Expecting His Secret Heir(14)

She glanced over at Mr. Callahan. He gave her a half smile. "I'm not big  on telling other people's stories," he said, "but James was most  definitely difficult. He ruled Black Hills with an iron fist and had  definite views on how things should be done." He, too, glanced over at  Zach. "And he wasn't above using devious tactics to get what he wanted,  either."

He finished putting Sadie's package together on the computer, checked it  twice, then rang up a payment on her card that made her slightly  nauseous. If Victor didn't come through with that money in her bank  account by tomorrow, she was going to ruin him for sure.

He was used to throwing around that type of money, but Sadie definitely was not.

They headed back out to the car, Mr. Callahan's promise that the camera  would be delivered in forty-eight hours drifting behind them.

Hopefully it wouldn't be a moment longer.

There weren't too many things that made Sadie impatient, but waiting on a  camera was like a kid anticipating the bike they just knew they would  find under the tree Christmas morning.

The silence in the car on the way to the mill wasn't helping her nerves.  "So the Blackstone men I've met," she asked, "they're James  Blackstone's grandsons?"                       
       
           



       

Zach nodded.

"You seem to know them well."

"Not really...at least, not until recently. Different circles and all  that." The words were accompanied by a smirk, but at least he'd started  talking.

"KC actually got involved with Jacob Blackstone first, months before I  knew the family. Before that, I just knew of them. None of the grandsons  lived here then. She met Jacob when he came home on a visit to his  mother, and then she ended up pregnant with Carter."

The scowl darkening his features turned fierce. "That was my first up  close and personal encounter with the patriarch of the family. He  threatened my sister, scared her so badly she left town. I'll never  forgive him for that."

Sadie recognized something in Zach's expression all too well. "Or yourself?"

He shot a quick glance her way before resolutely returning his eyes to  the road. "She knew I wouldn't have held back. I've spent my life  protecting my family. And I would have jeopardized my livelihood and my  mother's bar to teach that son of a bitch a lesson." His knuckles  whitened from his tight grip. "So she made a decision and left alone.  She didn't come back until James was dead."

Zach took a deep breath, almost as if cleansing himself of the memories.  "Jacob and KC were lucky. Their story ended in a happily-ever-after-but  it never would have if James had had any say about it."

Zach's stiff shoulders and furrowed brow suggested that he was still  angry. But it was obvious from seeing Jacob and KC together that they  were very much in love. From the sounds of it, they'd overcome a lot to  get there.

Sadie knew how Zach felt, though. It was his job to protect his little  sister. He hadn't said it outright, but he must feel as though he'd let  her down.

The question was, would he understand someone else needing to do the same for their family?

* * *

Almost a week later, Sadie stepped into Bella Italia with more  trepidation than she'd ever experienced over a formal event. Mostly  because she was usually at these things as the help, serving, blending  in with the decor rather than standing out like a peacock in a brand-new  dress.

She'd known exactly what she wanted to wear when KC had invited her to  the Blackstones' party celebrating a new chapter for the mill. The  bright blue dress had called to her from the moment she'd walked past  the window on the square on the way to Callahan's. Sadie was used to  admiring clothes she wasn't able to buy.

Not this time.

For once, she didn't blink at the price. She didn't even use the company  card Victor had given her for regular expenses. Somehow that would  taint the gift of being invited in the first place. This time she wanted  to experience something on her own terms-even if it ended up being a  fairy tale.

The sleeveless dress had a fitted bodice that hugged her generous curves  and provided ample support. Her second favorite element, besides the  color, was a mesh triangle cutout between her breasts, giving a shadowy  glimpse of cleavage beneath. The flowy skirt was dressed in sparkles  along the calf-length hemline, adding to her festive mood.

She'd indulged in a pair of sexy silver heels without once wondering how  many other outfits they would match. Practicality had no place tonight.  She wore a single piece of jewelry. The necklace had been a gift from  her mother on her twenty-first birthday, the length perfect to nestle a  teardrop opal encircled in silver wire in the indention at the base of  her throat. A silver shawl completed her dream outfit.

She wasn't sure what had gotten into her, but tonight she would simply  go with the flow. Especially since it meant more time with Zachary. A  quick look over her shoulder let her watch her prince as he stepped in  the door to the restaurant behind her. She'd seen him plenty at the mill  in the past few days, but never alone. And there had been no repeat of  the night at the B and B.

She wished he had come to get her because he wanted to, not because  Christina had asked him to, but the flutters in her stomach were the  same, regardless. And the way his dark eyes widened when he saw her in  this dress for the first time was very much appreciated.

Zach was a sight to behold himself. The fitted black suit and burgundy  tie complemented his dark good looks, making her fingers itch for her  camera to record tonight for posterity. She had a small one in her  clutch-she was never without one-but wouldn't intrude on a personal  gathering by breaking it out.

As Zach took her arm to lead her in, the look on his face was proud-at  least, she liked to think so. Even though it didn't dim the wariness  that would forever linger in his eyes when he looked at her, still, it  made her happy.                       
       
           



       

This, at least, she could have.

"Well, somebody cleans up good," KC said, giving her brother the once-over before a quick hug.

Zach's gaze flicked to Sadie when she murmured, "I agree."

He wiggled his tie a little to adjust it. "You know I hate these things."

KC shook her head as if she were disappointed in his response. "What's  not to enjoy? Great food, friends-even Mom's here." She looked between  them, giving Sadie the distinct impression that she was sizing them up  together. "Go introduce Sadie, why don't you?"

That definitely started the butterflies in Sadie's stomach. When she'd  been here five years ago, she hadn't met any of Zachary's family, though  she'd heard a lot about them.

Luckily she had time to compose herself before doing the family thing.  She and Zach couldn't get more than a few feet across the floor without  someone stopping them to chat. The Blackstones had spared no expense in  renting out the entire restaurant for this impressive soiree, and they'd  invited all of the upper management from the mill and their families,  as well as Zach and KC's family, the mayor and some city officials.

To her surprise, she was almost as much in demand as Zach. The people at  the mill and in town had been beyond friendly, and it was no different  with tonight's crowd. Sadie felt more at home here than she ever had in  Dallas, where she'd lived her entire life. Mostly because the people of  Black Hills actually saw her. The real her...or as close to the real her  as she could risk showing them.

Suddenly a man with an authoritative bearing appeared at Zach's side,  reaching to shake his hand. "I told you this would eventually be cleared  up," he said.

"You didn't say it would take this long," Zach answered with a knowing look.

"This is true," the man said with a laugh.

"Sadie," Zach said, pulling her into reach of the conversation, "this is Officer Stephens, my arresting officer."

"What?"

To her consternation, both men chuckled. "Sorry, ma'am," Officer  Stephens said. "A little joke. I didn't actually arrest him... I just  brought him in for questioning." His wink set her at ease.

"And question me he did," Zach said.

"Just doing my job. But you did good, buddy. Real good."

Zach shook his head. "In the end, it wasn't even me who caught him. It was Luke."

"But you kept pushing," he said, patting Zach's back in that casual way comrades have. "The truth always comes out, my friend."

Sadie forced herself not to shift in her three-inch heels as she heard the words.

"How is Luke?" the officer asked.

"Good." Zach nodded. "He's home, but he opted to stay with Ms.  Blackstone tonight. He's had enough of the spotlight for a while."