey? This house was your mother’s pride and joy, and she loved every inch of it. She might not still be with us, but I feel her in every nook and cranny of the house and see her touch in every piece of furniture and art. Besides, I’d like to think that one day you might move back home and build your own family here.”
Sally felt a clench in her chest. She should tell her dad about the baby, but how to bring it up? There was no way to dress up the fact that this child was the product of an unfortunate accident during a one-night stand. Granted, the man in question was already held in high regard by her father, but didn’t that just complicate matters more?
Her father seated her at the table before taking his own place. Jennifer brought in the first course—smoked salmon fillets on a bed of lettuce and sliced avocado. Sally eyed the plate warily. She didn’t know much yet about how to weather this pregnancy but she’d done a little research on foods she could and couldn’t eat, and she knew that smoked or pickled fish was on the horribly extensive no list.
Orson noticed immediately that Sally only picked at the lettuce and avocado, pushing the salmon to the side of her plate.
“You’re not going to eat that? I thought it was one of your favorites. You’re not on some weird diet, or something, are you?”
She sighed. He was going to have to know sooner or later. “No, Dad. Not a diet. Actually, I have a bit of news for you.”
“What’s that? You’re not going to tell me you’re pregnant, are you?” He said it jokingly, but his face sobered when he saw Sally’s expression.
“Well, that rather takes the wind out of my sails,” she said softly.
“Really? You’re making me a grandpa?” Orson’s face lit up.
It wasn’t the reaction she’d expected. After all, as far as he knew, she wasn’t even in a relationship with anyone, and he’d always made his thoughts on the challenges of sole parenthood quite clear. It was probably another reason why he’d supported Sandy Tanner and Kirk the way he had.
“Apparently,” she admitted ruefully.
“Was that the reason for your fainting spell at work yesterday?”
She nodded.
“So you managed the speaking part okay?”
What was wrong with him? Why wasn’t he demanding to know who the father of his grandchild was? She nodded again.
“That’s great news, honey! And a baby, too.”
He leaned back in his chair and smiled beatifically.
“You’re not bothered by that, Dad?” Sally had to ask because his lack of questions was driving her crazy. She’d expected a full inquisition. Had mentally prepared for one all day, knowing she wouldn’t keep this secret from her father for long.
“Bothered by the baby? No, why should I be?”
“But don’t you want to know—”
Her father leaned toward her and patted her on the hand. “It’s okay, honey, I know where babies come from these days. I expect you got tired of waiting for Mr. Right and decided to go with one of those designer baby outfits. Of course, I’m sorry you didn’t feel as though you could discuss it with me first but—”
Sally had been in the process of taking a drink of water and all but snorted it out her nose.
“Dad!”
“Well, it’s not as if you have a regular guy, is it? I’d hoped you might meet someone special when you were at college, like I did with your mom, but that’s neither here nor there. Looks like you’ll be moving home sooner rather than later, huh?” He rubbed his hands with glee.
“Why would I do that?”
“Well, you don’t have room in that cute little apartment of yours, do you?”
Sally rolled her eyes. What was it with everyone lately that they wanted to make all her decisions for her? First Kirk, now her dad—didn’t anyone think she was capable of looking after herself?
“There’s plenty of time to think about that, Dad. Besides, I can always get a bigger place of my own.”
“But why on earth would you need to when we have all the room in the world here?”
It was about then that Sally noticed another place setting at the table.
“Were you expecting someone else?” she asked.
Just then, the chime of the front door echoed through the house.
“He’s late, but he called ahead and said not to hold dinner.”
“He?”
She didn’t have to wait long to find out who he was. Within about thirty seconds of the door chime sounding, Jennifer showed Kirk into the dining room. Great, just what she needed.
“Good to see you, Kirk!” Orson said effusively, standing to shake Kirk’s hand. “About time there was someone here who can share a celebratory champagne toast with me. I’m going to be a grandpa! Isn’t that great news?”
Kirk looked at Sally, and she suddenly understood the expression “deer caught in the headlights.”
“Dad, you know you shouldn’t have more than your one glass of red wine a day. Doctor’s orders, remember?” she cautioned, desperate to shift focus to something other than her pregnancy, especially since she and Kirk had agreed to keep it quiet for now.
“Just a half a glass isn’t going to kill me. This is cause for celebration, whether you know who the daddy is or not.”
“Know who the father is?” Kirk asked with a pointed look in her direction.
