Savannah's Secrets

by Reese Ryan

  “Savannah? What is it? What’s wrong?”

  Savannah told her sister about everything, including her relationship with Blake and how she’d hurt him.

  “You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”

  Savannah cried harder, unable to answer the question.

  “Vanna, why would you do something so risky?”

  “I only had two weeks to make something happen, so I switched to a more aggressive approach.”

  “Will the Abbotts press charges?”

  “I don’t know. Blake and Max won out against Parker that night. But in a full family meeting, I don’t know if the two of them will be enough. If they don’t take legal action, it’ll only be because they don’t want the bad publicity.”

  Her chest ached with the pain of letting down her family and losing Blake.

  Why does it hurt so badly when he was never really mine?

  Savannah hated herself for descending into a weepy, hot mess. She was the one who’d always taken care of Laney. Like she’d promised her father when she was a girl.

  “What did Blake say when you told him about Granddad’s claim?”

  “I didn’t tell him.” Savannah dabbed her face with a tissue. “It would blow any chance of us getting proof down the road.”

  “What did you tell him?”

  “Nothing. I couldn’t look in his face and lie.”

  “You pleaded the fifth?” Laney groaned. “No wonder you nearly ended up in jail.”

  “And I still might.”

  “I’m sorry, Savannah. I know you’d hoped for a different outcome, but at least this is over and you can come back home. Harper and I miss you.”

  “Yeah.” Savannah’s response was flat. She hadn’t expected to fall in love with Magnolia Lake and its town full of quirky people. But she’d begun to enjoy her life there. “Miss you, too.”

  “Wait... You haven’t just fallen for Blake. You actually like living there, don’t you? And I know you loved your job. No wonder you’re miserable.”

  “And sick as a dog. Plus, I promised not to leave town until I get the okay from Parker and the sheriff.”

  Laney was silent for a few beats. “You’re sick how?”

  “A virus maybe. I’ve been run-down and exhausted. Nauseous. Haven’t been able to keep my breakfast down the last couple of days.” Savannah burrowed under the covers again. She felt nauseous just talking about it.

  “Sweetie, you aren’t late, are you?”

  “For work? You do realize they fired me?”

  “Not that kind of late.”

  “Oh!” Savannah bolted upright in bed when Laney’s meaning sank in. “I can’t be. We used protection and I’m on the pill.”

  “Protection isn’t foolproof. Nor are the people who use it. Besides, if you slept with him that weekend you got trapped there by the storm...well, did you suddenly start carrying your birth control around with you?”

  Savannah’s forehead broke into a cold sweat. They both knew the answer to that question. She hadn’t had her pills with her that weekend. And then there was that night they’d fallen asleep with the condom on.

  “Shit.”

  “What is it?”

  “I need to make a trip to the pharmacy.”

  “So there is a chance you might be pregnant.”

  “Can you at least pretend not to be excited about the prospect?” Savannah paced the floor. “This entire situation is already a disaster. How on earth would I explain this to Blake?”

  “Tell him the truth.”

  “Everything?” The thought made Savannah nauseous again. “Once he learns the truth, he’ll never believe I didn’t plan this.”

  “It’s your only play here.”

  Savannah’s chin trembled and tears flowed down her face. “Blake will never forgive me for what I’ve done. For how I hurt him.”

  “Calm down, honey. It isn’t good for the baby if you’re stressed out.”

  “Pump your brakes, sister.” Savannah stopped pacing. “We don’t know there is a baby.”

  The grin returned to Delaney’s voice. “Well, it’s time you find out.”

  * * *

  “Did the lessons on knocking before entering begin and end with me?” Blake looked up from his computer as his brother Max slid into the seat on the other side of his desk.

  “I need to tell you something, and it couldn’t wait.” Max’s brows drew together with concern.

  It had to be about Savannah.

  “Did Mom and Dad decide whether to press charges?”

  “Not yet, but I discovered something and I wanted to tell you before I tell the rest of the family.”

  “What is it?” Blake’s heart thumped against his rib cage.

  “Since Savannah wouldn’t tell us why she was in the archives or why she wanted that photo and notepad, I did some digging.”

  “And?”

  “The photo was of Gramps and a man named Martin McDowell. The notepad was his, too. Did she ever mention the name to you?”

  “No.” Blake shrugged. “Who is he, and why would she want his old stuff?”

  “This is only a copy.” Max handed him a file. “But I’m sure Gramps has the original locked away somewhere safe.”

  Blake quickly scanned the document, reading it three times. It felt like a cannonball had been launched into his chest. Blake fell back against his chair, speechless.

  “Marty McDowell was Granddad’s partner in the moonshine business. Before he opened the distillery,” Max said.

  “I had no idea he had a partner.” Blake rubbed the back of his neck. “But that still doesn’t explain why Savannah would want the guy’s old stuff.”

  “I couldn’t explain it, either, so I looked at her employee file. Take a close look at her birth certificate.” Max indicated the file folder he’d given Blake earlier.

  Blake studied the birth certificate carefully.

  “Her mother’s maiden name was McDowell.” His heart thundered in his chest. “She’s Martin McDowell’s granddaughter.”

