Small Town, Big Secrets

by Elsie Davis

  Becky felt like a client in his courtroom and not his fiancée—another difference between fake and reality. She knew what he was asking. “So now I’m a money-hungry floozy trying to suck your family dry for all it’s worth?” Sarcasm at its finest, but it was her best defense. She shook her head, unable to believe how this evening had turned out. And she still had yet to face her mother. Tears ran down her cheeks unchecked.

  “Hey now, I didn’t say that.” Steve’s words couldn’t undo what he’d already said. There was a reason she didn’t trust people, and he’d just proven it.

  “You might as well have. The deal’s off. I’ll find a way to take care of my son without Parker money.” She ripped the ring off her finger and hurled it at him. “Take me home.”

  Maybe she’d regret the impetuous action later, like after she cooled down, but right now, it felt good to take years of pent-up anger out on someone—especially a Parker.

  Steve bent down to retrieve the ring off the ground, staring hard at it as he turned it over and over. His gaze slid to her. “A deal’s a deal. Byron still needs the surgery, and I still need you.” His softly spoken words caused her to falter. She hadn’t counted on him refusing to end the arrangement based on his beliefs.

  “You need the poll ratings. Let’s not confuse the facts. I can see the headlines now, D.A. Candidate and the Housekeeper’s Daughter. That ought to sell some tabloids.” She was desperately trying to hang on to her own beliefs that she was doing the right thing by ending it.

  “Some things have changed, and we need to move up the wedding to next weekend.” He spoke as if she hadn’t just ended things, and his matter-of-fact tone told her he was serious. But next weekend? This was insane.

  “I want to know why. The truth.”

  “You’ll do it. You love Byron too much not to. As to why we need to move the wedding up, I just found out our wedding present comes in the form of two million dollars.”

  Two million dollars. More than Becky would ever see in this lifetime. And it was a wedding present. She took a deep breath, trying to calm the jackhammer pounding in her chest. “Two million?” she squeaked out.

  “Yes. And I need some of the money ASAP. Some of that money will be yours.” He grabbed her hand and placed the ring in her palm, closing her fingers over it. The edges of the diamond cut into her hand.

  Without a word, she slid in the car. “What do you need the money for?”

  Steve looked uncomfortable. “I can’t say.”

  “Okay, then.” She nodded. “What if I don’t want your money?” It would be incredible to not have to worry about bills anymore, but she also had to be able to sleep with herself at night. It was one thing to do this fake marriage for Byron, quite another for her own personal gain. Apparently, that was Steve’s specialty.

  “It will be a part of the divorce settlement. You won’t have a choice if you want a divorce.”

  “We’ll see about that. I’ll marry you in two weeks’ time.” It was still sooner than they’d originally planned, but Becky was determined to maintain some of the control. Especially given that he hadn’t revealed why he wanted the money.

  Steve drove back to her house, their confinement in the car magnifying the silence between them. Becky got out as soon as he pulled up to the curb in front of her house.

  “I would like to meet your mother. Officially.” Steve wasn’t backing down, but neither was she. It might be true she had no choice but to go through with the deal, but it would be on her terms.

  “No. Tonight I need to make amends. Alone.”

  “Fine. But, Becky, please meet me tomorrow morning at the park with Byron. We promised him, and I keep my promises.”

  She slammed the vehicle’s door behind her, mentally preparing for the discussion with her mother. Guilt and worry caused her steps to slow. Becky pushed open the door to find her mother and sister sitting on the sofa, blank looks on their faces as if still in shock.

  “I’m sorry, Mother.” Becky raced across the room and dropped to her knees, grabbing her mother’s hands in hers. “I should have told you, but I couldn’t.”

  Her mother nodded. “Yes, you should have. We’ve always told each other everything, except about Byron’s father—and now this. Somehow, I can’t help but wonder if the two are related.”

