Copper Lining (The Cardwell Family Series Book 3)

by Christy Pastore

“Mom, you can’t be serious.” My shoulders drop and roll forward. “Can’t we go one day without booze?’

  She smirks. “How do you think I made it through my kids’ birthday parties?”

  Minka laughs. “Yeah, we’ve hidden the booze, and the wine is chilling in the fridge. Help yourself.”

  “Hey, hey, we’ve got the tunes,” Tyler’s voice carries through the kitchen. Haven’s right behind him, holding a box.

  “What in the world is this?” Minka asks.

  “I had Tyler bring his old karaoke machine. Thought the girls might want to sing some songs.”

  Tyler nods. “Yep, I’ve got Britney Spears, Whitney Houston, Spice Girls,” he rattles on.

  Minka’s hazel eyes swing to mine. “Well, I don’t know how to work that thing.”

  “I can set it up for you,” Tyler says. “And it’s super easy.”

  Pretty soon the house is flooded with all the Cardwells. Not even Brant and Caroline could stay away.

  Everyone pitches in to help, but mostly they grab drinks and filter outside to the patio to mingle.

  I see Minka staring out a window in the kitchen and then catch notice of the tears falling.

  “Minka? Are you okay? Is this too much?”

  She turns to look up at me and shakes her head. “No, this is really cool. It’s great, actually. Can I tell you a secret?”

  I nod.

  “I’ve always wanted Cece to have a big family. This”—she gestures around the house—“I’ve dreamed about family dinners and special gatherings. But my family just isn’t close. You know that show Brothers and Sisters?”

  I shake my head. “I can’t say that I do.”

  She sniffs and clears her throat. “Well, they were a big, loud, opinionated, messy family, but at the end of the day, they loved one another, and I know it’s silly and a TV show, but—”

  My hands frame her face. “Family doesn’t mean genetics. It’s not about blood. Or last names. It’s the people that matter. It’s not always perfect, but it’s the people that make you smile and want to see you happy. You want to love a silly TV show, and that’s your family goal? Then you have it. You dream it.”

  I wanted to add the word love in that statement a couple of times. But as disjointed as all my words may have come out. It’s all true.

  “Thank you. It means a lot.”

  “Anytime.”

  The timer buzzes, and I release the hold I have on Minka.

  She wipes under her eyes. “I better go fix my makeup, and I think one of us should go to the store to pick up some more adult beverages.”

  I laugh. “I don’t think they’ll stay long. I honestly think they’re here just to see me in action helping out with the party.”

  “Maybe I need a drink.”

  “Go upstairs. Do what you need to, and I’ll bring you a glass of rosé.”

  “You’re the best. If I haven’t told you that already.”

  Not caring if my family sees, I press my lips to hers. My hands tangle in her hair as I deepen the kiss. Our mouths move together, and my heart beats out of sync.

  “Wow,” she whispers, and her hand presses against her lips.

  “Yeah. Now get going so we can give Celia the best birthday party ever.”

  Minka skips up the back stairs, and I smile. I watch her disappear, feeling that ache in my chest again.

  It’s probably premature to feel so happy about the way things are going, but I can’t help it.

  Minka wants a family. She wants to give her daughter a life with people who care about her.

  I’ve got to show Minka that everything she wants is right here.

  Right here with me.

  Minka

  As I lay in bed after Celia’s incredible weekend celebration, I finally have time to process everything.

  The Cardwells are all so amazing. Iris and Beau invited us over to their house Saturday afternoon for a cookout. Turns out they had their own celebration planned for Celia.

  I’ve seen my daughter happy, but she couldn’t stop smiling all weekend.

  Wes’ words from Friday afternoon weigh heavily on me, but in a good way.

  I thought about Brant’s job offer. The contract is solid, and my lawyer agrees. Love and Dine has me committed to three years if the pilot season does well. I worry that I’ll be locked into something that I might not whole-heartedly love.

  But Celia loves our home. She has friends and a life in Santa Monica.

  A deep breath escapes me when my phone buzzes. It’s Noah.

