Small Town, Big Secrets

by Elsie Davis

Throughout the movie, he held her hand, commenting on some of her favorite parts. It was as though he could read her mind. Shoulder to shoulder, he leaned closer, Becky inhaling his cologne, the woodsy spice making her want to snuggle in his arms in front of a warm fire.

  By the time the movie was over and the credits were rolling, Becky was forced to admit the truth.

  The arrangement was temporary, but she wasn’t sure she wanted it to end. Against all odds, she’d fallen for Steve—something she’d have to deal with later. For now, she wanted to enjoy his company and the wonderful feeling that came with being treated as though he cared.

  As his someone special.

  His soon-to-be wife.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The week sped by fast, whether because his days were filled with work or his nights were filled with fun, he wasn’t sure. And for the first time in his life, he questioned his goals and some of the decisions he’d made in the past. It made no sense, but it was almost as if the fun nights and being around Becky made the days lighter, less stressful, his focus on the end of the day for a change. Not how to take on more work.

  Pizza night at Becky’s had been relaxing. He’d enjoyed getting to know her mother and sister and hearing some of the stories of Becky growing up. And he loved to see her blush. But the most fun had been the night they played Twister. Byron and Julia had a great time, but no more so than he had. Games hadn’t been a part of his childhood, and although at first it had been hard to loosen up, it hadn’t taken long to get into the spirit of the game.

  Every round, it seemed, brought crazier positions than the last. A few, however, weren’t so much crazy as they were an awareness factor. Of Becky. A few times, he hadn’t been able to resist teasing her with a kiss, much to the delight of Byron and her sister.

  Judith McCallister, on the other hand, just grinned and nodded, a silly smile on her face as though she were privy to some secret information. Long after Byron had gone to bed, they’d stayed up and talked, joked, and laughed. Something else he’d never done growing up. It was like being part of a family.

  Steve was afraid to admit it out loud, but he was looking forward to tying the knot with Becky next week and moving into their new house. Yes, he’d have to return to the city, but he’d find a way to be home more, wanting to enjoy every minute of his new family for as long as they were in his life.

  A part of him wished he’d organized a more traditional wedding, but on such short notice, a judge was the best he could do. Even the upcoming election didn’t excite him as much as it once had, knowing the responsibilities would keep him away longer. It was like Becky and Byron had some secret scent they wore that kept him coming back for more. More love and laughter. More family.

  He made his way downstairs to the breakfast table. There were a lot of last-minute details with the house that needed tending to before he brought his bride home.

  “We need to talk,” his mother said, surprising him once again that she was up and about this early in the morning.

  “If it’s about the wedding, there’s nothing to talk about.”

  “Don’t get smart with me. You need to hear me out.”

  “Fine, Mother. What is it you want to say?”

  “I want to offer you an alternative to marriage.” His mother didn’t give up easily, a trait he inherited when he wanted something bad enough.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” So much for casual.

  “Call off the engagement and I’ll release your trust fund now, without the marriage clause, and add a million-dollar bonus. You’re smart with your money, not like your brother. I’m sure you could handle it.”

  Nothing could have surprised him more, but then it shouldn’t have. It came down to the money or him marrying someone she considered unacceptable. But still, he had no words.

  “You won’t need to marry beneath your station or in haste. My one condition is a public breakup so that everyone knows the truth. No speculation. I want an end to this nonsense.” She paused, clearly studying him for a reaction, but he offered none. “I’ll give you five minutes to decide.”

  Steve thought hard, the seconds ticking loudly on the grandfather clock against the wall. Three million dollars. Calling that a lot of money was an understatement. But if they didn’t get married, he ran the risk of poll ratings dropping. They say money couldn’t buy happiness, and whoever said it was right—at least in his case. His happiness would come from winning the election and being an advocate for others. Yes, the McDougalls needed the money, but he wasn’t sure it would buy their happiness. They only wanted their son back, something money couldn’t do.

  What his mother didn’t understand was that the money only reinforced his decision to go through with the marriage. But it was his increasing poll ratings that drove him the most. No amount of bonus money could offset the position he’d get when the election results posted.

  Plus, there was the thought of losing Becky… “No deal,” he said.

  His mother shook her head. “And here I thought you were the smart one. No good will come of this, mark my words.”

  “I know what you’re trying to do, but you’re wrong. I want to marry Becky and look forward to having Byron as my stepson. I might even adopt him.”

  His mother bristled, her back ramrod straight. “Ruin your life, then. I wash my hands of you.”

  “Now that we’ve established my motives are pure, any chance you could give us our wedding present a few days early? I’ve got some special things I need to take care of, and it would be a huge help.”

  “Fine. What does it matter now, anyway? But there will be no bonus, of that you can be certain.”

  “I wouldn’t expect otherwise. Thank you, Mother.”

  “I’ll have the money transferred to your account. Now, go away. My head hurts as much as my heart.”

