Christmas Secrets

“That was a body blow,” said Luca.

There was nothing Destiny could do to counter the revelations. Both lawyers walked through closing arguments, but there wasn’t a single person in the room who trusted Coco’s judgment, nor was there anyone who truly believed she had her son’s best interests at heart.

Samuel had been shown to be a loving father, thrilled from minute one that they were expecting a baby. Coco looked selfish and petulant, her intelligence and judgment suspect.

Destiny sat down and put an arm around Amber’s shoulders.

“You have to do it,” Luca whispered.

“Do what?”

“Tell them who you are.”

Cole shot Luca a look of astonishment. “What?”

“Now. Right now. Put in a bid for custody. You’re a blood relative.”

“Custody?” Had Luca lost his mind?

“At the very least, it’ll throw a wrench in it, slow things down. If you don’t, if the judge rules on this—and it looks like he’s about to rule—then it’s done.”

Adrenaline shot into Cole’s system, and his stomach clenched. How could he do it? How could he not?

“Ms. Welsley,” said the judge, “I have no doubt as to the love you feel for Zachary. However—”

“Do it!” Luca hissed.

Cole shot to his feet. “Your Honor.”

The judge drew back in obvious shock. “You’re out of order, sir.”

“Go, go, go,” said Luca.

Cole moved into the aisle and walked forward.

Amber and Destiny both turned to stare. But he didn’t dare look at them.

“Bailiff,” called the judge.

Cole knew he had only seconds. “My name is Cole Parker Henderson. I’m Samuel Henderson’s son.”

Amber felt her world dissolve beneath her.

Cole continued walking to the front of the courtroom. He continued talking. He didn’t even bother to look her way.

“I want to petition the court for custody of my half brother,” his voice boomed.

“He’s a competitor,” Roth cried out, coming to his feet.

“Order,” called the judge, bringing down his gavel.

The bailiff seemed uncertain of what to do.

Destiny whispered in an undertone, “What the—?”

“I’m such an idiot,” said Amber.

“Can it possibly be true?”

Cole came to a stop at the little gateway.

Amber took in Cole’s expression. “That’s no bluff.”

He was firm and resolute. She realized he had to have planned this all along. And she’d let him in. She’d trusted him. She’d armed him with all kinds of information. She’d left him alone in the penthouse, alone with Zachary.

“This is preposterous,” said Roth. “It’s a stalling tactic.”

Cole glared at him. “It’s easy enough to prove. DNA, for example.”

“That’ll take time. And we’re losing money by the hour. Your Honor, this can’t possibly be legal.”

Roth’s lawyer stood. “Your Honor, you were about to rule.”

A voice came from the back of the room. “We have a DNA test.”

Cole spun.

Luca came to his feet. “Your Honor, I have the results of a DNA test by Central Laboratories, proving Samuel’s paternity.”

“What do we do?” asked Amber, panic beginning to build deep in her stomach.

“Wait,” said Destiny, watching the judge closely.

The judge finally spoke. “I’m not persuaded that a genetic relationship alone alters the merits of this case. Samuel Henderson could have any number of illegitimate children—”

“They were married,” Cole’s deep voice intoned.

Silence followed the pronouncement.

“My mother and Samuel Henderson were married.” He shot a sharp look to Roth. “Again, very easy to prove.”

Luca spoke. “I have a copy of the marriage certificate and the divorce decree.”

Cole turned to stare at Luca for a long moment.

Destiny leaned close to Amber. “This is a whole new ballgame. Hang tough.”

Destiny came sharply to her feet. “Your Honor, we ask for a recess.”

Roth’s lawyer jumped in. “We ask for a ruling.”

But Destiny wasn’t finished. “Under the terms of the will, as a legitimate child of Samuel Henderson, Cole Henderson is entitled to half of Samuel’s estate.”

The courtroom erupted.

“Order, order,” the judge called over the din. “Court is in recess until such time as Samuel Henderson’s will can be reviewed.” He looked to Cole. “Mr. Henderson, if you do not already have a lawyer, I suggest you get one.”

Everybody left their seats, and the courtroom turned into a mob scene. Cole stood still, the crowd jostling around him. He was nearly chest to chest with the bailiff guarding the low gate.

