Diana found her mother sitting quietly under a tree watching Nicky play ball with some of the other kids. She grabbed a fold-up chair from one of the tents, placed it alongside her mother, and sat. For a while neither of them spoke, absently watching the people mingling and laughing. It had turned out to be a beautiful day.
“Say something, Mama,” Diana finally said.
He mother gave a tired sigh. “What do you want me to say, Diana?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Estelle looked her, incredulous. “You don’t know? I taught you morals, ethics, and most of all, I taught you not to lie. I’m very disappointed in you.”
Diana cringed with embarrassment and shame. The pain and disappointment she heard in her mother’s voice rendered her helpless. She hadn’t set out to deliberately hurt anyone. But she’d succeeded in one afternoon to do just that.
“Mama…” she groaned as the repercussions of her actions consumed her.
“I don’t understand, Diana, why you had to lie to me and your father.”
“Mama, I never lied to you and Dad.”
“Did you not lead us to believe that John was Nicky’s father?”
“Well, yes, but—”
“There’s no but to it. You deliberately led us to believe John was Nicky’s father, and that is something I don’t understand. We’re your parents, and you couldn’t tell us the truth?”
“In the beginning I wanted to tell you many times, but I didn’t know how. You and Dad had brought me up to be a good girl, to wait until marriage for sex, and I hadn’t. I was unmarried and pregnant. I couldn’t face the disappointment I would see in your faces.”
“Did you think your father and I were so naïve and old fashioned that we didn’t know you and Trace were lovers?”
Diana felt herself blush.
“Your father and I were once young. We know how hard it is to keep your hormones in check when you are physically attracted to someone. It’s even harder when you are in love. Believe me, I know.”
“You never said anything to me.”
“Honey, it was so obvious. When you and Trace came to visit you two could barely keep your hands off each other. The sly heated looks you gave each other when you thought no one was looking were enough to start a fire.”
“I didn’t mean to hurt either of you.”
“What hurts is that you didn’t come to us, your own parents, about what you were going through. We’re your parents, not your judges.”
“I know that. I felt a fool to be caught in a predicament that other girls had found themselves in so many times.”
“No one is perfect. It happens. I asked you five years ago, but you never gave me an answer. What happened between you and Trace?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Love sometimes can be.”
“I did love him.”
“And you still do,” Estelle insisted firmly.
Diana dropped her head. “So much has happened.”
“Love just doesn’t turn on and off, Diana.”
She sighed and looked at her mother. “I thought I was over him.”
“And you’re not. It’s not surprising. What was between the two of you was very strong.”
“I used to think so.” She took a deep breath. “Trace and I broke up because he was seeing someone else.”
“What?”
“You seem surprised.”
“I am.” Estelle frowned. “Trace seemed so in love with you. I never thought he would be unfaithful. There must be more to it.”
“You don’t believe me.”
“I didn’t say I didn’t believe you.”
“I wasn’t surprised. I knew it wouldn’t last.”
“Why did you think that?”
“Mama, I’m a black woman and I come from a middle-class family.”
Estelle frowned. “Diana, I’m surprised at you. You’re a bright, beautiful, and strong young woman. We taught you better than that. I don’t believe it mattered to Trace you were black.”
“It was an issue with Crispina,” she retorted.
Her mother rolled her eyes and sucked her teeth. “Who cares what Crispina thinks? That woman has issues with everyone who crosses her path. She’s just a miserable woman.”
Diana smiled at her mother’s assessment of Trace’s mother. “I have never let Crispina’s attitude bother me.”
“Good. Then don’t.” Estelle reached over and patted her hand. “Remember, you’re made of strong Hamilton genes.”
Diana was quiet for a moment. She had to give her mother an explanation for her actions. “You know, John tried many times to get me to tell Trace the truth.”
“John was right. You should have. How did you end up married to John? Your father and I were shocked when you told us you were marrying Trace’s uncle. When we initially met John, at Pisano’s, we were introduced to him as your boss and Trace’s uncle and the next thing we knew you were marrying him.”
“After I told him I was pregnant and I had no intention of telling Trace, John offered me a marriage of convenience. He wanted my baby to grow up a Pisano. He said no Pisano ever was born out of wedlock, and there wouldn’t be one then.”
“He was a good man. Anyone seeing him and Nicky together knew how much he loved him.”
“Yes, he did love Nicky. He protected me, Mama. He wanted there to be proof if anyone ever questioned if Nicky was a Pisano by blood.”
“How did he get a DNA sample from Trace?”
“It’s company policy. Every year the members of the board of directors must have a physical. Trace would get his when he went to New York for the annual board meeting. John asked his personal physician to do a DNA test.”
“Isn’t that illegal to do without his knowledge?”
“It is. But Trace had signed the form for the required tests. If he had read the form he would have seen one of the tests was for DNA screening.”
“Oh, boy. This gets worse and worse. You need to tell Trace.”
“I can’t tell Trace. I don’t want to give him actual proof Nicky is his son. He doesn’t know that John and I had a marriage of convenience.”
“Oh, Diana, you need to stop this. Trace doesn’t need proof. Nicky is his spitting image. Haven’t you covered up enough?”
