Page 57 of Savannah's Secrets

“It hasn’t sunk in yet.” Blake sipped from his glass.

“So you didn’t know who Savannah was or why she was here?”

Blake shook his head. “I only learned the truth today.”

His grandfather stared into his glass for a moment before meeting his gaze. “Do you love her, son?”

“I think I do. At least, I did before I realized it was never about me. It was about the money and restoring her grandfather’s legacy.”

“Can’t it be about both?”

“Sir?”

“Maybe she did come here with the sole purpose of getting what she felt her family was owed…a noble thing, in my mind. But that doesn’t mean she didn’t fall for you along the way.”

“What makes you believe that, Granddad?”

“Explains the tortured look in her eyes the night we met. When she was grilling me about the history of the company. Now I understand what I saw in her eyes. She probably hated me. Wanted revenge. But then there were her feelings for you. Must’ve been a mighty struggle for her.”

Blake didn’t directly address his grandfather’s conjecture. “Do you think Martin McDowell is the kind of man who would’ve sent her here, hoping that one of us would get her pregnant? It’d be a slam-dunk way to ensure their family got a stake in the company.”

“Never. In fact, I’m shocked he would’ve agreed to her coming here at all. He was too proud a man to let his granddaughter fight his battle.”

Blake sighed in relief. “She claims he doesn’t know she’s here or what she’s been up to.”

“Does Savannah seem to you like the kind of person who’d trick you into getting her pregnant?” His grandfather took another sip of his drink.

“No.” Blake finished his bourbon and put the glass down. “Then again, I wouldn’t have thought her a spy. So what do I know?”

“You know you care about the girl and that she, like it or not, is carrying the first of the next generation of Abbotts.” His grandfather’s mouth curled in a reserved smile.

Blake’s head spun. Not from the bourbon, but from the idea that he would be a father. It certainly wasn’t under the circumstances he would’ve wished, but still…he was going to be a father.

He poured himself another glass and topped off his grandfather’s drink before settling on the sofa again. He studied the ceiling, his mind spinning.

“The question is, is it possible for you two to get past this? If you really care for this girl, maybe you can salvage it,” his grandfather said. “If not, you still need to have an amicable relationship for the sake of the child.”

“I don’t know if I can get past what Savannah did. I know she felt she had good reason, but how can I ever trust her again?”

“Only you can answer that, son.” His grandfather’s voice was filled with regret. “I’m sure Marty will probably always distrust me, too.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Not sure. I find it best to sleep on decisions like this.” Joe tapped a finger on his glass. “But call your parents, brothers and sister. Tomorrow morning, we need to have a family meeting.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Savannah was going stir-crazy.

It’d been nearly a week since Blake had learned of her pregnancy. Two days of silence since she’d left him a message informing him a doctor had confirmed the test results. And still no word as to whether they planned to press charges.

There was a knock at her door and she answered it.

“Got a surprise for you.” Kayleigh beamed, opening the signature pink box from the local bakery. “Sticky buns.”

“My favorite. Thank you. C’mon in and I’ll make you a cup of coffee. I can’t eat these all by myself.”

Savannah gave the woman whom she’d fast become friends with a grateful smile. She’d told Kayleigh the truth about why she’d come to Magnolia Lake and about the Abbotts discovering her plot. But she hadn’t told Kayleigh about her and Blake. Or about the baby.

“I’ve gotta get downstairs and open the shop, but I brought you some company. That’s the other surprise.”

Kayleigh stepped aside to reveal her sister and niece in the doorway.

“Auntie Vanna!”

“Harper!” Savannah stooped to hug and kiss her niece. Then she stood and wrapped her sister in a hug. “Laney! I can’t believe you guys came all this way.”

Savannah’s eyes filled with tears. She’d desperately missed her sister’s face, so similar to her own. Laney’s hair was styled in an adorable pixie cut, top-heavy with shiny, dark curls.