Beckett leveled a hard stare at the blonde, who returned it unblinkingly. Engaging in the silent battle for several seconds, Beckett cleared her throat and shifted back to addressing the entire group rather than just Paulina.
“You can feel free to take the offer or not, but this is what we’re doing and there’s no discussions to be had about it. Two of the last five years, we were in the red. If everyone had reported everything, we’d have been a hell of a lot closer to black. Estimates show not reporting all appointments and earnings cost us half a million dollars over the last year. Average is about thirty percent unreported. That’s a huge difference.”
Halle cleared her throat as she worked her way around the room handing packets to each person. “I know I’m just the receptionist, but I work with Mrs. McKenzie more than anyone else. When you don’t live up to the agreement, it’s just as bad as stealing, and she’s let everyone get away with it for years.” Shrugging, she walked back to the front. “If Vive has to close, we all end up out of work, which is way worse than this. I’ve looked at the proposal she’s got. It’s fair to us all.”
“Thank you, Halle.” Beckett uncrossed her arms and held her hands out. “I’m not trying to screw anyone over. I’d like to keep the team intact, but if you’re not willing to come on as an official employee—which is also good for things like social security and Medicare—then you’ll have to find another place to work.”
****
Three hours of meeting with disgruntled employees later, Beckett laid her head on her desk and took a deep breath, trying to calm the headache brewing behind her eyes. When someone knocked on her door, she groaned and forced herself to lift her head.
“Yes?”
Halle poked her head in. “I’m sorry to bother you, but there’s a woman here to see you. She says it’s urgent.”
“Who is it?”
“Savannah Montgomery.”
Beckett’s brows furrowed as she tried to figure out if she knew Savannah Montgomery. “I don’t know the name. Is she a client?”
“No, ma’am. She’s never been here before. I’d remember. She’s drop dead gorgeous and wearing the best pair of shoes I’ve ever seen in my life.”
“Did she say what it was about?”
“No. Only that she needs to speak to you.”
Sighing, Beckett tugged on her hair in frustration and then pushed it back, trying to smooth it away from her face. “Send her in.”
When the chic woman with pitch black hair and ice blue eyes entered the room, Beckett felt plain and unremarkable. As she stood to offer her hand, Beckett noticed Halle’s assessment had been correct. They were the best pair of shoes she’d ever seen.
Savannah Montgomery was tall, thin, and as close to perfect as Beckett thought she’d ever seen. She had dramatically arched brows, a lush mouth, dramatic cheekbones, and a chin just pointed enough to give her some interest along with the traditional beauty. She had a nipped in waist and gently flaring hips that swung slightly as she walked. The killer shoes were attached to long muscled legs that disappeared into a professionally tailored skirt.
“Ms. Montgomery. I’m Beckett McKenzie. Please, have a seat. What can I do for you?”
Savannah gracefully lowered herself into a chair and crossed her legs, placing her handbag neatly on the floor next to her before folding her hands in her lap. “I apologize for the intrusion at your work, but I thought this would be better than coming to see you at home.” She took a deep breath and expelled it slowly. “I’m here to talk to you about your late husband, Ryan McKenzie.”
Curiosity and dread melding in her gut, Beckett tucked her hair behind her ears. “My husband has been dead for more than five years.”
“I’m aware of that. I know what I’m about to say is going to be difficult, so I’ll say it quickly and leave you to process.” Savannah took a deep breath. “My sister passed away a year ago. When she died, I was left custody of her daughter Lyla, who is six. My sister never disclosed who Lyla’s father was, but after her death I found correspondence between her and your husband. From the photos and letters I’ve found, it is evident Ryan McKenzie is the father of my niece.”
Beckett’s heart stopped beating. Her whole body went cold as the room did a slow, sick spin. “I’m sorry.” Her voice sounded choked and desperate even to her own ears. “You’ve made a mistake. My husband was in the Army.”