“I made mistakes. But I won’t lose my son because of them.”
“You aren’t going to lose Nicky,” Estelle said calmly.
“Trace wants Nicky.”
“He should be given the chance to get to know his son.”
Diana frowned at her mother. “Are you taking his side in this?”
“Listen to yourself. There are no sides. You and Trace need to think about what is best for Nicky. You need to resolve your issues, and do it soon. ”
Wearily, Diana rubbed her hands on the fabric on her dress, wrinkling the delicate fabric. “I know.” Lifting tired shoulders, she brought her hands to her temples and tried to massage away the tension intensified by a slight headache. “Will you tell Daddy what happened?”
“No. It is up to you to tell him.”
“I can’t, Mama. I don’t want to see his disappointment.”
“No matter what you do or say, you are his daughter. He loves you and nothing is ever going to change that.”
“I hope you’re right.” She wrapped her arms around her mother and laid her head on her shoulder for comfort. Everything was spinning out of control. She was scared she would lose the most precious thing in her life…her son.
* * *
Trace stood at the window and watched Diana and her mother sitting under a large tree with its leaves hanging low. Estelle used her hand to wipe tears from Diana’s face. What were they talking about? Was Diana telling her mother more lies to make herself look innocent? How appropriate to be crying under the weeping willow tree, he thought with a sardonic twist to his mouth. His gaze moved from them, searching the grounds, finally landing on his son playing not too far from Diana and her mother. A breath caught in his throat as he looked at Nicky. He couldn’t explain the new feeling in his heart, but it felt good.
Dominic picked up the envelope on the edge of the desk. “Are you going to open the letter?” Dominic inquired. He turned it over in hands.
“No. I’m not,” Trace answered without turning around.
“Why not? It’s in John’s handwriting and it’s addressed to you. ”
“I know that.”
“I’m sure John—”
“John’s lawyer gave it to me at the reading of the will. As you can see, it’s marked personal and confidential,” he added with emphasis.
“Okay, I was just asking.”
“Don’t ask.”
“Since your mind isn’t on business and you haven’t opened the envelope, do you want to talk about it?” Dominic asked.
“No,” Trace said in a hard voice, still looking out the window.
“I know when you’re in this mood you become even more stubborn than you already are,” Dominic proclaimed. He left the unopened envelope on the desk, stacked the papers in front of him, and placed them in the wall safe. After closing the safe, he secured the lock, strode to the bar in the room, and fixed two drinks. He handed one to Trace. Absently, Trace held the drink, continuing to stare at the scene under the tree. The boy ran to his mother. His chest tightened as he watched his son wrap his arms around his mother’s legs, leaning his head in her lap. Diana lovingly smoothed Nicky’s hair from his forehead. Not one to stay still long, Nicky raised his head, laughed at something his mother said, and ran off again to play. It was obvious Diana was enchanted with their son, but he could have been also if he had been given the chance. He had missed so much, but he wouldn’t miss the remaining years of his son’s life. Why didn’t she think he deserved to know his son? The sudden pain in his heart caught him unaware. It hurt.
“Trace, did you and Diana talk?”
“If you want to call it talking.” Trace moved from the window and turned to look at his cousin. “I plan to move into the mansion permanently.” He was quiet for a moment and then said, “Even though I know he is mine, I’m going to arrange the appropriate test to make sure.”
“You don’t need to do that.”
Trace swirled the brown liquid in his glass and took a long swallow. “It’s necessary. I don’t want any misgivings or questions about the boy’s paternity.”
“Why do you keep calling him the boy? He does have a name.”
“I know that.”
“Then why don’t you use it?”
“Dammit, Dominic, I just learned about him.”
“Yes, but I know you, Trace. You don’t want to use his name because it keeps you from feeling. You need to fully acknowledge what Diana did.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Trace, Diana made a mistake.…”
“A mistake! You call dumping me when she knew she was pregnant, marrying my uncle, and keeping me ignorant of the fact I had a son a mistake? I don’t. I call it a cover-up. She knew what the hell she was doing. She wanted a richer man and she got him when she married John.”
“I don’t believe it of Diana. There must be more to—”
“Hell, Dominic. Don’t defend her to me. I gave her a chance to tell me her side of the story. And do you know what she said? She said she had nothing to be sorry for.”
“Well, I don’t believe she did what she did without a reason. It’s not like Diana. She’s not a malicious person.”
“She gave me some crap about not sticking around because she didn’t want to share me with other women. I asked her outright if Nicky was mine. She said he was hers and not mine.” He cringed, remembering how it hurt to hear her say the words.
“She was trying to protect herself and her son.” Dominic gave off a nervous chuckle. “Did she have cause to believe she was sharing you?”
Exasperated, Trace gave his cousin a hard look. “Dominic, you were around when Diana and I were together. Did I act like a man who was cheating? She was what I wanted. I never thought I would to go the commitment route until I met her. I cared deeply about her.”
Dominic took a deep breath and smiled. “Well, I’m surprised to hear you finally admit it. Everyone who really knew you saw that you were in love with her. But more importantly, did you ever tell Diana you loved her?”