  “Hello?”

  “Who the hell is Wes?”

  “What?” I slide from beneath the covers and tiptoe out to the kitchen.

  “Wes. Celia texted me all weekend about this guy. Wes took me here. Wes was at my birthday party. I got to ride a horse and go swimming.”

  I open the sliding glass door to the balcony and step out. “Have you been drinking, Noah?”

  “I’ve had a few beers, but what does that matter? I’ll ask again, who the hell is Wes?”

  “Wes Cardwell. He works with me at Cardwell Bourbon . . . Rosemary Distillery. The Cardwells have been really nice to us. Welcoming us and making us feel at home here.”

  “Well, your home is in Santa Monica, not Deliverance, USA. I don’t want him around my kid until I have a chance to talk to him.”

  “Oh, hell no. You don’t get to do that.”

  “Are you screwing him?”

  “Don’t ask me questions about my personal life. You don’t have the right to know anything about who I choose to spend time with. You got it?”

  “It’s my business. She’s my kid.”

  Ignoring his territorial comments, I count to five. “My personal life isn’t any of your business. In fact, you don’t have the right to any facet of my life other than Celia’s well-being. That’s the beauty of divorce.”

  “How would you like it if I inserted a strange woman into Celia’s life?”

  “You already did when you brought the groupie whore into our walk-in closet. Remember when our daughter was sleeping down the hall while you sank balls deep into—”

  “Enough,” he barks. “I get it. You’re still pissed I cheated.”

  “Oh no, I’m not pissed. I’m relieved. I was a good wife, but you trashed everything because you’re a selfish asshole.”

  “No. That’s not true.”

  “What’s not true?”

  “I asked you to come on the road. I wanted you and Celia to be with me. But you chose to stay and work on your career. You chose your work over our marriage. And when I came home, you were cold and distant.”

  “No, I wasn’t. I was exhausted from working and being a new mom. And I wasn’t about to take a toddler on a tour bus to be around that kind of behavior.”

  “What behavior is that?”

  “Do I have to spell it out for you? A careless lifestyle.”

  “You mean partying . . . drugs, alcohol. Well, Celia told me that Wes gave her wine. Did you know that?”

  My brows scrunch together. “No, he didn’t. He wouldn’t do that.”

  “Ask our daughter. Better yet, ask your bootlegging boy toy. What environment do you think is worse for our kid? You think I’m careless with my lifestyle but these people make booze for a living.”

  I take a steadying breath. “I’m going to talk to Celia about this. I’m sure that you’re mistaken.”

  “The only mistake I made was marrying you.”

  “I hope you’re happier now, Noah. I really do.”

  “I am.”

  He hangs up on me. Shocker.

  My arms wrap around me, and I breathe in the night air. It’s warm and humid. I can smell the food from Thistle and Ivy.

  It’s not too late, so I shoot off a quick text to Wes.

  Hey, you up?

  Wes: Yeah. You okay?

  Me: Just had a fight with Noah. Can we talk?

  Wes: Yes.

  I swipe his number, and he picks up on the fi
rst ring.

  “Hey, I’m sorry you fought with your ex.”

  I run a hand through my hair. “Me too. He said that Cece told him you gave her wine.”

  “No, I would never.”

  “That’s what I thought. He’s such a liar.”

  “Oh, wait. The night I made baked ziti, the recipe called for wine. I asked Celia if you put wine in your recipes, and she said you did. I thought that was okay?”

  I cannot help the laugh that rips from my throat. “Well, that’s true. So, she probably told him and that’s how he interpreted it.”

  “I’m so sorry. I hope this hasn’t caused you any trouble?”

  “No, not at all. Well, only slightly. But I’m glad we cleared it all up.”

  “Me too. Guess I have a lot to learn when it comes to kids. But I’ll do better. I want to be a good dad someday. Not excited about the up-all-night thing, but I guess I’m about to find out what it’s really like when my siblings have their babies.”

  I swallow down the ache in my throat. Wes wants kids. Of course he does. He’s young.

