Don't Marry the Mechanic: A Sweet Romance (The Debutante Rules Book 1)

by Emily Childs

  “What’s with all the somber faces?” Mama asks. “Who’s this lovely lady?”

  “Mama, this is Jace.” I shove my hands into my pockets. Waiting, I guess.

  Jace crosses the room and shakes my mom’s hand. “Pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”

  “You too, Jace. Is something going on I should know about? Y’all are acting strange.”

  I clear my throat. “Mama, Jace is a Whitney.”

  My mother’s smile fades for the briefest second, but it’s back in another breath. “James’s girl?”

  Jace nods and sits at her other side. “I’m not here to cause anyone upset, but I when I saw Rafe, I practically cornered him. I hope y’all don’t mind, I just want . . . to get to know you.”

  Mama leans forward and pats Jace’s knee. “And why shouldn’t we know you? You can’t help who you’re related to.”

  Jace frees a long breath, and laughs. “First, I think I should tell you my mama and daddy don’t approve of Uncle Jed and how he treated y’all. Neither did grandma.”

  Mama nods sadly. “Yes, Marjorie made certain the boys were provided for, even if Jed tried to change her wishes after she died.”

  It’s surreal, a little uncomfortable, talking about a grandmother I never knew. She might’ve provided for us financially, but why didn’t anyone reach out? Why were we so repulsive to them?

  As if she reads his mind, Jace goes on. “Rafe, I hope you’ll forgive me and my family for not reaching out. I have a brother, Will, he’d love to meet y’all. I texted him and he’s about ready to come on down here at my word. We didn’t even know you existed until our grandma’s will spilled the truth after she died.

  “Then we heard talk of Uncle Jed coming down here and getting run off a property by some woman. She said no Whitneys were welcome, so I’m sorry we never reached out before now. At least on my family’s part we thought it was what y’all would want after we heard that story.”

  Olive is the one who barks a laugh. “That crazy lady is my Mama.”

  “Oh, Bernadette was so mad that day,” my mom says. “You see, Miss Jace, when the boys were around eleven or so, Jed came back. All bent out of shape over Marjorie’s will and how they were still getting payments.”

  “Mama can be a lot of things,” Olive says. “But no one makes her people cry. He made Millie cry.”

  Jace tilts her head. “So y’all lived together?”

  “I worked for Ollie’s family. She and Rafe have known each other since they were in diapers.”

  “Really?” Jace says. She seems pleased, not like it’s something to mock. “I love that. Friends falling in love. Olive, I can’t say I blame your mom. I doubt he was gentlemanly. But as I told you Rafe, I hardly know Uncle Jed. You seem to have done well for yourself.”

  I scan my small house and guess she’s only being polite. “We’ve done fine.” I sit on the arm of the couch and take Olive’s hand, as though it’ll help me spit out my question easier. “I need to ask you if Jed had any other . . . you know.”

  “Children?”

  I nod.

  Jace smiles. “He doesn’t have any biological kids apart from you and your brother. Unless there are more cousins running around no one knows about. He has a stepdaughter, though. She’s married and lives out in Colorado. I’ve met her twice.”

  I wish my sigh weren’t so obvious, but it’s a relief. “I always wondered, because when he got thrown out he came ranting to Mama about his family and how payments needed to stop.”

  Jace glares at the carpet. “Aunt Sarah is decent enough, I suppose. A little high and mighty. I imagine she didn’t even know about y’all and he wanted to keep it that way back then. So, Uncle Jed was simply not being a man by saying that.”

  As we talk I decide that Jace is jittery and bright and kind. She speaks softly with my mom, asks about the stroke and recovery. Olive is protective, but even she loosens up and starts laughing like they’re old friends.

  Jace listens to embarrassing stories about me and August. We learn about her and her brother and how my mysterious aunt and uncle never took to private schools and made their kids work their way up in the company. They weren’t given corner offices because of their name. Although, Jace does hold a fancy title in the business. VP of something, I don’t remember. We talk about too many things. Jace tells me there are more cousins in North Carolina, but I probably won’t care to know them since they’re more pretentious than my old man.

