Heart 0f Mine (Secrets 0f Savannah Book 6) Read online

  A chorus of Amens rang out at the table. Everyone began helping themselves to the assortment of sandwiches—chicken salad and ham and cheese on French bread. Hope began tasting the chips, letting out a satisfied sound as her taste buds sprang to life.

  She held a chip in the air. “You do know you could totally sell these and make a mint, right?” Hope asked.

  Morgan smiled. “I’m up to my elbows trying to keep guests content and happy at Savannah House. Maybe in another lifetime.”

  Olivia took a bite of sandwich. She nodded her head. “That’s not a bad idea, Hope. We could brand them as Savannah House chips.”

  “Hmm,” Callie said. “Branding.” They could all see the wheels turning in Callie’s head.

  “Fresh from Morgan’s kitchen.” Fancy chimed in.

  “It’s definitely something to consider,” Hope said. It was fun brainstorming with her best friends. There was no dream out of their reach. They all knew anything was possible with vision, hard work and commitment.

  “By the way, Grayson seems like a nice guy. I was able to talk to him a little bit at the soiree. I’m fairly impressed.” Olivia looked over at Hope. There was no question in her mind that Olivia’s comment had been designed to start a discussion about her relationship with Grayson.

  “Especially now that he’s dropped the suit,” Charlotte quipped. “Let’s be honest. Before we all thought he was a troll.” All of the ladies laughed, even though there was a hint of truth in her words. Things were so much less tense now that litigation was off the table. Hope knew it would allow everyone to view Grayson with fresh eyes. It mattered deeply to her how they regarded him. She knew it would hurt her if they held a bad opinion of him.

  “The two of you seem to be getting along like a house on fire,” Fancy said, looking at Hope with curiosity radiating from her eyes.

  “Come on. Fess up,” Morgan prodded. “You like him, don’t you?”

  All eyes were on Hope. She felt like a specimen under the microscope.

  Hope gingerly took a bite of her sandwich. She might as well deal with the situation right here and now. They were like dogs with bones. There was no way they were going to let go of it.

  “You’re right. I like him,” Hope said. “A lot.”

  An immediate chorus of awws commenced.

  “Tell us more,” Fancy said. She placed her chin in her hands and propped her elbows on the table. “I love hearing about new beginnings.”

  “Okay. There’s no point in hiding it. We’ve gone out a few times,” Hope acknowledged.

  “Good for you!” Charlotte said in a spirited voice. “He’s gorgeous.”

  Callie let out a low whistle. “You’ve got impeccable taste.”

  “Mmm Hmm,” Morgan said, wiggling her eyebrows.

  Hope looked around the table. “You don’t mind?” she asked.

  Olivia laughed. “Why would we mind? You’re single. He’s single. He’s no longer pursuing legal action against us. And furthermore, he’s related to Miss Hattie.”

  Callie grinned. “That is the icing on the cake. Her blood flows in his veins.”

  “There’s something gnawing at me though,” Hope admitted.

  “What is it?” Charlotte asked. “Something about Grayson?”

  “I can’t figure out why Miss Hattie left us Savannah House rather than her own son. Are we to assume she didn’t ever discover Tanner’s whereabouts? Knowing Miss Hattie, it’s hard to believe she wouldn’t have attempted to find him.”

  Olivia frowned. “From what I remember about Marc’s visit to Martha’s Vineyard, Grayson told Marc his father bypassed an opportunity to meet Miss Hattie,” Olivia said. “To me, that sounded like contact had been made and Tanner chose not to pursue it.”

  “It’s vague. It could mean any number of things. But my gut is telling me that Tanner did have a chance to meet Miss Hattie. Why wouldn’t he follow through with it?” Hope asked. Something wasn’t quite making sense to her. Perhaps it was the fact that Grayson’s dad seemed MIA.

  “Would you feel comfortable asking Grayson directly?” Morgan asked. “It might resolve your questions.”

  “And maybe something did happen between Miss Hattie and Tanner. It would explain why Tanner isn’t here with Grayson. I mean…isn’t he interested in his heritage?” Callie asked with a frown.

