by Devney Perry
Hunter was as private as ever about his past. During this last month, I’d been patient, waiting for him to open up about his family and life in Chicago, but I hadn’t learned much because we spent so little time talking.
We spent our nights entertaining Coby and my son didn’t care about Hunter’s upbringing, career or family tree. And after Coby would fall asleep, I hadn’t cared either. I’d been much more concerned about getting Hunter naked than deep, heartfelt conversations about his job or childhood upbringing.
Who was Nell and why was she threatening Hunter?
I was his girlfriend but I hadn’t the first clue.
“Maisy, you’re going to be late.”
“Huh?” I jerked out of my stupor and focused on Hunter. “Oh, right. Bye.”
I walked out the door and around the office to the parking lot in a daze. Climbing into Hunter’s truck and adjusting the seat, I pulled onto the highway and headed toward the fairgrounds, still in a fog.
My mind was stuck on that text.
Was Nell an old girlfriend? Maybe a coworker from Chicago? God, could Nell be an ex-wife? The idea of another woman saying vows to Hunter made my stomach roll.
The text and the mysterious Nell were bothersome, but not as much as the fact that I’d put myself in this odd position. I was going to introduce Hunter to my friends and family tonight, I was going to bring him fully into my life, and I barely knew him.
Shit. I didn’t even know what he did for a living.
I’d ask, “How was your day?”
He’d say, “Good. How was yours?”
I’d ask, “Did anything exciting happen at work today?”
He’d say, “Nope. It was slow. What happened here?”
And that was it.
We talked about me, the motel and Coby. He’d always put a priority on my life and my activities.
Was that weird? That I didn’t know what he did for work? Yes. But it hadn’t bothered me until today. I’d been learning other things about Hunter that had just seemed . . . more important. I’d learned that he did the voices when he read stories to Coby. I’d learned that he was allergic to shellfish. I’d learned that he never went a day without telling me I was special.
But tonight, things were changing.
Hunter had promised he was all in. He’d promised we were serious. So it was seriously time for him to start sharing more.
My time limit on the nosy questions had just run out.
I was so distracted thinking of all the things I wanted to ask that when my phone rang I didn’t even acknowledge the name before hitting accept and pressing it to my ear. “Thank you for calling The Bitterroot Inn. This is Maisy, how can I help you today?”
“You can start by telling me how you murdered Everett Carlson.”
My hand fisted the steering wheel with white knuckles.
The reporter.
“No comment,” I said through gritted teeth, then pressed end.
Anger replaced anxiety and I shoved my phone back in my purse before ramming my foot down on the accelerator. Breaking the speed limit didn’t help and I was still upset by the time I parked in the lot at the fairgrounds.
I stomped across the gravel parking lot to the arena. It was still early, the rodeo wouldn’t start for another two hours, but all of the contestants were here tending to their horses and milling around. Passing the participant lot filled with trailers and large trucks, I crossed through the arched entrance of the fairgrounds.
Metal stands rose high above me and I could see snippets of the wide dirt arena on the other side. Underneath the stands were rows of boxed concession stands and one beer garden at the end of the row.
I wasted no time going right to my mother.
“What’s wrong?” she asked as I tossed down my purse and brownies on the counter of her concession stand. Today, her quilting club was selling baked goods to raise money for the senior center and she’d asked me to help her get set up before the rodeo started.
I looked past her at the cash register to see a whole slew of her club members stacking baked goods on trays. “Nothing. I’m fine,” I lied.
“Maisy Ann,” she warned.
I sighed and opened my box of brownies. Taking out the biggest one I could find, I peeled back the cellophane and shoved a corner in my mouth. I needed chocolate before telling Mom about that reporter’s phone call.
Mom frowned as I chewed, then turned around and walked to an ice chest. She took out a Coke and brought it back to me at the counter as I chomped bite number two.
I swallowed that bite, then popped the top on my soda, chasing my brownie with a fizzing gulp. “Thanks.”
“Sure.” She glanced over her shoulder to confirm we were alone. “Now, what’s wrong? Did something happen with Hunter?”
