The Mostly Real McCoy: A Sweet Romantic Comedy (Apple Valley Love Stories Book 1)

by Julie Christianson

  “Oh, dear.” Lenore cringes. “Can we work on a better nickname for me? MeeMaw the maid doesn’t quite capture my … essence.” She pushes a leaf around on her plate, then turns toward me. “Anyway, I hope you don’t mind my asking you something, Mac. It’s been on my mind since meeting Daisy.”

  My throat constricts. I’m afraid whatever’s been on her mind isn’t good. “Shoot,” I say, but what I mean is, please, shoot me now.

  Lenore sniffs. “All right, then. What exactly happened to the girl’s mother?”

  Daisy’s fork clatters on her plate. She points at Brooke. “Queen Book!”

  “Mom.” Brooke glares at Lenore, then she smiles at Daisy. “That’s right, Princess. I’m Queen Brooke.”

  I clear my throat and hold up my water glass. “Daisy, would you please fill this up with more ice? And more water?”

  “Yes, sir, King Daddy!” She climbs down from her seat and takes my glass to the kitchen.

  “My, my.” Lenore dabs her mouth again. “Isn’t she well-mannered?”

  “She’s a good girl. Yes.”

  “I’m sorry if it’s a sore subject,” Lenore says. “I didn’t mean to pry.”

  “No, I’ve got nothing to hide.” I glance toward the kitchen. “Daisy’s mother and I married young. Too young, I guess. I thought we were on the same page. My goal was to have a bunch of kids. Build a family. But Gwen wasn’t interested in motherhood. At all.”

  Brooke hiccups.

  “Actually, she wanted to be an actress,” I say. “How’s that for a crazy coincidence?”

  “Really?” Lenore’s eyebrows lift.

  “As it turns out, Apple Valley’s not exactly a hotbed of opportunity for aspiring actors. So Gwen took off with a guy who promised to make her famous.” I clear my throat. “As far as I know, she’s made exactly one commercial. For hemorrhoid cream.”

  “Oh dear.” Lenore crinkles her nose.

  “I know.” I can’t help chuckling. “It was tough at first, but I’ve got no hard feelings now. Gwen and I had different dreams. And I hope hers come true, because mine sure did.”

  I smile at Brooke. She’s chewing her lip.

  Lenore clears her throat. “How long has your wife been gone?”

  I glance at the kitchen again, listening for the clink of ice cubes against glass. “My ex-wife left us almost a year ago,” I say. “On Daisy’s birthday.”

  “So you’ve been raising Daisy alone since then?”

  “My mom was helping us out for a while.” I take a beat. “Until my father died.”

  Lenore puts a hand to her throat again. “I’m so sorry.” There’s a tremor in her voice that makes me think she might actually mean it.

  “After we lost Dad, my mom went back to her hometown to take care of my grandmother. All her sisters still live there, plus a whole lot of my cousins. Small town. Big family.”

  Lenore cocks her head. “Sounds lovely.”

  “It is,” I say. “But Daisy took my mom’s leaving pretty hard. Which is why we’re really lucky your daughter came into our lives. She’s turned everything around.”

  “I see.” Lenore’s mouth slips into a line. “So you needed a mother for Daisy. And a replacement wife. One who comes from a bit of money?”

  “Lenore.” Robert frowns.

  “What?” She sniffs. “I’m just looking out for our daughter.”

  “Stop!” Brooke’s eyes flash. “Mac had no idea who you are. Not until you decided to come up here uninvited. So I had to tell him then. Believe me, I didn’t want you in our home.”

  “Brooke. I … Oh … I’m sorry.” Lenore’s face collapses, and she slowly shifts toward me. “Mac. If I’ve misjudged the situation, please accept my apologies.”

  “Ha!” Brooke scoffs. “If?”

  Before I can respond, Daisy tramps back into the room with a very full glass of ice water.

  “Here you go, King Daddy!”

  “Thanks, Princess,” I say. “Can you go clean up your toys now before dessert?”

  Robert points at Lenore. “Maybe the maid should help. What do you say, MeeMaw?”

  Daisy giggles. “We can’t clean up yet, PeePaw. I’m going to make a whole other show for you!”