  “I knew you would worry and wouldn’t like it.” Her mother had always been headstrong and protective of her and her sister, and if she knew the truth, there was no telling what her reaction would have been. Becky didn’t want her mistakes to be the downfall of her family.

  “Worry? Who am I to stand in the way of love? If it’s love.” Her mother’s gaze softened, and she turned her head to focus on Julia. “Can you go check on Byron and make sure he’s asleep, please?”

  “Not fair. I want to hear this.” Her sister frowned, arms crossed in front of her chest.

  “Except it doesn’t concern you, and Becky’s entitled to her privacy.” Her mother’s firm voice managed to elicit the desired response as her sister got to her feet.

  “Fine.” Julia left the room, the sixteen-year-old pout on her face not becoming. In some ways, she was still a child.

  “It is love, isn’t it?” Her mother held one finger under Becky’s chin, forcing her to make eye contact. It was one of the ways her mother used when she was growing up to elicit the truth. This close, it was hard to lie. But she couldn’t tell her she was getting married for Byron’s sake. Her mother wouldn’t allow it, and she’d been sworn to secrecy with Steve. She owed him that much, even if he was a jerk at times.

  “It happened fast. I feel things I’ve never felt before.” At least that was the truth. She liked Steve. A lot. She even thought she might have been falling for him until he accused her of being a gold-digger. Although in truth, he hadn’t said it in so many words, just asked her motives. It was all so confusing.

  “Is he Byron’s father?”

  “What? No, Mother. He’s not.” At least not everything she said was a lie.

  “I’m disappointed you didn’t tell me what was going on, but I love you, and I want what’s best for you. If you want to marry Steve Parker, then you should. Far be it for me to stand in the way. I’ll find another job, don’t worry. Olivia Parker’s been good to me but always because I’ve not overstepped my bounds. She won’t let this one go.” Her mother patted her hand, a gentle smile of reassurance on her face.

  “I’m sorry, Mom. I’ll make sure you and Julia are taken care of. I promise.” It might take some renegotiation with Steve, but it was something she was willing to do. After all, in a way, he was also responsible for her mother’s termination come Monday morning.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The extra week before the wedding was problematic but not anything Steve couldn’t handle. Olivia Parker was stubborn, snobbish, and unreasonable, just like his father, but she would pay out the trust fund as promised. Marriage or no marriage.

  Steve had often wondered where he fit in with the family because he certainly wasn’t like them. He still couldn’t believe it when she’d told him she fired Judith McAllister. At least she’d given the poor woman a severance check considering the twenty-plus years she’d worked for the family. His mother did have a heart, even if it was a small one. He only hoped it was a sizable amount because jobs in Riverbend were few and far between.

  Knowing he’d soon have the trust fund, Steve was willing to put up his own money to expedite the McDougall payment, preferring to be on the safe side of the deadline.

  Avoiding his mother and her disapproving gazes, he headed into town bright and early to pick up Becky and Byron. Today, he was taking them to the city. Away from prying eyes. A place where they could tap back into some of the fun and laughter he’d grown to enjoy around them and wanted back desperately.

  She had every right to be upset with him. For a person who earned a living by using good
word choices, he’d done a lousy job questioning Becky about Byron’s parentage, doubting her. He should have trusted his gut instincts, something he’d done in the past with success. This time he’d failed, and he knew the reason why. Jack.

  Steve didn’t like the idea of his brother and Becky together, and it had cost him the voice of reason in his head. And there was only one reason he’d be jealous of Jack—he cared about Becky. More than he’d planned or expected to care about anyone.

  Thankfully, she agreed to give him another chance. And today, he wanted to prove to her it had been the right decision.

  He spotted Becky and Byron sitting on the front porch as he pulled up in front of her house. Apparently, he wouldn’t be meeting her mother this morning. He wasn’t sure why the idea bothered him, but today wasn’t the day to press the issue.

  “Mr. Steve, you came.” Byron ran forward when Becky let go of his hand.