  Blake dragged a hand across his forehead. He really had been a fool. Savannah Carlisle wasn’t interested in him in the least. She’d used him to get information about the distillery and their processes. And to gain access to his grandfather—the company’s founder. She’d talked to him the night of the gala.

  “McDowell must’ve sent her here to spy on us.” Max leaned forward, his elbows on his knees.

  “But why? What did they hope to gain?” Blake racked his brain for a reason.

  “Sabotage?”

  Blake rubbed at his throbbing temples. Savannah was clever and resourceful. If she’d come to work for them with a plan to sabotage the distillery and its reputation, there were any number of ways she could’ve done it. Yet she hadn’t. Why?

  “If sabotage was their aim, they’re playing the long game. Because everything Savannah has done since she’s been working for us has boosted our sales and gotten us good press.”

  “Hmm...that’s difficult to explain.” Max leaned back in his chair and perched his chin on his fist. “Guess there’s only one way to find out exactly why she came here.”

  “You want me to talk to Savannah?”

  “If you can’t handle it...no problem.” Max shrugged nonchalantly. “I’m sure Parker would be happy to do it.”

  “No.” Blake shot to his feet, then cursed silently when Max chuckled. He sighed. “You knew I wouldn’t let Parker do it.”

  “You care for Savannah, and she obviously cares for you. Maybe you can turn up that charm you think you have and get some straight answers from her.”

  Blake sank into his chair again and blew out a long, slow breath. He’d spent the past two days trying to scrub every happy memory of Savannah Carlisle from his brain.

  It was
an abysmal failure.

  Her laugh and broad smile crept into his daydreams. At night, he’d been tormented by memories of her body—naked, in all its glory. Her gentle touch. The sound she made when she was close. The way she’d called his name.

  Blake had cared deeply for Savannah. He’d been willing to break the rules for her. But she’d used him and was ready to toss him aside, while he’d been prepared to give her his heart.

  “Look, I don’t know what’s been going on with you two.” Max’s voice stirred Blake from his thoughts. “Frankly, I don’t need to know. But if talking to Savannah would be too difficult for you, it’s okay. I’ll talk to her.”

  “No.” Blake’s objection was much softer this time. “I’ll try to get the truth out of her.”

  “Sorry things didn’t work out.” Max clapped a hand on his shoulder. “We all liked Savannah. Even Parker, in his own way. That’s why he’s so angry.”

  “Thanks, Max. I’ll let you know what I find out.”

  When Max left, Blake loosened his top button and heaved a sigh. He was ready to face Savannah again. Only this time, he was the one who held all the cards.

  Twenty

  Savannah sat on the edge of the tub, rooted to the same spot she’d been in for the past ten minutes. She’d taken three different pregnancy tests. Each had given her the same answer.

  I’m pregnant.

  Savannah got up and stood in front of the mirror, staring at her image. Red, puffy eyes. Hair pulled into a frizzy, low ponytail.

  She looked a hot mess, had no job and had let down everyone who cared about her. Her grandfather, Laney, Harper and Blake.

  Now she was growing a human being inside of her. A tiny little person for whom she’d be responsible.

  Savannah braced her hands against the sink, her head throbbing and her knees unsteady.

  I’m going to be a mother.

  Being a parent wasn’t something Savannah had ever really considered. Not the way Laney had. Yet the moment she’d seen the word Pregnant on that third test, she knew instantly she wanted this baby.

  Suddenly, nothing was more important than her child. And there was one thing Savannah knew for sure. She’d never use this child as leverage against Blake and his family.

  She’d tell Blake about the baby, because he deserved to know. But only once a doctor had confirmed the test results.

  She owed Blake the truth. And she owed her child the chance to know its father—if that was what Blake wanted.

  After Savannah called her sister to relay the news, she stared at the phone in her hand. She wished she could call Blake and tell him they were going to be parents. And that he’d be genuinely happy about it.

  She decided to call her grandfather instead. She wouldn’t tell him where she’d really been or about the baby. Not until she was 100 percent sure. But she needed the comfort of hearing his voice.

  Still, she couldn’t help thinking about her grandfather’s reaction when he learned the identity of his great-grandchild’s father.

  How do I explain this to him?

  Savannah screwed her eyes shut. Her grandfather would be hurt and angry. Of all the men in the world, she’d chosen to make a child with an Abbott.

  His mortal enemies.

  Savannah wiped angrily at the tears that wouldn’t stop falling. No matter how much the truth would hurt her grandfather, she wouldn’t lie.

  She was exhausted by deception. Weary from trying to walk the line between truth and an outright lie.

  When she returned to West Virginia, she’d tell her grandfather everything.

  Before she could dial his number, there was a knock at the door.

  Kayleigh.

  Savannah hadn’t moved her car or left the apartment in two days. Until this morning, when she’d made her run to the pharmacy looking a disheveled mess. Kayleigh would have noticed and been worried.

  Plus, it was Magnolia Lake. News of her firing was probably all over town by now.

  Savannah counted to three and opened the door.

  “Blake?” Her heart nearly stopped.