  “Oh my,” Robert says. “Another original play?”

  “This one’s about the butler and the cook!”

  “I can’t wait, little lady.”

  Daisy hops out of the room, and a silence falls over the table.

  Awkward.

  Google the word and you’d definitely get this image.

  So I clear my throat, prepared to let everyone off the hook. Including me.

  “For the record, you folks don’t have to stick around to watch another show,” I say. “Daisy will completely understand if her audience ends up just being Brooke and me.”

  Ethan pushes his plate aside and leans over the table. “Speaking of Brooke.” He raises an eyebrow. “I’ve been wondering. Did she ever tell you why we broke up?’

  31

  Brooke

  Mac meets my gaze, and all the blood drains from my face. I probably look like a ghost. Or whatever’s worse than that. Worse than dead. But he just nods at me. “It’s okay. I’ve got this.”

  Still, I hold my breath.

  “Ethan, you’ll be happy to hear that my wife and I share everything with each other.”

  Ethan’s smirk falters. “Well, that’s good news.” He shrugs. “I should’ve known Brooke wouldn’t marry a guy who wants a bunch of kids. Not without telling him she’s never having any.”

  No, Ethan. No.

  “What?” My mother gasps, and my heart leaps into my throat. I can’t speak or breathe or even move.

  “That’s enough.” Mac scrapes his chair back. The cords of his neck are pulsing. I can’t tell if he’s angry at Ethan for spouting off, or at me for keeping this secret.

  Maybe he’s mad at both of us.

  Either way, I want to dig a hole in the floor and disappear. Forever.

  “Brooke, dear.” My mother looks woozy and pale. “Is what Ethan said true?”

  Wonderful, Mom. Just what I need. More shock and awe over my uterus.

  For his part, Ethan looks a bit pale and woozy himself. I’d be scared too, with a six-foot-four tower of muscle standing over me.

  “Ethan, my man,” Mac says. “Let’s go have a chat. Just the two of us. Outside.”

  Ethan drops his napkin and pushes out his chair. He smoothes his dress shirt and adjusts his belt.

  “Sure, Mac. We can talk outside. But remember, I was doing you a favor, making sure you had all the necessary intel. So don’t murder the messenger.”

  Mac’s gaze slides my way. His eyes are wide and sad. I swallow hard as he leads Ethan out back.

  Hic.

  My mother starts sniffling and wipes her nose with a napkin. Is she crying?

  “Mom.”

  Her eyes are saucers. “What did Ethan mean?”

  I bite the inside of my cheek, willing myself to stay calm on the outside. Inside I want to kill Ethan. Maybe Mac’s doing that for me now.

  Hic.

  “You’re never having children?” she asks.

  “It’s just going to be harder for me, Mom.” I glance at my dad then back at her, deciding how much I’m willing to share. “There was a lot of damage after my appendix burst. And the doctors think—”

  “Oh, Brooke, no!” my mother wails. “Are you saying this is our fault?” She sounds so horrified and dramatic, it’s like she’s reading from a script. This is what I wanted to avoid from the beginning.

  “It’s no one’s fault,” I say. “I just might—”

  “Why didn’t you tell us?” she moans.

  Gee, Mom. Maybe because you’re barely letting me get a word in edgewise now.

  “I didn’t want to give you another reason to try to fix me, Mom.”

  She recoils. “What does that mean?”

  “You were never satisfied with who I was. You tried
to change me every single day of my life. You didn’t even trust me to find my own boyfriend.” I sigh. “Why do you think I left?”

  My mother’s lips stretch thin and tight. “I had no idea you felt that way, Brooke. You never said anything to me.”

  “I did, Mom. A lot. You just didn’t listen. In fact, I kind of wonder if you’re listening now.” My voice hitches. “Is this just another acting role you think you’re supposed to play? The part of the caring mother?”

  She gasps again. “How can you ask me that?”

  “Because, Mom.” A lump is gathering in my throat. “I’ve always been a prop to you. Just like that red purse you’re dragging around. A pop of color you can control. Not a person with her own thoughts and opinions.”

  “Brooke.” She gets up from the table and comes to my side, sitting in the empty chair where Daisy had been. She places a hand over mine. “Daddy and I are so sorry.”