  Moving around to the passenger side, he knelt next to Byron to return the young boy’s enthusiastic greeting with a warm hug. “Good morning, buddy. You ready to have some fun today?” He ruffled the boy’s hair.

  “Yup. Sure am.” Byron’s wide grin tugged at Steve’s heart.

  “Good morning, Becky,” Steve said, leaning down to drop a kiss on her cheek. It would be expected, but he didn’t want to push his luck. Not yet, anyway.

  She stiffened, but otherwise, there was very little reaction to the casual observer or to any media hounds if they were lurking about anywhere. “Good morning. What do you have in mind for today?”

  “I thought we’d head to Onalaska. There’s a great beach there where the Trinity River opens up to the lake. I’ve got a picnic basket filled with lots of good food. And I have a blanket. The only thing I couldn’t rustle up was some toys for Byron on such short notice.”

  Becky smiled. “I think we have that covered. Byron, run upstairs and grab your football and bag of sand toys while I move your car seat.”

  “Okay, Mommy. This is going to be so much fun. I’m a good ball thrower, Mr. Steve. You just wait and see.” The kid took off before Steve had a chance to answer.

  He shot Becky a questioning glance, the obvious elephant from Byron’s innocent comment hanging between them.

  “He is a good ball thrower. Must be genetics, but not something I would take from him. I like to think I’m more accepting of my son’s talents no matter what they are.”

  “Great attitude. Just for the record, football is not one of my hidden talents, trust me.”

  “Good. I rather like knowing that, to tell you the truth. Reminds me how different you and Jack are, which is definitely a positive.”

  “Listen, before we go any further, I want to apologize for my behavior and comments the other day. I wasn’t thinking clearly, and I let it cloud my judgment. I trust you, which is a good thing considering we’re going to be married.” He smiled, hoping to encourage her to accept his apology.

  “Thank you. It hurt, but I’m glad we’ve cleared the air. Especially since, like you said, we’re getting married.” Becky grinned, and suddenly, the awkwardness had vanished, her light teasing more than welcome.

  He stepped in close, deciding there was no time better than the present to seal the return to normalcy between them. With a real kiss—not a peck on the cheek.

  Steve leaned down and dropped a kiss on her lips, lingering a few moments to savor the feel of her mouth. Warm and perfect. Just like her.

  “I got them!” Byron shouted as he came running out the front door, ending the kiss.

  They drove to the lake, Steve relieved to have escaped media attention. The last thing he wanted was for photographers to be hanging around while he was trying to have fun with his soon-to-be new family. This time was just for them.

  …

  The weekend had been all that he could have hoped for, especially the day at the beach. Byron, it turned out, did have a great throwing arm—for a four-year-old, that was. He was also a good runner, their game of chase proving that. Byron played in the sand, letting the grown-ups talk. He and Becky were back on the same page, and as if by mutual agreement, they didn’t discuss his family or their displeasure with the engagement. It’s not as though what they thought mattered.

  And if Becky’s kiss goodbye was any indication, she’d completely forgiven him. A kiss caught by a persistent photographer who’d followed them around at a reasonable distance ever since spotting them at a restaurant Saturday evening. Then Sunday had plenty of photographers, and, of course, Byron ate up the attention. What kid didn’t like the idea of having his picture in the paper?

  The drive to Houston took a little over two hours, the traffic heavier than normal. The Houston Texans must have had a home game. Steve never had time to get into football, preferring the library and law books to jocks and egos. Not even when his own brother had tried to go pro could he get into the game.

  Inside his apartment, Steve loosened his tie, ready to unwind. He pressed the Do Not Disturb button on his phone. Ever since the media had gotten wind of his engagement, the phone hadn’t stopped ringing with either congratulations or reporters wanting to get the scoop.

