Small Town, Big Secrets

by Elsie Davis

  She shoved aside memories of him, not wanting to let them ruin her evening.

  Steve told her about his week as they drove to his parents’ house. She loved hearing some of the stories, the craziness of people’s logic mind-boggling at times. He was trying to put her at ease, but the minute they pulled into the driveway, any ease she’d felt vanished.

  The butler came out to wait on the landing for their arrival. Her last run-in with the man hadn’t gone so well.

  “Good evening, sir. Your mother and father are in the tearoom and waiting for you.”

  “Thank you, Randall. This is Becky McAllister, and she’ll be dining with us this evening.”

  Randall cast her an appraising glance, one eyebrow rising higher as he recognized her. “It’s nice to meet you, ma’am. Again.” He stepped aside to let them pass.

  Panic filled her as they stepped into the foyer. She reached out to grab Steve’s arm to stop him. “Steve, wait. Before we go in there, there’s something I need to tell you.”

  Steve looked at her, his eyes full of curiosity. “Now? Okay. We can step into the library for privacy.”

  They only managed two steps before a woman called out, her voice demanding. “Steve? Where are you going? I told Randall we were in the tearoom. We’ve been waiting for you.”

  “Yes, Mother. I thought I had time to show Becky around the house.”

  She was grateful Steve had a ready excuse, but unfortunately, telling him about her mother’s employment would have to wait until later tonight. After dinner and when they were away from the mansion. A time when no one would see his reaction, for he was sure to be upset when he learned the truth. Too many people would have a field day with the rich son and the housekeeper’s daughter as an item.

  “Come along, dear. Your father has already arrived. You can do the introductions all at once.” Her crisp tones were enough for Becky to know this wasn’t a happy meeting. Mrs. Parker wasn’t thrilled her son had a girlfriend. The woman’s reaction was bound to be ugly when she learned the truth.

  Becky stayed tucked close to Steve’s side as they followed his mother into the tearoom. The room was decorated with fine art, Persian carpets, fancy duvets, lounge chairs, and a side bar, all of which wouldn’t even fit in her living room. And this was just the tearoom. No wonder her mother was tired every night she came home.

  She knew that coming here, there was always the chance Mrs. Parker would recognize her, but she hoped the social queen had taken very little notice of the hired help’s family. Even if said employee had worked there for well over twenty years. And it’s not like Jack ever brought her home to meet the parents.

  “I’m surprised my father showed up. He’s normally good for making plans and then blowing people off. But then, I’ve never brought a woman home, so this is big news to them.”

  “Never?” No wonder Mrs. Parker was in formidable queen mode.

  “Never. I told you, I don’t do relationships.” Words to live by. Words she’d do well to remember. But it was hard when the man kissed her, making her forget reality.

  Steve took her by the hand and led her to the tearoom. “Relax,” he whispered as he pushed open the door and walked in.

  His father watched as they crossed the room, rising to greet them. Tall and stoic, Judge Parker held himself aloof as if he were presiding over a courtroom and not in his ex-wife’s tearoom.

  “I’d like you to meet Becky McAllister. Becky, my parents, Olivia and Thomas, otherwise known as Judge Parker.” Steve held one hand, giving her strength to get through the ordeal.

  “It’s nice to meet you both.” Becky offered her hand in greeting. She’d been fortunate to not have ever met the judge in or out of the courtroom, but she had been around Steve’s mother a couple of times when she was younger and had visited her own mother at work.

  “Pleasure.” Olivia Parker’s faint handshake was delicate and sophisticated, just like the woman. Dressed in a dark blue skirt suit, white blouse, and overstated jewelry that reeked of wealth, she had her perfectly coiffed hair piled high on her head. But it was the cold assessment as she looked Becky up and down that left Becky reeling with worry.

  Becky turned to Judge Parker and shook his hand. The man’s large hand engulfed hers, his overbearing confidence shining through and making her more nervous. This man wielded a lot of power in the county and wasn’t one to be crossed lightly.

