The Billionaire's Legacy

by Reese Ryan

  Benji scrolled through the photos of Beau and Bailey. Played a couple of the videos showing various stages of the twins’ development or Sloane openly gushing about what a good dad he was.

  He was angry she’d kept this from him. Trust was already a sore spot in their relationship, and this was one more secret between them. Yet, he couldn’t help being moved by the touching things she’d said about him.

  He rubbed his jaw as he watched small clips of one video after another. Benji sent the blog link to his phone via text message, then returned his sister’s phone. Suddenly the last part of Delia’s request came back to him.

  “You said not to go back on anything I’d promised her. Does that mean she told you everything?”

  His sister nodded. “She told me about the condo and the farm. She felt guilty about keeping it from me, and she was afraid that hiding it only made my accusations seem warranted. So she wanted me to know. Even if it meant you would go back on your arrangement, it was a chance she was willing to take. She couldn’t bear being the cause of the rupture in our family. Told me to do whatever I wanted with the information.”

  “Did you tell Mom and Dad?”

  “I haven’t told anyone. But you know it won’t sit well with Mom. She’ll think it only proves what she already believed. That Sloane did this for the money.”

  Gossip was easy to come by in a small town. If his sister said she hadn’t told anyone, he believed her.

  “I know Sloane wouldn’t have put that on the blog.”

  “No, she included that in the first email to me. I’ve never responded to any of her emails or calls.”

  “If you’re telling me all this, why not?”

  “I wasn’t ready to forgive her, and to be honest, I’m still a little hurt. But I miss my friend, and eventually, I’ll be ready. But for right now, I knew I needed to reach out to you and make amends.”

  Delia reached for his hands across the table. She seemed relieved that he didn’t withdraw them.

  “I know the world sees you as a powerful, successful businessman, and I couldn’t be prouder. But part of me still sees that sweet, naive little brother that I need to protect.”

  “Noted, but I’m a big boy now. I can take care of myself, and you.” He gave his sister a faint smile.

  “One more thing.” Delia took a sip of her coffee. “I know I was dead set against the relationship, but you two seem really good together. I’m pretty sure she loves you just as madly as you love her.”

  “She tell you that in the email, too?”

  “She didn’t need to. Your love for her and the twins is apparent in those videos. And the love she has for you... It’s obvious when she gushes about you.” Delia drank more of her coffee. “I’d love to believe that the primary reason Sloane reached out to me was to salvage our friendship, but the truth is...she did this because she cares deeply about you. You’ve been living together for a year. Don’t you see it?”

  He did see that Sloane cared for him, and he appreciated her heartfelt desire for him to reconcile with his family. But he couldn’t help feeling she’d betrayed him again.

  He’d sworn her to secrecy about their financial agreement. If Sloane had felt so strongly about telling Delia, she should’ve discussed it with him, instead of going behind his back and hoping for the best.

  Benji cared deeply for Sloane, but if they were going to have any kind of future together, he needed to be able to trust her.

  Right now, he wasn’t sure if he could.

  Fifteen

  “I could get accustomed to living like this.” Abby Sutton sank deeper in the tub of mud beside Sloane’s. Both of them had their hair wrapped in microfiber turbans.

  “Well, don’t.” Sloane sighed, luxuriating in the warm mud as it melted the tension from her shoulders. “This was an unexpected surprise.”

  “I hope Benji unexpectedly surprises you again soon.” Her mother took a sip of her smoothie.

  Sloane’s phone, sitting beside the mud bath, vibrated. She reluctantly pulled her hands from the mud, wiped them off and picked up the phone. There was a knot in her gut as she stared at the caller ID.

  “Who is it?” her mother asked, noting her alarm.

  “It’s Delia.”

  “I thought Benji’s family wasn’t talking to you, and he wasn’t talking to them.”