“I never loved her,” he lied.
“Keep lying to yourself, Trace. Maybe one day you’ll believe the lie. But you can’t lie to me.”
Giving Dominic a stare that could kill, he strolled to the desk that Dominic had previously occupied, set the unfinished drink on the smooth surface and slid his hands into the pockets of his slacks. “She knew how I felt.”
“I see. So Diana was supposed to read your mind?”
“I’m finished talking about this. After I receive the documented results that Diana’s son is mine, I’ll begin court proceedings to get custody of him.”
Puzzled, Dominic asked, “Custody?”
“That’s right, custody.”
“If you do that you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”
“Really? I don’t have anything to lose.”
“What about your son? How do you think he’ll feel once he understands how he came to be with you knowing that you took him away from his mother? He’ll hate you.”
“That’s a chance I’m willing to take.”
Dominic ran his hand down his face. “You need to calm down and think about this.”
“I have thought about it.”
“No, you haven’t. You need to talk to Diana again and get this straightened out. I believe it can be resolved. No matter how much you deny it, Trace, you love her.”
“Love has nothing to do with this. This is about justice.”
“No, it’s about revenge. You want to hurt her for lying and keeping your son from you, but most of all you want to hurt her for marrying John.”
Trace stiffened. “Her marriage has nothing to do with this.”
“The hell it doesn’t. If Diana hadn’t been married and you found out about Nicky, I believe you would’ve been more forgiving. The fact she turned to another man is eating at you.” Dominic paused before continuing. “I can understand some of what you’re feeling, but don’t hurt her through your son. It’ll be a wound that will never heal. She’ll never forgive you.”
“Do you think I give a damn?”
“Yes, I do. Diana is the reason you’ve never let another woman get close to you. I remember how you were once she left you. And when she married John, you became more ruthless and cold-hearted. It was as if you weren’t human. You didn’t feel anything about anyone, nor care about the business, not even yourself. In the last five years, you’ve taken over companies, not because Montgomery needed them, but to release the pent-up anger and pain you’ve carried since Diana left you.”
Trace ignored Dominic’s assessment of his feelings about Diana. “I’m not a mealy-mouthed businessman. You know that, Dominic. When I set out to take over a business, I do it.”
“No matter who or what gets destroyed?”
“It comes with the territory.”
“Why don’t you take Diana away from Asheville?” Trace’s face hardened. Dominic rushed on. “Someplace where the two of you can talk and come to terms about your relationship.”
“How is this supposed to make a difference?”
“Raven’s Nest and this town hold good and bad memories for the both of you, but right now all the focus is on the bad.”
“Knowing she bedded and shared this house with John has been a bitter pill to swallow,” he said crudely. “But I had to live here to honor the terms of the will, and I got past it.”
Dominic looked at him with doubt. “Did you, really? I don’t believe you did. Reliving the past will never give you a future with Diana.”
Trace ran a careless hand through his dark hair. “I don’t want, nor do I plan, a future with Diana. All I want is my son.”
“You need to listen to yourself, because you’ll never have a chance with your son without Diana.”
“You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”
“Trace, hear me out. Diana isn’t going to let you just take her son. She’ll fight you tooth and nail.”
“Let the fight begin. I don’t care how long it takes, I’ll crush her.”
Dominic shook his head. “Do you hear yourself? I can’t believe what I’m hearing. You are talking about crushing her. Hell, Trace, she’s the mother of your son, not a damned business deal!”
Trace’s eyes bored into Dominic’s without flinching and he remained silent. Dominic tried again to get him to see reason.
“Trace, you are letting your anger rule. John left you in charge of taking care of Diana and Nicky, not to hurt them. He wouldn’t like what you’re doing.”
“I’ve made my decision.”
“Once you have rationally thought about it, I know you’ll come to a conclusion that will benefit all parties involved.”
Trace frowned. “I’ve made my decision, and nothing is going to sway me from it.”
Dominic set down his drink. “At least don’t put your son through a paternity test. I believe John knew and accepted Nicky as yours; you should, at least, be as honorable and do the same. No matter what Diana says, I don’t doubt he’s your son. Anyone looking at him can tell he is a Montgomery.” He touched his cousin on the back. “Please think about what I have said.”
Trace remained stoic.
“It’s time for me to be going. My pilot is probably wondering what happened to me. We were supposed to take off two hours ago.”
“Do you need a ride to the airport?”
“No, I’m fine. My driver waited for me. I’m flying to Rome tonight, then Paris in two days, and then on to Barcelona next week. You know how to reach me if you need me.”
“I won’t need you,” Trace said in a flat tone.
“I hope to God that isn’t true. Call me before you do anything irrational.”
“I don’t have an irrational bone in my body.”
Dominic let a small smile slip. “I say otherwise.” Clapping Trace on the back once again, he moved to the door and opened it. He hesitated and glanced back at Trace.
“Trace, remember how much you loved Diana. I don’t believe there was any malice in her intentions. Will you at least promise to give it some thought?”
“You ask a lot. I’ll think about it, but I won’t change my mind.”
Dominic opened his mouth and then closed it. He shook his head and walked out the door.