Copper Lining (The Cardwell Family Series Book 3)

by Christy Pastore

  “I’m sorry. I can only imagine how hard that must have been.”

  She shrugs and stands to wipe the crumbs from the island onto her plate. “It was but looking back, it could have been a lot worse.”

  I give her a small smile as I polish off the last of my pizza.

  “I think my dad leaving gave me the push I needed to find out who I was without the pressure or guilt to come home and take care of my sisters. I had to give up a lot to help Mom after Dad left.”

  I closed the lid to the pizza box. “Like what?”

  “I was on the volleyball team, and I had to leave practices early or skip them entirely. I thought things would get better after we got into a routine to our new normal. It never happened. Eventually, I dropped off the team. I felt a lot like a glorified caregiver rather than my mom’s daughter.”

  This news comes as a shock to me. At the same time, it doesn’t. Minka’s strong and fiercely independent. I’d say she’s confident, but I think so many people around her disappointed her that she can only seem to rely on herself.

  “Do you feel like you were forced to grow up pretty quickly?”

  “Yeah, I do. Despite my tumultuous relationship with my mom, she did give me the best lessons. She’s the one who taught me how to bake.”

  “How did she have the time?”

  Minka gathers up the trash and tosses it out. “After she had me, Mom decided to stay at home. Four years later, the twins were born. And then, when she went back to work, I was responsible for making lunch and dinner. I learned to bake when I was seven or eight.”

  “Dang, I don’t think my mom would have let me near a stove or oven at that age. I was likely to burn the house down.”

  “What about now?”

  “What about now, what?”

  She laughs. “Do you think you’d burn the house down now that you’re older?”

  I toss back the rest of my wine. “Well, there’s something I never thought I’d hear you say.”

  Minka shakes her head and her smile reaches all the way up to her eyes. “What’d I say?”

  “You said I’m older.”

  “Did I? You must have misheard me.” She shot back with her own brand of sass.

  Moving around the island, I nod. “You did, and I have perfect hearing. Not bad for someone who’s older.” I give her the same ribbing she’s giving me.

  It would only take two steps more to close the space between us and sweep her into my arms. Kiss her. Listen to her every request and show her just how good it could be between us.

  But I won’t. Instead I reach around her and grab a brownie.

  A gasp falls from her lips and blush creeps across her cheeks.

  “Don’t worry, I’m not going to kiss you, Minka.”

  Sonny barrels into the kitchen. “Movie time. Let’s watch a movie,” he shouts and claps his hands.

  “Yeah, sounds good, buddy,” I call after Sonny. “Change into your PJs first.”

  Minka watches me with wide eyes.

  I walk toward the living room, stopping short at the edge of the counter. “Not right now anyway.”

  Minka

  Sonny falls asleep during the movie. Thirty minutes in, he crashes hard.

  Wes carries him down the hallway to his bedroom. I stand in the doorway watching the scene before me unfold. Wes tucks a tired little boy underneath the covers, and my heart almost bursts.

  After he picks up the monitor, he turns to face me and smiles. The two of us slip quietly out of the room.

  “Do you want to finish the movie?” he asks.

  I shake my head. “No, I think I’ll finish the bottle of wine you brought instead.”

  “Good idea. We can sit on the back patio and wait for Theo and Jade to come home.”

  I grab the wineglasses and Wes scoops up the bottle from the island. He opens the door, and I breathe in the fresh summer air.

  “Sit here,” he gestures and then fills our glasses. “This view is a lot different from what you’re used to, huh?”

  “It is, yeah, but it’s a really good one,” I admit. “The miles of land and the smell of sunshine and rain, it’s cozy. It’s like you can smell happiness here.”

  “Really? Wow. All I ever wanted to do was leave this place. I couldn’t wait for a different view.”

  I glance at him over my shoulder. “And now that you’ve been back, what do you think about the view. Do you see it in a different way?”

  He turns to face me. A lopsided smile takes over his lips, and his blond hair falls over his brow. “I’m seeing a lot of things differently, and the view I’ve got now is pretty damn good.”