  “You must be special. Steve doesn’t usually date or bring women to his mother’s home. I’m surprised he’s got time, considering the election.” The older man shook his head, clearly unimpressed by his son’s decision to date or his choice of companion.

  Becky desperately searched for the right words to say, her nerves making her almost tongue-tied. “He does stay busy, but we manage to spend whatever time we can together.”

  “Oh, I hadn’t realized things were that serious,” his mother said, returning to her seat.

  “Get the girl a drink, Steve.” His dad spoke, crossing the room to the bar, expecting Steve to follow.

  Steve looked at her for confirmation. She appreciated the gesture and nodded, knowing she’d have to get used to holding her own around these people. They were rich and sophisticated, not untouchable.

  Becky sat down on the couch closest to his mother.

  “How long have you two been an item?” His mother wasn’t above prying.

  They hadn’t really discussed what they would say, so she stuck with the truth. “A couple of weeks. We met when he came into Charlie’s.”

  “Charlie’s? As in the bar?” she asked, distaste evident in her voice.

  “It’s also a restaurant. I’m a server there.”

  “I see.” The condemnation in her tone indicated she might see but didn’t like. Becky hadn’t expected a warm welcome, but she hadn’t been prepared for bold rudeness.

  “He’s a busy man and has a bright future ahead of him. I’d hate to see someone get in the way of that if you know what I mean.” Becky hadn’t been here even five minutes and the gloves had come off. But if anything, her words rallied Becky’s flailing spirits.

  “I know exactly what you mean, but I think what’s between us is private. I will tell you this, though. I would never hurt your son or do anything to derail his career. We both have his best interests at heart.” Becky wasn’t sure where the bravado had come from, but it felt good standing up to the woman. Granted, it wasn’t much, but it was a start.

  Steve returned and handed her a glass of white wine. It was nice he’d remembered her telling him once what she liked. Poor guy looked tense and uncomfortable, but there was no way to ask him about it.

  The conversation turned to Steve’s campaign and his run for the D.A.’s office. His father seemed to think he was pushing too hard and that voter confidence levels wouldn’t stand behind a young guy compared to the qualifications of his running opponent who had at least seven more years of experience.

  His mother, on the other hand, thought her son highly accomplished and ready, pushing her ex-husband’s buttons by bringing up the fact Steve would surpass him as youngest D.A. elected if he were to win.

  Back and forth, the conversation heated up, barely concealed distaste evident. The good part about it, though, was they didn’t look to include her in their disagreement, leaving her to sit quietly and mind her own business. Steve tried to include her at times, but she knew better than to offer any real opinions on the subject.

  His mother glanced at her watch. “Dinner should be served soon. I can’t imagine why the others aren’t here yet.”

  “Others?” Becky asked, suddenly alert.

  “Yes, my other son and his cousin were supposed to be here. I called him this morning and mandated his presence for such an auspicious family occasion as his brother bringing home a girlfriend.”

  Her other son. Jack.

  Becky could fee
l the color drain from her face, a sick feeling landing in the pit of her stomach. She closed her eyes, fighting back the wave of nausea that threatened.

  Steve took her hand and gave it a squeeze, trying to reassure her. She should have told him the truth.

  “I see. If you’ll point me to the nearest bathroom, I’d like to excuse myself for a minute.” Becky was in a panic and needed time to regroup. Maybe run. She would if she had a vehicle.

  Steve stood at the same time she did and placed his arm at the small of her back.

  “I’ll show her the way.” He led her across the room.

  The door opened, and Jack walked in. His gaze landed on Becky and instantly turned to one of shock and then disgust. “Steve.” He nodded.

  “Jack. Sorry Mother dragged you away from your playtime to come to dinner.” Just as she suspected, there was no love lost between the two men.

