Escaping Reality (Hart Ranch Book 1) (16 page)

Logan stared at the older man. “Wait, did you recognize who Addie was when she first came here?”

Gramps chuckled. “Well, your mom figured it out first and confided in me. She wanted to tell you but thought it would be best to let you make up your own mind about her. You really didn’t know who she was?”

He put his hand on his forehead. “No, believe it or not, I didn’t. She even told me that her father was in the movie business and I never caught on. I guess I was blinded by love.”

A smile crinkled the corners of Gramps’ eyes. “Oh, so you
do
love her then.”

He scoffed and shook his head hard. “
Did
is the correct word, Gramps. I’m not sure what I feel now. She lied to me. Even worse, she used me to further her career. I don’t know if I can get past that.”

“Be careful, Logan. Don’t let bitterness take root in your heart. Pray about it and listen. God will show you what to do.” Gramps reeled in his line and patted him on the shoulder. “I’m going to move upstream. See you in a little while.”

Logan smiled. “Thanks for the talk.”

“Any time.”

After Gramps left, Logan sat by the creek for a long time with his eyes closed. Being quiet in nature brought him some peace. What Gramps said about not letting bitterness take root in his heart kept weaving through his thoughts.

He
was
bitter, and not just about Addison’s betrayal. He blamed himself and God for Nathan’s death and his mother’s injury. Could he find a way to let it go?

~ ~ ~

A
ddison’s morning swirled by in a hurry. When she arrived at the mansion all the housekeepers were scurrying around like crazy chickens, dusting stairways and chandeliers. Despite being worried about what Jared would do after Victoria’s confession, she had trouble bridling her own excitement as well.

Brielle rushed down the steps in a fancy business outfit and fiddled with her updo. “How do I look?”

“You’re gorgeous, just like always.” Addison glanced at her own outfit, a favorite pair of dark blue jeans and leather boots from her trip to the mountains, dressed up with a nice blouse. Compared to her sister’s outfit, she felt underdressed. “Why are you so fancied up, Brie? It’s just Dad coming, right?”

“Um…not exactly.”

Addison squinted at her in confusion. “Spit it out, sis. You know how much I hate surprises.”

Brielle bit her lip. “Now, don’t panic. Dad arranged to have a short live interview right here in the foyer.”

She gasped and fiddled with her casual French braid. “Brie, you should have told me. I would have dressed more formally. They don’t want me to be involved, do they?”

Brielle shook her head. “No, just Dad and I.”

Addison’s eyes narrowed. “You? Why would they just want you and Dad?”

Just then the limo pulled up in front of the mansion and her sister rushed to the door to meet their father. He entered with his security guards, looking all business in his suit, but the façade melted away when he hugged Brie. Yes, he was a famous movie star, director and business owner, but always a father first.

Addison braced herself against the banister, overcome by waves of emotion. Sure, they’d talked over the phone several times since her return to LA a month ago but it was different seeing him in person.

He caught her gaze and opened his arms wide. “Addie. Come here my sweet daughter.”

She let the tears flow and rushed into his embrace. “Oh, Dad. I’m so glad you’re home.”

“Me too.” He pushed her back gently and studied her face. “Well, you’ve changed, my girl.”

She grinned and wiped her moist cheeks. “Yes…and I have so much to tell you.”

He nodded. “We’ll catch up tonight. Right now we have to prepare for this interview.” He turned to Brie. “Are you ready, sweetheart?”

Her sister’s chin quivered as she nodded.

Addison’s suspicions rose. “What’s going on? What’s this interview about?”

Brie managed a brave smile. “It’s about disarming Jared before this awful snowball effect gets any worse.”

The truth almost blew Addison over. “No. Brie, you can’t. I won’t let you sacrifice your reputation for me. This is all my fault. Jared was my fiancé. I should have realized what a snake he was.”

Her dad shook his head. “No. it wasn’t your fault. Jared’s father was a good friend of mine for years. That’s why I thought I could trust Jared when he inherited the company after his death. He was bad news from the start and I should have seen the signs. I never should have agreed to merge the companies. Now we’re going to be stuck with a big mess to clean up I’m afraid.”