I shrugged but didn’t answer. Before I complained to her about my issues with Hunter’s secrecy, I wanted to address them with him first. So she’d just get my rant about that snooping reporter. “This reporter has been calling me.”
Mom gasped. “No. Not again.”
“Yep.” I nodded. “She’s persistent. It’s been over a month and she hasn’t stopped.”
“Who is she?”
“Heck if I know. I keep hanging up on her.”
“Good for you,” she said. “Just give it a bit more time. I’m sure she’ll get bored and stop soon. And if it doesn’t, you might have to stop by the sheriff’s office.”
“Yeah. I hope you’re right and it doesn’t come to that, but if it keeps up, I’ll tell Milo or Jess.”
“Good.” She patted my hand. “Is Hunter still bringing Coby tonight?”
I nodded and went back to my brownie, this time taking a normal-sized bite. Then I walked around the side of the stand and through the narrow door, smiling and greeting all of the ladies who were unloading cookies, pies and more brownies.
Without delay, I got to work. Because work was good. Work meant I couldn’t dwell on Hunter’s text, his secret career or why this stupid reporter was so set on how I’d killed Everett.
An hour and a half later, I felt better. Every inch of the counter was covered in sweets and Mom’s club had descended into full-fledged gossip mode.
“Did you hear they’re getting a divorce?” one of the women whispered.
“After thirty-four years?” another gasped.
“I heard she’s been cheating.”
“Nooooo.” That shocked the whole club.
I just shook my head and kept loading the register with cash. They were gossiping about my retired high-school math teacher whose wife had been having a secret affair with my retired high-school science teacher for the past six months. This I knew because they’d rented a room at the motel for one of their torrid rendezvous. Personally, I was glad Mr. Palermo was kicking his wife to the curb. He was a nice guy and deserved better.
I sighed as I loaded the cash register with bills.
The Palermo divorce wouldn’t be the only topic of gossip tonight. The annual rodeo ranked second behind high-school football games for local attendance. Nearly the entire county would be here. Everyone would come to enjoy the event and talk about their neighbors.
The brownie I’d scarfed earlier wasn’t sitting so well in my anxious stomach. What were they going to say about me and Hunter? How were my friends going to react to my secret boyfriend?
I’d find out soon enough.
Taking my phone from my purse, I checked the time. With less than thirty minutes to go, the arena was starting to fill with people. Hunter hadn’t texted yet but I was expecting him and Coby any minute.
“Mom?” I patted her shoulder, stealing her attention from the huddle. “The register is loaded. I’m going to head out.”
“Okay, sweetie. Thanks for your help and the brownies. Are you going to bring Hunter and Coby by later?”
“Sure.” I smiled when she turned away and told her club mates that I was dating a “dreamboat.” The women erupted into questions and excited clapp
ing, but I ignored them all, waving good-bye and ducking out of the booth.
I made my way to the stands, smiling and chatting with people as I shuffled in line and up the ramp to the bleachers. Turning the corner, I stood at the base of the steps and looked for an open space.
Gigi spotted me at the same time I saw her above an empty metal row.
I waved and climbed the stairs. “Hello, Cleary family!” I gave my best friend a hug before doing the same with her kids.
“Maze,” Jess said as he hugged me too. “Where’s Coby?”
“He’s coming. He’s, um . . .” I looked to Gigi as I trailed off.
Gigi’s beautiful face smiled down at me from the row above. “He’s what?”
“Uh . . .”
Where did I start? I totally should have told Gigi earlier about Hunter. My announcement was going to come out of the blue and hurt her feelings, especially because it wasn’t like I hadn’t had the opportunity to share. Gigi visited me for lunch breaks all the time and we talked at least twice a week on the phone. But I’d stayed quiet this whole time. I’d even backed out of our girls-only pedicure night because I hadn’t had the energy to deflect love-life questions.
But there’d be no more avoidance. Surrounded by a sea of people, I had chosen the worst possible time to spill the beans on my relationship.