  Why didn’t I see this about Wes? I mean, I guess I kind of saw it with the way he interacted with Sonny.

  He’s not exactly screaming about marriage, kids, the whole shebang.

  God, do I even want to get married again?

  Celia is ten now. Having a baby when I thought I was done raising my daughter . . . an anvil crashes into my lungs. Can I go through all that again?

  “Minka, you there?”

  Swallowing the humid night air, I try to catch my breath. “Yeah, I’m sorry I got lost in the night sky. I’m standing on my balcony.”

  “I wish I was there with you.”

  “Me too.”

  It’s not a lie. I wish that he was here.

  “Good night, Wes.”

  “Night.”

  I never thought more kids were in my future. That dream died when my marriage fell apart.

  You said you wanted a big family.

  Give it a chance.

  Wes

  Before I’ve blinked, summer’s almost over, and my birthday is around the corner.

  I’m up and in the office early, printing off the latest sales report. We’re on target to exceed our third quarter goals by thirty percent at this point.

  Brant and Laura collaborated on a new original bourbon flavor, and the roll out is happening the first week of October. It’s good. Might even be better than Sam’s “stolen” Original.

  Haven’s working on the communications and marketing for the launch. The rollout of our next bourbon will coincide with Cardwell’s annual fall harvest.

  It’s been nice having her in the building and working here at the distillery. She’s pretty much a natural.

  I dip my head inside the executive conference room. No sign of her in here either.

  “Hey, boss,” Theo says. “You ready to get to it?”

  “Yeah, let’s go.”

  Theo and I spend the majority of the morning going over the inventory for the farmers market and prepping for upcoming private tasting parties.

  We decided not to book any parties over Labor Day weekend, giving everyone a much-deserved break to enjoy some time off with family and friends. We’ve all been working on overdrive.

  After the sales meeting, I’m barely in my chair before Brant’s barking at me through the speakerphone.

  “Dude, what? I haven’t even had my second cup of coffee.”

  “Weston, get in my office, now.”

  “Fine. I’ll be right there.”

  I grab another cup of coffee from the lounge and make my way toward my brother’s office.

  “Hey. Where’s the fire?”

  “You are never going to believe who called me this morning.”

  “I’m not fully awake for guessing games, so why don’t you clue me in.”

  “Fine. Matthew Barber and Knox Bentley.”

  My face scrunches. “Um, okay, you act like I should know these people.”

  My brother shakes his head. “You know it wouldn’t kill you to pay attention to pop culture. Matthew and Knox are two of the biggest celebrities on the planet.”

  “Okay, so they’re celebrities . . . clients of Haven’s?” I blow the steam away from my mug.

  “Haven knows Matthew, yes. Maybe I should have her in on this meeting instead of you.”

  “Very funny. Spill it.”

  “Matt and Knox are opening a restaurant in Nashville, and they want Cardwell to be their exclusive bourbon.”

  My eyes pop wide. “What does that mean? They won’t sell any other bourbon brand?”

  “Right. Just our bourbon. They’re going to have a few signature cocktails, like a roasted peach bourbon cocktail, and they will make all their smashes with our bourbon.”

  “Wow, that’s awesome.”

  He nods. “Big contract. Big money. Huge opportunity. And they want to expand to Austin and Jackson Hole by the end of next year.”

  “Brant, this is incredible. This could put us back on top.”

  “With any luck, it sure will. I’m pumped.” He slaps his hand to the desktop. “I just hope this good luck continues.”

  “How so?”

  My brother leans forward, and his hands fold on top of his desk. “I really want Minka to stay on with us.”

  I suck in a deep breath and set my mug on the side table. “Yeah, I’m afraid we’ve got some competition there. The Love and Dine channel offer includes her own show.”

  He stares at me in disbelief. “Seriously?”

  “Yep.”

  “And how are things between the two of you?”

  “Fine. As fine as they can be, I guess.”

  “You guess.” He arches a brow.

