A Reason to Sing

by Michelle Lindo-Rice

  “So I’ve been told.” Kyle’s bright eyes drew her in. He was stocky and his looks were nothing to brag about, but suddenly Kyle was the most desirable man she had ever seen. His aura tantalized her. She took a step toward him, but Megan saw a shadow. She shivered.

  “There’s a dark cloud around you,” she said, with a slight shiver. “I can see it.”

  “I’ve heard that, too.” Kyle leaned close. “I think you can handle me, though.”

  Megan snapped out of her trance. She pointed to the door. “Leave my home.”

  Kyle reached into his jacket pocket and retrieved a business card. “I won’t stay where I’m not wanted. But I’ll give you my personal number. You can reach me anytime.”

  She held the card against her chest as Kyle sauntered through the door. Just before he got in his vehicle, he said, “Call Ryan. You have a young son and you need the help. You never know what can happen. One day Cooper could be fine and the next he could be… well, you know.”

  Megan rushed out the door. Her short legs could not compete with the power of his Audi. He whipped around the bend before she reached the curb.

  Megan slowed. “Jackson, what have you done?” she whispered. Megan scurried into her home and secured the locks behind her.

  Immediately, she praised God and dispelled any darkness because of Kyle’s visit. She went over to where Cooper rested and prayed over him.

  Cooper stirred. Eyes like Jackson’s observed her before he let out a strong wail. Megan smiled and scooped him into her arms. With practiced skill, she changed him and strolled into the kitchen. She seated Cooper in the booster chair and poured some juice into his sippy cup. She had given up using the high chair. Cooper kept wiggling out of it to sit on the tray. Cooper hollered and banged his fist on the table. His legs pumped back and forth.

  Megan smiled. “I’m coming. I’m coming.” She hummed as she took out the containers of mashed potatoes and peas she had prepared the evening before. Megan warmed them and tested the temperature. With a nod, she grabbed a spoon and slid a chair next to her son.

  Then she bowed her head and blessed his meal.

  “Amen!” Cooper cried. “Eat!”

  “Open up.” Megan plopped a dollop of mashed potatoes into Cooper’s mouth. She smiled at the joy on his face. If only her problem could be solved with a scoop of potatoes.

  Once Cooper finished his meal, Megan cleaned him up and tidied the kitchen. Holding him on one hip, she headed to the basement. Cooper loved going down the stairs by scooting on his bottom, but holding him was faster. Cooper tugged on her hair and giggled with glee. Megan extracted her hair from his fist before setting him down to play. Jackson had designed a play area with everything that would entice a little boy. It also helped to keep the rest of the house clean.

  Cooper waddled to the mega blocks. Megan cringed at the crash that followed. Blocks flew everywhere. Cooper stacked them and some found their way into his mouth. Megan kept wipes handy so she was not concerned. She laughed at her son’s antics and sat in ‘her’ seat in the sectional.

  Megan looked at the empty seat next to her. In the evenings when Jackson got home, he would fight with her for the remote so he could watch a ballgame. She would tell him to put it on a cartoon channel.

  There was no one to fight with her now.

  Megan reached for the remote and turned on the 65-inch television. She channel surfed before shutting it off to join Cooper on the rug.

  “Sing, Mommy.” Cooper clanged the blocks together.

  Megan looked in the corner of the room. Her blue guitar, a thirty-sixth birthday gift from Jackson, rested in the corner.

  “Sing, Mommy!” Cooper said.

  “Mommy will sing later,” she said. Tears streamed down her face. Megan turned away from Cooper to dry her tears. Besides Cooper, she had no one, no family to lean on. She had lost touch with most of her colleagues after she became a full-time mother.

  “Want Daddy,” Cooper said.

  Megan broke. She cuddled Cooper in her arms and allowed the tears to fall. “I want Daddy, too, Cooper. I want him, too, but Daddy’s gone.”

  Pain sliced through her. It was all Ryan’s fault. Kyle was right. Ryan needed to pay. Seven million dollars would not be enough. No, Megan decided. She needed his heart.

  So she could crush it.

  Destroy him.

  Vengeance is mine.

