Adam's Daughter Part 46

"It wasn't exactly my idea," Kellen said. "The Federal Communications Commission is forcing our hand. So, it's enough money?"

"Enough to build the suburban distribution plant and more," he said.

Kellen smiled. "Good."

"I just wish you had told me about this ahead of time."

Stephen's voice had a challenging edge to it. Or perhaps her fatigue was just making her overly sensitive. "I wanted to surprise you," she said.

"But if I had known --"

"We'll have the money for the plant, Stephen. What does it matter how it happened?"

A slight sadness was edging out the excitement she had felt earlier about telling Stephen about the sale of the Oakland television station. She had worked hard to put it together. Ever since she had first heard the news last week about the FCC she had been thinking about selling the station. To break up monopolies, the FCC had recently begun pressuring newspapers to sell other media holdings they had in the same market. She had not wanted to discuss the sale with Stephen until she could line up a buyer. It was a matter of pride to set up the deal herself, so she could finally prove to Stephen, to Ian, and to herself that she was capable of functioning in the corporate realm.

"I can't believe Ian's agreed to this," Stephen said. "He's fought me tooth and nail on the plant."

"He doesn't know yet," Kellen said. "He's been in Hawaii for the last two weeks. I want to keep him out of this until it's too late for him to move. Now that Tyler's of age I just need his vote and the deal's done."

"What does Tyler say?"

"I haven't been able to reach him. He's been on vacation, wandering through France. But I'm sure he'll side with me. He's due back tomorrow."

"So's Ian. We have a budget meeting Monday, remember?"

"Then I'll just have to get Tyler to sign this before Ian finds out. I'll drive up to Napa tomorrow." She sighed heavily. She had not been sleeping well lately, not since that day she saw Garrett, and now she could think of nothing but going home and taking a hot bath.

"Kellen, are you all right?" Stephen asked. "You haven't been yourself lately."

"I'm just tired."

He went to her side. "You've been worrying too much," he said. "Stop worrying about Richardson."

Kellen's heart skipped a beat.

"He won't get the newspapers," Stephen said. "No matter what Ian's up to, there's no way they can fight both of us."

The next day, Kellen drove to Napa. She had not visited the property since Tyler had moved in and she was taken with how charming it looked. The Victorian house had been freshly repainted in soft grays and beds of flowers had been planted. A fat tabby cat, lolling on the veranda, eyed her as she climbed the stairs. The door was open so Kellen walked in.

She saw Tyler's suitcases in the vestibule, and she called out his name. After a moment, he emerged from the kitchen.

"Kellen, what in the world are you doing here?" he said.

Before she could reply, another voice called out Tyler's name and a second later, J.D. Waverly appeared. When he saw Kellen, he froze. For a long time, no one said anything.

"I came to welcome you home," Kellen said. "And to talk to you about some...I'm sorry, I should have called."

Tyler pursed his lips, glanced at J.D., and let out a sigh. "Let's all go into the living room," he said.

Kellen sat on the sofa, and J.D. took a chair across from her. He was having trouble concealing his nervousness. Tyler sat down on the sofa near Kellen.

"Tyler, I'm really sorry --" she began.

"It's okay. Just relax." He looked at J.D. "Kellen's the only one who knows about me, J.D., I didn't tell her about you. She's always been level with me. You can trust her."

J.D. just looked at Kellen for a moment then finally smiled slightly. "Well, I have no choice really," he said.

There was a long silence.

"So!" Tyler said, with a quick smile. "I think we could use a drink. How about some wine?"

The next hour was awkward, but gradually everyone began to relax. Tyler told her about his and J.D.'s trip to France. Soon, dusk closed in and Tyler invited Kellen to stay for dinner.

During dinner, Tyler talked animatedly about his trips to the great wineries of Burgundy. He said he was going back in the fall for intensive study. "I have so much to learn," he said, shaking his head. "So I'm going to hire good people to help me. J.D.'s already got me going on that."

Kellen looked at J.D., who had been watching Tyler with a small smile, letting him do all the talking.

"All I suggested was that you get a good business manager and a lawyer so that you won't get taken advantage of," J.D. said. He looked at Kellen. "Your brother is the typical artist. It's hard to get him to listen to the mundane aspects of running a business."

"He's a dreamer," Kellen said.

"Has he told you the ideas he has for this place?"

Kellen shook her head, glancing over at Tyler, who was now quiet.

"Well, go get your sketches," J.D. said to him with a smile.

Tyler left and returned with a portfolio, placing it before Kellen. "I think," he began, pulling out sketches, "that someday California wines will be just as popular as French wines. Some of them are just as good now but people are too sn.o.bbish to realize it. Or too intimidated to know the difference. So, I'm going to produce the best wine I can. And make it irresistible."

"But accessible," J.D. added.

The sketches showed the old winery and nearby stables refurbished with the grounds tastefully rearranged to accommodate parking and picnic areas. "The winery will be redone so people can take tours and cla.s.ses," Tyler said. "The stable will be a gift shop. We'll sell the wine, some cheese, maybe some good gla.s.ses."

"But no T-s.h.i.+rts," J.D. said.

Tyler grinned. "No T-s.h.i.+rts."

Kellen stared at the sketches in disbelief. "Tyler," she said softly. "This is remarkable."

"Show her that other sketch you did," J.D. said.

Tyler pulled a small sketch from the bottom and handed it to Kellen. It was of a wine bottle label, a simple design in blue and gray that showed a stylized bird in flight, and in silver letters: Ingram Hills.

"That's what I'm calling it," Tyler said. "I didn't want to trade on the Bryant name so I'm using your mother's maiden name. I hope you don't mind."

"I'm honored, Tyler," Kellen said. "I like your plan. I really do."