  “Dramatics don’t suit you, Mother. It’ll be fine. You’ll see.” Fine as far as he was concerned, anyway. His mother had always had high hopes for him, but apparently, it didn’t include anything that would besmirch her public appearance. And marrying the housekeeper’s daughter certainly did that. “Becky’s a nice girl. I’ll let you in on a little secret to help you deal with this. The rush on the wedding is because Byron needs surgery, and he’ll be added to my insurance plan, which is far better than the policy she has.”

  “Then just pay for her share. You don’t have to do this.”

  “That’s not why I’m marrying her, only expediting it.” He didn’t want his mother to think badly of Becky, and telling her the truth was important.

  “What’s wrong with the boy?”

  “That would be confidential information and not something I’m willing to share. Not so you and your gossipy friends can sit around and chat about it.”

  “Fine. It’s your money. Spend it however you want. But I think it’s foolish for you to pick up the tab on someone else’s kid.” So much for appealing to her nice side.

  “Goodbye, Mother.” He stood and left the room, biting back the retort that sprang to his lips. That kid, as she referred to Byron, was her grandson. Her blood. If only she knew the truth…but the truth wasn’t his secret to reveal.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Becky still couldn’t believe she was getting married tomorrow. She didn’t feel any different, other than secretly having feelings for her soon-to-be fake husband. But then there would be no beautiful white gown, no decorated church, no floral bouquets or bridesmaids. Just the judge at City Hall. Nothing special. Just like their marriage would be, for as long as they needed it.

  Kayla was going to be her witness and planned on showing up first thing in the morning to help with her hair. It would be the closest she felt to being a bride. She wouldn’t even have a brand new dress. It seemed silly to buy one for a ten-minute ceremony only a handful of people would see.

  Becky finished checking and r
efilling condiments on the tables in her section at Charlie’s after a few of her customers had finished lunch and left. It was a light day, tips even lighter. She tried not to think about it. Byron’s surgery would be paid for, and that’s what she needed to focus on.

  The bell over the door jingled, and she instinctively looked up to see who the customer was. Steve. Her heart did an extra beat as he waved to Katie and made his way to his usual booth in her section.

  “Hiya, stranger,” she said. “What brings you here today?” She grinned, handing him a glass of iced tea made just the way he liked it. Half sweet, half unsweet.

  “There’s a certain blonde I can’t get enough of, truth be told.” He winked.

  “That’s good, all things considered.” Becky glanced down at the engagement ring on her finger. It was more than she would have normally ever chosen for herself, but she loved it. Becky had never told Steve her birthday, so he must have asked her mother or sister. Either that or he was just plain lucky. She still couldn’t believe it was real.

  “The special?” Becky asked, offering him the menu but fully expecting him not to take it. Like usual.

  “Of course. I was in town to handle some things at the house and needed lunch.”

  She slid the menu back into her apron pouch. “You’ve been here every day this week. People will talk.” She grinned.

  “Let them.” He squeezed her hand and grinned back. She loved the little crinkles at the corners of his eyes when he smiled. For however long they were married, she intended to make the most of it. It might be the only chance she got if Prince Charming never planned on showing up.

  “I’ll be back with your meal shortly.” She headed to the kitchen, turning in the order.

  She rang out a few customers, listening for her order to be called when it was done. It didn’t take long, and Becky did a pickup and headed back to Steve’s table.

  He was on the phone, deep in conversation. “Hang on a second,” he said, lowering the phone from his ear.

  She placed the plate of spaghetti in front of him and refilled his tea. “Do you need anything else?”

  “Nothing, thanks,” he said and pointed at his phone. Steve was eager to get back to his call, so she walked away.

  Becky wondered who he was talking to so intently. Call it curiosity or being nosey, it didn’t matter. She was marrying the man tomorrow and deserved to know everything about him that she could in such a short amount of time.

  “Okay, just let me know.” She walked away but hovered close by, wiping down a couple of tables and straightening the napkins and condiments. Eavesdropping might be wrong given their situation, but she did it anyway.

  “I got the money yesterday, and it should be transferred into your account later today. Then we can put some closure to the McDougall deal once and for all.” Steve spoke into the phone, keeping his voice low, but not low enough. He obviously wasn’t aware she was wiping down the table behind him.

  “Yes.” He nodded, responding to whatever was being said on the other end of the call. “Let’s find out who’s next up on the chopping block and figure out what we can to expedite settling the matter.”

  Becky winced. It sounded like Steve was involved with men forcing the foreclosures and buying up the land, putting people out of the homes and property that had been in families for generations. If it was true, her blind trust in him and believing he was helping the Cattleman’s Association had been misplaced. Severely. Her hand trembled as she pushed the condiment dishes back into their proper place.

  She went over and over the words in her head, positive of what she heard. The question was—what did she do with the information? Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she headed for the kitchen to wait for him to finish the call and figure out her next move.

  She delivered an order to one of the customers sitting at the counter and topped off the man’s iced tea, just as Mrs. Stanton approached the register. “Congratulations, dear. I just heard the wonderful news,” the older woman said, reaching out to touch Becky’s arm.