  “I can try and find out,” Hope said. “Grayson does have the official birth certificate. That could point to Miss Hattie authorizing a release of records. I recall reading an article a few years ago about adoptees being able to access records if both parties agreed to it.”

  “I think that’s pretty standard now, although it’s pretty crazy thinking those records were still intact all these years later,” Morgan said. “I’m going to ask my mother about whether or not Miss Hattie ever confided in her about having a baby. She’s still on that trip around the world, but she’ll be home in a few days.”

  “She deserves a break,” Hope said, feeling all warm and fuzzy about Pearl getting a much deserved trip of a lifetime. She’d been Miss Hattie’s personal assistant for decades. The loss of her dear friend had greatly affected her.

  “I think Grayson mentioned his father was adopted out of a foundling home. He showed me some paperwork. It was in Florida, but I can’t remember the name of it,” Hope said.

  “I’m glad the two of you are seeing each other. You deserve to be happy,” Charlotte said, smiling at Hope.

  “He’s the first man in a very long time who’s interested in me,” Hope confessed. She fiddled with her fingers. “And I’m just as interested in him as he is in me. I’ve struggled since my relationship with Ella’s father ended.”

  There was silence at the table. It was clear to Hope that no one knew what to say. It was her fault. This whole time she’d been keeping secrets. It had to end. Today. She began to speak, directly from her heart.

  “I want to explain. If I can. I fell in love with someone. His name was Ross. For a period of time he made me feel as if I was his everything. The sun, moon and the stars above. I thought he loved me. He told me he did.” Her voice trembled and she bowed her head. She couldn’t look into their eyes. She didn’t want to see disappointment staring back at her. She heaved a gigantic sigh.

  “I fell for his lies. Hook, line and sinker. When I told him about being pregnant with Ella he told me to get rid of her.” Hope shut her eyes as the tears began to fall. It was so painful to relive the worst moment of her life. “He went crazy saying how I was trying to ruin his life and I meant nothing to him.”

  Hope let out a sob. The worst part of the story needed to be told. “He told me he was married with kids at home. I-I couldn’t believe all of his sick and twisted lies. He’d presented himself as single and available. And I compromised my beliefs because he pressured me. He said he loved me and I thought I might lose that love. It was so weak of me.” She looked up. Tears blurred her vision. She could barely make out her friends’ faces. “But I don’t regret having Ella. She’s my world and the absolute best part of me. I compromised my principles with Ross, who turned out to be thoroughly rotten. Ella on the other hand, is my jewel. It’s rather amazing how God graced me with the gift of Ella even though the circumstances were terrible and the furthest thing from Godly.”

  Olivia moved toward Hope and placed her arm around her. “Oh, Hope. You didn’t have anything to be ashamed of. We’re all human. We all fall. Ross sounds like a user and a manipulative jerk. Not to mention an unapologetic liar.”

  Callie nodded her head vigorously. “Absolutely. And you’re right about Ella. She’s more precious than anything else. That’s what truly matters.”

  “Thank you,” Hope said, swiping at her eyes. “I just feel so foolish. Ross was a married man when we were involved. How could I have been so blind?”

  Charlotte squeezed Hope’s hand. “When I was assaulted I felt a lot of guilt. Was it my fault? Had I done something to make it happen? In the end I realized it wasn’t my fault. Ross chos
e to act in a dishonorable way. That’s for him to live with. You can’t carry that burden on your shoulders any longer.”

  “I refuse to carry that burden. It would be disastrous for Ella to grow up with a mother who let something so terrible weigh her down. Ross has no idea I gave birth to Ella. He basically told me he wanted nothing to do with our baby. So before I left Savannah to have Ella, I made him sign paperwork giving up all rights to our child.” Her mouth twisted. “He couldn’t sign that document fast enough. We’re well rid of him. Ella doesn’t need any poison in her life.”

  “We love you, Hope,” Fancy said. “And we’re crazy about Ella. I’m sorry you went through such a painful ordeal.”