“I know exactly who the father is,” Sally felt compelled to say.
“You do? Is it someone I know?” Orson asked, looking from Sally to Kirk and back again as he began to sense the tension between them.
“It is,” Kirk said firmly and straightened his shoulders. “It’s me. I’m the fa
ther.”
Nine
“I didn’t even realize you two knew each other that well,” Orson said, sinking back into his chair.
“We don’t,” Sally said bluntly.
Kirk wasn’t too pleased about the older man’s color. Obviously hearing that his new business partner was the father of his impending grandchild had come as something of a shock. Just then, Jennifer came bustling through the door, bringing a serving of the appetizer for Kirk. He took a seat at the empty place setting and waited as the silence lengthened in the room. A silence Orson eventually broke.
“So what now?” he asked, reaching for his glass of water. “Are you going to marry the girl?”
“I have asked her to marry me.”
“And?” Orson demanded, color slowly returning to his cheeks.
“The girl said no,” Sally said, her tone revealing her annoyance at being discussed as if she was an accessory to the conversation.
“Why on earth did you say that?” Orson asked incredulously.
“It’s still early,” Kirk said smoothly. “We don’t know each other that well yet, but I’d like to think that by the time the baby comes we’ll be a great deal closer.”
“You’re obviously close enough to—”
“Dad—please! Can we not discuss this right now? We only found out yesterday ourselves, and we’d agreed to keep it quiet. I only told you because, well, you’d pretty much guessed already and I hate having secrets between us.”
Kirk wasn’t oblivious to Sally’s silent censure toward her father. Those secrets included him, he had no doubt.
“It’s only right that you told Orson,” Kirk added.
“I don’t need your approval, either,” Sally said tightly.
“Now, honey, there’s no need to be unpleasant,” Orson interjected. “While I’m shocked, I have to admit that I’m relieved you have someone else in your corner. Becoming a parent is a big enough change in anyone’s life. Doing it alone just makes things a whole lot harder than they need to be. What you need to realize is that you’re more vulnerable now than you’ve probably ever been, and you have to make choices that are best for the baby, not just for yourself.”
“I’m aware of that.”
Kirk could see Sally didn’t appreciate being talked down to. Orson apparently realized it, too.
“And now you’re mad at me.”
“Dad, I just wish you would let me be me sometimes. I’m a grown-up. I am capable of making decisions for myself.”
Kirk had no doubt that last bit was directed at him, as well.
“Well, honey, I want you to think long and hard about the decisions you make now. I know your work is important to you. Mine always was to me, and over the years, I usually put it first. I have my regrets about that now.”
“Regrets?” Sally asked, giving up all semblance of eating and pushing her plate to one side.
“Yes, I wasn’t available enough to you while you were growing up, especially after your mother passed. I grew my business at the expense of my family, and while I can’t turn back the clock on that, I can be there for you now. I hope you’ll let me support you where I can.”
Tears sprang to Sally’s eyes, and Kirk felt something twist in his chest at being witness to this exchange between father and daughter. Far from offering his son this kind of support, Kirk’s father hadn’t even been able to hold himself together, gradually falling deeper and deeper into addiction. The memory and the scene before him only served to firm his resolve to be an active part of his child’s life. No matter what transpired between him and Sally, he would be there for his son or daughter.
He hadn’t managed to catch up with Sally in the office today. After returning to his new home before dawn and getting ready for work, he’d been caught up in meetings all day. One in particular had been distinctly disturbing, and it was part of the reason he’d agreed to come to dinner with Orson tonight.
It seemed Sally’s project had been leaked to their main rival, who’d taken to the media already to advertise their willingness to implement sustainable workplaces throughout all DuBecTec offices, taking the thunder out of any similar announcements HTT might make in the future. Kirk’s initial reaction had been to lay blame squarely with someone like Silas Rogers, who seemed to have some sort of grudge against Sally and might have taken action to keep her from getting credit for her ideas. But Kirk had enlisted the help of a forensic IT specialist, and it appeared that the information had been sent from Sally’s own laptop.
The knowledge made him sick to his stomach. Not only because he’d spent last night with her, allowing his passion for her to overcome any sense of reason, but also because he realized he’d begun to develop feelings for Sally that went beyond the fact that he couldn’t even be in the same room as her without wanting to touch her. Feelings that were now inextricably linked to the fact she was carrying his child—another complication he couldn’t ignore.