Savannah nodded and continued speaking, her expression filled with sympathy, though her voice was determined. “Captain Ryan McKenzie. He was stationed in Germany, then in Georgia. My sister worked as a bartender just outside the base. They met during her shift and had an affair. She became pregnant soon after and delivered Lyla just before he was deployed to Colombia.”
Savannah shifted in the chair, uncrossing and re-crossing her legs. She paused for several seconds, giving Beckett time to catch her breath and control her breathing. When Beckett was reasonably sure she could continue to listen without passing out, she waved her arm at Savannah.
“I’m sorry. Go on.”
“I’m truly sorry to do this to you. I knew coming here there was a good chance you weren’t aware. I don’t want anything from you. I’m not here for money. What I do want is for my niece to know her brother and sister, for you to know her and to give her some semblance of family.” She stood and lifted her bag, removing a sheet of stationary. “I’m at the Wiltshire Inn in Bar Harbor. My cell number is on there. I have proof of everything I’m telling you, and I’ll gladly show you all I have.” Her eyes were sympathetic and sharp. “But I will be back in touch. These children deserve to know one another. I don’t want to deprive my niece of her siblings, and I’m hoping you don’t want to deprive your children of their sister, either.”
Her voice barely a whisper, Beckett managed to force the question out. “What was her name?”
Savannah turned at the door. “My sister? Elaina Montgomery.”
Chapter 4
“Mom!” Rhys tackled Beckett as soon as she was in the front door. “Mom, it’s Friday! Uncle Murphy called and said he’d be here by at six to pick us all up for the game. He said you told Uncle Caleb we’d all be going. Are we?”
Beckett struggled to think through the fog. She absently hugged her son with one arm, pressing his smiling face against her for a moment and taking comfort in his excited embrace.
“I think I remember something about that.”
Misty, the teenaged babysitter who got the kids off the bus, wandered in from the kitchen. “Hey, Mrs. McKenzie. I fed them some pancakes and sausage. It’s what they wanted. I made you a salad since I didn’t think you’d want cold pancakes.” She tipped her head to the side when Beckett stared at her blankly. “Are you okay? Did something happen?”
Beckett forced herself to focus. “No, no, I’m fine, thank you, Misty. Do you need a ride home?”
“It’s pretty outside. I’ll just walk. It’s only three blocks.” Misty picked up her backpack and slipped her arms through the straps. “See you at the game.”
“Hey, Misty? Would you want to babysit tomorrow night? If it’s okay with you and your parents, you could camp out here, and I’d pay you for the overnight.”
“Sure. I’m going to a matinee with Jeremy, but I’ll be done by about seven. What time do you want me?”
“Well, ask your mom first to make sure, but if it’s okay, he could drop you here afterward. I’ll be home by midnight or so, but I don’t want you going home at that time of night.”
“Hot date?”
Shaking her head, Beckett stepped out of her heels and kicked them toward the hall closet. “Not quite. I’m going out with Caleb and Murphy.”
“Boring.” Smiling brightly, Misty ruffled Rhys’s hair on her way out the door. “See ya tomorrow, kid. If you’re good, I’ll bring a movie and some popcorn.”
Two hours later, changed into jeans, flip flops, and a Trenton High School t-shirt, Beckett found herself in the bleachers at the high school cheering on the foot
ball team as they won the first game of the season. Rhys cheered for the team and his uncles, jumping up and down at each score. Beckett made herself a mental note to sign him up for peewee football before the deadline, hopeful the sport would help her bright boy make more friends.
Harlow, who wasn’t quite old enough to understand what was going on, cheered each time she saw one of her beloved uncles.
“Can I go down and see Uncle Caleb and Uncle Murphy? They told me I could.” Rhys regarded his mother with suspicion as they descended the bleachers after the game, his hand firmly in hers, and Harlow—who had suddenly decided the bleachers were scary—balanced on her hip.
