Love So Right (The Lawson Brothers #7)

by Marquita Valentine

  “Oh, please. She knows y’all’s reaction has nothing to do with her. Isn’t that right, Molly?” Jellie asked.

  “I do now.” She nodded at Apple. “Thanks for explaining.”

  Jellie glared at Apple, then schooled her face before turning to Molly. “Shall I tell everyone what you’re here for, or would you like to be the one to explain?”

  Blushing fiery red, Molly shook her head. “I’d rather you do it.”

  “Isn’t she precious?” Jellie tipped up her chin. “Molly and her mother, Elizabeth, have tasked us with finding the right man for Molly. Lucky for us, she’s got her eye on quite a looker and I think we’ll approve the match.”

  The room started to buzz with chatter while a ball of lead formed in Apple’s stomach.

  “If you’ll excuse me, I need to go to the ladies’ room,” she said, attempting to sneak out of the room unnoticed. Perhaps if she didn’t hear what they said, she could go on with her life and be with Preston.

  “Thank you, Apple, for being the first to volunteer to help,” Jellie said in a silky voice.

  All eyes turned toward her. “You’re welcome.”

  “But I think in this case, you might be the wrong woman for the job, with your involvement with Preston and all.”

  “What does he have to do with anything?” Apple asked sharply, but then wished she hadn’t. She sounded concerned and... slightly jealous.

  Molly’s eyes narrowed, but her mouth trembled as she tipped up her chin. “He’s the one I want.”

  “Shouldn’t he have a say in that?” Apple tossed her hair over her shoulder.

  “Shouldn’t you back off so he can make up his mind?” Jellie asked, insinuating that Apple was the only reason why Preston and Molly weren’t together.

  “Maybe he’s already made up his mind.”

  “Maybe that’s because you won’t let him date anyone else,” Jellie said sweetly. “I think that trip you took with him has clouded your judgment and made you forget the duties a McCoy woman has to this town.”

  More than a few of the ladies voiced their agreement.

  Cherry and Lemon walked in the room, their eyes widening slightly to see her standing while everyone but Jellie and Molly were sitting.

  “Are you staging a rebellion, honey?” Cherry called out to Apple.

  “Do sit down, ladies. We’re introducing Molly and offering our matchmaking services to her.”

  Cherry and Lemon came to stand by Apple, flanking either side of her. “I think we’ll stand,” Lemon said.

  “Suit yourself.” Jellie turned her attention to Molly. “Ladies, Molly has her heart set on Preston Lawson, and while real McCoys stay away from Lawson boys, I don’t see why we can’t help a sweet girl like her make a husband out of him. And since it was such a point of contention, we will not even charge a fee.”

  “No,” Apple said, but no one was listening.

  “All those in favor of assisting Molly, say aye.”

  Jellie’s gaze turned triumphant as all but Apple and her sisters agreed to help. “The ayes have it. As your sponsor, Molly, I will be honored to help.”

  “Say something,” Cherry whispered.

  “We can’t do it for you, but we will support you,” Lemon said softly.

  “Apple, is there anything you can share that will help Molly get her man? You did just spend five days with him in Jamaica.”

  “That’s a bit much, even for a McCoy,” Honey said loudly.

  For the second time in her life, Apple couldn’t bring herself to say anything, to set things right... all she could do was stand there and watch as everyone around her made assumptions and accused her of being selfish.

  “You can’t take one of the good ones for your own, Apple.”

  “Bad enough Lemon and Harper forgot who they are by marrying Lawsons.”

  Lemon gasped.

  Cherry growled.

  “Next thing you know, you’ll have the entire town turning on us because y’all don’t have the good sense to leave the men of Jessamine alone.”

  “It is tradition, after all.”

  Apple’s vision swam. All she could see was watery heads nodding in agreement and all she could hear was their condemnation.