  My cheeks burn as I look away from him, focusing on the horses in the pasture. We sit in comfortable silence. The sounds of horses whinnying and the occasional roar of an engine fill the spaces between.

  After my second glass of wine, Wes swipes his phone screen. Moments later, music hums through the night air, but I don’t recognize the song.

  He stands and holds his hand out in front of me. “Dance with me.”

  I stare at him for a beat. “I . . . shouldn’t. We can’t.”

  “We should, and you can.”

  The singer’s voice belts out something about not enough bourbon in Kentucky.

  “What’s this song?” I ask as Wes pulls me to my feet.

  “It’s called ‘Bourbon in Kentucky’ by Dierks Bentley.” He spins me around, and before I know it, his hands are on my hips. “I take it you don’t listen to country music?”

  “I went through a Rebel Desire phase a few years ago. Oh, and I really like Dalton McCoy.”

  Wes pulls me closer, leading us to the beat of the music. “Dalton McCoy, I think he’s supposed to play here this summer. We should go.”

  My heart skips a beat. I shouldn’t be thinking about making plans with Wes. But spending time with him and being close to him again is doing strange things to me.

  One thing that doesn’t seem odd is how special I feel wrapped in his arms.

  “Well, this is a sight.” I can’t see Jade, but I know the sound of her voice.

  My eyes pop wide, and I back away from Wes.

  “I was just teaching Minka all about country music,” Wes quips.

  “Yep,” I nod and shove my hands into the back of my jeans. “How was the concert?”

  “It was really good. Did some dancin’ of our own tonight.” Jade’s smile grows wider when Theo slips his hands over her shoulders.

  “You want some wine?” I ask as they step outside. “There’s enough for two more glasses here.”

  “Nah, I think we’re going to hit the hay,” Theo says.

  Right. Cue to leave now.

  Jade leans into Theo. “I hope Sonny wasn’t too much to handle.”

  “Oh no, not at all. He’s a good kid,” Wes tells her.

  “I’m going to pack up,” I say as I walk inside toward the kitchen.

  I can’t make out what they’re talking about, but I hear Jade laugh. I take a paper plate from the counter and plate five brownies for them. Then I close the lid and scoop the uncorked bottle of wine off the counter.

  The three of them come back inside, and Wes smiles at me.

  “I left you some brownies,” I say. “To keep them moist, you might want to store them inside a container.”

  “Thanks, Minka, that’s really nice.” Jade reaches into her cupboard for a container.

  We say our goodbyes, and they thank us for helping.

  Once we step outside, Wes takes my hand and squeezes. “Where am I taking you?”

  “My apartment,” I tell him.

  “You’re staying in the same building as Brant and Caroline, right?”

  I nod as he opens the door to the truck and waits until I’m settled inside.

  “It’s a nice place,” I tell him when he slips into the driver’s seat. “Way bigger than my house in Malibu.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, my bungalow could probably fit inside
your kitchen.”

  He laughs and turns on some country music. We drive the winding road on the way back toward town. Wes hums to the songs on the radio, and I feel a twinge of heartache. If the circumstances were different, I’d invite him up and continue this evening, but I know better.

  I’ve got to be strong and keep all these old . . . new . . . surprising feelings to myself.

  “Oh, I almost forgot,” Wes says as he releases the steering wheel to turn down the music. “My mom wants you to come to brunch tomorrow.”

  “Really? Where?” My voice rings with curiosity.

  “At our family home. Sunday brunch is a thing for our family. It will be painless, I promise.” He squeezes my hand.

  “Why would she want me at your family brunch?”

  Wes flips his turn signal and pulls onto Main Street. “She knows you’re new in town, probably doesn’t want you to feel all alone. She made your bourbon cupcakes, ya know.”

  My head snaps in his direction. “She did?”

  Wes rolls to a stop in front of the laundromat. “Yeah, it’s part of the reason you’re here. She saw you on that show where you used our bourbon for the recipe and told Brant all about it. The next day I show up for brunch and she’s shoving them down my throat. All I could think about was you . . . damn cupcakes and, turns out, it’s your recipe.”

