A Man's Promise

by Brenda Jackson

“Yes. Shiloh’s working with me and she is in charge of entertainment. The city’s annual ball will raise a lot of money for cancer research. It would be simply wonderful if you would perform for us.”

  “When is this?”

  “During the holidays. I know it’s probably short notice, but I hope you will consider it.”

  Caden smiled. “I will consider it. But, of course, I’ll have to check my schedule.”

  Nannette’s face lit up. “That’s wonderful. I’ll have Shiloh get in touch with you.”

  “Yes, you do that.”

  The couple walked off, and Caden glanced over to where Shiloh had been standing moments ago. But she was gone. He figured he would mingle for a little while, and if he didn’t run into her, he would simply go and find her.

  * * *

  Shiloh saw Caden out of the corner of her eye. He was surrounded by a group of women asking him to autograph the napkins they’d grabbed off a drinks tray. Smiling, he obliged them, and before he could get away, even more women approached him.

  “Young Granger certainly has his hands full. The women are buzzing around him as if they’re bees and he’s the honey,” Harold Owens said, chuckling and grabbing Shiloh’s attention.

  Helen Owens nodded. “Can’t blame them too much. He’s a handsome man. Gets his looks from his father, and everyone knows how handsome Sheppard was. Besides, I’m sure Caden Granger’s celebrity status doesn’t hurt when it comes to the ladies.” Helen paused a moment and added, “I always knew those boys would make something of themselves even if their father was a cold-blooded murderer.”

  Shiloh thought about what Mrs. Owens had said about Caden’s father. It seemed she was one of those people who still thought Sheppard Granger had killed his wife fifteen years ago.

  “I wish you wouldn’t do that, Helen,” Mr. Owens said with a frown, breaking into Shiloh’s thoughts.

  His wife raised an eyebrow. “Do what?”

  “Call Sheppard Granger a murderer.”

  “And why not? A jury found him guilty.”

  “Yes, but I never believed he did it. He wasn’t that sort of guy. I played golf with Richard and Sheppard numerous times. He was one of the most honest and kindhearted men I knew.”

  “Who happened to discover his wife was having an affair. That’s why he killed her.”

  “I disagree.” Mr. Owens looked at Shiloh. “You knew the Grangers. In fact, I recall you and your brother being their playmates when you were younger. Do you believe Sheppard Granger could kill his wife so heartlessly?”

  Shiloh drew in a deep breath. This was the first time anyone had asked her what she thought about Caden’s father’s guilt or innocence. Growing up, her opinion had been somewhat colored by what her parents had claimed, which had all been negative. But as she recalled, everyone assumed it was Sheppard Granger who was involved in an affair, although the prosecution had never been able to produce the name of the other woman implicated. They claimed he killed his wife because she refused to give him a divorce. This was the first time she’d heard anything about Sylvia Granger being the one involved in an affair.

  She looked at the Owenses, who were waiting for her response. “I’ve never given any thought to Mr. Granger’s guilt or innocence. If you recall, I was young, in my early teens, when the trial was going on. But I do recall Jace, Caden and Dalton believing their father was innocent. And, up until now, I’d always assumed that Mr. Granger was the one involved in an affair and not the other way around.”

  Was it her imagination or had the Owenses suddenly gone unusually quiet? Harold Owens seemed to study a speck on his tie, and Helen said nothing as she stared into her glass of wine.

  She found their actions very odd and was about to restate her question when she felt heat at her back. She knew Caden was less than a few feet away. Was that the reason the Owenses were acting strange? Shiloh thought there was more to it than that, because they were looking over her shoulder and appeared surprised to see Caden approaching.

  “Good evening, Shiloh. Mr. and Mrs. Owens.”

  Caden’s deep, husky voice caressed her skin when he came to stand beside her. He then reached out his hand to the Owenses. “Good seeing you again. It’s been years.”

  A smile spread across Helen’s lips. “Why, Caden Granger. You’ve grown into a very handsome man, and I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about you and that saxophone of yours.” She paused a moment and then added, “And it seems you still get all the girls.”

