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“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.