  I laugh. “The irony.”

  “Or karma.”

  My mind wanders. Could it be fate? Were Wes and I supposed to meet? And now we’re thrust back into each other’s lives.

  Wes pulls up to the building and for a moment I think about inviting him up. The thought flickers and dies. I jump out of his truck before he can open the door.

  “So, what do you say, brunch tomorrow? I can pick you up.”

  “I can drive myself or get a ride with Brant and Caroline since they live here too.” I gesture toward the building.

  Laughter spills out from the patio at the wine bar, and people dart around us on the sidewalk. Wes grips my arm and pulls me toward the door.

  “Okay, I’ll text my mom and let her know.”

  “Thanks for today. It was a lot of fun.”

  “Anytime. Have a good night, Minka.”

  He follows me to the door, watching me as I enter the access code. “You too, Wes.”

  The door buzzes, and I walk inside. I turn back once I reach the elevator to see him still standing there. He gives me that sexy panty-melting smile and then strolls back to his truck.

  As I push the button for the elevator, I think about the possibility of falling for him. Today, I saw such a different side to him. A side that I didn’t think existed.

  Because you keep everyone at a distance.

  For so many years, I’ve been on my own. It’s been easier that way.

  Could I really let someone in again? The risk of getting hurt seems as unlikely as it does likely. There’s a risk with everything.

  The elevator doors open, and I step inside, blowing out a deep breath. I rub at the back of my neck.

  Could Wes be the man who makes me believe in second chances?

  The elevator comes to a stop on my floor. I balance my purse, the wine, and the brownies in my arms as I unlock my door.

  My phone buzzes, alerting me to a text message.

  Wes: Brant says he and Caroline will meet you in the lobby of your building at eleven-thirty. Brunch is at noon. See you then.

  Me: Okay, see you then. Should I bring anything?

  Wes: No. She has a huge spread. You won’t feel like eating for days.

  Even though Wes says I don’t need to bring anything, it seems rude to show up without a hostess gift. I can stop at the flower shop in the morning and pick up a bouquet. Hopefully, they’re open before noon.

  It’s just my luck that the flower shop is open. I grab a bundle of white hydrangeas. Normally, I would have selected pink or blue, but white is always a nice choice. Especially when you don’t know if colors trigger a mood.

  I make my way back to the apartment with just enough time to freshen up my lipstick and use the bathroom.

  Caroline breezes out of the elevator. She looks like a stylish fashion blogger wearing a black and white striped dress and topped with a denim jacket. Her blond hair is swept into a low ponytail.

  Red lipstick.

  Statement necklace and bracelet.

  And a bright shiny diamond ring catches the light from the sunshine.

  I don’t think I ever looked this pulled together when I was pregnant.

  “Hi, Minka,” she chirps.

  “You look gorgeous,” I tell her and stare down at my outfit.

  “So do you. Red is your color.”

  I smile. “Thanks. Where’s Brant?”

  “Oh, he’s pulling the car around.” Caroline loops her arm with mine when we hit the sidewalk outside the building. The warm sunshine splashes over my skin, and I breathe in the fresh air.

  “How are you feeling these days?” I ask.

  “Today’s a good day. But Lord knows I’ll be glad when this baby is finally out.”

  “Ah, I felt the exact same way.” I slip my sunglasses over my eyes. “I hated being pregnant.”

  “Me too. I’m miserable ninety percent of the time,” she confesses. “Brant wants three kids. Maybe four. I’m not so sure I can do this again.”

  I laugh. “I said the same thing.”

  “How many kids do you have?”

  A shiny black BMW comes into view. “Just one. A daughter, Celia. She’s nine.”

  She unhooks her arm from mine. “Wow. That’s the age I need this kid to be when it pops out. Nine. I don’t think I’ll love the baby stage.”

  “It’s a lot of work. Sleepless nights are the worst. But you and Brant are a team.” I squeeze her hand. “You’ll do great.”