Addie covered her face. “So what are we going to do? I don’t see any way out of this.”

Her dad’s green eyes radiated with confidence. “I talked to Victoria this morning. She’s headed to tell the police everything she knows about Jared. Meanwhile, we’re going to tell the truth in this interview. All the gritty details.” He reached for Brie’s hand and then Addison’s, uniting them together as one unit. “Your sister went through a hard time after your mother’s death. We got her the help she needed and came through it together. It was difficult but we became even stronger as a family in the end. There’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

Addison pursed her lips. “And what do your advisors think about this?”

“They’ll get used to the idea. I can’t run a successful business without being truthful. No family is perfect and that’s okay. I’ll stand by my girls no matter what.”

Brielle’s eyes widened as the camera crew came through the door. “Here goes nothing. Wish us luck.”

Addison kept a vice grip on her sister’s hand. “If you two are going into the lion’s den I’m coming with you.”

Their dad’s eyes narrowed. “Are you sure, Addie? They might ask you some uncomfortable questions about your time spent in Montana.”

She nodded. “We’re family and we’ll face this problem like we’ve always done in the past. Together.”

~ ~ ~

Static from Logan’s radio brought him out of his peaceful moment by the creek. He unclipped it from his belt and turned up the volume.

His sister’s voice came through. “Logan, come back to the house quick. There’s something you need to see.”

Logan rushed back to the house, worried it was something to do with his mother but when he entered the front door everything was quiet. He made it down the hallway to his parents’ room, only to find his mom and sister transfixed in front of the television.

He sighed and leaned against the wall, trying to catch his breath. “You called me up here to watch a TV show?”

Belle turned and shushed him. “Just be quiet and watch.”

Logan focused on the screen and drew in a ragged breath as Addie’s beautiful face appeared. She sat on a couch with her famous father and sister. He shook his head, wondering why he’d never realized who she was. She’d dyed her hair back to its natural rich honey brown color, so there was no mistaking her identity now.

Judging from the interviewer’s questions and the seating arrangement, it seemed that Addie was just there as moral support for her sister.

The interviewer started off with some light-hearted small talk. “So Brielle, I’m sure you’re happy to have your big sister home.”

Brielle smiled and took Addie’s hand. “Yes. We were very worried, but she just needed some time to recharge her batteries. I’m sure anyone can understand that.”

“Yes, of course.” She shifted toward Addie. “Now before we get started, would you care to comment on your relationship with Jared Kingsley? Have you two called it quits?”

Addie’s face remained calm and cool but she kept tugging at the hem of her sleeve. He’d learned quickly that it was one of her nervous habits. “I won’t go into detail as this interview is for my sister, but yes. Jared and I have parted ways.”

The reporter leaned in. “I don’t mean to pry…but did your breakup have anything to do with Logan Hart? He’s the man you were seen with in Montana, correct?”

Logan’s blood boiled. Of course the reporter meant to pry. They always did. His heart softened a little, wondering how Addison could stand having to deal with reporters and paparazzi twenty-four-seven. It had to be exhausting.

On the screen Mr. Lewis’ face remained calm but his eyes flamed at the reporter. “Addison will not be commenting any further on this subject at the moment. Please respect her privacy.”

Addison lifted her hand and glanced at her dad. “No, it’s okay. I’ll take the question. “She turned back to the reporter. “I want to make this very clear. Logan had nothing to do with my breakup with Jared. That happened before we even met.”

“So, do you see a future with this young rancher?”

Addie looked down and gulped. When she looked back up, her eyes glistened with tears. “I’m afraid I can’t answer that question at the moment. However, what I can tell you is, my time at the ranch with the Hart family changed my life. I’ll never regret the time I spent there and I thank God for bringing them into my life.”

Belle peeked over her shoulder at Logan. “Well, she sounded very genuine, didn’t she?”

His heart clenched as tight as a fist again, remembering her betrayal. “To be honest, all I heard was an award winning performance from a very talented actress.”

“That’s a little harsh, don’t you think?”

“What I
think
…is that I need some fresh air.”

Belle rolled her eyes at him. “Well, I’m going to start making lunch after this is over. While you’re out, could you go down to the creek and ask Gramps to come inside? He’s been down there for a while.”