Tyler gathered the sketches together. "I'll put these away and be right back," he said, leaving the room.

Kellen and J.D. sat silently for a moment. "I wish I had one ounce of your brother's creativity," J.D. said. "Maybe I'd be a better politician."

Kellen smiled and took a drink of her wine.

J.D. cleared his throat. "Kellen," he said hesitantly, "no one knows about Tyler and me. No one knows I'm gay."

"Look, J.D --"

"Tyler thinks I shouldn't try to hide it. He's coming out and he thinks I should, too." He paused. "I want to, for him if nothing else. But I've worked very hard to get where I am." He took a breath. "I love what I do and I'm vain enough to think I can somehow make a difference."

He took a sip of wine. "I've only known your brother for a short time but I've come to care about him very much." He smiled slightly. "I'm a driven, self-centered man, and Tyler's been good for me. He brings something out in me, an unselfishness, like I want to be there for him."

Kellen smiled. "I know what you mean."

"I'm not ashamed of what I am," J.D. went on. "But I can't count on people understanding. I don't even know how you feel about it so I have to trust you. I have to keep this part of my life secret. I've got too much to lose."

J.D.'s gray eyes were locked on hers, and Kellen realized he expected some kind of response from her. She believed J.D. was sincere. And in just this one evening she had seen for herself the affection between her brother and this man. She recognized now that Tyler had found something with J.D., a contentment that she had always a.s.sumed would be denied to him.

"I understand," she said.

Tyler came back in the dining room. "So what were you two talking about in my absence?" Tyler said.

"Politics," J.D. said, with a smile. "Just politics."

Soon after, J.D. left the room so Tyler and Kellen could discuss the business about the radio station. Tyler signed the papers. It was almost ten by the time Kellen got ready to leave. She said good night to J.D., and Tyler walked her out to her car, carrying his winegla.s.s.

The air was warm and it was quiet except for the crickets. The stars were strung together like translucent white ribbons in the black sky.

"I like him, Tyler," Kellen said.

Tyler looked at her, his finger tapping the edge of the empty gla.s.s, a gesture of nervous joy. "I've given you a lot to worry about over the years," he said.

She shrugged. "That's what family's for."

Tyler glanced back at the house. "I know I've only known J. D. for a little while but it's different this time, Kellen. It's like we've always known each other. Like we just belong together." He gave her a puzzled smile. "You have any idea what I'm talking about?"

She stared at her brother. "Yes," she said softly.

Kellen hesitated then put her arms around Tyler, hugging him tightly.

Finally, Tyler pulled away, his eyes on the ground. "Drive carefully," he said.

She nodded and got into the car. Hers was the only car on the road, and she rolled down the window to let the warm, fragrant air rush over her. It was a moonless night and the headlights seemed inadequate pinp.r.i.c.ks in the dark ahead. She wished suddenly she had accepted Tyler's invitation to stay the night. The drive ahead seemed too long, the road too dark. And she felt an emptiness that she finally recognized as envy -- a great longing for the fulfillment her brother had so unexpectedly found.

She groped on the pa.s.senger seat and her fingers found a ca.s.sette. She quickly thrust it in the player. A second later, the sounds of Puccini's Tosca spilled out. After a moment, she reached over and turned the volume up high, then even higher, filling the car and night with music.

CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT.

Lilith stood staring out the window, down at the people in Union Square. After a minute, she turned back to face Ian, sitting at his desk. "She outmaneuvered you," she said.

"There was nothing I could do," Ian said. "That's the way Father set it up. One vote for each of us."

"But why didn't you see it coming? Why didn't you know about the FCC thing?" Lilith heaved a big sigh. "That station made a lot of money."

"I know, Mother. I was the one who set it up to do exactly that."

"I just don't see why you --"

Ian slammed his hand down on the desk. "It's gone! Sold! Let's forget it, all right?"

Lilith stared at him, wide-eyed. Then she walked regally to a chair and sat down, wearing a hurt look.

"I'm sorry," Ian said.

"You're awfully tense, dear."

"I have a lot on my mind." Ian began to sift through some papers as a way of hinting to Lilith that he wished she'd leave. But she just sat there and after a moment he noticed Lilith's eyes wandering around the room intently and that she was frowning.

"What is it?" he asked in exasperation.

"Do you plan to see Richardson today?" she asked.

"No, he left for New York two days ago."

"Without giving us his answer?" she asked, surprised.

"He's coming back next week," Ian said. "But I get the impression he's not interested."

"Nonsense. I think he's just stringing us along to get a better price. Perhaps if you were more aggressive --"

"Mother, I've talked to that man until I'm blue in the face. I just don't think he wants the papers."

"Well, despite what all the gossips say, I don't think he's here just to renew old acquaintances, although I certainly wouldn't put it past Kellen." She paused. "I think we should lower our asking price. This sale has to go through."

Ian stared at her for a long time. "I don't get it," he said. "I've listened to you complain for years about how Father stole your family's newspaper. And you keep telling me how important it is for me to run things so Robert can sit in this office. But now you're ready to just turn around and hand it to an outsider. I don't get it, Mother. I just don't get it. What in the h.e.l.l do you want?"

Lilith opened her purse and pulled out a gold compact. She opened it and looked at her reflection, smoothing a stray black hair away from her heavily powdered cheek. She put it away and leveled her dark eyes at Ian.

"I want to hurt Adam the way he hurt me," she said.

For one fearful moment, Ian thought he saw tears form in Lilith's eyes and he froze, not having any idea of what to do. But then Lilith's mouth drew into a firm line.

"He left me for that woman," she said. "He's dead and I have to hurt him -- both of them -- the only way I can, through their daughter. Kellen won't get the one thing he wanted her to have most."