  “Listen, Celia comes first. They have a life in Santa Monica. She should take the offer from Love and Dine. It’s what’s best for her.”

  “And what’s best for you?”

  “I don’t want her to go. But I should let her go. Minka’s time here is only temporary. Maybe I am kidding myself to think we have a real shot at a relationship. I can’t ask her to choose me. Maybe if we’d been together for a longer time.”

  I realize I’m singing a different tune than I was a few days ago, but all I want is for Minka to be happy. I want Celia to be happy. And as much as I don’t want them to go, I know that I’m just a small cog in their world.

  “I think you might be getting ahead of yourself, Wes. Maybe she’ll take the job here. Or maybe you should tell her how you feel.”

  “I’ve already told Minka that I want her to give us a chance.”

  Brant shakes his head. “But what does that mean to you?”

  “It means that she and Celia stay here in Mayfield. That Minka works at Cardwell with us. Do you know how crazy that sounds? I met her a few months ago. I can’t ask her to give up her dreams.”

  “Sounds like you already asked her to consider it.”

  I shove a hand through my hair. “I guess I did. But damn, Brant, she’s got me all twisted up inside and questioning decisions I made a long time ago.”

  He shrugs. “Such as?”

  “I don’t know. Like putting down roots. Raising a family. What if I ask her to stay and it doesn’t work out? What if she stays and realizes she hates it here? Like I’ve held her back or something?”

  “In the game of life, everything is a risk. You never know unless you take a shot. Go tell her how you feel but be absolutely clear. Tell her about your fears. Tell her exactly what you’re thinking.”

  I blow out a deep breath. “I don’t know how much clearer I can be.”

  “A few weeks ago, you thought you might be in love with her. Why not tell her?”

  I raise my eyebrows, and he laughs.

  “Don’t give me that look. You love her, and I see the way she looks at you. She loves you too. Maybe you need to give your head time to catch up with your heart.”

  I remain silent, studying Brant’s cocky smirk. “Go
d, you are so touchy-feely these days. It’s weird.”

  Minka

  Monday morning, I sleep in a little.

  When my alarm goes off again, I realize I have twenty minutes to get Cece to the rec center. I peek into her room and my heart’s a puddle. She’s sprawled out like a starfish on top of the covers.

  Poor thing is exhausted from the weekend.

  I text Brant to let him know I’d be working from home, and he, of course, is totally okay with that. Then, I send a text to Olivia letting her know that Cece will be a little late.

  Once I make the coffee, I take a quick shower and pull on a pair of skinny jeans and a floral print blouse.

  While I wait for Cece, I sit at the table, sifting through my inbox. I have a message from Sadie. Love and Dine upped the offer and added a hefty signing bonus to my contract. And they sent some mockups for the show’s logo: Baking Preppy with Minka MacDonald.

  Not bad, but I’m not entirely sold on the title. The color scheme pops, and it’s on point with my current brand.

  The doorbell rings, and I glance at the video screen on the counter.

  “Hi,” I say into the intercom.

  “Hello, a package for Minka MacDonald.”

  “That’s me.”

  “Great. I’ll just need you to sign.”

  I open the door and sign for the package. Inside the box is a gift box unlike any I’ve ever seen. Bottles of San Pellegrino, Italian chocolates, a planner with felt tip pin, and a cinnamon vanilla candle.

  The card is from Love and Dine.

  Man, they are pulling out all the stops.

  “Mom, can I have some cereal?” Cece asks through a yawn.

  “Yep.”

  “You ready for camp today?”

  “I’m so tired,” she drawls out and slides onto the barstool.

  “So, do you want to stay home today? I can print out some worksheets. Oh, how about multiplication tables?” I suggest and place a bowl of Cheerios in front of her.

  “Oh, no. No. I’ll be going to camp.”

  “Thought so.”

  I sign Cece in at day camp, and Olivia comes in the back door of the building with both of her arms loaded down with shopping bags.

  “Hey, Olivia, can I help you?”

  “Thanks.” She unloads a couple of bags, and I carry them over to the arts and crafts area.