The Last Man She Expected

by Michelle Major

  “My ex-husband? Your current husband?”

  “I think it would make a huge impact on him,” Aimee said, nodding.

  “So would a sledgehammer to the side of his head.”

  “He feels terrible about his relationship with your daughter.”

  “Who is also his daughter,” Mara felt compelled to point out.

  “I think he’s consumed with the mistakes he made.” Aimee pressed a hand to her flat stomach. “He can’t be happy because he’s so worried about messing up again. It kills him to have no contact with Evie.”

  “He made that choice.” Mara didn’t bother to hide her bitterness now. “He knows where I am. The judge granted him visitation rights. All he has to do is arrange it.”

  “But he knows you don’t want him to be a part of her life. You told him he’d end up hurting her like he hurt you. That final day in court. Those were your words, and he took them to heart. He thinks he’s doing the right thing by staying away.”

  Mara suddenly felt like she’d been the one to take the blow to her head. She closed her eyes and thought back to the nightmare of the divorce proceedings. She’d been so angry. Although she didn’t remember telling Paul to stay away, a vague sense of familiarity settled on her. She couldn’t possibly be the reason Evie had no father in her life.

  “Why would he listen to me?” she asked, more to herself than Aimee. “She’s his daughter. If he wanted to see her...”

  “You know how messed up his childhood was,” Aimee said gently. Paul had grown up in various foster homes, an unwanted kid who’d turned his circumstances around all on his own. “He didn’t have much faith in himself in the first place.”

  It was too much. Mara needed to get away. She needed to think about what to do next. Aimee looked so sweet and gentle sitting there. And soon Evie would have a baby sister or brother. The idea of sharing her daughter with another family almost broke her in two.

  Oh, no. Was it possible she’d pushed Paul away so she wouldn’t have to share? She’d always resented how her parents had favored her brother and made her feel like she never measured up to their expectations. Now it felt like she’d done something even worse to her own child.

  “I’ll think about it,” she agreed, unable to give any other answer.

  “Think fast if you can.” Aimee stood and took a step toward the door. “I’m worried about him meeting with the attorney but I don’t want to ask because...” She gave a small laugh and dabbed at the corners of her eyes. “At this point, innocence is bliss, especially with my raging hormones.”

  “Ice cream helps,” Mara said. “At least it did when I was pregnant.”

  “Ice cream regulates hormones?” Aimee looked intrigued.

  “No, but it makes you forget about them for a while.”

  “I hope you and Paul can work things out.” Aimee reached out and placed a hand on Mara’s arm. Her fingers were delicate with perfectly manicured nails in a bright shade of crimson. The kind of nails Mara used to have when she had the time and money to make them a priority. “Both because I think it would help me and I’d like my baby to know her big sister.”

  Mara stood in the middle of the tiny office for several minutes after Aimee left. She kept her knees locked, afraid to move because they might give way. If she crumbled now, it felt like she would never get up again.

  Just when she thought her life was on track, the past few minutes threw everything into chaos again. Parker had spent the night holding her, but he’d left for the city to meet with her ex-husband. It didn’t make sense. He knew what the divorce and Paul’s actions had done to her. She wanted an explanation but could she trust that he’d tell her the truth and not just what she wanted to hear?

  She’d let down her guard only to feel betrayed again. There was a reason she’d sworn off love. If only she’d been smart enough to remember it.

  * * *

  “Look at you, all grown up.”

  Parker straightened from the chair where he’d been sitting in the outdated lobby of Rudy Marshall’s downtown office and shook the older attorney’s outstretched hand.

  “It’s been a while, Mr. Marshall.”

  The man made a face. “Good lord, call me Rudy. You go around Mr. Marshall-ing me and I’m going to feel older than I already do.”

  “You look the same as I remember from high school.”

  Rudy gave a loud belly laugh. “For an attorney, you’re a terrible liar.”

  Something about Rudy’s friendly demeanor made Parker relax. He had no idea why he’d been so nervous at the prospect of meeting with Rudy. He had no intention of returning to Starlight for good or taking over a small-town law practice, even one that had thrived for decades.

  But out of respect for Rudy and for Nick and Finn, Parker had decided he should decline any potential offer in person. At least that’s what he’d told himself after he made the call from Seattle.

  He ignored his two lonely, restless nights in the city. How could a few weeks back in his hometown change everything?

  Mara had changed everything.

  He hadn’t seen her since he’d left her sleeping in bed three days prior. It was going to be difficult to keep from her the fact that he’d met with her ex-husband while in Seattle. He didn’t want to lie in any case, but how could he make her understand?

  Paul Reed wasn’t the type of client to be shuffled off to a junior associate. The man had stalked into the office, ranting about his fourth wife and the supposed troubles in his marriage. But something about his complaints had felt false to Parker. Maybe because he’d heard a similar story when it came to Mara, but now he understood what an amazing woman she was.

  At first, it had been more than awkward when he’d pushed back with Paul. But Parker believed the man loved his wife, and as it turned out, Paul’s blustering was hiding a deep fear of fatherhood. He had suspicions Aimee was pregnant, and much like it had with Mara, the news triggered all kinds of fear in Paul.