His disappointment in discovering this proof that she’d been their leak all along was immeasurable. And, once the forensic specialist had found that link, it hadn’t taken long for him to discover the others. All information going out had gone through Sally’s device.
But mingled with his own feelings about the situation was the sadness of knowing Orson would be devastated. His own daughter behind the potential downfall of his pride and joy? They had to work fast to immobilize Sally and prevent her from doing any further damage. The fallout among her team would be another blow to the company. Those men and women would feel utterly cheated after all their hard work. Of course, HTT would carry on with implementing the plan—it made sense on so many levels Kirk was surprised it had taken this long. But they wouldn’t be viewed as the leaders in their industry—they’d be the copycats. And that stuck in his craw like a particularly sharp fish bone.
He went through the motions with Orson, accepting a glass of champagne to toast the news of the baby, but his heart wasn’t in the celebration and he could see Sally couldn’t wait to be away from it, too. Dinner passed quickly, and Sally asked to be excused from sharing the dessert the housekeeper brought to the table—pleading weariness and the desire for an early night.
She’d blushed when she’d made her apologies. He knew exactly why she was so tired, but thankfully her father simply accepted her words at face value and, after exhorting Kirk to remain at the table, Orson saw his daughter to the front door, where her driver was waiting for her.
Kirk felt his stomach tie in knots as he considered what he was about to tell the older man on his return. There were many things the man needed to know—even if he wouldn’t enjoy hearing any of them. Orson would be none too pleased to know that Kirk had deliberately hidden his identity from Sally that first night he’d met her, but Kirk knew he had to come clean and lay everything on the table—including the new evidence that had arisen today.
* * *
Last night had been one of the worst things he’d ever had to do in business. Seeing the devastation roll over Orson’s face and knowing that he was the messenger responsible for putting it there hurt Kirk in ways he wouldn’t have believed possible a few short years ago. But worse was yet to come. In light of the evidence, another special meeting of the board had been called this morning, and Orson had insisted on being in attendance.
Orson sat now at his desk and nodded to Kirk to make the phone call he was dreading.
He picked up the receiver and listened to the sound as Sally’s office phone rang at the other end. The moment she answered, he spoke.
“Sally, would you be so good as to come to the boardroom at ten this morning? And I think it would be best if you brought a support person with you.”
“A support person?” she repeated down the line. “What on earth for?”
“Please, I’ll explain everything when you get there but you will need
an advocate.”
“Kirk, I don’t like the sound of this,” she insisted. “What’s going on?”
“You’ll get everything laid out at 10:00 a.m. Please be prompt.”
He hung up before she could say anything else. Across the desk, Orson looked deeply unhappy.
“I’d never have believed she could do something like this to me, or to the company. Why? Why would she do it?”
That was the big question plaguing Kirk, too. Sally stood to gain little from the internal sabotage that had taken place. If her goal was to cause the company to fail, then she hadn’t been very successful. While the firm had taken a hit in terms of new client work, they continued to operate strongly with their existing clientele. But growth was key to any firm’s success, and she’d stymied that with her interference. The subsequent weakness now made them a prime candidate for a takeover bid. Had she been bribed or blackmailed by one of their competitors? What was really going on here?
He and Orson assembled with the board in the meeting room at nine thirty, and Orson quickly acquainted the board with the information about the leaks he’d gathered in the lead-up to the merger. Kirk then went on to explain the investigation he’d undertaken and the evidence the IT specialist had uncovered—in the briefest and most succinct terms possible. No one looked happy at the outcome, and all concurred with Kirk’s suggestion of dealing with the perpetrator pending a fuller investigation. When the knock came at the door to announce Sally’s arrival, there was a collective shuffling of papers and clearing of throats.
She looked shocked as she saw the full board assembled there, her face paling and reminding Kirk all too well of how she’d reacted during the video conference the morning after Orson’s heart attack.
“Dad? What are you doing here?” she said. “What’s this all about?”
“Take a seat, Sally,” Orson answered with a voice heavy with gravitas.
Kirk noted Orson’s PA, Marilyn Boswell, come in behind Sally and gestured to the two women to take a seat at the table. He saw Sally’s hand shake as she reached for the glass of water in front of her and forced himself to quash the compassion that rose within him. He’d slept with this woman. Celebrated intimacies with her. Made a baby with her. And now she was the enemy. You’d have thought his experiences with his father would have taught him how to handle this feeling of betrayal.
Little Secrets--The Baby Merger Page 9