  I’m not sure how long we’ve been talking. Dot came back, but fell asleep on the other couch, and Olive yawns as she leans her head against my shoulder.

  Jace claps her legs and stands. “I’ve taken up so much of your night. I’d better get going. It was such a pleasure to meet you. Truly.”

  “You too, sugar,” Mama says. “You’re welcome anytime.”

  “I hope we can be friends, Rafe,” Jace says. “And I’d like to know August, especially since you tell me there’s a baby in that mix. I’m such a sucker for babies.”

  Olive stretches her arms over her head and rubs her eyes. “Jace, could I bother you for a ride to my apartment? It would mean dragging drunk Dot with us, of course.”

  Jace laughs and glances at Dot. “Of course.”

  “Ollie, you don’t need to go,” I say.

  She points at her friend. “I think she’d feel better sleeping it off at my place. I’ll be back to pester you soon enough.”

  Together, Jace and Olive rouse Dot and sling her arms around their shoulders as they trudge down the driveway. I lean into the passenger window, unashamed when Olive kisses me, slowly.

  I trace the outline of her lips and lean my forehead to hers. “I love you. Don’t let Dot go overboard anymore.”

  “I’ll keep my eye on her,” Olive says. “Love you, Rafe.”

  I kiss her again and finally stand as Jace pulls out.

  My heart is racing too fast, but I’m grinning like an idiot. Most of my life I wondered what it would be like to know the other half of me. The part I never wanted to know, but hid my curiosity about.

  I like Jace.

  Miracles are real because I like a Whitney.

  Shaking my head, I head back to the house. Life certainly has a way of spinning me upside down. But the truth is I love the way the wild ride is shaping out.

  Chapter 23

  Olive

  I wipe away a stray tear as one by one the first graders drop handmade cards onto my desk.

  “What do we say to Miss Cutler for all her wonderful lessons these last few months?” Jessica Fry asks the class.

  “Thank you, Miss Cutler,” the kids say as one.

  I grin and clutch the pictures against my chest. “I’m going to miss y’all. The good news, I’ll be here next year, so I expect each one of you to come and say hello, understand?”

  Most nod, some shout ‘yes, ma’am’, but all leave me overwhelmed with the satisfaction that I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing. I’ve looked forward to this day for months, when student teaching ended, but now my steps are slow and heavy.

  “I’m going to miss having you in the class, Olive,” Jessica says when she returns from bus drop off.

  “Thank you so much for what you’ve taught me.”

  “Well, I can’t tell you how thrilled I am you’re on staff next fall. I suppose I can let you go since you’re coming back. Are you all set to graduate?”

  “Yep. It’s a strange feeling. I’ve been going to school so long now, without finals, and studying, and assignments, I’m not sure what I’ll do.”

  “Oh, trust me the assignments don’t end once you’ve got your own class. You know my husband teaches the juniors and seniors and I think I’d about pass out and die if the man didn’t have any late-night grading.”

  “Thank goodness summer is right around the corner,” I say.

  “True. So, when is your wedding again?”

  I shuffle for a moment. I suppose I never considered that I began the year as an en
gaged woman. “We’re not engaged actually, only dating.”

  Jessica furrows her brow. “My mistake, I noticed the ring and just assumed.”

  I’m still wearing Millie’s ring, but in one day the fake engagement will come to an end, and then what? How do we spin it that we aren’t getting married, but that Rafe and I are still together? I sigh. I need to speak with my parents, prepare them for the changes coming their way. My mother’s smooth plan didn’t go smoothly, and nothing irritates her more than ruffled plans.

  I smile at Jessica. “Hopefully someday. Nothing official though.”

  “I could have sworn I heard you were engaged weeks ago. Well the way you both were looking at each other when he showed up here, I don’t think it’s far off.”

  If only Ms. Fry knew we hadn’t been together then. With a tight squeeze to Jessica, I leave Honeyville Elementary for the last time as a student teacher, next time I’ll be Miss Cutler, first grad teaching extraordinaire.