  “I’m sorry it took so long for me to tell you everything. I just wasn’t emotionally ready to confront it all,” Hope confessed.

  “It’s all right,” Olivia said in a gentle voice. “We’re just glad you opened up to us. You can tell us anything! We’re never going to judge you.”

  Hope felt so much lighter now that her truths had been told. Everyone seemed very accepting of her choice to cut Ross out of their lives. She often wondered if someday Ella would resent her for it, but deep down Hope knew Ross had already made the choice for her. For now, and for always, Ella would be her child.

  “So, does anyone else have any secrets to tell?” Callie asked.

  Slowly, Olivia raised her hand up in the air. “I do,” she said in a soft voice.

  All eyes turned toward her.

  “Okay,” Morgan said. “Spill it.”

  “I don’t know for sure, but I think I’m pregnant,” Olivia announced, her brown eyes wide in her heart-shaped face.

  “What?” Callie exploded, her pretty features lit up with joy. “Are you serious?

  Pandemonium broke loose at the table. Everyone began shouting and cheering.

  “Wait a minute,” Hope said, holding up her hand. “What do you mean think? Have you been to a doctor?”

  “What did Hunter say?” Fancy asked, wiping away happy tears.

  “I haven’t been to the doctor yet, and Hunter just got back this morning from a business trip to China, so I haven’t told him yet,” Olivia explained.

  “So what makes you think you’re pregnant?” Morgan asked with a frown.

  “Oh, just about ten over the counter pregnancy tests,” Olivia said with a deep chuckle.

  The girls began to laugh at the idea of Olivia taking so many home pregnancy tests. Hope could actually picture it in her mind.

  “I’m so happy for you, Olivia,” Fancy said. She looked around the table. “Case and I have decided to consult a doctor about getting pregnant.” Her chin trembled. “We’ve been trying for a while now with no success. We just want to make sure there’s nothing wrong.”

  Charlotte patted her on the shoulder. “That’s the way to go about it. Don’t you worry, Fancy. Sometimes it takes a while to get pregnant. Before you know it, you’ll have a house full of kids.”

  Fancy hugged Charlotte. She was beaming at the suggestion she’d be a mother many times over. Love and support bounced off the walls in the parlor. It hummed and buzzed in the air around them. Hope knew no matter what obstacles life prevented them with, they would always stick together.

  She was counting on it!

  “The past isn’t just any old thing. It’s everything.” Pearl Lucas

  Chapter Nine

  Several weeks passed during which Grayson found himself getting a foothold in Savannah and Tybee Island. The ladies of Savannah House had told him he had a standing invitation to visit the resort whenever he liked. He’d visited the local historical society as well as the Savannah and Tybee Island archives in order to gain more knowledge about the Alexander family. Grayson had uncovered so much information he felt he could write a book on his ancestors. They had been innovative, loving and creative people.

  And slowly but surely, Hope had allowed him to spend time with Ella. He perfectly understood her initial desire to wait until their relationship had developed before allowing him in to her daughter’s world. Ella was an amazing little girl. Sweet and loving, she greeted him with kisses and hugs every time he was in her orbit. He had gifted her with a basket full of his books and some toys. It had been a hit! Ella had been full of smiles and giggles.

  Hope and Ella were coming over in a little while. They would be spending the day together making new memories.

  A loud knock sounded on his door. Grayson made his way to the door in a few easy strides. He wrenched the door open, eager to see Hope’s beautiful face. He wanted to hold her in his arms. Every time he was with her he found himself wanting to dig deeper and deeper until there was nothing they didn’t know about the other. For a man who had resisted≤ making lasting connections with women his entire adult life—he suddenly found himself wanting something permanent with Hope. It was becoming harder and harder to imagine himself heading back to Martha’s Vineyard and living a life without Hope and Ella.

  His heart sank the moment he opened the door and came face to face with his father, Tanner Holloway. Objectively speaking, Tanner was a good looking man. Tall and lean with a head full of gray-streaked hair, he looked a great deal younger than his seventy-four years. Grayson knew women half his father’s age who had expressed interest in dating him. Sadly, Tanner hadn’t really dated since divorcing Grayson’s mother. Work had been his all-consuming obsession.

