The Black Sheep's Secret Child

Her distant gaze and fond smile clashed with Trent’s attitude about his own upbringing. His childhood memories mainly consisted of watching TV and playing video games. His mother had never read to him. She’d been busy maintaining her appearance and chasing her own happiness. Personal trainers, self-help quacks and an assortment of assistants had kept Trent’s mother lean of body and calm of spirit. Or at least they had tried to. Living with someone as critical as Siggy Caldwell was debilitating for anyone without sufficient self-esteem.

These days Naomi was a very different person. She laughed all the time and allowed herself to age gracefully. After leaving Siggy, she’d moved to New York and gotten some off-Broadway work. It was there she’d met and married her second husband, investment banker Larry Fry.

“I’m going to get Dylan ready to leave.”

“I have to check out a couple things at the club before I go.”

Trent gave up the boy, surprised at his reluctance to do so. Despite the fact that Dylan was a baby, he’d enjoyed the child’s company more than he’d expected. But there was a huge difference between playing the part of fun uncle who spent ten minutes reading a book and a lifetime of caretaking as a father.

Savannah settled her son on her hip and spoke in a light voice. “Dylan, can you wave goodbye to your uncle Trent?”

The nearly one-year-old child did as he was bidden and followed it up by blowing a kiss. Trent was impressed by the boy’s tricks and wondered if this was average for kids his age.

He didn’t want to like his nephew any more than he wanted to get embroiled in Savannah’s problems. But something was going on with West Coast Records, and his curiosity wouldn’t let him turn it aside.

Besides, there might be an opportunity here and he’d be a fool to pass that up.

Four

While Trent negotiated the LA traffic, Savannah sat like a stone beside him. As of twenty minutes ago, she was officially homeless. Sunshine poured through the car window, but Savannah enjoyed neither the soothing brightness nor the warmth.

“Are you okay?” Trent had been casting glances her way since he’d picked her up from the closing.

“Dylan and I have nowhere to go.” Her vision blurred as her eyes filled with unshed tears. She blinked them away. What was wrong with her that she stumbled from one desperate situation to another? “I’m a complete failure as a mother.”

“Don’t say things like that.”

“I haven’t done a good job providing for him or protecting him.”

“This isn’t a problem you created.”

While she appreciated Trent’s attempt to make her feel better, she couldn’t ignore the string of bad decisions that had led her to this place. On the other hand, one of her choices, foolish or not, had given her the light of her life, her son.

“Maybe not a problem I created, but when I discovered how bad things were financially, I should have gone back to work and found us a place to live.” She dug her fingernails into her hands to keep a grip on her anxiety. “Instead I stuck my head in the sand.”

“Stop being so hard on yourself.”

“Tell me you would’ve acted the same and I won’t say another word.”

“We don’t come at problems the same way.”

“Ha.” To her surprise, arguing with Trent was making her feel better. She might be down, but she certainly didn’t have to be out. “What do you think we’re going to find at the label?”

Trent’s expression darkened. “This is probably the wrong thing to say to you right now, but you probably should brace yourself for some unpleasantness.”

“Too late,” she said. “I called Gerry this morning before leaving the hotel, and he was not pleased by my request. So I’m completely convinced we will have a fight on our hands.”

“Did you tell him I was coming?”

Savannah smiled. “And lose the element of surprise?”

Ten minutes later, Trent entered West Coast Records’ parking lot and pulled into a visitor’s spot. She put her hand on his arm as he made to open his door.

“Thank you,” she said, seeing Siggy’s car parked in Rafe’s spot. “I know coming here isn’t easy for you.”

“It doesn’t bother me.”

From his expression, she couldn’t tell whether or not that was true. She indicated her father-in-law’s car. “Have you spoken to Siggy since Rafe’s funeral?”