  He was as handsome as ever in a pair of gray dress pants and a baby blue checkered shirt. Yet there was something in his face and eyes. He looked tired and as miserable as she felt.

  “What are you doing here? Did your family decide to—”

  “Nothing’s been decided yet.” His response was curt. “That’s why we need to talk. Now.”

  Savannah let him in. “Have a seat.”

  “No, thank you. I won’t be long.”

  Another wave of nausea rolled over her. She sat on the sofa, her legs folded beneath her as Blake paced the floor.

  Finally, he turned and glared at her.

  “I’m so angry with you, Savannah. I don’t know where to begin.”

  She chewed on her lower lip. “Then let me start by saying I am truly sorry. I honestly never meant to hurt you. Even before I knew—”

  “How easily you could manipulate me?”

  That hurt.

  “Before I knew what an incredible man you are. That you’d never purposely hurt anyone. I was wrong about you.”

  “Not as wrong as I was about you.” He dropped into the chair across from her, as if his legs had buckled from the weight of the animosity he was carrying.

  “I deserve that.”

  “You’re damn right you do.” His eyes blazed. “You’re not the first corporate spy we’ve encountered. But none of them seemed willing to take things as far as you did.”

  “I didn’t intend to get involved with you. I came here to do a job. And maybe in the beginning, I didn’t care who got hurt. But then I got to know you. All of you. Suddenly, things weren’t so simple.”

  “Not that you let that stop you.”

  “There was too much at stake. I couldn’t let my feelings for you get in the way.”

  His steely gaze cut through her. “You still haven’t told me why you did this. What was your endgame?”

  “You wouldn’t understand.” Savannah went to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of ginger ale.

  He stood, too, and turned to her, his arms folded. “Try me.”

  “Why does it matter?” She put the glass down roughly. “What I did was wrong, but I swear to you, I did it for an honorable reason.”

  They stared at each other in silence. They were playing a game of chicken and waiting for the other person to blink.

  Savannah walked around Blake, back toward the couch.

  “How’s your grandfather?”

  She froze, then glanced over her shoulder at him. The hair stood on the back of her neck and her hands trembled. He wasn’t making a friendly inquiry about her family.

  Blake knew who she really was.

  Still, she wouldn’t blink first. “I was about to call him before you arrived.”

  “Why? To tell him his little spy got pinched?” Blake shook his head. “What kind of man would send his granddaughter to do his dirty work for him?”

  “My grandfather didn’t send me.” She folded her arms over her chest. “He’d never have allowed me to put myself in jeopardy this way.”

  “You expect me to believe Martin McDowell didn’t send you here? That he was oblivious to your little plan?”

  “It’s the truth.”

  Blake stepped closer. “Your word doesn’t hold water around here anymore.”

  Savannah lowered her gaze. Her voice was softer. “Grandpa didn’t know, I swear.”

  “Maybe we’re going after the wrong person.” Blake folded his arms and rocked back on his heels. “The marionette instead of the puppet master.”

  “No, please...my grandfather didn’t have anything to do with this. It was all me. My sister can testify to that.”

  “And was she involved, too?”

&nb
sp; “Laney never wanted me to come here, and she’s been begging me to give up and come home.”

  Blake rubbed his chin. “You want to keep them out of this? Then tell me the truth. Why did you come here? What does Martin McDowell have against our family?”

  Savannah fought back tears. If she showed her hand to the Abbotts, she’d lose the element of surprise and jeopardize any chance of making a claim against them. If she didn’t, her sister and grandfather would be pulled into the mess she’d made.

  “Tell me the truth, Savannah, or I swear I’ll do whatever it takes to make your grandfather pay for this.”

  “It isn’t my grandfather who needs to pay for his sins.” She blinked back the tears that made Blake a blur. “It’s yours.”

  Twenty-One

  “What are you talking about?” Blake returned Savannah’s defiant gaze. Her expression had morphed from fear and concern to righteous indignation.

  “I’m talking about how he betrayed my grandfather. Cheated him. Is stealing from him even now.”

  Now Blake was furious. He knew his grandfather well, had worked beside him as long as he could remember, learning the business of making premium bourbon. He had so much affection for the old man. Joseph Abbott was a generous and loving man, and a pillar in his adopted community of Magnolia Lake, where he’d raised his children and grandchildren.

  “How dare you accuse my grandfather of being—”

  “A thief.”

  “That’s a lie. My grandfather didn’t steal anything from anyone. Why would he need to? He’s a wealthy man. He can buy whatever he wants.”

  “He’s a wealthy man because he’s a thief.” Savannah stepped closer. “Why don’t you ask him where he got that recipe for his world-renowned bourbon?”

  “That’s what you were looking for? The recipe for our bourbon.”

  “Unlike most distilleries from here to Kentucky, you’ve taken great pains to conceal your grain bill.” Her tone was accusatory.

  “Even if you had our mash bill, that’s only part of the recipe. There’s the water source, our proprietary yeast strain and so many other factors.”

  “Then why is it so top secret, Blake? Ask yourself, and really, truly allow yourself to consider the answer. No matter where it leads you.”