  Megan heard God’s voice and slumped. She could not break someone’s heart on purpose, but she could get evidence to convict Ryan. She smiled. Yes, she could do that. She bit her lower lip. Could she ask out the devil?

  She could and she would if it meant finding out how her husband ended up hanging in her bedroom closet. Megan reached for her cell phone.

  Ch. 2

  I killed someone.

  Well, I didn’t kill someone with my own hands, but I orchestrated it. Well, not orchestrated, but I’m responsible. I needed someone taken care of. And he was. But now I have to live with myself.

  Taken care of.

  Jackson Higgins had been taken care of. Ryan Oakes would never view the words the same again. He faced himself in the rearview mirror.

  His cell vibrated, and Ryan shook the macabre thoughts out of his mind. He swiped to accept the call. “Did you get my text?” he asked without even a hello.

  “Yes, I’m on it,” the gruff voice said.

  “I need to know everything about her, her every move,” Ryan said. “If Megan sneezes, I want to know about it.” Ryan disconnected his cell and rushed into Margaux, the restaurant in the Marlton Hotel where his daughter, Karlie Knightly, lived. Karlie and her fiancé, Brian Oakes, were already snacking on beet chips.

  Karlie had thought about moving into her mother’s home in Hempstead, Long Island, but changed her mind when she became engaged. She and Brian were house hunting. Ryan hoped they would choose a home in Garden City, where he resided.

  Ryan greeted his daughter with a kiss on the cheek. He went to hug Brian, but the young man shifted out of his reach. What was that about? Ryan wondered. Brian had recently been in a car accident where he had almost lost his life. Ryan and Brian had made peace over their troubled past, so he didn’t understand the cold shoulder.

  Ryan took his seat and addressed Brian. “You can hug me. You were my son for twenty-three years of your life. As far as I’m concerned, you’ll always be my son.”

  “Forgive me if I can’t get used to the fact that my former father will be my father-in-law.” Brian shook his head. “I mean, who keeps his daughter a secret?”

  Again, this had been settled or so he thought. Ryan tapped the bridge of his nose. Six years ago, he had taken a paternity test, which proved Karlie Knightly was his daughter. She was the product of a one-night-stand with Tiffany Knightly. Tiffany had been a chart-topping singer before she succumbed to lung cancer. Ryan had chosen not to disclose the results. A decision he had regretted because the truth surfaced. No matter how deep you bury the truth, it inevitably found its way out.

  “Brian, I’ve forgiven Ryan so we need to move forward,” Karlie said. “That’s what God would want us to do.”

  Brian rolled his eyes before reaching for a slice of country bread.

  Karlie dipped her roasted cauliflower into the salsa verde and said, “Ryan, I took the liberty of ordering the Rotisserie Amish Chicken for us to share. I know it’s your favorite.”

  “Thanks, Karlie.” Ryan helped himself to some beet chips and changed the conversation. “How is the album going, Karlie?”

  “I’m putting it off until after the wedding,” she said. “We just wrapped up filming the first few episodes of The Misadventures of Karlie and Brian and the network offered to pay for our wedding. They think it will boost the ratings for the show.”

  The Misadventures of Karlie and Brian came into being when Karlie and Brian had made YouTube videos highlighting Karlie doing unusual stunts to boost her singing career. Karlie would tape herself kayaking with alligators or zip-lining. But w
ith each adventure came an unexpected catastrophe. Karlie and Brian became Internet sensations birthing a new reality show.

  Ryan lifted his chin. “You don’t need the network. You have me. I’m honored to help.”

  Karlie slid her gaze from his. “I’m fine, I uh—”

  “Neil is helping with the wedding,” Brian said.

  Ryan could see the satisfaction on the younger man’s face. He challenged Brian with a stare-down. “I insist. I know Neil won’t mind since I can give you the wedding of your dreams.”

  “I do have money of my own…” Karlie trailed off. She drummed her fingers on the table as if she were uncomfortable.

  Ryan took her hand in his. “No. It’s every father’s dream to walk his daughter down the aisle.”

  Karlie pulled out of his grasp. Brian opened his mouth but she held up a hand. She faced Ryan.

  Ryan didn’t like the uneasy look she gave him.

  “I asked Neil,” she whispered. Her eyes pleaded for him to understand.