  Caden chuckled. “I think you have me mixed up with my brother Dalton.”

  “And how are your brothers?” Harold asked as if he genuinely wanted to know. “We heard about that kidnapping incident with Jace a few weeks ago. That was awful, and to think the mastermind was someone you thought could be trusted.”

  “But isn’t that how it usually is?” Shiloh asked, not looking at Caden. “The people you trust the most are the ones who will cause you the most pain.” Not waiting for anyone’s reply, she said, “If all of you will excuse me, I need to mingle with my guests.”

  She walked off and could actually feel Caden’s stare in the center of her back.

  Eighteen

  “Is there a reason he’s still here?” Sedrick asked his sister.

  Shiloh didn’t have to glance around to know whom her brother was referring to. Although the party had wound down and most of the people had left, Caden was among the handful that remained.

  She lifted her chin. “I don’t know. Why don’t you ask him?”

  Her brother frowned. “I think I will.”

  Cassie shot an arm out to detain Sedrick. “Really, Sedrick, is that necessary? Maybe you need to let Shiloh handle her own business.”

  He removed Cassie’s hand from his arm. “And maybe you need to attend to your own business.”

  Shiloh saw the hurt flash in Cassie’s eyes before she walked off. She spoke up and said, “Cassie’s right. Caden is my business, Sedrick, and I’ll handle him. And did you have to be so rude to Cassie just now? What in the world is wrong with you? You haven’t been yourself since you arrived here tonight. I think you owe Cassie an apology.”

  He frowned. “Just like you claim Caden is your business, Cassie is mine. You handle yours, and I’ll handle mine.” He then walked off.

  Shiloh drew in a deep breath. What in the world was wrong with Sedrick? He’d arrived in a surly mood, and it had gotten worse after he’d spent some time with the Greenes.

  Tonight, Shiloh hadn’t been able to help but notice that all the influential families who had ostracized Caden and his brothers years ago had been falling all over themselves tonight, smiling, shaking his hand and asking for his autograph.

  Except for the Greenes.

  It seemed they had deliberately avoided him. Why? Even when Ivan had arrived, he’d appeared to be put out to see Caden here. The man who wanted to be mayor had made his rounds, shaking hands with almost everyone present, except for Caden. Shiloh wondered whether Caden had noticed the Greenes’ avoidance of him tonight. Knowing Caden the way she did, Shiloh knew that if he had noticed, he probably didn’t care.

  “Time for us to call it a night,” Valerie said, coming up behind her and interrupting her thoughts.

  Whenever Valerie came into town alone she stayed with Shiloh, but whenever Jack came with her, Valerie preferred staying at the Fairgate, a hotel known for its romantic setting. The hotel was built so each and every room had a beautiful view of the mountains. On top of that, each hotel room was really a large suite with a fireplace and huge garden tub.

  “Thanks for staying as long as you did,” she said, giving Valerie a hug. “I couldn’t have done this without you.”

  “Hmm, it seems that some of us plan to stay even longer.”

  Shiloh knew she was referring to Caden. Obviously, Sedrick hadn’t been the only one to notice.

  “Yes, I saw you over there mingling with the enemy,” Shiloh said, looking pointedly at her friend.

  Valerie chuck
led. “Caden might be your enemy, but he isn’t mine. I admit I was a little put out with him about the way he’d been treating you. But that was before you told me what your father had done. I still don’t agree with the things Caden might have done and said, but now I understand why he did them. That was pretty low of your father. To think a father would go to that extreme to keep a man away from his daughter only makes me wonder why.”

  “I know why,” Shiloh said, putting down her wineglass and glancing across the room to where Caden was talking to Jack. “Dad disliked the Grangers. For some reason, my parents, especially my father, seemed to take Sylvia Granger’s murder personally. Not only did they want Sheppard Granger to pay for that sin, but they wanted his sons to pay for it, as well.”

  “That’s a lot of hatred, Shiloh. Have you ever wondered why?”