  “Ladies,” Jellie said. “I don’t know why anyone here is shocked over Apple’s recent behavior. She refused to go to dear cousin Iris’s funeral simply because she’d married a Lawson. What most of y’all don’t know is that Apple was in love with Caleb and tried to keep him for herself, knowing full well that he and Iris were already a couple. She even went to prom with him while poor Iris sat alone at home.”

  “Is that true?” Sage asked, the look on her face smug.

  Apple nodded, her face flaming. “Yes, but Jellie is twisting it.”

  “You didn’t go to prom with him?”

  “I did.”

  “You weren’t in love with Caleb and you didn’t try to keep him for yourself?”

  “Yes, but—”

  “You went to Iris’s funeral?”

  Apple’s heart slammed against her chest. “No.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t think that’s anyone business.”

  “She’s a McCoy and that makes it our business.”

  “Because I hated her for taking Caleb from me,” Apple said quietly.

  “Speak up,” someone from the back said.

  “I hated her for taking Caleb from me,” Apple said again, a little bit louder.

  Stunned silence filled the room. Not even her sisters could come to her defense because they knew it was true.

  “I think you need to leave... and when we’re ready to talk to you, sugar, we’ll send round an invitation,” Jellie said.

  Apple didn’t wait around to hear everyone agree with Jellie.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Preston sat outside, leaning against the rail and drinking a beer as he watched the parade of sailboats go by. The End of Summer Festival was gearing up and that meant a crap-ton of boats, with a crap-ton of people who would hopefully find their way to Whiskey Hollow. He hoped they’d done enough advertising to get their name out there.

  In fact, one of the buoys had their website painted on it, along with Whiskey Hollow’s physical coordinates.

  “Are you sure about this?” Sam asked, worry visible in his nearly black eyes as Preston turned his attention back to his mom and stepdad. They were having dinner at Sunny Mac’s with Apple’s parents, but according to a text from Mr. McCoy, an accident on Main Street had put them behind by about ten minutes.

  “Very sure.”

  “This seems kind of sudden, son.”

  His mother elbowed Sam lightly in the sides. “How long did you know me before we decided to get married?”

  He grinned, his white teeth a sharp contrast against his brown skin. “Things were different then.”

  Preston rolled his eyes. “Things were not different.”

  “They were since your mother had you and I didn’t want anyone to think I was messing around with her heart or your well-being.”

  Preston chuckled. “You really took one for the team when you married Mom.”

  His momma gave him a pointed glare. “That’s enough from you.”

  “I’m only kidding.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Anyway, I know I want Apple to be my wife, but I wanted you guys to know first... and I wanted to talk with her parents first. Do it the old-fashioned way. Then my plan is to invite her over for dinner, take her to meet y’all, and propose after dinner.”

  “I like being included, but that doesn’t seem very romantic,” his mother pointed out.

  “Trust me, to her, it will be the most romantic thing I’ve ever done besides fly to Jamaica.”

  “Did you go to Kingston? I have relatives who still live in—”

  Preston’s cheeks heated. “Sorry... I was really busy apologizing to Apple. Maybe next time, we can all go and meet your aunties and uncles.”

  Sam stroked his dark beard
. “If I can convince your mother to get over her fear of flying, it’s a date.”

  “Preston.”

  He turned around in his chair, slightly wincing. Son of a gun. “Hey, you... um, what are you doing... here?”

  Apple stood there, looking good enough to eat in a bright green sleeveless dress and matching shoes. Her blonde hair was down, and her face—his brows crashed together—she looked as though she’d been crying.

  What the hell had happened at her luncheon?

  Her blue gaze darted from him to his parents and back to him again. “I thought you weren’t coming home until very late tonight?”

  “My flight got back early. Anyway, what—”

  “Who is this?” Sam asked, and Preston wanted to groan. He needed to make sure she was okay and yet, he had to keep his real reason for being here a secret.

  “Yes, who is this, Preston?” his momma chimed in.

  They knew who Apple was, but he’d bet his last dollar that they were playing dumb so she wouldn’t figure out his surprise.

  Apple looked to Preston, hurt shining in her beautiful eyes. “You haven’t told them?”