  He’d tried to prepare Becky for the onslaught, but after years of handling them, he knew it wouldn’t be easy for her. He hated having to be away from her all week, but at least she promised to call if things got rough. The one good thing that had come from all of it was that they were back on the same team, partners in crime, but it also left him wondering if he should go through with the wedding. Once upon a time not long ago, it wouldn’t have mattered if they got married. They both stood to gain something. But now, caring about her the way he did made him question his actions and the problems she would face as a result of being associated with him. Her quiet life was a thing of the past.

  Except now, there were two million other reasons to go through with it. And saving the McDougall property wasn’t something he could walk away from. He’d made it his personal mission to help, and now it was within reach. And after learning the truth about Byron, it made it even more imperative to marry Becky, if for no other reason than to give his nephew the Parker name. The marriage was a temporary price to pay for doing good in the community, and Steve couldn’t turn his back on the ranchers and farmers or his nephew.

  The following morning, Steve gathered his briefcase and headed for the office. Between his caseload and the campaign, things were in full swing, and he had tons to do if he intended to get back to Riverbend this weekend. Even though they were only doing a Justice of the Peace wedding, they still needed to coordinate their schedules and figure out what happened after the wedding, including finding a place to live. The element of realism would be lost if they didn’t live together.

  Steve would still have to commute back and forth to the city, but he was looking forward to spending more time with Becky. Being with her this past weekend, he’d come to the realization that he fully believed her about Jack and her story. She might not be willing to tell him why she wanted to keep Byron’s parentage a secret, but then he wasn’t willing to tell her why he needed the money. Both had their secrets, but Steve trusted her, much the same way she trusted him.

  They were in this together.

  It was incredible to know he had a nephew, and the more he’d spent time with Byron this weekend, the more he’d grown to love the kid. Steve knew no matter what happened in the future between him and Becky, he wasn’t willing to let Byron fade out of his life. And as to Becky’s decree that he not breathe a word about her admission, he would honor that promise.

  But it wouldn’t stop him from putting the heat on Jack to do what was right by Becky and Byron, and without a blood test, the only way to do that was to get Jack to admit the truth on his own.

  Steve walked into his office building. People were everywhere, phones ringing off the hook. Several calls of congratulations rang out as he crossed the room to hi
s office. He hadn’t even had time to take off his coat and sit down before Harry flew into his office. “I didn’t realize campaign managers showed up before nine a.m.,” Steve said, unable to resist harassing the man. “What’s the occasion? There seems to be quite a buzz in the room.” Not that he didn’t already know, but where was the fun in that?

  “What? You’re asking me what? Why haven’t you been answering your phone? I’ve been trying to reach you.” Harry was agitated, and maybe rightfully so, but Steve hadn’t felt like returning his calls, knowing what he’d walked into this morning.

  “I turned it off. I was exhausted and needed some sleep.”

  Harry shook his head. “I can’t believe you took my advice and got engaged. But whatever it is you think you’re doing here, guess again. I want you to go back to Riverbend. Today. The public is eating this up. Hot-shot D.A. candidate engaged to housekeeper’s daughter. How did you manage to pull something like this off? It’s exactly the publicity boost we needed.”

  He hoped Becky didn’t see the tabloid or she’d be upset all over again. She knew they’d plaster that one little fact all over the headlines. “I didn’t plan anything. And why does everyone care what her mother’s job is?” For him, this had been about poll ratings, helping Becky, and more recently, funding the emergency account for the Tumble County landowners.

  “Are you kidding? It’s the story of Prince Charming coming to the rescue of a poor maiden. You know, like a modern-day Cinderella. Your numbers have skyrocketed.” Harry looked like he was about to explode with excitement.

  “Can’t we downplay the mother’s role? The poor woman got fired.”

  “Downplay? No way! This is rich. Talk about the publicity. People will rally behind you for sticking by the woman you love over your own mother. True love wins it all. The sympathy votes will roll in.”

  “I wish voters would pay more attention to my record than the Prince Charming aspect.” Steve shook his head, letting out a deep sigh of frustration. Yes, he’d signed on for it, but a big part of his reason had been to help Becky and, in doing so, help himself.