  Brant pulls the car up to the curb, and we climb inside. The cool air blasts over my skin, and it feels so good.

  Caroline and Brant are literally the cutest couple.

  “Yeah, so apparently we’re supposed to have a gender reveal party and a baby shower,” Caroline says from the front seat.

  “It’s too much,” Brant says. “I’m fine with no parties at all.”

  I laugh. “I say do what you want. Don’t let other people’s expectations determine what you do.”

  I hear the words, and I immediately feel like a hypocrite. It’s feels like I’ve been doing a lot of that myself. Trying to please others.

  “We should just do want we want. Maybelle wants to throw a baby shower next month. Let’s just let her do it.”

  “Mom’s going to want to help Maybelle plan the event,” Brant flicks his turn signal and we turn down the long dirt road that leads to the distillery.

  “Your mom should relax and let Maybelle take care of everything.”

  Brant turns down what looks like a long driveway and a horse pasture comes into view. He coasts up the tree-lined road, and the horses run alongside the fence keeping pace with the car.

  In the blink of an eye, they’re galloping faster and up the hill. That’s when the french country home comes into view.

  It’s the house I’ve admired from a distance since I started working at the distillery. I had no idea that it belonged to the Cardwells.

  “Ready to eat?” Brant asks as he parks the car.

  I nod and clutch the flower bouquet.

  “Wait until you see this spread. You won’t want to eat for days,” Caroline adds.

  I shut the door and smile. So I’ve been told.

  Wes

  My mom is so excited about Minka coming to brunch. She’s been up since eight a.m. baking and cooking, preparing all her best dishes.

  She’s worried her stuff won’t meet Minka’s standards. But I secretly think she’ll blow her socks off. Mom’s always been an excellent cook.

  “Mom, seriously, how much time did you spend on Pinterest? You’ve got all kinds of signs with the names of the food. Three kinds of juices. Five kinds of jams. And
the décor is a bit much, don’t you think?”

  “Oh, zip it, Weston. It’s my house, and I’ll do what I damn well please.”

  I shake my head with a quiet laugh and finish setting the silverware on the table. Plates are on the sideboard along with the croissants. Mom even has a mimosa station and non-alcoholic drinks for Caroline.

  “Smells delicious in here,” Brant calls out from the foyer.

  “Thanks. I’ve been cooking all morning.” I pop a grape into my mouth, and my mom slaps my shoulder.

  Minka appears in the doorway, and I almost fall off the barstool. She’s wearing a sleeveless red sundress that hits just above her knees. Her dark hair hangs over her shoulders in loose waves. My dick takes notice too.

  Brant grabs a beer from the fridge and hands one to me. Caroline hugs Mom and then introduces her to Minka.

  “The flowers are gorgeous. Hydrangeas are my favorite,” Mom squeaks out.

  “I love them too.” She glances over her shoulder at me, and I swear my heart cannonballs into my gut.

  “Where’s Pop?” Brant asks.

  “He’s showering. Morning chores took a little longer than expected. A board was missing from the south pasture. Wanted to make sure it was fixed right away.” Mom slips on an oven mitt and takes the blueberry loaf out.

  “I see that Maybelle and Sawyer aren’t here yet.” Caroline pours some sparkling cider into a glass.

  “They’re running late. Waylon escaped out the backdoor this morning before Sawyer got his leash on,” Mom informs us.

  “They just need to put up an electric fence,” Brant says and taps his bottle to mine.

  “Yeah, we’re putting one in for Julep at the new house,” Caroline adds.

  “Well, y’all help yourselves to drinks,” Mom chirps and checks the timer on the oven.

  “Thank you so much for inviting me, Mrs. Cardwell,” Minka says.

  Mom smiles. “My pleasure and please call me Iris.”

  Mom, Caroline, and Minka make small talk about food and baking. Pop strolls into the kitchen and pours a bourbon.

  Pop walks over to Mom and plants a kiss on her cheek. “Been waiting all day for this meal.” He takes a drink and inspects the spread.