  “I think it’s presumptuous of you to expect that honor,” Brian said. “You falsified documents citing your paternity. Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgotten.”

  Ryan swallowed his disappointment. “You’re right. I had no right to ask.”

  Karlie reached for his hand. “I’m glad you did. Maybe you both can. I’ll talk to Neil.”

  Ryan forced a smile. Now that he had his daughter, he didn’t want to share that moment with Neil. Neil had only been in her life since she was sixteen.

  “I don’t think that will work,” Brian said. He gave Ryan a pointed look. “Mom is bringing a date. What about you?”

  Ryan wasn’t surprised. Patricia Oakes was a beautiful and desirable woman. Too bad she had a sexual addiction. They would still be married. Megan’s face flashed through Ryan’s mind. “I’ll be bringing my wife.”

  Karlie’s eyes widened. “You’re married?”

  Brian snickered.

  Ryan squared his shoulders. “No. Not yet, but I will be in a couple of weeks. Maybe a month, max. We’re planning a small, intimate affair. This is our second go-round at this so we’re not looking to do anything fancy. We might book the Ritz-Carlton.” He only had to convince his bride.

  “You don’t call that fancy?” Brian jeered. “I think it’s pompous and ostentatious.”

  Ryan pulled on his tie. He knew Brian wanted to rile him, but Ryan had just met his second wife. Nothing was going to spoil that moment. Not even the sulking man before him. “When are you going to get over it? Patti deceived me. I treated you like you were mine.”

  Karlie interrupted their standoff. “I had no idea you were dating.”

  Ryan shrugged. “You’ve been busy. That’s why I’m glad we have this moment to catch up.” His stomach growled.

  “It’s started already,” Brian said. “He’s going to get all caught up with this mystery woman and forget about you.”

  “I’m here now,” Ryan said.

  “You ignored me for most of my life,” Brian spat.

  Ryan relaxed. “I did and I’m sorry.” He looked at Karlie. “I’m a changed man. Better.”

  She nodded. “I believe you.” She swatted Brian on the shoulder. “Back off.”

  “I won’t back off,” Brian said. “This man is an imposter and a murderer.”

  Karlie gasped. “How can you say that about the man who raised you?”

  “Because it’s true,” Brian said. “I can’t prove it, but I know your father is shady.”

  Karlie leaned into Ryan as if to shield him from Brian’s attack. Ryan took a tendril of her hair in his hand before rubbing her cheek. “It’s okay,” he said. “I won’t dignify that comment with a response.”

  Brian stood. “I’m going to get some air.” He looked at Karlie. “I know I said I’d try, but this is too much. He killed that man. I can’t prove it, but I know it and it…” His voice broke before he stormed off.

  Ryan eyed him, and his heart ached. How did Brian know? He shifted. Did Karlie believe him?

  Karlie’s eyes filled with tears. “I love you both.” She shook her head. “Maybe I’m being naïve for wanting it all. You, Neil, Brian…”

  “And you will have it all,” Ryan said.

  She touched her chest. “I’m sorry Brian is coming at you like you’re a ruthless monster. I hate that he doubts your walk with God.”

  Ryan shook slightly. He and God were often at odds. God seemed to have a wealth of patience, while Ryan was too wealthy to be patient. He got tired of praying for something to be fixed when he could pay to get it done himself.

  Karlie jabbed him in the arm. “This is where you’re supposed to agree with me.”

  “I do. You’d have to be made of steel to resist Pastor Ward’s messages.”

  She laughed, not knowing Ryan had spoken his truth. “I agree,” she said, launching into a retelling of the pastor’s latest message.

  Ryan’s statement about Pastor Ward was true for ninety-nine percent of the people. He had been a faithful member of Zion’s Hill under Pastor Keith Ward, but a faithful member didn’t equal a faithful follower. Ryan yearned for the Word to penetrate his soul, but his heart was like titanium. Ryan was that one-percent where the Word seemed to bounce off his heart. He thought he was unreachable until Megan had turned him into a bumbling fool. Maybe she was the key to his redemption. His do-over. She had a son. Her son needed a man in his life.

  Why couldn’t it be him?

  He straightened. It would be him.