  “Told us what?” Sam asked.

  “Have you told your parents?” he asked, trying to deflect and sounding like an asshole instead.

  “My parents are in Colorado at the moment,” she said tightly. “They don’t get home until Tuesday, and my mother hates to text or talk on cell phones.”

  “Oh, now I know you. You’re one of the McCoy girls, and you’re the one responsible for my son’s happiness,” his mother said.

  What are you doing? he mouthed at his mom, but she ignored him.

  “We’re meeting the parents of the girl he’s in love with tonight,” Sam said. “Very excited about it.”

  Her mouth opened and her face turned pale, but then her lips smashed together. “I see.”

  He rose to his feet, something he should have done as soon as he noticed her. “Wait, it’s not what you think.”

  “Certainly looks like exactly what I think.”

  “Then you need to stop thinking so damn hard and listen.”

  Her jaw turned hard. “Are you here to have dinner with the parents of the woman you’re in love with or not?”

  “I am.” He wanted to remind her that she was the woman he loved, but he didn’t want to ruin the surprise either. And he’d promised his mom and the McCoys not to ask her until after they’d talked. He couldn’t break his promise to either of them, and it was killing him.

  She turned on her heel, marching away, and no amount of calling her name made her stop. Just as he was about to go after her, Mr. and Mrs. McCoy pulled up to the curve and got out.

  “There you are,” his momma called out.

  “We are so sorry we’re late.” Mr. McCoy held out his arm to his wife. “The airport was a madhouse, but it was worth it to have dinner with y’all.”

  “Give me a moment to freshen up and we’ll be right out,” Mrs. McCoy said.

  As they disappeared inside, Preston rounded on his mom and Sam. They had twin looks of pity and guilt on their faces. “That was awful.”

  “We didn’t mean to make things worse,” Sam said.

  His mom nodded. “I thought it was better to keep everything a secret, and honestly, I thought I gave the whole thing away.”

  “She thinks I’m cheating on her.” Actually, she thought he’d moved on from her, but he refused to share one of her most vulnerable secrets with them. He dropped his head into his hands. “Great.”

  Mr. and Mrs. McCoy joined them at the table. “What did we miss?”

  “Your daughter.”

  “Which one?”

  “The one I love,” Preston said. “I promised not to ask her anything until after we talked, but I can’t wait that long. She’s hurting because of my brilliant idea to surprise her.”

  “Oh.” Mrs. McCoy frowned. “Then, by all means, Preston, go after her.”

  “Once we’ve eaten,” Mr. McCoy said. “Apple needs some time to calm down if she’s mad and we need to get down to business first.”

  Preston clenched his jaw so hard it hurt. “I want to marry you daughter, and I don’t want to take her last name. I don’t want your money because I have my own. If she’ll have me, I’ll stay with her until the day I die.”

  He stood. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going after Apple while y’all talk about whatever the hell you want.”

  As he walked away, he heard Mr. McCoy say, “He’ll do just fine.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Apple sat at the desk in her old room at the McCoy mansion, staring out the window at the pool. She stretched her legs and leaned against the back of her chair, wondering where she went wrong with Preston.

  Nothing made sense now that she’d had time to calm down and think like a rational human being. But why did he looked so panicked when he saw her and why did his parents act like they had no idea who she was? She’d known them since elementary school.

  “I’ve been looking for you for hours,” Cherry said as she walked in Apple’s bedroom.

  Apple blinked, refocused her gaze, and smiled. “I haven’t wanted to be found.”

  “Today was a horrible day for you.”

  Apple nodded, wanting to share everything, yet she couldn’t bring herself to do it. “Yes, it was, but tomorrow is another day.”

  “What are you working on?” Cherry asked, noticing the laptop was powered up.

  Apple bit her lip, then pushed the hard copy she’d printed out across the desk. “Don’t judge me too harshly.”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it.” Cherry winked and began to read. Her sassy expression melted away into a more serious one. “Apple Rosalind McCoy, did you really write a love letter to Preston Lawson?”