  I’m anxious to get home and cleaned up. Last night Rafe, Jace, and Millie had a family dinner and I’m looking forward to hearing all about it. I like Jace. We chatted when she gave me a ride home, and she sounds like a genuinely nice person who was over the moon about finding long lost cousins.

  As I’m walking into my building, my phone buzzes. I assume it’s Rafe, demanding to know why my butt isn’t at his house yet (that’s what he always says) but my mother’s name shines back at me. “Hi, Mama.”

  “Olive.” Her voice is flatter than normal. “How was your last day? It was today, correct?”

  Surprising. I didn’t know Mama kept up with my schooling. “Yeah, it was. It helps that I’m coming back next year or I might have been a blubbering fool.”

  “What are you doing? Everything is rustling about?”

  “Sorry,” I say, balancing the colored cards in one arm, while tucking the bag higher on my shoulder. “I’ve got an armful.”

  “It’s polite to stay put while on the phone. Gives the person your full attention.”

  I roll my eyes and lean into the elevator. “Sorry. Is there anything I can do for you, or did you call to ask about school?”

  “No. I called for a different reason. It might be impolite, but I feel it needs to be addressed.”

  I slip out of the elevator and fiddle with my apartment key until my door swings open. “What is it?”

  She hesitates. “An issue with your behavior.”

  I plop onto the sofa, aghast. “My behavior?”

  “At the dinner last weekend, Olive Jane.”

  “What did I do?”

  She clears her throat. “Your behavior with Rafe. Olive, I was mortified watching you keep your lips all over the man. I feel you went too far. I never asked you to do all that.”

  My stomach tugs, like a taffy puller plays with my insides. I never took my chance to speak to my parents, what with Dot’s fiasco, meeting Jace, and well, I suppose I’ve made more excuses ever since. I’m out of excuses now.

  “I wasn’t pretending,” I murmur.

  “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean. The bridal shower is tomorrow, you’ll remember that is when this ends. I don’t need my daughter flinging herself on a man. Especially when she is not even seeing—”

  “I am.” I cover my eyes, waiting, preparing to defend Rafe to my own mother.

  “Excuse me?”

  My heart is in my throat, palms sweaty. “I know you won’t approve, Mama, but I need to tell you—”

  “Hold on,” she says quickly. “Beau and Prudy just arrived.”

  My neck prickles with heat. I want to tell my mother it’s impolite to cut someone off. I listen to a few greetings, hear my aunt’s voice, then Beau’s.

  “I’m dating Rafe,” I whisper to no one. “I love him and I’m happy, and that needs to be enough for you.”

  “Yes, I’m speaking with Olive,” Mama says closer to the phone. “You were right, Prudy, sounds like she might be getting caught up in this.” Then she clears her throat. “Olive Jane, I need to get going. I want to make it clear whatever you’re thinking, it ends after the shower. That was the arrangement.”

  “Mama, I—”

  “I’ve got to go. I mean it though, Olive. No inappropriate behavior. You won’t embarrass your father or me by public displays of affection.”

  “You’re not listening.”

  Another dangerous pause. “We’ll discuss whatever you feel is so pressing after the shower. Bye, now.”

  I’m stunned, alone, and my eyes sting when she disconnects. I’m angry. Not one attempt to hear me, to listen. She knew what I was saying, I could hear it in her voice, and she’s shut me out. Why am I surprised? There will be another hold, there will always be an excuse. Knowing her, I’d be pushing out Rafe’s baby and Mama would be denying the truth in the delivery room.

  What a fantasy to think my family would be overjoyed.

  How pretentious that they aren’t.

  I’m ashamed I don’t call her back; I don’t do anything more but sit on my couch and have a good, long cry.

  Chapter 24

  Rafe

  I drag my fingertips along Olive’s shoulder, her head against my chest. The warm, gentle breeze wafts the sugary scent of her hair, her skin, and I think I might be satisfied to never move again. Tonight, the sky is black glass, clear and bright, and staring above us, I’m reminded of the thousands of times we’ve done this before. At the Big House, stargazing on the back lawns as kids was a regular evening. The appeal hasn’t changed, but I’m glad touching and kissing has been added.

