The Black Sheep's Secret Child

Dylan was awake, his eyes bright as he listened to Melody’s song. Trent unbuckled him from the stroller and lifted him so he could see his aunt. She grinned and waved. Dylan blew her a kiss and wiggled in Trent’s arms.

“I’ve told her she has a month to whittle her album down to fourtee

n songs. I’m just afraid that in that time she’s going to record a dozen more.”

“A month? Is she planning on sticking around that long?”

“I don’t know.” But Nate looked troubled. “Originally I gave her two weeks, but she asked for more time.”

“Is there something going on between her and Kyle?”

The way Nate’s expression shut down told Trent everything he needed to know. “It’s none of my business. And it’s none of yours.”

“She’s my sister. He’s my best friend.”

“Stay out of it.”

“Fine.” He ground out the word, taking his frustration out on the wrong person.

In truth, Trent didn’t want to meddle in his sister’s love life, but focusing on her distracted him from fixating on Savannah. His initial intention to keep his distance had been shattered in his office the night she’d come to Club T’s. Since then, he’d involved himself in her struggles with his father and had tumbled back into her bed and under her spell.

“Melody and I agree that the album could use a duet,” Nate said, unaffected by Trent’s bad mood. “What would you think about recording ‘She’s the One’ with her?”

“Me? Sing?” He preferred to make music with a guitar.

“Melody said you’re pretty good.”

Trent felt his face grow warm. Singing was something he enjoyed doing in the privacy of his car or shower. “I’m not professionally trained.”

“You think I am? I’m just a poor kid from North Dakota who happens to like playing in a band.”

Nate might be from North Dakota and he might have grown up without money, but his talent and ambition as a singer, songwriter and producer made his statement laughable.

“I’ll sing,” Trent said, surprising himself. “As long as you promise not to put it on the album.”

“Let’s record it and see how it goes.”

“She’d be much better off doing a duet with you. She needs someone established to kick-start the album so she can make a pile of dough.”

“You know she’d really love to put the album up for free, right?”

Trent wasn’t surprised. Melody had always been about the art, not the money. “But you talked her out of that, I hope.”

“Not exactly. She’s pretty adamant, and she’s making enough money from touring and her songwriting royalties not to worry about a paycheck.”

“But to give it away?” As a businessman, the idea pained him.

“I’ll see how she feels once the whole album is done. In the meantime...” Nate leaned forward and pushed the button that would let him be heard in the recording booth. “Trent is here and he’s agreed to record ‘She’s the One’ with you.”

Trent groaned as his sister’s face lit up with a broad smile. “After I do this, we have some business to discuss,” he said to Nate.

“Is something going on with the club?”

“Club T’s is doing great. This matter is as much personal as it is business.”

Nate gave him a curious look. “Does it have something to do with your sister-in-law living with you?”

Trent wasn’t surprised that Nate knew about Savannah. Melody had likely mentioned that she was spending time with Dylan. “It has to do with my nephew’s ownership of West Coast Records.”