Chapter 22
Logan and Skylar
Skylar saw Logan the moment he entered the restaurant and stood as the ma?tre d’ escorted him to his table. Extending his hand, he said, “Thanks for joining me.”
“Thanks for the invite,” Logan said, accepting the handshake and then taking the chair the ma?tre d’ pulled out for him. “This is a nice restaurant.”
“Thanks. I find the food here excellent. I hope that you do, too.”
“I’m sure I will.” The conversation was paused briefly when a waiter came to take their drink orders and hand out menus. “How long have you lived in San Francisco?” Logan asked.
“All my life. I was born here. So was my father. My grandfather left Italy to attend Harvard, where he met my grandmother, an American woman from Ohio. After college, they married and moved here. My grandfather chose this city because of its large Italian community at the time ─ North Beach or Little Italy, as it is called.”
He paused, then added, “They opened their first business. Less than three years later, my father was born. Silas was their only child.”
The conversation was paused again when the waiter returned to pour their drinks and take their dinner orders.
“I feel the need to be totally upfront with you, Logan. Dante is my godbrother, that’s true.
However, he is also the general manager of my hotels, as well as the person in charge of my security team.
” After taking a drink, he said, “He made me aware the moment someone attempted to get into databases for information regarding my father. I surmised you were behind that, which is how you were aware my father had died.”
Logan leaned back in his chair. “Yes. We have a PI in the family ─ Carrie’s husband, Connor.”
Skylar nodded. “Just so you know, when I received a call that you wanted to meet with me, Dante pulled an extensive report on the Montgomery family. There is very little about you, your siblings, and your father that I don’t know.”
Logan shrugged. “We have nothing to hide.”
“No, you don’t. Congratulations on your recent marriage, by the way.”
“Thanks.”
“I find your family dynamics remarkable. You are blessed to have a father like Jeremiah Montgomery. In a lot of ways, he reminds me of Silas. Strong, honorable, trustworthy, and full of love.”
Logan chuckled. “That definitely describes Pop, alright.”
“Pop?”
“Yes, that’s what we call our dad.”
Skylar nodded. “Reading the report also provided me with a clearer understanding of why none of you have a relationship with Edwina. What she put Carrie through was horrible. Now I understand what my father meant when he said that one of his greatest regrets was that when he gave Edwina the money she demanded for me, he didn’t push harder on his counter-offer to include custody of the little girl.
He could not see her having a good future with a conniving and manipulating mother like Edwina. ”
“I’m sure, after reading the report, you are aware of some of the things Carrie went through,” Logan said.
“Yes, I am even aware of the blackmail scheme from a few years ago. I was right when I told my father that Dante’s father Mario, who was to Dad everything Dante is to me now, and then some, did the right thing in putting the fear of God into Edwina so she would never be a part of my life.”
Skylar took a deep breath and released it.
He then said, “But she has managed to do so anyway, by sending those letters and asking for my father’s and my forgiveness.
It’s too late to ask for Dad’s. He truly loved her.
She put on a good act, but it wasn’t sincere.
When he discovered her duplicity and realized he’d been nothing more than a mark, it crushed him to the point where he could never trust his heart again. ”
Logan nodded. “My siblings and I thought the same thing about Pop. We were so glad that after twenty-plus years, he met someone and fell in love.” He leaned in closer. “I guess you’re now facing the same decision we Montgomerys are. Can you give Edwina the forgiveness she is asking for?”
Before Skylar could respond, their food was served. “I hope you enjoy your steak, Logan.”
He smiled at Skylar. “I’m sure I will.”
Logan was definitely enjoying his meal. He was also enjoying dining with his brother.
It was hard to believe that the man sitting across from him was actually related to him.
He wanted to know everything there was to know about Skylar.
In a way, he shouldn’t have been surprised.
As the oldest sibling, he’d always felt responsible for those younger than him.
Although Skylar didn’t need him in that role ─ not when he had Dante, who apparently was looking out for him ─ Logan still felt the need to be sure he was okay.
“What about you, Skylar? Do you worry about falling for the wrong person?”
Skylar wiped his mouth on his napkin, then answered.
“No. When it comes to women, Dad taught me to look out for certain red flags. And then, of course, Dante does background checks.” Skylar chuckled.
“Not that I require them or even ask for one. It’s something he does by habit.
” He paused. “I recently met someone, and I’m pretty sure I’ve fallen in love.
She’s special. Very special. So, no, I’m not afraid to fall in love. ”
“I am happy for you and wish you all the best. Having a good woman in your life is a blessing. I don’t know what I would do without my Claire.”
“You didn’t marry until after the others had done so. Was that deliberate?”
“In a way, yes. It’s that older brother complex. I can’t help but want to look out for them, and I usually end up putting their well-being ahead of my own. My siblings married some wonderful people ─ good people who make them happy. Even Pop’s wife, Thea, is a treasure.”
“Maybe one day I’ll meet all of them, Logan.”
Logan paused as he cut into his steak. “I know they would love meeting you, Skylar. I talked to everyone last night and told them about you. Pop extended an invitation for you to join us for Thanksgiving. That’s always a special day for our family, and it would be the perfect time to meet everyone since they’ll be coming home. ”
“To Gary, Indiana?”
“Yes.”
Skylar didn’t say anything at first, then said, “Can I let you know?”
“Absolutely. Please consider it, and if you decide to join us, call me. It’ll be a holiday you’ll never forget.”