Beckett glanced toward the field and saw Murphy wave. Nodding, she turned loose of Rhys. “Go on. We’ll be right there.” Smiling despite herself at the way he took off, hurtling himself into Murphy’s arms, she carefully picked her way down the stairs and deposited Harlow onto her feet.
“Mommy?”
“Hmm?”
Harlow tugged on her hand. “You look sad.”
Beckett felt her heart constrict. “Oh, baby. I’m not sad.” She crouched down in front of the child. “I’m just tired. It’s been a long week, but everything’s okay, and tomorrow we’re going to go to the movies and play in the park, and maybe we’ll have lunch at the diner.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
A smile blossomed across Harlow’s face and she wrapped her arms around Beckett’s neck, squeezing tightly. “You’re the best Mommy in the whole wide world.”
“Tall praise coming from a short-stuff.” Murphy bent down and swooped up his niece, holding her above his head and swinging her back down. Positioning her on his hip, he wound the other hand around Beckett’s arm and hauled her to her feet, slinging his arm across her shoulders. “The little one is right. You look sad. Everything okay?”
Tears prickled behind Beckett’s eyelids. “Not really, but it’s nothing I can talk about right now.” She leaned her head against him and took a shaky breath. “I got a sitter for tomorrow evening and night. I need to talk to you and Caleb. Your parents, too, but I want to talk to the two of you first. When will Jax be home?”
Murphy grinned at the mention of his younger brother. “Next week. Is this something big enough we need the whole gang together?” Looking concerned, he glanced down at her. “Talk to me, Beck.”
“Tomorrow. I can’t get into it with the kids around.”
Caleb approached them with Rhys on his shoulders. “I gotta get into the locker room, so I’m returning this one here.” He raked his eyes over both Beckett and Murphy. “What’s wrong?”
Frustrated at both of them for knowing her so well, Beckett yanked her son off Caleb’s shoulders. “Nothing I’m getting into tonight. I have to get the kids home and into bed. I’ll be over by seven-fifteen tomorrow evening. It’s the best I can do.”
Not bothering to see if either of the men acknowledged what she’d said, Beckett scooped up her children and strode purposefully across the field toward the parking lot, disappearing into the throng.
****
Murphy swiped his hand through his hair to shove it back from his face and put his hands on his hips. “Well, hell. How long will it take you to get done here?”
Caleb glanced at his watch. “Give me an hour. You go get the booze and food, I’ll wrap up with the team and meet you at your truck. She should have the kids all tucked into bed by then, I’d think.”
Murphy nodded. “Deal, but next time food and booze is on you.” He looked back toward the crowd, his eyes searching for Beckett, but unable to locate her in the mass of people. “Something is seriously wrong with Beck.”
“What was your first clue?” Caleb nodded toward the school. “I’ll go get started on the kids so you’d better hurry and get down to the store.”
Murphy sighed deeply and walked with his brother toward the school. “Don’t take too long.”
****
Beckett tried to convince herself she was surprised when both her brothers-in-law strode into her house at eleven at night. Giving up on feigning shock, she held up the glass of wine she held in a mock salute.
“The two of you can’t ever take a hint, can you?”
Caleb deposited a bag on the kitchen table and unpacked three six-packs of beer, a bottle of the wine Beckett favored, and a bottle of bourbon. “Have we ever?” He unloaded the second bag filled with junk food; laying out a box of donuts, two bags of chips, a jar of queso, and one of hot salsa.
Murphy closed the door behind him and shrugged off his jacket, hanging it on the hook behind the door. “Tell us what’s wrong.”
Fighting tears, Beckett leaned forward to brace her elbows on her knees. Sighing, she did the only thing she knew to do and told them. “I hope to hell neither of you know what I’m about to say or else I’ll chop off your dicks and stuff them down the garbage disposal.”
Caleb lifted his eyebrows and opened two beers, passing one to his brother. “This sounds serious if she’s already threatening mutilation.”
Murphy dropped down next to Beckett. “Noted. Now tell us what’s going on. We can’t help if we don’t know.”