  That’s why she was so surprised to see Delia’s call. She didn’t tell her mother that she’d been sending communications to Delia for months now, though Delia had yet to respond. The call rolled over to voice mail before she could answer, and Sloane was relieved. But it immediately started to ring again. This time she answered. “Hello, Delia.”

  “Sloane.” Delia seemed surprised to hear her voice. “I wasn’t sure you’d want to talk to me. If you didn’t, I wouldn’t blame you. We’ve been terrible to you.”

  Stunned, Sloane didn’t respond.

  “I’m sorry,” Delia said. “I should’ve led with that. Sorry for all of the awful things I accused you of. I know you too well to think you’d ever knowingly hurt my brother.”

  “But?” There was hesitance in Delia’s voice.

  “But I’m not completely over it. I’m hurt that you kept this from me, that you were going to keep it from him. To be honest, that’s what hurts the most. That you even considered doing that to Benji.” Delia’s voice wavered. “He loves those babies so much, and you were going to deprive them of their father.”

  “I know. He’s such an amazing dad.” Tears slid down Sloane’s cheek and she sniffled. “I often think of what their lives would’ve been like if he hadn’t come to Nashville that day. I would’ve ruined their lives and his, and I don’t know if I can ever forgive myself for that, either.”

  “I believe you, and though you were completely wrong to keep this from him, I believe you thought you were doing the right thing.” Delia sniffled again. “I’m not ready to make up today, but I wanted you to know that I’m trying because I miss my best friend.”

  “Me, too.” Sloane couldn’t stop the tears from falling.

  “One more thing,” Delia said. “This isn’t an official Bennett apology. I’m only speaking for myself. My mother... Let’s just say that she’s not ready to make nice.”

  Sloane closed her eyes, more tears sliding down her cheeks when her friend disconnected the call.

  It was the first step to repairing the friendship that had been a lifeline for most of her life. Not having Delia in her corner for the past year had hurt.

  “I know this is painful, honey, but it’s progress.” Her mother’s voice was reassuring. Sloane wished her mother could hug her right now.

  The phone rang again.

  “Delia again?” her mother asked.

  Sloane checked the caller ID. “No, it’s Garrett Hyatt.”

  “Your old boss from the indie record company in Nashville? What does he want?”

  Sloane had no clue. She answered the phone, trying to avoid getting mud on it.

  “This is Sloane Sutton.”

  “Hey, Sloane. This is Garrett. It’s been a while since—”

  “You fired me?”

  “You resigned,” he said quickly, not mentioning the part where the company had asked her to resign. “Anyway, I just wanted to catch up and see how things have been going. I saw the pictures of the twins that you sent Natalie. Beau and Bailey are adorable kids. What are they now...about twelve months?”

  “They’re nine months, and thank you.” Sloane inquired briefly about his wife and children and the rest of the team.

  Abby mouthed, What does he want? and Sloane shrugged in response.

  Garrett was telling a story about the latest antics of the lead singer of one of the label’s most profitable acts when she cut him off. “Garrett, I’d love to catch up some other time, but I’m literally up to my elbows in mu
d right now. Is there something in particular I can do for you?”

  “Yes, you can come and get your job. The one you earned and we should’ve given you in the first place.”

  “The creative director position? What happened to the woman you hired away from the big label?”

  “She had the talk down, but the walk, not so much. Maybe it would’ve worked if we’d had her old label’s budget, but she couldn’t adjust to how we do things here, and she wasn’t amenable to learning.”

  “That’s too bad.” Sloane studied her mud-caked nails, but didn’t acknowledge his invitation.

  “So what do you think?”

  “About?”

  “C’mon, Sloane. Don’t be that way.” Garrett was a brilliant record executive, but a mediocre human being. “So, about my offer—”

  “I’m not in Nashville anymore,” she said coolly. “I moved back to Magnolia Lake. On account of not having a job.”

  He cleared his throat again. “Like I said, I’m sorry about that whole ugly business. But if you take the creative director position, you’d be making twenty percent more—”

  “Nope.”

  “Twenty-five percent—”

  “Uh-uh.”