  “I can speak for myself, Lenore,” my father says. “But your mother is right, Brooke. I never meant to make you feel like a purse.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous, Robert.” My mother rolls her eyes. Then she turns to me and grips my hand. “You know, my own parents never took an interest in me. I was shipped off to boarding school when I was eight years old.” She pauses for a moment. “They never came to visit. Not even on family weekends.”

  Oh. Wow.

  “Of course, I was allowed to come home for holidays,” she says. “But my father was always at work, and my mother was too busy entertaining to spend time with me.” She looks down at our hands. “My entire acting career started out as a ploy to get their attention.”

  The lump that’s been gathering in my throat is a full-blown boulder now. “You never told me any of this, Mom.”

  “Well.” She swallows. “It’s not a part of my past I enjoy reliving.”

  We’re both silent for a moment, and I can’t help thinking back on all my mother’s performances as Kerrigan Steele. This is real life, though. Not a soap opera. Her own personal daytime drama.

  “Your parents must have been proud of you. Your Emmy. All your fans.”

  “That’s the worst part.” She lowers her chin. “They never did tell me they were proud.”

  “That’s because they died,” my father chimes in.

  “Robert.” My mom glares at him.

  “Well, they did.” He shrugs. “I’m just stating the facts.”

  “Yes. I suppose you are.” She turns to me again. Swallows again. “Anyway, the night of your appendix …” Her voice trails off, so I wait for her to finish. “… that was one of the rare times we left you with the housekeeper. She never thought to take you to the ER. Or to call me. Not until it was too late.”

  “Whoa.” My stomach’s in knots. So much to process. “We’ve never talked about this either.”

  “Because of the guilt!” my dad pipes up. “Guilt just about destroyed your mother.” He shakes his head. “You think she’s hard to live with now? You should’ve seen her after you got out of the hospital. It was a nightmare for me.”

  Mom and I both look at my dad. “For you?” we say at the same time.

  “Well.” He clears his throat. “You know what I mean.”

  My mother frowns. “Anyway, from that day forward, we brought you everywhere. To the set of Rage & Redemption. To award shows. To all the galas and fundraisers and red carpet events.”

  I pull my hand away from her. “I remember.”

  “You know, most girls would’ve loved to lead such a glamorous life.”

  “I just wanted to be normal, Mom. A regular kid. An average teenager.”

  “Well.” She picks up a napkin and begins to twist it. “Your father and I just wanted to keep you safe. To do what was best for you.”

  “Really?” My cheeks flush. I can’t let this claim go without calling her out. “Was Ethan part of what’s best for me, Mom?”

  She averts her eyes. “Ethan was … malleable.”

  “Malleable? Ha! Just what every woman dreams of when it comes to a man.”

  “The Cliftons were our friends for decades. We knew exactly what your future with Ethan would look like.” She’s still not looking at me. “Living in a beautiful home with a very comfortable life. You’d never have to work. Plus, you’d be near us.” She finally meets my gaze. “But the harder we pushed to keep you close, the more you pushed me away.”

  My nose begins to sting. “I didn’t think you wanted to be close. I thought you wanted me to be … different.”

  “Of course not.” She presses her lips together. “Although, I would’ve liked you to embrace different footwear. But besides that.” She hazards a small laugh, and I can’t believe I’m almost smiling.

  “Footwear?” My father shakes his head. “I thought we were talking about purses.”

  “You know you’re absolutely no help in this conversation,” my mom says.

  “Ha!” He barks out a laugh. “The one time I tried weighing in on something, you had me killed off your show.” He squints, like he’s remembering. “Bungee jumping. What a way to go. Poor Sebastian Steele.”

  My mother smirks. “Well. I can’t help it if I’m the better actor, Robert.” She returns her focus to me. “I’m sorry we brought Ethan up here, Brooke. We obviously misjudged the man. And after his behavior tonight—sharing your personal business over lasagna—well, I’ve decided he’s not the one for you.”

  “That’s not really your decision, Mom, but thanks … I guess.”

  She furrows her brow. “Robert, I think we should send Ethan back to the airport with Jenkins. Now.”

  “Consider it done,” he says. “Personally, I never liked the guy. But what does Sebastian Steele know?”