  A multitude of emotions rocketed through Grayson. “What are you doing here?”

  “Are you seriously going to ask me that? I came to find you. What are you doing here on Tybee Island, Grayson?”

  “I’m a grown man, dad. I make my own decisions. Matter of fact, I have for a very long time. Remember.” He couldn’t keep the bitterness out of his voice. All of this self-reflection was causing things from the past to rise to the surface. Perhaps he could finally get everything off his chest and confront his father.

  “Son, can I come in? There’s so much I need to tell you. Things I should have said ages ago.”

  He waved him inside, knowing his father wouldn’t take no for an answer. He’d traveled all the way from Massachusetts to see Grayson. It would be a huge waste of time to try to put him off. “Come on in and make yourself comfortable.”

  Once they were inside his father shook his finger at him. Suddenly Grayson felt like a little kid again.

  “Adults don’t ignore phone calls. Adults don’t take birth certificates that don’t belong to them. You took some of my personal documents. Care to explain what’s going on?”

  “I’m here to get some answers,” he said in a curt voice.

  “What kind of answers?” His father narrowed his gaze.

  “Ones you never gave me.”

  Tanner let out a groan. “Grayson, where is all of this coming from? What answers?”

  Grayson continued. “Answers about my roots. My lineage. Answers you

  never wanted to give me. Don’t you think I have a right to know about genetic diseases or any messed up chromosomes? Just because you closed a door on it doesn’t mean I have to do the same.”

  “Grayson, those answers aren’t here in Savannah. You don’t need to be here on Tybee Island. You’re the son of Tanner and Jeannette Holloway. Isn’t that enough?”

  “Dad. I don’t think you have any idea of what I need. And you haven’t exactly been around to guide and shape me. Maybe if you’d been around more when I was younger I wouldn’t feel the need now to find myself.”

  Tanner sank down onto a loveseat. “I’ll admit it. I messed up. I left so many things unspoken. As a father, I let you down. I was drowning in grief and I made so many horrible parenting decisions.”

  “That’s putting it mildly,” Grayson said, pain gripping his chest as the memories crashed over him in unrelenting waves. “But I’ve grown used to it over the years. After all, sending me to that alternative school for wayward kids was bottom of the barrel stuff.”

  His father winced. “Grayson, your mother and I made a
terrible mistake. Put the blame on me. Your mother was not stable at the time. She wasn’t thinking clearly.”

  “A mistake is burning breakfast, not sending your son off to a school that uses cruelty to keep kids in line.”

  “I can’t change the past. But I can tell you from the bottom of my heart how devastated your mother and I felt when we realized what happened to you at that school. If I could go back and do it over again, I’d make different choices for you.”

  Grayson made an unintelligible sound. “Admit it. You sent me there because you wanted to get rid of me.”

  “That’s not true, Grayson. I was dealing with the death of my parents and when a tragedy like that strikes it just leaves you rudderless. If I could go back in time and change things I would. God knows I would.”

  “It’s funny you mention God. He was my salvation back then. My only port in the storm.” His faith had been strengthened during this painful time. God had been the only thing to keep him sane.

  Grayson knew how traumatic it had been for his father when his grandparents perished in a car accident. Their household had plummeted into grief. His parents’ marriage had begun to crumble. His father had retreated from the family, plunging himself headlong into all matters pertaining to adoption. He began to do endless research on adoption, then published a series of books on the subject. Tanner Holloway had become famous on the subject, doing lectures, seminars, book signings and documentaries.

  In the process his father had become a ghost on the home front. His mother had suffered a nervous breakdown. Grayson had acted out by getting into trouble both in and out of school. After getting expelled from school for repeated disruptive behavior, his parents had shipped him off to the boarding school of his nightmares.

  The ding of the doorbell served as a jolt to his system. Hope. He had almost forgotten she was coming over to his place with Ella.

  “Are you expecting company?” his father asked.

  “Yes,” he said through clenched teeth. “We need to drop this discussion now.”