Page 101 of Roaring Fork Rockstar

“Where’s Luna?” he asked, glancing around.

“Upstairs with my dad. She was getting tired, so he offered to read her a story.” I searched his face. “What’s going on, Holt? Sam said something happened with your family.”

He ran a hand through his hair. “We should sit down.”

In the living room, Sam and Beau joined us.

“Bridger discovered something on the ranch that explains his odd reaction when I mentioned the charity’s original name,” he began in a low voice. “It was a grave hidden in a small clearing, marked with a simple headstone.”

My heart rate quickened. “Whose?”

“My sister’s.” His blue eyes met mine. “A sister none of us knew existed. Scarlett Blanche Wheaton. She only lived nine months.”

I gasped. “Scarlett’s Hope.”

“Exactly,” said Holt.

Sam leaned forward and opened her mouth to speak, but when she didn’t, Holt continued.

“We went back to the house after finding the grave, and Echo—Bridger’s mother—was there. She told us that no one ever knew who the anonymous founder of the charity was, but she wanted us to know that it’s directed millions of dollars into pioneering cancer research over the years.”

He reached for my hand, his fingers entwining with mine. “Research that has dramatically increased survival rates—including for kids like Luna.”

My breath hitched, and my eyes filled with tears.

Sam cleared her voice. “Cena, my great-grandmother and also Holt’s great aunt, had a daughter named Blanche who died from leukemia.”

Blanche. That was the baby’s middle name. Clearly not a coincidence.

Holt continued. “While we still don’t know who the trustee is, at least we now understand why the charity would be the beneficiary in the event one of us didn’t fulfill the terms stipulated by the trust.”

We sat in silence for a few minutes, and eventually, Sam and Beau returned to the kitchen.

“How are you doing?” he asked, pulling me into his arms.

“Okay,” I murmured, unsure whether I should tell him about Remi in the midst of his news. However, I knew I had to. “Earlier today, when you took Luna to get ice cream, Remi confronted me at the concert. Then, he showed up here a little while ago. He pushed his way in when my dad tried to turn him away.”

Holt’s expression darkened. “What happened?”

“Bridger, Cord, Porter, and Beau intervened and told Remi to get away from me.”

“How about when he was here? Did Luna see him?”

“She did but didn’t appear to pay much attention. He saw her, though, Holt. He knows she’s his.”

Holt’s jaw tightened. “What did he say?”

“Not much. He was in shock. I told him to call me tomorrow so we could talk.”

“You’re too kind, considering what he did to you,” Sam said from the doorway.

“I’m not being kind,” I corrected. “I’m being practical. He’s her biological father. If he decides to pursue his rights now…” I trailed off, not wanting to say the words aloud.

“He won’t get anywhere,” Beau assured me. “Not after abandoning you and her.”

I wished I shared his confidence. “My dad thinks I should call an attorney.”

“I agree,” said Holt. “It’s important to be prepared. Not that I think Remi has a chance, given the history. It isn’t like you kept her from him. You told him you were pregnant.”

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