“Get me out of here,” Amber said to Destiny. “I can’t see him. I can’t talk to him.”

“We can take the side door.” Destiny grabbed her briefcase.

All Amber wanted to do was get back to Zachary. For a horrible moment there, she’d known she was about to lose him. Zachary had almost been ripped from her care and given over to Roth. She was still shaking with reaction.

“Amber,” called Cole.

She refused to look at him. “Go away.”

“I wanted to tell you. I tried to tell you.”

She let out a short, high-pitched laugh. “When? When? It’s not like you lacked opportunity.”

“We need to talk.”

“We’ve talked enough. I’ve told you enough.” She turned away.

“Amber,” Cole tried again.

Luca’s voice interrupted. “Destiny, we need a copy of the will.”

“Not now,” said Cole.

Destiny’s tone was sharp. “As if you haven’t already read it.”

“We haven’t,” said Luca.

“Why the theatrics?”

“You were about to lose,” said Luca.

“Amber?” Cole tried again.

Destiny appealed to Cole. “This is not a good time.”

“I don’t particularly care. You can’t ignore this.”

Amber glared at him. She wanted to yell at him. He’d deceived her. He’d slept with her. He’d let her think he cared about Zachary.

But before she could do anything stupid, she forced herself to turn and walk away.

She left the courtroom and all but ran down the hallway to the foyer. It was full of reporters, but she ignored their questions. She ignored everything, striding blindly for the exit.

Destiny caught up. “You’re doing great. Just keep walking. My car’s to the left, one block up.”

“I remember. I need to see Zachary.”

“We’ll go there first.”

“Ms. Welsley, did you have any idea Samuel had another son?”

“Did your sister know Samuel had another wife?”

“Did Coco have any other abortions?”

Destiny hit the unlock button and pulled open the passenger door for Amber. Amber climbed inside and slammed the door, not particularly caring if she smashed someone’s camera.

And then Destiny was inside, too. She started the car, and the reporters finally backed off.

“You okay?” she asked, reaching out to touch Amber’s shoulder.

“I’m terrible,” Amber answered.

She felt trapped, desperate. For a wild moment, she thought about sneaking Zachary out of the country, hiding out on a beach somewhere where nobody could find them.

“What happens now?” she asked, her voice shaking.

“First, we comb through the will.”

“Does Cole really get half?”

“Unless there’s something I’m remembering wrong, yes, he does.”

Amber’s voice broke over the next question. “Will he get Zachary?”

“I don’t know, honey. I honestly don’t know.”

Amber’s mind scrambled, zipping from Zachary to Coast Eagle, to the Boonsome 300, and then to Cole.

“I have to talk to Max,” she told Destiny. “I have to get back to the office.”

“Do you want to go home first?”

Amber shook her head. “I’ll call Isabel. Roth will go straight to Coast Eagle, and who knows what move he’ll try to make next.” She realized in a rush that despite everything, she feared Roth more than she feared Cole.

Back at the office, Roth had fought with Max. Julius had argued with Sidney. Each of the board members had called to express their concern. Though, thankfully, all had agreed that Max should stay in place for now as interim president.

Destiny had reviewed Samuel’s will and was now on her way to the penthouse to meet Amber. It was nearly ten by the time Amber finally made it through the door, exhausted and starving.

She kicked off her shoes, shrugged out of her steel-gray blazer and dumped her purse on a table in the living room. Destiny had promised to bring a large pepperoni and mushroom, while Amber was in charge of margaritas.

She called out to Isabel, then, without stopping, she went directly to the kitchen and dumped a tray of ice cubes, lime juice, tequila and orange liqueur into the blender and set it on high.

The doorbell rang, and she padded through the living room to greet Destiny.

“Extra cheese?” she asked hopefully as she eyed the large cardboard carton.

“You bet.”

“Come on in.”

While Destiny settled the pizza on the kitchen island and retrieved the plates, Amber poured the margaritas into two large glasses.

“I’ve been seriously thinking about strapping Zachary into his car seat and heading for the border,” said Amber.

“Which border?”

“Does it matter? I can’t help but think we’d be better off if nobody could find us.”