Logan agreed, grateful that the short walk would give him some time to think. Was he being too hard on Addie? Did she deserve a second chance from him?

When Logan reached the creek he veered off to the left, knowing his grandfather’s normal fishing spots. He caught sight of Gramps’ fishing hat a few yards away. He was sitting on the ground with his back resting against a tree trunk.

Logan smiled and sat beside him on the ground, anxious to ask Gramps his opinion. Maybe he’d have some more helpful advice. “Did you catch anything good?” Logan opened the basket and smiled, seeing it full of fish. “Well you really made out I see.”

Logan waited, expecting to hear his grandfather’s light-hearted chuckle.

Only silence followed.

Gramps eyes were closed. He appeared to be sleeping but his face seemed unusually pale.

Logan’s heart sank as he moved closer. “Gramps? Come on. Let’s go back to the house.”

He was still. Too still.

Logan drew in a ragged breath and gave his shoulder a gentle nudge. “Gr-Gramps? Please don’t do this…not now. Please…” His voice broke and he hung his head, struggling to comprehend the awful truth. His fingers trembled as he checked his grandfather’s wrist for a pulse.

Nothing. His skin already felt cold to the touch.

Logan leaned against the tree and concentrated on the rushing water of the creek and the colorful array of leaves scattered on the ground. At least Gramps died peacefully in the woods that he loved so much.

A choked sigh escaped his throat. “I wish you would have told me. I wish I would have known that would be our last conversation…”

~ ~ ~

After a long and trying day the Lewis family sat together and watched the news. The story about Jared being charged for embezzling money from Lewis-Kingsley Films actually received more attention and airtime than Brielle’s interview.

Addison dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. She thought seeing Jared lead away in handcuffs would bring some satisfaction, but really it just made her sad. She’d loved Jared once, or at least thought she did. She prayed one day something would get through to his hardened heart.

The doorbell rang and Brie sprang from the couch. “Chinese food’s here!”

Addison and her father shared a chuckle and watched her bound to the door like a spring fawn.

She caught his eye and smiled. “I think she’s going to be okay.”

He nodded. “Yeah. I think so.”

Jared’s angry voice drew her attention back to the TV screen. “I’ve been framed. The Lewis family has always had it in for me…”

Her dad turned the TV off and pulled Addison into his embrace. “Are
you
going to be all right?”

She nodded against his shoulder and fought the tears stinging her eyes. “I will be.”

After Brielle came back into the room they stopped talking about serious things. Instead they enjoyed their Chinese take-out picnic on the living room floor by the fireplace. It was just like old times.

“So, tell me all about your trip,” her dad said with a curious grin.

She stalled and used her chopsticks to chase a piece of broccoli around on her plate. “Well, I’m not sure where to start.”

Brie shot her a mischievous grin. “Tell him about the mountain lion.”

Her dad’s eyes filled with concern. “Mountain lion?”

“Oh, it’s not as bad as it sounds.” She gave a condensed account of what happened, including falling off her horse and getting knocked unconscious.

“Well I’m glad you’re okay.”

Brie piped up and batted her eyelashes. “
Logan
saved her.”

Addison gave her sister’s arm a playful swat. “I thought we agreed not to talk about him, Brie.”

Their father raised an eyebrow. “Why not? I think I would like to hear about this young man who saved your life multiple times.”

Addison blushed and gave her sister a sideways glance. Brie and their father had obviously been talking about her over the phone without her realizing. How else would he have known about Logan saving her more than once?

She took a drink of her strawberry lemonade and sighed. “Well, there’s not much to say except that he’s one of the kindest men I’ve ever met.” She hung her head. “He trusted me and I betrayed him. Now he never wants to see me again. It’s probably for the best.”

“Don’t give up, honey. Maybe after some time things could still work out between you two. If he finds out that Jared was blackmailing you, he might be willing to give you a second chance.”

“Even so, the truth is that he lives in Montana and I live here. I have responsibilities to you and the company. I can’t just go running off to another state.”

Her dad ran his fingers through his salt and pepper hair. “Yes you can. Don’t let me hold you back.”