  When Parker probed deeper, Paul had broken down and admitted he regretted not having a relationship with Evie or treating Mara with the respect she deserved. He was terrified of losing his new wife, who he claimed to love with his whole heart.

  Parker thought he’d talked him off the edge, encouraging him to share how he felt with his wife. It was more difficult to offer unbiased advice when Paul mentioned that he wanted to reconnect with Mara and be a true father to Evie.

  Every caveman instinct in Parker had roared to life. And while his brain understood how powerful and positive it could be for Evie to have a relationship with her father, Parker realized he wanted a chance to fill that role for the girl.

  Maybe two daddies wasn’t such a bad idea. Of course, he hadn’t mentioned to Paul that he’d connected with Mara in Starlight. That news was none of the other man’s business.

  The question plaguing Parker after their meeting had more to do with how he was going to make it work long term with her.

  He blew out a breath as Rudy led him into the inner office. Who was he kidding acting like he had no interest in small-town law? He’d entertain anything that would put him closer to Mara. He only hoped she felt the same.

  “I was surprised to get your call,” Rudy told him, taking a seat behind the enormous cherry desk.

  Parker frowned. “Nick and Finn told me you wanted to talk to me.”

  “Oh, I did. I do.” Rudy scratched two fingers against his meaty cheek. “But I’m still surprised.”

  “Me, too,” Parker admitted before thinking about what he was saying.

  Rudy let out another laugh. “You hightailed it out of here so fast, I thought you’d never return.”

  “Josh needed me.”

  “He’s always needed you,” Rudy said quietly. “I imagine it goes both ways.”

  Parker bristled at the notion he needed anyone but the older man did
n’t seem to notice.

  “Your dad did a real number on both his boys.”

  “I’m fine,” Parker said through gritted teeth. “I never let him get to me.”

  Rudy held up a hand, as if waving away the denial. “No boy—or girl for that matter—has the kind of father you did and gets out of it unscathed.”

  “What do you know about the kind of man Mac Johnson was?”

  “More than you think.”

  “Everyone in this town loved him.” Parker sat forward. “He was a favorite son.”

  “Not to me.” Rudy shook his head. “I knew your father.”

  Parker’s heart started a swift flutter in his chest. “Why you and no one else?”

  “He was a good actor, and your mother helped him maintain the mask. I’ve heard she’s doing well now.”

  “She’s happy.”

  “She deserves that. You all do.” Rudy shuffled a stack of files then pulled out a single piece of paper. “My wife says I have to retire.”

  “You need to listen to her. From what I’ve been told, a happy wife equals a happy life.” Parker reached up and adjusted the knot of his tie. He’d gotten too accustomed to not wearing a suit in his hometown. “You’re not the only attorney practicing in town anymore. Why not let someone who’s established take over your clients?”

  Rudy chuckled. “Because none of them are good enough.”

  “How do you know I am?”

  “I’ve followed your career. You’re a great attorney, but I have a feeling you need something more.” He pushed the piece of paper across the desk. “I also know this is your home.”

  “I wasn’t planning on moving back here.”

  “Yet you called.”

  Parker blew out a breath. “I did.” He picked up the paper and read through the generous-to-Parker buyout plan. “I’m not promising you anything at this point. It’s a big decision, and there are a lot of factors that will go into making it.”

  “Like Mara Reed?”

  “What do you know about Mara and me? No one knows about the two of us.”

  “Your brother does.”

  “Did Josh tell you?”

  “Not exactly,” Rudy admitted with a Cheshire-cat smile. “But he dropped a few hints you might be willing to consider a change based on the state of your personal life. You belong here, Parker. This isn’t your father’s town anymore. You can make it your own.”

  “I’ve got a good life in Seattle.” Parker wasn’t sure who he was trying to convince with the words.

  “You’ll have a better one in Starlight.”

  Parker folded the paper and stood. “Give me a couple of days.” He had no idea if he could truly handle the move to Starlight and part of him still held out hope he could convince Mara to come to Seattle.

  He and Rudy shook hands, and he left the office more confused than ever. He wanted to go straight to Mara and talk to her about how he was feeling but instead walked the streets of his hometown.

  A lot had changed over the years for him, but the quaint neighborhood surrounding downtown remained same as he remembered. Large oak trees canopied the street, the leaves a kaleidoscope of autumn colors that contrasted with the still-green lawns. He turned down Silver Oak Circle, a street he’d avoided since his return. There at the end of the cul-de-sac was the house he’d grown up in.

  His father had kept the lawn and landscape meticulous, believing the outer appearance of their home would hide what was going on behind closed doors.

  For the most part, it had. The house, with its two-story red brick facade, was stately and classic, not offering a clue to the past Parker wanted to forget. But he’d never been able to appreciate the simple beauty of it. It had felt like a prison to him, and he’d escaped as soon as he could. Someone had hung a wooden swing from one of the branches of the tree out front. A few low rosebushes had been planted along the porch and a neat row of ornamental grasses lined the front walk.