  When Shiloh didn’t say anything, Valerie pressed on. “Samuel Timmons is dead, yet you’re still letting him win. He always wanted you and Caden apart, and he’s getting just what he wanted.” Changing the subject, she said, “Good night, Shiloh. Jack and I fly out early in the morning. I’ll call you sometime tomorrow to let you know we made it back home safely.”

  Shiloh watched as Valerie crossed the room to where Jack and Caden stood. She slid her arm into Jack’s, leaning up to kiss Caden on the cheek before pulling Jack toward the exit.

  It was then that Caden glanced over at her. She had deliberately avoided him all night, and the one time he had approached her when she’d been chatting with the Owenses, she had walked off. Later, Nannette had approached her, putting her on the spot by insisting that she consider Caden for this year’s entertainment at the ball. Shiloh agreed he would be a huge draw, but the thought of working with him on any project was too much for her to think about.

  She glanced around and realized that everyone had left—everyone except her, Caden and the catering staff. When had Sedrick and Cassie left? She was surprised her brother hadn’t hung around long enough to make sure Caden wasn’t the last one to leave. Her brother’s behavior tonight was now more confusing than ever.

  She drew in a steady breath when Caden began walking toward her. She wished he didn’t look so darned good. His appearance had definitely been appreciated by some and resented by a few. Her thoughts shifted again to the Greenes, but not for long as Caden came to a stop in front of her.

  “You had a nice turnout, Shiloh.”

  She tilted her head back to look up at him. “Why did you come here tonight, Caden?”

  He held her stare, shoving his hands into his pockets. “And why wouldn’t I come?”

  “You know the answer to that and, frankly, I don’t want to go over it again.”

  A smile touched his lips. “Good because, frankly, I don’t want you to go over it again, either. I know how you feel.”

  She shook her head. “No, you don’t. If you did, you wouldn’t be here.”

  He took a step closer. “Because I do know how you feel. That’s why I am here.”

  She frowned, thinking what he said didn’t make sense. “Everyone has left. The party is over, so you can leave now.”

  “Before I go, there’s something I’d like to ask you about.”

  “What?”

  “Not here.” The caterers were breaking things down, and they were in the way. She had a feeling that whatever he wanted to ask her he wanted to ask in private. A part of her knew she should tell him that he didn’t have a right to ask her anything, but another part of her was curious about what he wanted to know. Besides, there was something she needed to ask him, as well. Something Valerie now had her pondering.

  “Fine. We can talk privately out in the courtyard.”

  * * *

  Caden followed Shiloh as she opened the French doors. He ducked under the top of the door and walked out onto a brick courtyard. He’d noticed people coming and going into this space during most of the evening but hadn’t ventured out himself.

  It was the first week in September, and already the night air was growing cool. Caden figured that in a couple of weeks, most people would be wearing their winter clothes. He watched as Shiloh led him toward one of the patio sofas, covered in cushions. She slipped off her shoes and then sat down, curling her bare feet beneath her.

  “Now, what is your question? Because I have one of my own,” she said, looking over at him.

  He was so taken by how she appeared at that moment, sitting there with the reflections from the lanterns making her look even more beautiful. He almost forgot she was talking. But he did catch the tail end of what she’d said. “You have a question for me, as well?”

  “Yes. Please go ahead, and then I’ll ask mine,” she said, leaning back in the seat.

  He took a chair across from her. “First, I’d like to state that I have a reason for asking you this, so please don’t get all bent out of shape.”

  Her gaze bored into him. “I won’t make any promises. What is it that you want to know?”

  He paused a moment and then asked, “Is there or has there ever been something going on between you and Ivan Greene?”

  Shiloh stared at Caden, certain she had misunderstood his question. But when it was obvious she had not, anger ignited her entire body. She immediately sat up, and her feet hit the brick floor with a thump. “You have a lot of nerve asking me something like that. The answer is no, but if I had been involved with him, it would be none of your business.”

  “I had a reason for asking you that.”

