Page 104 of Roaring Fork Rockstar

After we’d said goodbye to Luna and Victor, Keltie and I headed to the ranch. The pressure of her hand resting on my thigh steadied me, reminding me once again that whatever came next, we’d face it together. Her for me and me for her.

I glanced at my watch.“When do you expect Six-pack to arrive?” I asked once we joined everyone in the living room of the main house, where they were gathered. While Flynn and Irish had taken down the Christmas tree a while ago, memories of those happy, magical days lingered in the place where Keltie and I had gotten to know each other beyond a bar owner and guitar player.

“Any minute,” Buck said, checking his phone.

Flynn stiffened at the mention of our attorney, and I understood why. She was the only one who hadn’t received a codicil yet. The fear that she might be forced to leave her husband and twin boys was evident in her eyes, though unspoken.

“Hello, everyone.” Six-pack entered with his usual smug expression, briefcase clutched in his manicured hand.

“Let’s get on with it,” Buck said, foregoing any pleasantries.

“I wanted to touch base with you all about the recent developments with the trust,” he said, opening his briefcase on the coffee table. His eyes swept across the room. “As I understand it, you’ve discovered information about a previously unknown sister, Scarlett Blanche Wheaton.”

“That’s right,” I said, my voice harder than intended. “And the connection to Miracles of Hope Children’s Charity.”

“Which still doesn’t tell us who’s behind the trust,” Cord added.

“As I’ve said more than once, until the trustee chooses to reveal themselves, there’s nothing more I can do. I’m simply the messenger.”

“And we’re supposed to believe you have no idea who it is?” Porter’s skepticism was evident.

“I’ve told you repeatedly that I don’t,” Six-pack insisted. “My instructions arrive anonymously. I’ve never met or spoken with the trustee directly.”

“Convenient,” Buck muttered.

Six-pack straightened his tie. “I should also remind everyone that Holt’s year doesn’t end until December 23, and there is still one sibling who hasn’t been required to fulfill any stipulations.”

Flynn visibly tensed, and Irish’s arm immediately wrapped around her shoulders.

Anger flared in my chest. “That was unnecessary,” I snapped. “We’re all aware of the situation.”

“Just clarifying the status of the trust,” Six-pack replied, unfazed.

Looking at Flynn’s anxious expression, I made a silent promise to myself. If another codicil arrived and it demanded she be separated from her family, I’d suggest we abandon the whole inheritance. The ranch was worth millions, but not at the cost of tearing my sister’s life apart.

For the next thirty minutes, Six-pack fielded questions about the trust, offering nothing new or helpful.

“Before you go,” I said, standing. “Keltie and I need to speak with you privately.”

“Of course.”

I led him and Keltie into a small room, which had once been our father’s study, off the main hallway. The leather chairs andoak desk remained unchanged from when he’d summoned us here for lectures on responsibility and duty.

“What can I help you with?” Six-pack asked once the door closed behind us.

“We need a referral to a custody attorney,” Keltie said. “Luna’s biological father has reappeared after five years of absence.”

Six-pack raised a brow. “Actually, family law is one of my specialties. I handle custody battles all the time.”

I exchanged a skeptical look with Keltie. Six-pack wasn’t exactly who I’d had in mind.

“What’s the situation?” he asked, settling into one of the chairs in front of the desk. I motioned for Keltie to sit in the other. I remained standing.

Keltie explained Remi’s sudden reappearance, his history of abandonment, and our concerns about his intentions, given Luna’s illness.

Six-pack listened, his expression unreadable. When she finished, he cleared his throat. “I’ll be direct. If he can establish paternity, he could potentially seek rights to visitation or even shared custody.”

Keltie’s face paled. “Even though he denied Luna was his when I told him I was pregnant? Even though he’s had no contact with her for four years?”

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