Page 29 of Easton Island: Old-Fashioned Christmas
Elizabeth, not missing a beat, made small talk while they walked, asking Tristan how old he was, where he went to school, and if he played sports.
He answered in one-syllable replies, not rude or short but brief and to the point.
Stepping into the kitchen, they found Mrs. Arnsby and her team hard at work. She buzzed by, coming to a quick stop when she noticed them standing in the doorway. “Hello.”
“Hello, Jane. I’ve offered Tristan a bite to eat.”
“Oh, yes. We have plenty of snacks.” She rattled off the list of goodies. “Have a seat on the barstool. I’ll fix you a plate in a jiffy.”
While the cook chatted with the boy, Morgan pulled her grandmother off to the side. “I’m in shock.”
“You’re not the only one.”
“What do you think?”
“A DNA test will merely be going through the motions.” Elizabeth placed her hand on her forehead. “Tristan is the spitting image of Brett when he was his age.”
Chapter 12
Morgan’s mind whirled. “You think Tristan is Brett’s son.”
“Without a doubt.” Elizabeth lifted her voice. “Tristan, my granddaughter and I have a small errand to take care of. Will you be all right here with Jane for a few minutes?”
He nodded his head, a sheepish grin on his face as he devoured the pile of pancakes in front of him, leftovers from breakfast. “These pancakes are delicious.”
“Jane is a fabulous cook. Morgan and I will return shortly.”
Taking the back stairs to avoid running into Brett and Jeff Blakely, they reached the upper floor and walked to the other end to Elizabeth’s private apartment.
Once inside, they found Gerard seated at the kitchen bar, his laptop in front of him. He did a double take when he noticed them. “All done decorating your favorite tree?”
“We are. It appears we’re in the midst of a Christmas crisis.”
He turned, giving the women his full attention. “What sort of crisis?”
“Brett’s son and former brother-in-law showed up on our doorstep a few minutes ago.”
Gerard made a choking sound. “Brett has a son? You’ve never mentioned him before.”
“We just found out ourselves.” Elizabeth folded her hands. “Brett went to Vegas with some friends during a college break and came back with a wife.”
“Oh dear.”
“Oh dear is right. She worked at a strip club. At some point during the trip they met. My grandson was smitten and promptly wed her. He brought Addison home. Actually, Brett brought her here first, knowing his father would be fit to be tied, hoping I would soften the blow.”
“And did it?”
“No, Rhett and Brett argued. Rhett paid Addison a substantial sum of money to get a quickie divorce and promise never to return.”
“So many questions,” Gerard said. “Where is the ex-wife?”
“She died and left a note stating Tristan is Brett’s son.”
“Do you think there’s a chance the brother is lying, and the boy isn’t his?” Gerard asked.
“He’s the spitting image of Brett at that age, which is why I’m here, to track down some old photos to show Morgan.”
“I would still do a DNA test to confirm,” Morgan said.