  My mother waves his comment away. “You know how to wear a tuxedo better than anyone, Robert.”

  “Why, thank you, Lenore. I could say the same about you.”

  She opens and shuts her mouth like she’s trying to work something out, then she looks at me. “I think your father and I should stay another night or two. To get to know Mac. And Daisy. And your little town here.”

  Uh oh. “I’m not sure that’s a good—”

  “Robert,” she interrupts. “When you find Ethan, please let him know that he’ll be leaving us. Permanently. And let him know I’m going to need that check back.”

  “Mom.” My stomach sinks. “Tell me you didn’t. Not again.”

  “I wish I could, dear.” She frowns. “But that would be a lie.”

  32

  Mac

  As we head out the back door, I let Ethan Clifton walk in front. Watching him pick his way through the grass in his dress shoes is pretty satisfying. Plus I’m curious to see where the guy leads me.

  He crosses the property and aims for the creek. Fine by me. If he acts up, I can push him in. At the water’s edge, Ethan turns. He tries looking over my shoulder at the distance between the house and us. I’m a good six inches taller than he is, so he has to crane his neck.

  “I’m not going to hit you,” I say. “In case you’re worried.”

  He smirks. “In space, no one can hear you scream, right?”

  “From the movie Alien.”

  “You got it,” he says. “Most people can’t tell by looking at me, but I’m a real sci-fi buff. You wouldn’t believe how much I know.” The trees above him rustle. Even the leaves can feel his hot air. “Just ask Brooke. She’ll tell you. We used to win every trivia night we played. No thanks to her.”

  This guy really is the worst. Brooke must’ve felt pretty bad about herself to go out with him. Once I get rid of this joker, I’m going to find her and hold a mirror up to her face while I point out everything that’s amazing about her. Inside and out.

  One thing of beauty at a time.

  “I have to say, Ethan, I don’t see you and Brooke as a couple.”

  “Really?” More chest puffing from him. “What part doesn’t make sense to you? Brooke’s gorgeous. And, well.” He spreads his ar
ms wide, like the rest of the sentence speaks for itself. “Let’s just say I don’t get many complaints, if you know what I mean.”

  “I know exactly what you mean.”

  Ethan cracks his knuckles. I want to crack his skull, but I stop myself. Sending this guy to the ER won’t do anyone any good. I’m only out here so Brooke can talk to her folks. Then I’m kicking this clown out of my house.

  “Anyway, Brooke’s a great girl,” he says. “And easy on the eyes, but she’s like a sister to me. A hot sister, but still. I never thought of asking her out.” He rubs his fingers together, like you do when you’re hinting about money. “Until Lenore used the universal language.”

  I raise an eyebrow. “Pig Latin?”

  “Ha. Good one, Mac.”

  “So, Ethan. Tell me. Why do you think Brooke’s mother wanted you two together in the first place?”

  Now Ethan rubs his chin. A real deep thinker. Almost like trivia night. “Maybe she was hoping I’d keep Brooke close to home. But I let Brooke think the exact opposite. That I was on her side.”

  “So you played them off each other. Got it.” I squint out over the creek, letting the current slow my pulse. This guy doesn’t deserve one more minute of me taking him seriously.

  “Anyway, you can relax,” he says. “Brooke is all yours now.”

  I turn to Ethan. Lift a brow. Does this guy really think I’m worried?

  “Don’t get me wrong. We got along okay. And Lenore’s money got my investment business established. I thought being with Brooke could be a win-win for everyone. But she’s not into me. And I’m not exactly hurting for options in the lady department. So.” Ethan pauses. Looks me up and down. “I’m not going to fight for her.”

  I chuckle. “Well that’s good news, Ethan. Because you’d lose.”

  “Maybe.” He shrugs. “I’m a lover. Not a fighter. Anyway, Brooke never wanted any of her parents’ money.”

  I nod. “Yeah. I realize that now.”

  “And she’s not dumb.”

  Heh. Right. That might be Ethan’s biggest understatement yet.

  “She was starting to question the fact that her mom had been funding my ventures.” Ethan throws up air quotes around the words funding and ventures. Then he winces. “That’s when she went to a new doctor and found out about all the scarring from that time with her appendix.”