“You might be better off, but I’d have a legal nightmare to unravel.”

“I suppose.”

The fight suddenly went out of Amber, and exhaustion set in. She climbed onto one of the stools and helped herself to a slice of the gooey pizza.

“You could try to make a deal with Cole,” Destiny suggested. She started with a sip of the slushy drink. “It’s pretty clear he’s after Coast Eagle.”

“Do you think Samuel knew about him?” In her few spare moments this evening, Amber couldn’t help but wonder if Samuel had shunned Cole and kept him a secret or had been oblivious to his existence.

“Interesting wording in the will,” said Destiny. “Either Samuel knew, or at least suspected he had a child with his first wife, or he was planning more children with Coco.”

“He definitely wanted more children,” said Amber.

There was more silence.

“An abortion?” asked Destiny.

“I almost couldn’t talk her out of it.”

“For future reference, that’s the kind of thing you want to share with your lawyer.”

“I had no idea it would ever come out.”

“Everything always comes out eventually.”

“I didn’t know she’d made an appointment. She didn’t tell me that. It was one night—one long, horrible night where we argued. And then she changed her mind. I don’t remember any of the staff being around. I thought nobody knew but me.”

“She might have told Samuel.”

Amber gave her head a decisive shake. “She knew how much he wanted children. If she’d had an abortion, it would have been in secret. She’d never have admitted to him she’d had doubts.”

They both fell silent, chewing their way through the pizza slices.

“We were about to lose, weren’t we?” Amber asked.

“We were about to lose big-time. Roth knows how to run Coast Eagle, and Samuel was way out front in the character debate.”

“Just because Coco was self-centered doesn’t mean she was wrong to choose me.”

“I agree,” said Destiny, helping herself to another slice. “We need to figure out Cole’s plan. I can guess at Roth’s next move. Between Samuel and his mother, the Hendersons controlled sixty-five percent of Coast Eagle. The other shareholders are minor, mostly companies, none with more than seven percent. But Roth still has a play. If he gets custody, therefore half of the Henderson family shares, and if he can bring the other shareholders on side, he’ll control the board and get himself appointed as president.”

“He doesn’t care anything about Zachary.”

“True, but all but impossible to prove,” said Destiny. “Samuel named him guardian for some reason.”

“If Cole gets custody, he controls all sixty-five percent. He’s invincible.” Amber paused. “But why the ruse?”

“He was obviously looking for information, solidifying his position. That has to be why Luca was cozying up to me.”

“Did you tell Luca anything?”

“Nothing that wasn’t already public. Cole obviously saw you as his primary rival rather than Ross. I’m guessing he was either going to co-opt you or take you out.”

“He must have been shocked when it went in Roth’s favor.”

“And had to suddenly change the game plan. I don’t think they planned it like that.”

“They did have DNA and a marriage certificate at the ready.”

“True,” said Destiny.

Amber took a drink, appreciating the hit of alcohol warming her system. “What do we do now?”

“We need more information on Cole.”

“Maybe I could seduce it out of him. No, wait. I already tried that.”

Destiny gazed at her for a moment, the tone of her voice going softer. “How was it?”

“Seriously?”

Destiny gave a helpless shrug. “What can it hurt to tell me now?”

Amber set down her half-eaten slice of pizza, regret enveloping her. “It was great. He was funny, romantic, totally into me.” She swiped back her hair. “At least he seemed totally into me. Too bad he was faking the whole thing.” Every time she thought about their night together, the humiliation returned. “I’m not sure I can face him again.”

“I could talk to Luca instead. He might give me something we can use.”

“Did you sleep with Luca?”

“Almost. He tried pretty hard.”

Amber held up her glass in a toast. “You’re a stronger woman than me. And you’ve still got that as leverage.”

“I’d have said yes eventually.”

“But you won’t anymore, right?”

“I won’t anymore,” said Destiny. “Well, unless I think it’ll make him talk. Then, well, okay, I’d be willing to take one for the team.”

Eight

“I know she’s here,” Cole said to Luca as he pulled open the steel door of the Coast Eagle hangar. “And she’ll have to be polite.”