  “Thank you.” Becky ground out the reply, knowing there was nothing wonderful about the news anymore. The stares and questioning looks had been awful ever since the dance, but they would get worse before they got better when folks found out she’d broken the engagement off. But there was no way she could marry him and force herself to live with the traitor for a year. Luckily, Steve’s duplicity, once exposed, would give the gossipmongers something else to talk about.

  Mrs. Stanton paid her bill and left but not before sliding an extra twenty in Byron’s fundraiser jar. Becky had meant to take it down this morning, but now she was glad she hadn’t. By the looks of things, she would need every last penny.

  Steve hung up the phone, a look of satisfaction on his face. Becky took a deep breath. She’d gone over and over in her head what to say, but now that the moment had come, she struggled with where to start. The last thing she wanted to do was tip him off that she knew the truth before she had time to talk to Jerry at the Cattleman’s Association and warn him. Tipping her hand now would give him the chance to cover his tracks.

  Becky slid in the booth across from him.

  “What’s wrong? Did you have a problem with a customer or a reporter?” Steve asked, obviously sensing her tension.

  “Something like that.” If one considered betrayal by the man she was about to marry a problem. Becky twisted her hands together in her lap, her nervous energy on overload.

  “Okay. Want to talk about it?” he asked, frowning.

  “No. Yes. Maybe.” She glanced at the register, anything to avoid his gaze.

  “Wow. I’ve never seen you quite like this. Maybe this will cheer you up. My mother released our wedding gift funds early. I wasn’t sure how long after the wedding it would take, but now it doesn’t matter.”

  She turned back to face him, surprised and pleased by the good news. At least until she remembered what she overheard. Their wedding gift was the dirty money he was going to use to buy up the McDougall property. The same money he planned to use to pay Byron’s out-of-pocket medical expenses. Money that would destroy the people in town that she’d known all her life.

  Not on my watch. She should have never agreed to marry him in the first place, and there was no way she was going to marry him now.

  “I don’t want to marry you anymore. The engagement’s off,” Becky said in a rush to get it over with. She pulled the engagement ring off and shoved it across the table. “This is yours. It was never really mine. I’m just the fool who was wearing it.” Her voice broke on the last words. She was unprepared for the crush of disappointment in the region of her heart, the traitorous organ.

  “What?” he said, his eyes wide with shock. “What’s wrong? What happened?” He glanced down at the ring but didn’t touch it. “Why are you doing this?”

  “I’ve had second thoughts.” Second, third, and fourth, actually.

  “You had second thoughts in the last ten minutes?” He moved to take her hand, but she pulled back, staying just out of his reach.

  “Yes,” she said firmly, even knowing how silly she must seem to him. “I just don’t want to do this anymore. Marriage is a special bond, something we don’t share.” And the last thing she needed was to be married to him when Steve’s part in the ring of deceit was exposed. “I’ll find another way to pay for Byron’s surgery. Your poll ratings are higher than ever, and you don’t need me anymore.”

  Steve ran his hands through his hair and shook his head, his jaw firmly clenched as he processed the news and her determination to end things. “I can’t say I understand any of this, but I respect your decision. I don’t want the ring. Keep it. Sell it. Whatever. I have no use for it.” He slid the ring back across the table as she stood to leave. “And for your information, Byron’s surgery is already scheduled—and paid for.”

  “What? Why would y
ou do that?”

  “Because I’m a man of my word. Once I learned I was getting the money, I called the hospital and transferred the deposit. I knew how important it was to you to get the surgery done as soon as possible. You did, after all, bring up my poll ratings, just as you mentioned.” Steve’s voice had taken on a crispness she didn’t associate with him normally. If she didn’t know any better, she’d think the breakup wasn’t welcome news, and to a man who had adamantly not wanted marriage as a part of his life, his attitude made no sense.

  She let out a huge sigh. It wasn’t as if the money itself were dirty, just what Steve was using some of it for. It would be a mistake to let pride get in the way of her son’s surgery. “Fine. I’ll accept, given the circumstances, thank you. It’s only fitting Parker money pay for it.” They both knew exactly what she meant and it’s what she wanted in the first place. She just hadn’t known it would be Steve and not Jack, who would be part of the outcome.

  “I will always do what’s right for my nephew, regardless of what happens between us. And don’t give me any sanctimonious bull crap. I want to spend time with him and not out of some sense of obligation. And at some point, we need to talk more about that particular situation. Becky, what’s the real reason you’re getting cold feet?” Why was he pressing her? They’d both gotten what they wanted.

  “This discussion is closed.” At least it was until she’d had a chance to talk to Jerry. She slid out of the booth and headed for the kitchen, determined not to let him see her cry. After work, she’d pay Jerry a visit. The head of the Cattleman’s Association needed to know they were trusting the wrong man.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Jack was wrong. Dead wrong. The final proof sparkled up at him. A gold digger would have never left the ring on the table. Whatever else was going on between him and Becky, Steve didn’t have a clue, but one thing he did know was that it was time he had another chat with his brother.

  Steve watched as she disappeared behind the kitchen door then turned to glance around the room, only to find everyone else’s eyes on him. Becky had just jilted him, which a month ago would have been fine, but now, the breakup was met with a great sense of disappointment. He still couldn’t believe it.