  “What Mother wants, Mother gets.” He smirked, his hard gaze never leaving Becky. Waves of nausea threatened to overwhelm her.

  “That’s true for you, anyway. She’s still controlling your purse strings.” Steve took a direct shot at his brother’s failings.

  “It is what it is. So is this the new girlfriend Mother insisted I meet?” The word “girlfriend” could have been replaced with “strumpet” from the way he said it.

  Steve looked back and forth between her and Jack. Her tale of friendship was exposed for the lie it was, and he knew it. “It is. Becky, this is Jack. Jack, Becky McAllister.”

  “We’ve met. Went to school together if I remember correctly.” And they’d done a whole lot more together that Becky didn’t want to remember.

  “It’s about time you and Brad got here. Dinner is almost ready, and I don’t like to be late,” his mother said, coming to join them.

  “Sorry, Mother. Traffic was bad.” Always an excuse at the ready, he hadn’t changed much from his high school days. “Brad will be right in. He had to take a call.”

  “I was just about to show Becky to the ladies’ room. We’ll both be right back.” Steve grabbed her arm and tried to usher her past, but Jack stepped into their path.

  “I’ll show Becky the way since I need to go there myself. Give us a chance to get reacquainted. Steve can help Dad fix us a round of dinner drinks.” He was all smiles to his mother, but Becky knew the black heart that beat in his chest.

  “Good idea.” His mother took Steve by the arm and pulled him toward the bar. “Run along, but hurry back.”

  Steve looked at her for confirmation, but it wasn’t like she could say a word to stop what was unfolding. She followed Jack out of the room. It would be better if their confrontation wasn’t in front of his parents, anyway.

  “Fancy meeting you here—and with my brother. What game are you up to?” he snarled, grabbing her arm and turning her to face him.

  “It’s no game and none of your business. Steve and I are dating.” She tried to stay strong, but the pressure of his grip had intensified.

  “Does he know that you’re the daughter of our housekeeper? You don’t think he’s serious about you, do you?” His lecherous grin shook her confidence, making her feel like she was eighteen again.

  She hated that he had this hold over her and wished she could fight back, but as she stood there trembling, she knew she’d do no such thing. “He’s not like you.” Well, almost nothing.

  “Have you told him anything?” Jack asked, leaning in closer, his cologne threatening to overpower her.

  “No. There’s nothing to tell, at least according to you and your blackmail demands. Besides, it’s not like I’m proud of who Byron’s father is or that I foolishly believed your lies. So it would seem both of us have good reason for the secret to continue.” It felt good to say what was on her mind for a change. Somehow, hanging around Steve seemed to have bolstered her confidence more than she knew.

  He pulled her down to the end of the hall. “That’s rich. A gold-digger like you won’t give up easily once you’ve got your claws in him. I suggest you end it before I feel the need to warn my brother about you. Consider it another demand.”

  Becky was relieved when they reached the bathroom and he let her go. She slipped inside, not bothering to answer his new threat, anxious to get away from him. When she finished, she was equally pleased not to find him waiting and hurried back to the tearoom to find Steve.

  She crossed the room to his side, unhappy to discover Jack was already back and talking to his brother. There was no way to know what lies the creep was spinning in her absence.

  “Before we go to dinner, there’s something I want to do,” Steve said in a loud voice, garnering the attention of everyone in the room.

  “What’s going on?” his mother asked, pausing by the door and holding up the others from passing by.

  Steve reached into his pocket and drew out a black box. Oh my gosh. He’s going to propose. Tonight?

  This she hadn’t seen coming. Not by a long shot. Her heart raced as she glanced around the room. The shocked expressions on everyone’s face echoed her own reaction.

  Steve dropped to one knee and opened the box before taking her trembling hand in his. The solitaire diamond surrounded by tiny aquamarines sparkled up at her, the intricate setting so beautiful it took her breath away, robbing her of speech.