He knew Amber wouldn’t dare step out of line at the Coast Eagle children’s Christmas party. She’d have to listen to him.

He walked inside.

Carols chimed from unseen speakers, while soap bubbles drifted around them like snow. White lights and colored balls domed over the ceiling, swooping down in swirls and shapes to meet the concrete floor, which was covered in artificial snow.

There was a giant Christmas tree in the center of the hangar and a forest full of lighted trees and friendly elves. A cookie-decorating station took up one big corner of the room. Another group of elves painted Christmas shapes on the children’s faces. And, of course, Santa was in his castle, posing for pictures and handing out presents.

The festive scene jarred with the frustration swirling inside Cole’s head. In the three days since the hearing, a group of lawyers had poured over Samuel’s will. This morning, they’d all agreed that Cole was a beneficiary, entitled to half of Samuel’s estate.

Cole didn’t want an inheritance. When he’d come forward and announced himself, he hadn’t the slightest inkling he’d be included in the will. He wasn’t here to take anything away from Zachary. Still, he’d use the position if it gave them leverage.

“There she is,” said Luca. “Beside the Christmas-tree forest.”

Cole spotted her. As always, he was immediately struck by her beauty. She wore a bright red dress with white piping. It clung to her slender curves.

He was here to talk. But talking was far down on his wish list. For starters, he wanted to haul her off somewhere and kiss her senseless.

“Mr. Henderson,” Sidney Raines greeted him cheerfully, shaking his hand. “I heard the estate was settled this morning in your favor.”

“Call me Cole. It’s nice to see you again, Sidney.”

Of all the vice presidents, Sidney was easily the more savvy and most reasonable. Cole also liked Max. He was less impressed with Julius, and he was prepared to fight long and hard against Roth.

“It’s probably early on to broach the subject,” said Sidney, glancing around the huge building, “and I realize this isn’t the time or the place, but have you given any thought to what role you’ll take on in the company?”

“It isn’t the time or the place,” said Cole. “But you’re right to ask the question. Would you be able to meet over the weekend?”

“Absolutely. You just name the time and place.”

Cole took out his cell phone. “If you give me your cell number, I’ll call you later on.”

Sidney dictated his phone number, then bowed out.

“It’s a good question,” said Luca.

“I know,” said Cole as the two men started toward the brightly lit forest.

“Do you have any idea what you are going to do?”

Cole’s thinking hadn’t made it past the first couple of moves. “I’m going to find a permanent president.”

He worked fourteen-hour days taking care of Aviation 58. He had to get back there as soon as possible. But he’d accepted that he now had a role in protecting Zachary’s inheritance.

The closer they got to Amber, the more beautiful she became. No surprise to Cole.

Zachary was in her arms, also dressed in red and white, a goofy little hat on his head. Cole couldn’t help but smile at how Zachary reached for the twinkling lights of the closest tree. He’d really missed the little guy.

But then Amber saw him.

Her smile instantly disappeared, and her blue eyes went cold. She took a step, and it was obvious she was going to flee.

Cole quickly crossed the space between them, wrapping a hand around her arm and keeping her close.

Luca wisely hung back.

“Everybody’s watching,” he cautioned her in a low tone. “Smile. Pretend it’s all good between us.”

“Go away.”

“Not a chance. Smile.”

Zachary zeroed in on Cole.

“Gak baw,” he called, lurching toward Cole.

Cole reflexively reached for him. His arm brushed her breast, and the contact sent a surge of energy through his body.

He ordered himself to calm the heck down. “You heard the decision on the will?”

Amber put a brittle smile in place, but her tone was flat. “Congratulations.”

“We have to talk.”

“I don’t have time. I promised Zachary we’d decorate some gingerbread.” She reached for the baby, but he turned his head, clinging tighter to Cole.

“It’ll be easier if I come with you,” said Cole.

“No, it won’t.”

“I’m on your side.”

She scoffed out a laugh. “Is that a joke?” Then she held out her arms to Zachary. “Come on, pumpkin.”

The baby stayed firmly latched to Cole.

Cole couldn’t help feeling sympathetic. “As much as I hate to think about it, I must look like Samuel. Or maybe I sound like him, or smell like him.”