How could I have thought this was a good idea a few hours ago? Stupid, Maisy Ann. Stu-pid.
It was too late to back out now, so with one deep breath, I blurted, “He’s coming with a guy I’ve been seeing.”
Gigi’s smile fell at the same time Felicity and Silas shuffled into my row.
“Hi!” Felicity said, interrupting my explanation with a hug. “I was hoping you’d be here. It seems like it’s been forever. We missed you at pedicure night.”
“More like wine night,” Silas muttered. “Hi, Maze.” Felicity stepped past me so Silas could give me a hug, then handed over Victoria so I could give her a fast kiss before she squirmed for her mama. Handing her over to Felicity, I reluctantly turned my eyes back to Gigi.
Her arms were crossed on her chest and her eyes were locked on me.
“What’s wrong with you?” Felicity asked Gigi, standing by my side.
“Oh, nothing.” Gigi flicked out her wrist. “I’m just waiting to hear about this guy that Maisy’s been dating. The same guy who she trusts enough to bring Coby to the rodeo.”
“What!” Felicity spun on me and I cringed. “Who?”
“I—”
“Hey, guys!” I looked past Silas to see Beau and Sabrina join our group.
Gah!
We all shuffled, taking the time to exchange greetings and scoot down the row so our whole crew could fit together. The entire time Gigi stood stoically staring at me, making everyone else move around her.
While the kids crawled around parents’ legs, the adults converged. Jess was glued to Gigi’s hip, also waiting for my explanation. Felicity refused to budge from the seat next to mine as Silas peered on from over her shoulder. That left Beau and Sabrina unsure why Gigi was wearing her unhappy face.
“Okay, what’s going on?” Sabrina asked.
“Spill,” Gigi demanded.
I took another deep breath. “I’ve been seeing a guy for a couple of weeks.”
“What?” Beau roared.
I flinched.
“Take it easy, Goliath,” Sabrina said, patting her husband’s puffing chest. “Let’s get the story first. Who is he?”
“He’s, um, new to town. He’s been staying at the motel while his house is being built. We hit it off and have been getting to know each other.”
“And why are we just hearing about this?” Beau clipped.
I ignored him and looked up at Gigi. “I just wanted to be sure. Before I brought him around, I wanted to be sure.”
I wasn’t ashamed of Hunter, not at all, and we really had been having fun just the two of us. But part of my reluctance to bring him around was because of more Everett baggage.
Everett had started getting weird right after I’d introduced him to Jess and Gigi. I knew now that his behavior had been because of Jess’s job as sheriff and Everett’s job as drug dealer, but old fears still lingered. I was scared that once I told my friends about Hunter, things between him and me would change.
Pain flashed on Gigi’s face but she didn’t speak.
“He’s great,” I said. “Really sweet and kind. He adores Coby.”
“You’ve never kept a secret from me.” Gigi’s whisper broke my heart.
“I know. I’m sorry.”
My phone dinged in my shorts pocket but I didn’t answer. It was probably a text from Hunter, saying they had arrived.
That ding meant I had minutes to apologize again and work things out with Gigi. All of our friends would give him the third degree tonight, especially my big brother, and before Hunter was fed to the sharks, I needed Gigi’s forgiveness.
I needed her on my side.
“I’m sorry,” I told her. “I know this is an awful time to tell you and I should have done it sooner. I’m stupid for waiting. Forgive me? Please?”
The group stayed quiet as my pleading eyes looked up to Gigi in silent apology. When her arms fell from her chest, I let go of the breath I’d been holding.
“What’s his name?” she asked.
I opened my mouth but Milo and Sara interrupted. “Hey, guys!”
The seat shuffle started again, and when we were settled in our new arrangement—sitting this time—Sara leaned down from her seat.
“Maisy, why is Coby with Dr. Faraday?”
Dr. Faraday?
“What did you say?” I asked Sara.
“Dr. Faraday,” she repeated. “I was just wondering why he had Coby.”
My eyes followed her pointing finger down the bleachers to Hunter and Coby standing at the base of the stairs. Coby had a huge smile on his face as he clutched Hunter’s hand.