  “Rebecca McAllister, even though we haven’t known each other long, I do know I love you with my whole heart and soul. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  His mother’s gasp was easily heard over the shocked silence of everyone else. “You can’t be serious. You just met her. At a bar!” she exclaimed, not giving Becky the chance to answer. The derision in her voice had multiplied tenfold.

  Becky still couldn’t believe he’d just proposed. And used the L word. It wasn’t real. That’s what she had to remember. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves.

  “I am serious.” Steve stood and drew her close, pulling her focus back to him and only to him.

  “Will you marry me?” Steve’s gaze never left her face, his eyes willing her to accept. Willing her to take the next step of their charade.

  “Yes.” Her voice came out low and soft, but everyone heard the word they didn’t want to hear.

  “I guess congratulations are in order,” Judge Parker said, shaking Steve’s hand. He gave Becky a stiff hug and a perfunctory kiss on her cheek, very much in keeping with what she expected from a disapproving parent keen on keeping up appearances. “Olivia, do the right thing and welcome Becky to the family.”

  His mother moved toward her, her chin rising several inches as she leaned in for an air hug. There’d be no loving mother-in-law relationship with this woman. “Congratulations,” she uttered through tight lips.

  “Congratulations.” Brad stepped forward to give her a hug. At least his was real, not contrived like the others.

  “Thank you.” Becky smiled, gritting her teeth to help keep the false sentiment in place.

  “Time to eat. We can talk more in the dining room,” his mother ground out, turning on her heel and leaving the room.

  They all followed, Steve’s father clapping his son on the back as they entered the dining room ahead of her and Jack.

  “Congratulations, Becky.” Jack’s voice held as much displeasure as his mother’s, and when he stepped in to give her a hug, she stiffened. He held on a little too tight and a little too long for her liking. “Go through with this and I’ll have your mother fired. Last warning,” he whispered in her ear.

  Becky had had just about enough of him. “Get your hands off me. And do what you want. By then, I’ll be married to your brother, and you can’t touch Byron or me. And my mother will quit if she finds out the truth, something I wish I had realized sooner.” She might pay for her boldness later, but she’d deal with it, when and if it happened. It was as though the more power she took back, the
more she wanted it.

  Jack’s eyes narrowed, his mouth curling up in a sneer. “Don’t mess with me. You’ll regret it.”

  Becky faltered a bit, her newfound confidence perhaps pushing Jack too far.

  Steve came back to her side. “Everything okay here?”

  “Yes, of course. Why wouldn’t it be?” She pasted a smile on her face and gazed up at her new fiancé and then down at the gorgeous engagement ring he’d slid on her finger. It was beautiful, but surely it was as fake as the marriage would be. It made no sense for him to spend a fortune on something real, or at least she hoped it wasn’t real. The mere idea of something this size and the value that would be associated with it would make her even more nervous just wearing it.

  And if it were fake, there was the added bonus he might let her keep it when the marriage ended. A token of their time together.

  Chapter Eleven

  Steve hadn’t planned to ask Becky tonight, but something about Jack’s presence and the perfect opportunity pushed him forward to make the proposal.

  He’d known what to expect from his parents, but Jack was another story. His mother’s cold indifference to anyone who crossed her path was a familiar tune. His father’s patronizing gloating was the same, thinking marriage would destroy his career and ultimately prove him right and that it would be the final nail in Steve’s run for the D.A.’s office.

  But it was Jack’s attitude toward Becky that left him reeling.

  There was no love lost between the two, which had come as a relief, but it was the tension and fear that radiated from every pore of Becky’s expression and actions since his brother walked in the door that left Steve in high-alert mode. Actually, thinking back, the change in her became obvious the minute his mother announced Jack was coming to dinner.

  He did his best to run interference between the two of them, intentionally positioning them at the far end of the table. The whole marriage arrangement might be fake, but they were still friends—at least, he’d like to think they were. And part of being a friend involved protecting her from the likes of Jack.