“I didn’t find her.” He paused. “But she is our sister.”
“How do you know?” I frowned.
“Luke told me.”
“What?” I jumped up. “What do you mean? When? How did he even know?”
“He did some work at the orphanage. He saw the records,” Bryce sighed. “Don’t be mad with him, Lexi.”
“But I never told him my mom had a kid. Never. I was too ashamed. And he knew I was lying the whole time. He just pretended he didn’t know.” The tears popped up again. “How could he do this to me?” My heart was pounding and I felt like I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me.
“Lexi, I’m positive he didn’t do this to hurt you.”
“What is he? Your best friend now?” I turned away from him and started walking back to my car. “Are you the reason why he went to go and see a lawyer as well? Is he helping you to get our sister behind my back?” I shouted as I started to run.
“Wait, what?” Bryce ran after me. “What are you talking about? What lawyer?”
“I saw Luke talking to a lawyer on the street, that’s why I was late today.”
“Do you remember what street you were on, or the name of the law firm?” He frowned.
“No, not really.”
“This is really important, Lexi, please.” He ran his hands through his hair and his golden ends looked all spiky. “I have been speaking to a lawyer about adopting Shelby, but I’ve been keeping it hush hush because I know if my father finds out, he’ll get Shelby shipped away somewhere. I haven’t asked Luke to help me with anything, Lexi.” He sounded panicked. “I hope my dad didn’t get to him.”
“Luke wouldn’t do that.” I frowned though. I was no longer sure that I really knew Luke all that well anymore.
“The lawyer told me that my application is pretty strong but the only problem is I don’t have my own house and I am not very liquid.”
“Oh Bryce.” I grabbed him. “This is all my fault isn’t it?”
“No, of course not.”
“Yes it is. If you hadn’t given my mom the money to buy the house then you would have had a stronger application.”
“What?” He frowned at me.
“I can never thank you enough for doing that for me and my mom, Bryce. I’ll pay you every month until I repay the loan. I promise.”
“Lexi, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I never gave your mom any money. Certainly not enough to buy a house.”
“What? It wasn’t you?” My mind started ticking over and over and I frowned. “Then who?”
“I don’t know, Lexi, but I think we need to pay a visit to my attorney.”
“Do you think we could visit Shelby as well?” I asked a bit nervously. “I’d like to see her.”
“Of course. She’s wonderful, Lexi. I just love her so much already.”
“Does she know about us?” I question curiously.
“No,” he sighed. “But maybe we should tell her today.”
“Are you sure? What if everything doesn’t work out well?”
“I think she needs to know the truth. No matter what happens.” Bryce looked determined. “I want her to know the truth.”
“Okay.” I nodded my head and my breath caught as a butterfly circled around me and then landed on my hand. It had wings of red, black and gold and I was mesmerized by its beauty and bravery. “Hello.” I whispered and then it flew away. I noticed that the sun had also come out. And I felt a fresh burst of energy and verve. This is a new beginning for me I thought. This is the time for me to start my life afresh: to live in the here and now.
Chapter 10
Bryce
I didn’t want Lexi to see how panicked I was, but my heart was in my throat as I drove to my lawyer’s office. Luke was probably the most trustworthy man I had ever met, but I knew how devious and calculated my father could be. If he had any clue that I was trying to adopt his illegitimate daughter he would do everything in his power to shut it down. Even someone like Luke might find it hard to say no.
I parked quickly and waited impatiently for Lexi to get out of her car. She looked at me, with worried eyes, as she looked at the office. “This is where he came earlier.”
“I see.” I tried to quell my fears. “Let’s go in.”
“Okay.” She looked worried and I knew that she was also wondering what Luke could have done.
“I’m here to see Mr. Raynor, please.” I spoke sharply to the secretary.
“He’s on a call, Sir.”
“Tell him that it’s Bryce Evans and it’s really important.”
“Can you take a seat, Sir?”
“No. I need you to tell him now.”
“Okay.” She rolled her eyes and stood up before knocking on a door and walking into David Raynor’s office.
“Come on.” I grabbed Lexi and walked to the office. I pushed the door aside and walked in with Lexi standing next to me, reluctantly.
“Mr. Evans, I told you that…” the secretary looked at me angrily.
“Have a seat, Bryce.” David waved me towards the chairs. “It’s okay, Margaret. I’ll speak to Bryce.”
“Yes, Sir.” She glared at me before she exited the office. I saw Lexi looking at me with trepidation on her face. I knew exactly what she was scared about. I squeezed her hand and we waited for the lawyer to finish his phone call. She smiled at me quickly and squeezed my hand back and I sent up a quick prayer that at least something in my life was going right. Lexi and I were going to remain friends, even though our romance had fizzled out as soon as it had begun. Maybe my mom was in heaven looking out for me, I thought. She’d be happy to see that we had talked about our feelings honestly.
“Okay, Bryce, how can I help you?”
“I want to know why Luke Bryan was here today. And I want to know what’s going on with Shelby.” I leaned forward and stared into his eyes. “And I want to know the truth.”
To my surprise, David Raynor put his head in his hands and sighed. A long deep heavy sigh. And then he looked back up at me. “Who’s this then?” He nodded towards Lexi and she stood up and offered him her hand.
“I’m Lexi Lord. I’m Shelby’s sister.”
“I see.” The lawyer sat down and sighed. “Oh what a tangled web we weave when at first we start to deceive.”