Dr. Faraday was scanning the crowd, looking for me.
“Do you know him?” she asked.
Do you know him?
Easy enough question. Did I know him?
No. No, I really didn’t.
My palms felt clammy and the blood drained from my face as I stared down at Hunter.
He was still scanning the crowd with an easy smile. It grew wider when he spotted me but fell fast as he studied my face. Urging Coby up the stairs, he made the slow climb with his eyebrows worried in the middle.
“Maisy?” Gigi bent down to talk into my ear. “Are you okay? You got all quiet.”
I shook my head but kept my gaze on Hunter.
“What?” she whispered. “What’s the matter?”
“He’s a doctor,” I whispered.
“Uh, yeah. I assume since he’s with Coby, he’s your secret boyfriend?”
I nodded.
“Well, now I’m really confused why you didn’t tell me about him. He’s the guy we wanted to set you up with.”
“But he’s a doctor.”
“Yes. We’ve established that.”
“I didn’t know,” I hissed.
“What?” She was getting louder as she spoke right into my ear. “How could you not know?”
I spun around and motioned her close so I could whisper in her ear. “He doesn’t talk about himself. Like, ever. And I’ve been trying to respect his privacy. Remember? You told me to keep an open mind?”
“Yes, but don’t you guys talk? I don’t understand. How did his job never come up?”
“I never asked, okay? And he never offered it. He comes over and we play with Coby. You know how it is with kids around. They dominate the conversation.”
“True, but what about after Coby is in bed? Don’t you guys talk then?”
“No.” I leaned back to check that no one else was listening. “We don’t talk because we’re busy doing other things. You know, adult things? Then we fall asleep and he leaves first thing in the morning.”
Hunter and I were in
that stage of our relationship where we couldn’t keep our hands off each other. Two weeks and I’d lost count of the orgasms he’d given me. In bed, I knew Hunter Faraday extremely well. Too bad I couldn’t say the same for when we were fully clothed.
“So,” Gigi whispered, “you’ve been too busy having sex with the hot doctor to learn that he was a hot doctor?”
I nodded.
She leaned away and muttered, “Eff,” just as Hunter reached our aisle.
Coby pushed past Beau and Sabrina at the end of the aisle and climbed on my lap. He was only there for a second, simply using me as a platform to get up to the next row up. “Hi, Ben!” he cheered, joining the other kids as they played with some toys Gigi had brought.
Everyone else’s eyes were on me, waiting for introductions.
I ignored them and simply stared at Hunter. What else didn’t I know about this man who’d been sharing my bed?
Thankfully, Gigi came to my rescue. “Dr. Faraday! Glad you could join us.”
His eyes left mine and he smiled at my friend. “Hi, Gigi. Please, it’s just Hunter, remember?”
“Yes, of course. Hunter. Welcome.”
“Thanks.” His eyes came back to me and the lines in his forehead furrowed deeper.
Before Hunter could slide down the row, Beau stood and blocked his path. “Hi, I’m Beau Holt, Maisy’s brother.”
Hunter held out a hand. “Hunter Faraday. Nice to meet more of Maisy’s family.”
“More?” Beau shook Hunter’s hand but turned his head to aim his question at me.
“He’s met Michael and Mom.”
Beau’s lips pursed before he turned back to Hunter and released their shake. “Nice to meet you. I wish I could say I’ve heard a lot about you, but since my sister has been keeping secrets lately, I haven’t heard a thing about you yet.”
“Beau,” Sabrina scolded, standing from her seat. “Let’s not overreact. I’m sure she had her reasons.” Sticking out her hand, she introduced herself to Hunter. “Hi. I’m Sabrina, Beau’s wife.”
Hunter smiled and took her hand. “Congratulations on your wedding. Maisy said it was beautiful.”
“Thank you,” Sabrina said. “We’d better let you sit.”
Hunter was still stuck on the stairway, forcing people to squeeze by, but he couldn’t get out of the way because Beau was still blocking the entrance to our row.