  “Thirty per—”

  “If you’re not offering at least a fifty percent increase and a signing bonus, I can just get back to my spa mud bath.”

  “You’re at a spa right now?”

  “Are you offering, or am I hanging up now?”

  “Okay, okay. Look, I have to level with you here. We’ve got two major artists we’re trying to re-sign. They’re with the same agent and they’re insisting that without you, there’s no deal. Things here have been kind of crazy for the past few months. So I really need your help.”

  “Is that a yes on the money or are we moving the negotiation number higher?” She wiggled her toes in the mud.

  “Yes, fine. Now will you come back?”

  “Let me think about it. I need to consult with my family. I’ll get back to you in a few days. Bye, Garrett.” She hung up the phone and slipped down in the mud again.

  “You’ve learned a lot from that wonder boy of yours, haven’t you?” her mother laughed. “Gotta say, he’d be pretty proud of the way you handled yourself.”

  All of the tension returned to Sloane’s shoulders. She’d gotten the job she’d always wanted at the salary she wanted. And she’d already found the perfect day care for the twins before she’d been fired.

  But she couldn’t have the job she wanted in Nashville and the life she’d made in Magnolia Lake with Benji, too.

  She’d have to choose.

  Sixteen

  When Benji pulled into the driveway at the cabin, Atticus Ames’s weathered pickup was parked in the driveway. The old man frequently visited the twins, and Beau and Bailey had their beloved PawPaw wrapped around their tiny little pinkies. But Benji had been agitated since his conversations with Parker and Delia, and he was in no mood to be cordial.

  Sloane’s grandfather sat in the great room bouncing Beau on his knee. The infant’s adorable laugh filled the space, and Benji couldn’t help smiling, despite the anxiety in his chest.

  “Mr. Ames.” Benji shook the older man’s hand.

  “Been thinking...” The man cleared his throat, his focus still on Beau as he continued to bounce him on his knee. “There’s no need to be so formal. We’re practically family.”

  Little Beau reached eagerly toward Benji, chanting, “Da, Da, Da.”

  “Hey, buddy.” Benji ruffled his young son’s soft, curly hair and lifted him over his head, garnering more chuckles from Beau before he kissed his chubby cheek.

  He turned back to Mr. Ames, not acknowledging the remark. He’d known the man all his life and always called him Mr. Ames. They weren’t close enough for him to call him Gramps, as Sloane did. And he certainly wasn’t going to call him by his first name.

  “Is there anything I can get for you, sir?” Benji asked, despite his eagerness to spend some time with his son and daughter.

  The man stood up and stroked his gray beard. “Just a few answers.”

  “About?” Benji raised a brow as he dodged Beau’s slobby little hand grabbing for his beard.

  “What are your intentions toward my granddaughter?” The old man yanked his pants up by the belt loops, hiking them higher on his waist. “I’ve kept my peace because Sloane, and Abby, asked me to stay out of it, but it’s been a year. I gotta wonder, if my granddaughter is good enough to play house with, why ain’t she good enough for you to marry?”

  Sloane obviously hadn’t told her grandfather about his earlier proposal, though given how he’d proposed, he couldn’t blame her. But if she hadn’t told him, it wasn’t Benji’s place to tell him now.

  “Mr. Ames—”

  “You’ve been extremely generous to our family, and I appreciate everything you’ve done for us. You’ve proven yourself to be a good man and a good provider. And it’s obvious you have feelings for my granddaughter. But I won’t stand by while you use Sloane and then toss her aside.”

  Okay, now he was getting pissed.

  “I’m not using Sloane, and I have no intention of tossing her aside. I’ve always valued her and recognized what an amazing woman she is.”

  The older man lowered his gaze, not missing the verbal throat punch Benji had delivered.

  “I haven’t always been the best grandfather, but it wasn’t because I didn’t love her. I wanted the very best for her, but I went about it all wrong. I’ve apologized to Sloane for that.”