“Do either of you know an Elaina Montgomery?” From the blank looks on both their faces, she laid her face in her hands and gave into the tears. “Oh thank God!”
Confused, Caleb patted Beckett’s shoulder. “Should we know the name? Who is she? Is someone bothering you?”
Forcing herself to breathe, Beckett drained her wineglass and handed it to Murphy. “If you’re going to insist on doing this tonight, I’m going to need more.” She continued speaking even as he rose and walked to the kitchen. “A woman named Savannah Montgomery came to my office this afternoon. Not that it matters, but she’s probably the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen. Anyway, that’s not important.” Taking a deep breath so she could continue talking without crying, she continued. “What is important is that Savannah said Ryan has another child, one I never knew about. Her sister, Elaina, was a waitress at a base bar. Ryan met her there, struck up a relationship, and knocked her up in a matter of months. What does that sound like?”
Both men sat in shocked silence. Reaching for Beckett’s hand, Murphy squeezed it firmly. “We didn’t know. I swear.”
Caleb held up his hand. “Did this woman bring proof? Did you see the photos with your own eyes? Is there a birth certificate or a DNA test? How do we even know she’s telling the truth?”
“According to her, Elaina died, and gave her custody of her niece, who is only about a year older than Harlow. She said she found a lot of letters from Ryan and pictures of them together. She has all the stuff and offered to show it to me whenever I was ready.”
“What did she want? Part of the life insurance? Back child support until he died? What?” Caleb plowed his hands through his hair and paced the length of the living room.
Beckett dragged the back of her hand across her face to rid herself of the tears. “She says she just wants her niece, Lyla is her name, to meet her family and to be around her siblings. She said she’s not here for money and judging from looking at her, she doesn’t need it.”
Murphy scrubbed his hands over his face, taking a moment before speaking. “It doesn’t sound like Ryan. He loved you, Beck. I know he did. My brother would not cheat on his wife. He’s not capable of it.”
“This Elaina has the same story I have. Meet a handsome older man, fall head over heels, and end up pregnant. The only difference is the marriage certificate. How could Savannah know how Ryan and I met? About me being a waitress at a bar just off base? It’s like listening to her tell me about how I met him.”
“I can’t believe my brother would do something like this. I just can’t. He was a hero. He loved his wife and was devoted to his son. He’s not the kind of man who fathers children with a mistress, or even has a mistress for God’s sake.” Murphy stalked to the kitchen and grabbed a glass from the cabinet, pouring it full of bourbon and draining it in
one gulp. “This is not my brother!”
Caleb perched on the arm of the couch. “We don’t know yet that he did. This woman could be lying. She could be trying to get money, or she could be psychotic and there isn’t even a kid.” He rubbed Beckett’s shoulder. “Give me the information, and I’ll go out there tomorrow morning and look at this proof for myself. Or we’ll drop Rhys and Harlow off with Mom and Dad and we’ll all three go. But I don’t want any of us to jump to conclusions before we know there are any to jump to.”
Beckett tipped up the glass Murphy had filled, draining it in one long gulp before looking longingly at the bottle of bourbon. “I hope some of that is for me, because if anyone deserves to get drunk tonight, it is me.”
****
Two hours later, Murphy hefted his sister-in-law in his arms and carried her up the stairs, passing by the bedrooms of each child before turning into hers. He nearly tripped over the kitten that ran to greet them and stumbled as he hopped over it. Beckett dissolved into a fit of giggles at the bouncing and tightened her grip on his neck.
“Loosen up unless your goal is to choke me to death.” He bent over the bed and lowered her to the mattress. When she didn’t let go, he tugged on her arms. “You can let go of me now.”
Beckett dropped her arms to the bed and wildly kicked off her shoes, sending one flying into the closet and the other whizzing dangerously close to Murphy’s head. Retrieving the errant sneaker from the hallway, he tossed it into the closet and approached the bed, tucking his hair behind his ears.
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