Heartsong (Singing to the Heart Book 2) by Sara Walter Ellwood Read Free Book Online Page B

rather than him after they were old enough to decide. I may not have liked Frankie, but I know she wouldn’t have wanted Lemont to have Jesse. And I damn well know my father didn’t. Not after Lemont stole most of my family’s fortune when he swindled Dad out of his partnership in Finn Energy. Michaela Finn is good with Jesse, and it’s logical she should raise him. She and Frankie were close, and if she’d made a will, that’s who she would’ve wanted him to live with.”
    Reese sat forward. “What about Miss Finn? Is there anything you haven’t told me about her?”
    Gabe ran his free hand through his hair. “She and I were engaged seven years ago. A couple of days before our wedding, I played a honky-tonk gig in Brownwood. I had no idea Andrea Rose was in the audience.” He signed and leaned his head back on the couch, suddenly exhausted. “Michaela broke my heart when she handed my ring back and telling me if I left we were done. All I wanted was to go to Nashville and see if Andrea was as good as her word. If she made me as famous as she promised, Michaela and I could start a new life away from all the shit we had to live with on the ranch.” With a shake of his head, he rid himself of the painful memories. He sipped more of his coffee. “Michaela didn’t believe in my dreams. I refused to be stuck punching cattle in Bluebonnet Creek, Texas, for the rest of my life.”
    “She sounds a little unreasonable.” Reese leaned over his legs. “You really believe she’ll be a better parent for Jesse than you?”
    “I love that boy, but of the two of us, she’s the stable one. She was unreasonable when she left me, but that was a long time ago. She loves Jesse and can give him what he needs.” He stood and moved to look out over the city he called home. “My life is no place for a kid.”
    Reese stood and headed for the coffee pot. After offering more of the strong brew to Gabe, who shook his head, Reese refilled his cup. “She lives on the ranch, correct? Isn’t it to be sold?”
    Gabe sighed and set his empty mug on the windowsill. “Yeah, on both accounts. Lemont supposedly wants to put a bid on the place.”
    “Emm... interesting...”
    Looking over his shoulder, Gabe frowned. “You know I hate when you do that.”
    “Most people do.” Reese retook his seat on the couch. “Think about it. If Finn buys the ranch, the funds would go to Jesse, correct?”
    “Yes. In a trust fund.” Gabe rubbed the back of his neck as he paced in front of the windows. He’d no doubt find a way to steal Jesse’s trust fund, especially if the boy ever broke away from him as his daughters had. “Damn. Lemont won’t just get the ranch and Jesse, but his money, too. He’ll get my family’s ranch for nothing.”
    “That’s what I’m thinking. I’m assuming the money can’t be touched until Jesse’s adopted?”
    “That’s how I understand it.” Gabe fisted his hands by his sides as another thought came to him. “Goddamn it. Finn has wanted to put the screws to my dad for over thirty years for various reasons. Lemont’s been biding his time until he can destroy everything my family’s worked for. And what better revenge than to turn my father’s young son against his family.”
    Reese watched him for a few passes. “But aren’t you afraid Miss Finn would take Jesse’s money? I mean, from what you’ve told me, it sounds like she doesn’t have much.”
    With a scowl, Gabe stopped and faced the lawyer. “No. I’ll provide for Jesse. But I doubt she’ll take my money. She hates my guts and believes I somehow cheated on her.”
    Reese stood next to him at the window with a skeptical expression. “All the more reason for her to take Jesse’s.”
    Gabe sighed and looked back out over music city. “She would never touch the money. She’s too proud to. But life would be hard, even with any survivor benefits he would receive.” He tapped the plate glass with his knuckles and turned to Reese. “Thing