  The man sat down again, as if the weight of the confession was too heavy for him to bear.

  Livvie came into the room with Bailey on her hip. Benji kissed his smiling daughter, then asked Livvie to take the twins to their room so he and Mr. Ames could talk.

  Once the door of the nursery clicked shut, Benji sat beside the old man on the sofa. “Look, I shouldn’t have said that. It wasn’t my place, and I’m sorry.”

  “I’m no fool, son. I know who I am. Who I’ve been. That I failed both Sloane and Abby. But I’m grateful that I’ve been afforded the opportunity to make amends.” His expression was filled with pain and regret. “The bypass surgery I had, it gave me a new perspective on life. And these incredible kids of yours, they’ve given me a chance to finally get things right.”

  “I’m thankful you and Abby have been there for us from the beginning without question.” Benji thought about his own family. “And I’m glad the twins have had the opportunity to get to know you.”

  “There’s no doubt you love those kids, and I believe you love my granddaughter, too.”

  “I do love her.” His voice was strained and there was tension in his neck and shoulders.

  “Sounds like there’s a but rattling around in there somewhere, son.” The old man indicated Benji’s chest.

  Benji released a deep sigh. “Sometimes I wonder if I’m the only one emotionally invested in this relationship.”

  “You don’t think Sloane cares about you?” Atticus asked incredulously. “Why else do you think she’s here?”

  Benji looked at the man pointedly.

  “You’re a man of means who can give my granddaughter anything she wants,” he acknowledged. “But Sloane has never been one to mince words. If she didn’t want to be here, son, you’d know it. And if she didn’t care about you, you’d damn sure know that, too.”

  “Even if it was in her best interest to make me believe she did?” Though he’d defended Sloane to his cousin, Benji hadn’t been able to let go of Parker’s accusation.

  “You obviously don’t know Sloane very well.” The old man stood and headed toward the front door.

  “I do know Sloane, and I care for her and the twins more than anything in the world.” Benji stood, too. “I honestly couldn’t imagine my life wit
hout them. But it’s hard to ignore the circumstances and what people around town are saying.”

  “Humph.” Atticus turned back to him, his expression disapproving. “I actually believed you were a strong enough man to not let the gossips get inside your head. Evidently, I was wrong. If you’d think—even for a minute—that Sloane is capable of that kind of underhanded trickery...” He dragged a hand through his thinning, gray hair. “Well, maybe it’s better if the two of you do part ways. For Sloane’s sake, I hope it’s sooner rather than later. Before she gets in any deeper.”

  “Mr. Ames... Atticus.” Benji caught up with him on the porch and placed a hand on the man’s shoulder, halting him. “I really do love Sloane, and I want to be with her.”

  The older man turned around, his gaze searching Benji’s. His tone and expression softened. “Then let me offer you a bit of unsolicited advice, son. Don’t make the mistakes I did. Don’t leave Sloane wondering if you really love her. And don’t try to control her. She’ll fight you every step of the way, and I guarantee you’ll be the one to lose.”

  With that, he shoved a baseball cap onto his head, got in his truck and drove off.

  As the old man drove away, his shrewd advice replayed in Benji’s head, already spinning from the day’s events. One thing became abundantly clear: he and Sloane needed to sort things out. And it couldn’t wait until her return.

  * * *

  Sloane slipped on her hotel robe and hurried to the door. Someone was knocking like a lunatic and it was well after ten at night. It had to be an emergency.

  She peered through the peephole and quickly opened the door. “Benji, what’s going on? Are Beau and Bailey okay?”

  “They’re great. I fed them and put them to bed for the night before I left them with Livvie.”

  “Is my grandfather okay?”

  “He’s fine.” Benji closed the door behind him and entered the suite. Taking Sloane’s hand, he led her to the sofa.

  Sloane’s heart still slammed against her chest. Something had to be very wrong.

  “So what is it that you had to come all the way out here to tell me in person? It must be pretty important.”