The room got quiet for a moment, and then Kylie said, “Speaking of dads… Did Eden’s father ever come around after disowning her?”
“Yes,” Stacy answered. “According to Eden, her mother died unexpectedly of a ruptured appendix. Her father called to let her know and asked her to attend the funeral services. She went with Drew and Galen, who was almost one year old. She was pregnant with Tyson but wasn’t showing yet. Her fathertook one look at Galen, saw those green eyes, and figured Drew couldn’t be all bad if he could produce a perfect grandson with the Tyson’s trademark green eyes. He apologized to both Eden and Drew, asked for their forgiveness, and also inquired about the possibility of becoming a part of their lives, as he had no one now. He took Eden’s mother’s death pretty hard. I understand they loved each other deeply.”
“I recall that they accepted Mr. Tyson’s apology,” Vanessa said. “All six of Drew’s sons became very close to their grandfather, spending summers with him in Boston, and often taking trips with him abroad. He, in turn, spent the holidays with them. Those boys were the joy of his life. He didn’t pass away until they were grown men. He attended Galen’s thirtieth birthday party and gave a beautiful toast to his firstborn grandson. Mr. Tyson was very proud of all six of them, and they adored him tremendously. When he passed on, they took his death hard.”
Vanessa paused. “They’d heard how ruthless Elijah Tyson had been in trying to force their mother to return home to marry another man and to give up modeling. When I asked how they felt about it, they said it didn’t diminish their love or admiration of their grandfather one iota. In the end, the fact that their mother was on the run was what led her to their father. They figured that what was meant to be, would be.”
“That’s true. What happened to Tyson’s vast enterprise?” Kylie asked.
“When he died, he left his entire business portfolio to Eden and substantial shares of stock to his grandsons. No one wanted to move to Boston permanently, so Eden hired a capable executive team. Eli goes there at least three times a year to meet with them,” Stacy said.
“And Eden honored her father by naming her second child, Tyson, and her third child, Elijah,” Brittany added. “So, her relationship with her father had a happy ending as well.”
The room grew quiet again as the women continued to move around, placing flower arrangements on the table. Vanessa finally broke the silence. “Kylie, we’re all family and care deeply for Tiffany. Will you tell us what happened with her and Gary? Is it something the two of them can work out?”
“If Gary Palmer knows what’s good for him, he will stay away from my daughter,” Kylie said, anger in her voice.
When everyone in the room stopped and stared at her, she drew in a deep, calming breath. “News about what happened will probably begin spreading around the family, if it hasn’t already. So, maybe it’s best if you all hear what really happened from me.”
Then, squaring her shoulders, she said, “This is how it began …”
PART TWO
Trust the timing of your life. Some things are not meant to be.
Anonymous
CHAPTER 20
The Mountain-Scape Lake Lodge, situated on a pristine alpine lake in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, was beautiful. The scenic view from all the lodge room windows enticed guests to appreciate being surrounded by the beauty of nature. For the holidays, the Steeles had rented the entire lodge, which offered amenities including five adult game rooms, a fully equipped fitness center, a theater, a snowboarding park, golf courses, hiking trails, bike paths, and many more. As planned, everyone arrived two days before Christmas.
After a welcoming brunch, the kids went to watch Christmas movies in the state-of-the-art theater. Some of the women assembled in one of the large private rooms to relax, while others explored a couple of the boutiques and spas on site. A number of the men had gathered in one of the entertainment rooms to shoot pool, while others were in the sports room watching the football playoffs. Several couldn’t resist a poker game initiated by Quade Westmoreland.
The men who’d assembled to shoot pool were enjoying drinks and catching up on what they’d been doing since the last time they were together as they waited their turn at the pool table.
“I don’t like him,” Eli Steele said, loud enough for all to hear.
His brother Mercury, who had just finished making a shot, looked at him curiously. “Who don’t you like, Eli?”
“That guy who came with Tiffany and introduced himself as her fiancé -Gary Palmer.”
“He seems like a nice enough guy,” Reese Singleton added, sipping his beer. “What is it about him that you don’t like?”
“I’m not sure. He seems too sure of himself. Too smooth and over-confident,” Eli replied.
“Sounds a lot like you are most of the time,” his brother Galen said, grinning. “Did Chance know Tiffany had gotten engaged?”
“I’m sure he did,” Winston Coltrane, a friend of the Steeles, said. “I can’t imagine her getting engaged to Gary without Chance and Kylie meeting him first.”
“Well, I know for a fact they didn’t know. Chance and Kylie were as surprised as we were,” Sebastian Steele said about his brother and sister-in-law.
“Tiffany must really be taken with this guy,” Mercury Steele said, frowning.
“One thing that’s for certain,” Gannon Steele said, chuckling. “That’s not one of your rings on her finger, Zion.”
Zion Blackstone, an internationally renowned jewelry designer, chuckled as he moved toward the pool table for his turn. “Cut the guy some slack. Not everyone can afford a ring designed by Zion.”
“I heard Tiffany tell Leah and Jocelyn that the guy’s pretty well off. His family comes from old money,” Reese said.