  “How was the last day?” I ask against her hair.

  “Bittersweet. I’m so glad to be done, but I have a folder filled with the cutest little pictures you ever saw and I ugly cried.”

  I kiss the top of her head. “I’m proud of you, you know. I always was. For sticking with what made you happy.”

  She squeezes my body tighter. “I’m proud of you too, Rafe.”

  I scoff. “For what?”

  “What do you mean for what? You don’t think I’m proud to have you?”

  “I haven’t exactly done anything of note, Ollie,” I tell her as I tuck a piece of hair behind her ear.

  “You have to me.” She kisses my neck. “You work harder than anyone I know.” Her lips find my jaw. I smile as her hands run over my chest. “You treat your mama like a queen.” She kisses my face. “You’re smart and sweet.” Her lips brush mine; we lace our fingers together. “You know how to love a woman properly.” Then she kisses me, once, twice. My head is spinning when she pulls away. “Those are just a few things of note. I could go on.”

  “I think my head might get big if I keep spending time with you.”

  “I’ll take you with a big head.”

  I draw her close, breathing in the moment, the woman in my arms.

  “Tomorrow is the last event,” she whispers.

  “It’s a good thing isn’t it? No more pretending.”

  “I suppose. It was foolish of my mama to use the name Whitney. What will happen when everyone learns the name Whitfield someday?”

  I grin, loving the way she’s talking future plans. “I haven’t given it much thought, but when that day comes, I guess your parents will need to decide what to do because I don’t plan on giving you the name Whitney.”

  Olive’s eyes glimmer like rich caramel. “Are you planning to give me your name?”

  “Woman, what do you think?”

  “I don’t know, I’m waiting for you to say it without getting all shy.”

  “You’re pushy.”

  “Always have been, Rafe, you should know by now.”

  Groaning softly, I pull her over my lap, my hand on the side of her face. “Ollie, if you think I’ve been playing around here, then I’ve screwed up somewhere. I plan to do a lot of things with you—changing your name hopefully being one.”

  “See,” she whispers against my mouth. “That wasn’t so hard, you big baby.”

  She
shrieks when I pinch her sides. We spend the better part of an hour, laughing, tickling, kissing until the world falls asleep and it’s just us. I can’t remember a time when I’ve been more complete.

  Life without a father, and knowing why he hadn’t wanted us, had drilled a kind of hole I didn’t think would ever fill.

  Except with Olive.

  Even as kids, when she stood up against Beau, or she’d get dirty in the creek with the son of the maid, or the moment she told me she wanted me, as me, she’s filled every piece of me. Like a place inside my heart is made for her, and no one else will fit the way she does.

  I’m not sure how I got this lucky, but I think I might be the richest guy in South Carolina. Tonight, tomorrow, for always.

  ***

  “That’s nice of you to invite Jace,” I say when we pull up to the Big House. The last event. The bridal shower. Olive has hardly smiled once all day.

  “Uh-huh. Of course.”

  “You know,” I say with a grin. “She’s moving in with us. She just loved Mama so much. I think even Will is going come, so I’ll have roommates again. The house will be loud, but I figure you won’t mind if they’re always around. Oh, and I’m pregnant.”

  “Yeah, that’ll be good” she says wistfully.

  I chuckle and squeeze her hand tearing her out of her daze. “Ol, what’s bothering you?”

  She sighs. “I feel dirty. We shouldn’t be doing this. People are bringing presents.”

  I glance down and stare at my feet. What are we supposed to do? We’re late to our own party, guests are already here. Zac even showed again, and I catch sight of him with my cousin and Dot, drinking and laughing.

  “We can send them back,” I tell her. “Or call it an early gift. I plan to marry you someday, Olive, even if we aren’t technically engaged.”

  She grins and touches a small scar over my eyebrow. “I remember when you got this.”

  “Change of subject, but okay.” I remember the day too. “I’m not sure how I survived rescuing you all the time.”

  “I was a regular damsel in distress most days trying to keep up with you and August.”