  Shiloh thought he had better have a damned good reason. “And what would that be?”

  Caden leaned back in his chair. “Tonight, for whatever reason, I felt deep animosity coming from not only Ivan but also his parents. And I can think of no other reason for it other than perhaps he has feelings for you and he sees me as a threat.”

  “Rest assured, Ivan Greene is not interested in me. Besides, he’s almost fourteen years older than I am.”

  “To some women, age doesn’t mean anything. It definitely doesn’t seem to matter to Nannette Gaither.”

  “Well, it does to me. And as far as the Greenes’ animosity toward you, I have no answers. If I recall, Michael Greene worked for your father’s company at one time, didn’t he?”

  “Yes, and Dad fired him. I never knew the reason why, but it happened a few months before my mother’s death.”

  “Do you think he’s holding a grudge from that time?”

  Caden shrugged. “I don’t know why he would. After leaving Granger, he started his own business and became highly successful. I think he would consider his departure from Granger Aeronautics a good move and not the opposite.”

  Caden didn’t say anything for a moment and then added, “Maybe I imagined things tonight.”

  “No, you didn’t,” Shiloh said. “I picked up on their coolness to you myself and wondered the reason for it. With Ivan running for mayor, you would think he would be friendly to as many people as he could. I don’t know why the Greenes snubbed you tonight, but it has nothing to do with me. I barely know Ivan Greene...although if you remember, Sedrick and Ivan’s sister Kerrie dated seriously back in high school.”

  Caden nodded. “Yes, I do recall that.” Since returning to Charlottesville, he was beginning to remember a lot from his childhood. Some good, and some bad. “Now, what is your question?” he asked.

  Shiloh met his gaze. “Do you have any idea why my parents started hating yours? Dad went to a lot of trouble to keep us apart and, before now, I never wondered what motivated him. I just accepted it as his way. Now I want to know why.”

  Nineteen

  Caden held Shiloh’s eyes. Her question was one he’d been pondering himself lately. All he had to do was remember that packet he’d received in his hotel room in Vegas, and how carefully Samuel Timmons had manipulated things in his favor, using distorted photographs to plant doubt in Caden’s mind over Shiloh’s love and loyalty. Only hatred could drive a person to that extreme.

  “I honestly don’t know, Shiloh. I�
�ve been thinking about my father’s trial a lot. Things were fine, and then one day Granddad picked us up from school and broke the news that our mother was dead and Dad had been charged with killing her.”

  He paused a moment and then said, “And that’s when the ugliness began. I remember wanting to talk to you then. I called your house, as usual, and your dad answered the phone. Instead of the kindness he’d always displayed to me, he showed me another side. A bitter, hateful and vicious side. He told me never to call his house again, and he also said he would not have his children associating with the kids of a murderer. It was as if he’d already decided my dad was guilty.”

  She nodded. “And things got worse from there,” she said. “After giving us orders never to be friends with you and your brothers again, he began drinking heavily. I thought it was guilt because of the way he had begun treating you, but I don’t think that was the case. Drinking just made him even more hateful toward your family. Because of his threats, Sedrick and I did what he told us to do, although I would go out of my way, whenever I could, to let you know I would always be there for you.”

  Caden remembered that. The smiles. The notes. The cards.

  “Years later, my father used my convalescence to keep us apart, to play his hand, knowing if he played it right, you would believe it. And you did.”

  “Yes,” Caden admitted ashamedly. “I did.”

  Hearing him admit to that brought back memories of all the pain she’d endured. Both the physical pain of the accident and the emotional pain of his rejection when he’d believed the worst about her.

  She quickly stood. “You’ve asked your question and I’ve asked mine, but it seems we still don’t have answers.”

  He stood, as well. “No, we don’t. Honestly, I don’t give a damn about the way the Greenes feel about me. Their behavior tonight has only made me curious. And in terms of your father’s hatred of my family, I think the only person who could shed some light on everything is your mother. Maybe you should ask her.”

  Shiloh inwardly shuddered at the thought. “I’d rather not.”