  Her cheeks heated, but she didn’t bother to deny it. “I think it’s one of my best works.”

  “I think so, too.” Cherry handed the paper back to her. “If Preston doesn’t come around after reading this, then he doesn’t deserve you.”

  “But I deserve him,” Apple said softly.

  Cherry smiled brilliantly. “Yes, you do, and if I have to ask Kyle to kidnap Preston and beat him up a little to come to his senses, then that’s what I’ll do.”

  Apple laughed. “I don’t think things need to go in that direction.”

  “If you say so.” Cherry shrugged. “Did I tell you—Kyle’s not changing his name and I’m not changing mine.”

  “Really?”

  Her sister nodded. “We compromised. I didn’t want to lose my inheritance since I have absolutely no job skills and it’s not fair to Kyle to make him work overtime just so I can buy Valentino when I want.”

  “What did our parents say?”

  “They’re pleased. Our children will have the McCoy last name... along with Kyle’s. It’s only fair, I think.”

  Apple didn’t know what to think at all, but it wasn’t her place to judge her sister’s decisions. It was her place to love her, though. “Let me know the date of the wedding and I’ll be there, wearing whatever hideous color dress you like.”

  Cherry eyed her. “I might have to put a bag over your head, else everyone will forget to look at me.”

  “I’m excellent with scissors.” She mimed cutting circles out.

  “Then it’s settled. I’ll send you a save-the-date card as soon as they’re printed.”

  Apple stood and moved to her sister, giving her a tight hug. “Thank you for telling me to make my move. You and Lemon are the best sisters a girl could ever have.”

  “We’re McCoys. Sisterly love is what we do best.”

  And hadn’t they considered Iris a sister at one time?

  *

  The next evening, Apple emailed her final instructions to Anita. Then she gathered her car keys, phone, and purse and headed to Jessamine’s largest cemetery.

  It didn’t take her long to get there, but it did take her a while—on purpose—to find Iris’s grave. She sat down o
n the small bench Caleb had installed near it, letting the sun beat down on her and the wind blow her hair around.

  She wasn’t quite sure what to do, but she was sure she should be here.

  “I would ask how you’re doing, but that seems silly,” she said out loud. When nothing rained down from the sky, she continued. “I came here thinking I needed to ask for your forgiveness, but I think you’ve probably already forgiven me. That was your thing, you know... you were able to forget and forgive so quickly while I could hold a grudge longer than anyone.”

  Tears pricked at eyes and her throat became tight.

  “I want to not only ask you to forgive me, but I also want to forgive myself for hating you. I know that was wrong and stupid and the worst thing I’ve ever done in my life. Well, one of them, but Lemon forgave me. She’s a lot like you, I think.” She sniffed and opened her purse, pulling out a tissue to dab at her nose. “Anyway, I can’t seem to move on because of this guilt I carry inside, especially since I know there is no way I can make it up to you. None at all, but if I would if I could. I’d get down on my knees, tell you how sorry I am, and beg for your forgiveness, then follow you around like a puppy dog and do your bidding because I loved you like a sister. You were my best friend, Iris, and I miss you.” Her voice broke. “I miss you so much that it still hurts to think about you, even the good times.”

  Bird flew high into the sky, catching her attention, and she swore she could smell magnolia blossoms, even though there weren’t any growing for miles. Iris had always loved magnolia blossoms.

  Maybe, just maybe, this was Iris’s way of saying that she was forgiven. Apple certainly wanted to think so. She sat there even longer, allowing herself to dwell on the things she’d done wrong... and the things she’d done right... as she sent up prayers to Heaven for God to hear.

  Finally, a sense of peace stole over her and she let out a deep, cleansing breath.

  A shadow stretched out beside her, and she looked up.

  “I saw your car in the parking lot and thought I’d stop by,” Preston said.

  She smiled through her tears. “You did?”

  “No actually, I didn’t. Cherry told me where you were. I asked her though, first, because I wanted to talk to you before it was too late.”