  Ryan knew what he had to do. He kissed Karlie on the cheek, interrupting her mid-sentence. “I’ve got to run.”

  She nodded. “I know you’re a busy man. I’m glad you made the time.”

  He tapped her nose. “Always for you.”

  She grabbed his arm. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

  Ryan lifted an eyebrow.

  “I’m inviting Merle.”

  Ryan bunched a fist. “She killed Tiffany. That woman is a viper. You need to stay away from her.”

  “She’s my blood. Just like you are.” Karlie’s level gaze challenged him.

  “Fine,” he found himself saying, but he knew it was only to appease his daughter.

  “I don’t want any trouble,” she said. “I’m warning both you and Brian.”

  “I can’t imagine Neil being okay with this.”

  Her shoulders dropped. “He’s not. The house shook from his bellowing, but it’s time we moved on and put the ugly past behind us. I feel it’s what my mother would have wanted.”

  Ryan clenched his jaw and gave a terse nod. Tiffany would have wanted peace, but she wouldn’t have allowed Merle to use or abuse her. Merle milked Karlie as if she was a cash cow, but because Ryan knew Karlie had a great manager, he didn’t intervene. Winona Franks tended Karlie’s finances with the care a botanist gave to plants. Karlie’s net worth flourished by the day.

  His cell buzzed. He knew his eyes were wide when he saw the name on the caller ID. “I’ve got to take this,” he said, and with a wave he rushed out the door. He bumped into Brian on his way out, but Brian didn’t acknowledge him.

  Normally, Ryan would have ended the call and confronted him, but he was too excited by the caller on the line. If he had his way, this phone call would be the beginning of many more.

  Ch. 3

  “You could have at least tried to be civilized.” Karlie glared at Brian once his former father had departed. Their server arrived with their meals, serving Karlie first.

  Brian slid into the chair opposite her and waited until the server placed his burger with smashed avocado before him. “I don’t believe in being cordial to a murderer. And neither does most of the population in America for that matter. Or did you forget the feature on Jackson Higgins’s convenient death?”

  Karlie rolled her eyes. “I don’t believe that nonsense. I grew up under my mother’s spotlight. You can’t believe everything you read in the papers or hear on the news.”

>   “It’s not about the papers,” he said. “I know Ryan. He’s hiding something. I told you about the note I found.”

  Karlie shook her head. “That note doesn’t prove a thing. If I thought it meant something, I’d ask Ryan about it myself.”

  Brian had the proof in his wallet. He had a note written by Ryan himself. After Brian’s accident and the stunning revelations that his mother was a sex addict and Ryan wasn’t his father, Brian and Ryan had decided to work on mending their troubled relationship. Brian had gone to Ryan’s house to visit him when he had found that stunning piece of evidence in Ryan’s wastebasket. Brian didn’t know what made him look at the sole item in the trash, but he was glad he had.

  The crinkled paper had the names Jackson Higgins and Frank Armadillo scribbled several times. Brian had remembered overhearing Ryan talking to someone named Frank before Jackson’s death made the news. It all had to mean something.

  Brian had done a Google search on Frank but only found an obituary. Then he had one of his tech buddies dig further but his friend had found nothing. This heightened Brian’s suspicions.

  That’s why he had kept the note and told Karlie about it. It was circumstantial at best, but it proved Ryan was guilty. Brian knew it. Since then, he had distanced himself from Ryan Oakes. He had lost all respect for the man. But he was Karlie’s father, and he loved Karlie. Brian didn’t want to hurt Karlie so he attempted to be civil. Most of the time.

  Brian’s knowledge was more than a hunch. He could see into Ryan’s hollow soul. Ever since Brian had read about the Parable of the Sower and the Seed, he had seen Ryan for what he was. Ryan was the stony ground. He cared more about making it in this life than the one hereafter. But Brian knew Karlie wouldn’t believe him. Brian bit into his burger.

  She had been a Christian for years. He was new to this whole serving God thing, so Brian kept his spiritual revelations to himself. “What’s that whole mess about his getting married?”

  Karlie shrugged. “I had no idea he was even dating again.” She squinted. “I’m not sure he’s even divorced.” She cut into the chicken and ate a small piece.