“Zachary loves me, too, you know.”

“Of course he does.”

“He’s known me since birth.”

“It’s a case of mistaken identity,” said Cole. “Somewhere in his subconscious, he sees me as family.”

“You are family.”

Cole was growing more and more conscious of the interest in their conversation. Nobody had dared come within hearing distance, but there was a lot of pointing and whispering going on amongst the staff.

“Let’s go decorate some gingerbread.”

“Why can’t you just leave?”

“If I give him back, he’s going to make a scene.”

“Was that your plan? I mean today’s plan—use Zachary against me?”

“There was no plan.”

“Do I strike you as stupid?”

“Amber, please. Gingerbread. Let’s just do the gingerbread.”

There must have been a note of desperation in his tone that got her attention because she glanced around, seeming to become aware of the onlookers.

“Right,” she agreed. “Let’s go.”

They moved casually to the rear corner of the hangar. People eyed them speculatively as they did so, but held back. Luca disappeared, obviously understanding that Cole needed to speak with Amber alone.

“Mr. Henderson, Ms. Welsley, Merry Christmas!” called a middle-aged woman as they passed.

“Merry Christmas,” Cole automatically returned.

“Notice you got top billing,” Amber muttered.

“I’m carrying the little rich kid.”

“You are the little rich kid.”

The greeting seemed to break the ice, and they were bombarded with well-wishers all along their route.

Amber was right. While the employees were completely polite and respectful to her, Cole was getting the lion’s share of the attention.

Finally, they came to the cookie-decorating station. The attendants quickly cleared a stand-up table for them, spreading out a new paper cover and bringing an assortment of gingerbread, sugar-cookie shapes, icing and colorful candies.

“Go for it,” said Cole. “Pretend you’re completely absorbed in the cookies, and maybe people will stay away.”

She stared at the tabletop without moving.

“The tree,” Cole prompted. “Decorate the tree with the green icing.”

Amber picked up a plastic knife.

He focused on keeping his expression agreeable as he spoke. “I’m going to need your support.”

She gave another strained smile as she iced the sugar cookie tree. “Like that’s going to happen.”

“I didn’t know about the will.”

“Yes, you did.”

“How would I know? Tell me how I would know.”

“There were ten people in the first reading. Obviously someone leaked the details to you.”

“None of them knew I existed.”

“So you say.”

His voice rose. “I don’t just say. It’s true.”

“The red candies?” she asked him sweetly. “Or the blue and white?”

He took a calming breath. “The red.”

“I like the blue and white.”

“Seriously? You want to argue about candies?”

“I don’t want to argue about anything. I want you to go away. Preferably far away. I hear Alaska’s nice this time of year.”

Cole shifted Zachary in his arms. Happily, the baby was fascinated by the lights, the sounds and the people moving around.

“If you’ll listen to what I have to say, you’ll understand why you need to help me.”

“No, Cole. If I believed what you had to say, I might be inclined to help you. But that’s never going to happen. I’m never going to trust you again.”

“I want what’s best for Zachary.”

“You want what’s best for Cole. And congratulations, you’re halfway there.”

Cole regrouped. “Roth can still take control of the company.”

She dropped a handful of blue and white candies on the freshly iced tree and pressed them firmly down with her palm.

For a moment, he thought she’d crush the cookie.

“I can see you’ve done the math on the share ownership,” she said.

“Do you have any influence with the minor shareholders?”

She flashed another phony smile. “None whatsoever. I’m the lowly assistant director of finance and the stepsister of a flaky trophy wife. Why would anyone listen to me?”

“We can still help each other.”

“Have a cookie, Cole. It’s all you’re ever going to get from me.”

She suddenly scooped Zachary out of his arms.

It took the baby a second to realize what had happened. Then he immediately opened his mouth and let out a cry.

If not for the staff members surrounding them, Cole would have gone after her. Instead, he watched her march away and disappear into the crowd.

Zachary’s cries were soon swallowed by the cheery carols and happy shouts of the other children.

Luca appeared beside him. “Didn’t look like that went too well.”

“She has got to be the most stubborn woman on the planet.” Cole’s gaze fell to the slightly mangled cookie. He picked it up and took a bite.