  As he stood there, a gate slammed shut and moments later two boys came around the side of the house. “He’s right behind us,” one of them shouted as they ran across the grass.

  Parker took an instinctive step forward. He’d learned running from his father only made things worse in the long term. Both boys crouched down on the far edge of the house, out of sight from where they’d come.

  He was about to call out when another boy appeared, carrying an oversized Nerf gun. “Come out, you scaredy-cat poop heads,” he called. “Maybe I’ll show some mercy on you.” The kid looked up and met Parker’s gaze, his eyes going wide with alarm.

  “Brendan, Joey,” he yelled, his tone suddenly concerned. “Come on. Mom wants us to help her in the garden.” He continued to watch Parker, his expression wary. “She’s right around back. She can hear me if I yell.”

  Parker gave what he hoped was a reassuring wave to the boy and turned back the way he’d come. Freaking out young children wasn’t his intention but he seemed to have managed it anyway. Although the boy in the yard couldn’t have been half as overwrought as Parker. He didn’t realize how erratic his breathing had become until he was around the corner from the old house.

  He mopped his sweaty brown with the sleeve of his shirt. It was stupid to react back there, ridiculous to believe that the family who lived in the home now could ever be as dysfunctional as his.

  Understanding his panic was irrational and stopping it from happening were two different things.

  Maybe Rudy Marshall had the right idea. Parker’s dislike of Starlight had nothing to do with the town itself and everything to do with his childhood memories. It was time to make new ones, and he hoped with all his heart that those would involve Mara.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “I can’t believe I was that much of a fool,” Mara said as she and Brynn worked together at the mill later that afternoon.

  She’d decided on a color scheme of pale gray and robin’s-egg blue for the common space and had been able to secure donations from a couple of local stores of rugs and artwork to make the main room look cozier. She’d also spent several evenings folding origami cranes that would hang from the ceiling, greeting patrons as they entered.

  “He does have to honor attorney-client privilege,” Brynn said, crouching down to straighten a wool rug.

  “What if our whole relationship has been a ploy to gather information on me to give to Paul?”

  “Why would he do that?” Brynn frowned. “And what do you mean by relationship? I thought this was just a fling.”

  “Well, yes. That’s how it started.”

  “I think the bird is dead,” Brynn said stepping forward. “Why don’t you hand it over?”

  Mara looked down and gasped at the mutilated paper crane crumpled in her fist. “I’m so sorry.”

  “We’ll give it a proper burial.” Brynn winked. “Maybe you should let me hang the rest of them. I don’t want an entire flock of cranes to be massacred.”

  “I’d never do that.” Mara squeezed shut her eyes and blurted, “I’m in love with Parker.”

  “You don’t say?” Brynn asked gently. “What a shock. Here I was so confident you’d be able to resist Parker’s devastating looks and charm.”

  “You’re making fun of me.”

  “Never.”

  “I’m a fool,” Mara repeated.

  “Give yourself a break.”

  “I can’t afford to. Not with a daughter to raise on my own. What kind of role model am I for her?”

  “You’re a woman who carved a new life out of your wreck of an old one. You put your daughter first and you’re making things work, not matter what.” Brynn placed her hand over Mara’s, the touch surprisingly comforting. Mara wasn’t used to wanting or needing support, but she somehow knew Brynn wouldn’t judge her.

  “It’s hard being a single mom.”

  “Prea
ching to the choir.” Brynn laughed softly. “But it’s okay to want your own happiness along with hers. If Parker gives that to you—”

  “He can’t be on my side and still represent my ex-husband or men who want to shirk their responsibilities. I thought he understood.”

  “Are you sure that’s what your ex is trying to do?”

  Mara bit down on her lip, the conversation with Aimee replaying in her mind. “His current wife told me he’s stayed away from Evie because it’s what I wanted.”

  “Is it?”

  “No,” Mara answered immediately then shook her head. “I don’t know. It makes me feel like a horrible person, but the truth is it’s simpler for me without Paul being involved. It’s selfish and I have to reach out to him, but I’m so worried he’s going to take Evie. He has so much more to offer her.”

  “What could he have that’s more powerful than unconditional love?”

  Mara rolled her eyes and then started up the ladder she was using to reach the origami installations. “A beautiful house and a boat to take out on the weekends. Lots of money and a membership to a country club with an Olympic-size indoor pool. Endless shopping trips and vacations to sunny beaches.” She threw up her hands. “Disney World.”

  “Tyler has always wanted to go to Disney World,” Brynn said with a nod. “Daniel told me it was too much and we’d spoil him.”

  “Paul will spoil Evie.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  “She’ll want to live with him and not me.” Mara clapped a hand over her mouth when the last word came out on a strangled sob. “What if she chooses him over me?”

  “She won’t. Evie loves you. You’re her mother.”

  Mara gave a shaky nod. “I have to call him. No matter how much it scares me, if he wants to be a part of her life, I need to facilitate it.”

  “Are you going to talk to your ex about his current marriage?” Brynn scrunched up her nose. “That’s a lot to ask.”

  “I know,” Mara agreed. “Despite everything, I liked Aimee, and she really loves Paul.”