False Start (The McKay-Tucker Men Series Book 1) Page 6

  “Thank you, Bobby, but I’ll be lucky if I make it through the first pitcher.” Meg pulled out a chair and made herself comfortable while Annie poured her a drink.

  “Seriously, Meg, I need to know where you shop. You always look like you stepped off a runway,” Claire said.

  Claire, rugged and athletic as any male coach on the field, attempted to make her short, stocky build feminine during the school day.

  “Actually, I’m a terrible shopper and I probably couldn’t dress myself. My best friend is a personal shopper in New York and sends me sample clothes all the time.”

  “Call me ignorant, but what the heck are sample clothes?” Jeanne asked.

  Meg turned to her left, sipped her near empty margarita. “New clothing lines designers send out to their regular clients. They get their opinions of what works, doesn’t work, and changes that need to be made. There are also other samples in random sizes, colors, and styles to the stores and then the stores pick and choose the right clothing for their cliental. Tracy obtains a ton of stuff and I reap the benefits.” She shrugged and polished off her drink.

  “If they have an overload of size fourteen tell your girlfriend to send it on my way,” Annie chimed in as she poured Meg another glass.

  Reaching for the basket of peanuts, Meg started to correct Annie when she spotted Connor at the other end of the bar. He leaned against a wall, sipping his beer and talking with another man, but his gaze focused right on her. She held the stare for merely a second and quickly turned away, but the heat from his eyes branded a flush to her face. Thankfully, he couldn’t see the effect his presence had on her. He made her have inappropriate thoughts of him that would surely get her fired.

  Slowly, teachers finished their drinks and said their goodbyes as they headed home to their families. After two hours and three margaritas, Meg was more than ready to go home but still felt the buzz from her drinks. She and Annie decided to stay and eat dinner to try to dilute the alcohol running through their bloodstream.

  On her way back from her fourth trip to the ladies' room, she stopped midway to her table. Annie had left, replaced by Connor. Meg had avoided conversation with him for the past few hours and did not want to start now.

  “Where’s Annie?”

  “Gone.” He smirked and picked up the menu the waitress brought over when Annie mentioned they’d stay for dinner.

  “Is she okay?”

  “Fine. Rick came by to take her out to dinner. She said she’d take a rain check on dinner.”

  “Oh.” She pulled at her sweater and fidgeted with her bracelet. “I guess I should be on my way too.”

  “Sit,” he barked.

  “Excuse me?”

  “I said sit. You’re not going anywhere.”

  “Again, excuse me? Since when did you become my keeper?”

  “Since you had one too many and shouldn’t be driving home. And since Annie had to leave and told me to keep you company for dinner.” He picked up his menu and scanned the entrées.

  Hands on her hips and fierce as the devil, Meg was not about to let the pompous ass boss her around. Ready to storm out of the bar just to piss him off, she noticed her purse on the chair next to Connor. She’d have to reach over him or ask him for it. Realizing she was stuck with his company, she scraped the chair opposite him back and plopped herself down. It was a trick Emma used when forced to sit and listen to unsolicited advice.

  Moments later, Mandy came by with a smile for Meg and a flirtatious wink for Connor. “What’ll it be, handsome?”

  “I’d say you on a platter, but Jerry would probably key my car, so I’ll settle for a burger and fries.”

  “And for you, sweetie?”

  “I’ll have the turkey wrap and a large ice water, please.”

  “No problem. Give me a few minutes.”

  Meg took in her surroundings, studying the plaques, the pictures, watching the patrons, anything to avoid eye contact with the imposing man sitting across from her. He made her nervous. Partly because of her reaction to his kiss the other night, partly because he was too smug, and knew how to push all the wrong buttons, but mainly because he was so damn attractive and made her heart race. She felt his intense gaze on her but tried to make it clear she wanted nothing to do with him.

  Thankfully the food came out quickly and aided as another diversion to conversation. Mandy slid their plates on the table.

  “Here ya go, kids. Give me a holler if I can get ya anything else.”

  “Thanks, Mandy.” Connor didn’t pick up his burger but continued to stare.

  Suddenly self-conscious, Meg picked up her wrap and took a small bite. It never bothered her to eat in front of people before, but one could only tolerate so much.

  “What? It’s rude to stare!” She put her wrap down a little too roughly and the turkey and lettuce fell out of the flatbread.

  “Do you know how rude it is to ignore someone you’re having dinner with?”

  “Do you understand how rude it is to invite yourself to dinner with someone when they don’t want to be with you?”

  Connor leaned forward on his elbows bringing his face closer to hers. “Do you know how rude it is to kiss someone the way you did and then slap them in the face?”

  “I didn’t slap you in the face!” She looked around after speaking a little too loudly. Connor obviously didn’t care.

  “Same thing.” He picked up his burger and took an aggressive bite chewing madly while glaring at her.

  Pulling her glass closer, Meg sipped her water. And sipped. And sipped until the water disappeared and the ice clinked as she set hear glass down. She needed time to think about a comeback and no longer had any desire to eat her wrap. Whatever buzz she had before was long gone.

  “I was sleeping when you kissed me.”

  “You kissed me back,” he said, picking up a French fry and scooping up a blob of ketchup.

  “I didn’t know it was you.”

  “Who’d you think it was?”

  “That’s not what I meant.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Never mind. I’m sorry. Okay? I was tired and when I woke up I was disoriented. I didn’t mean to be rude, but I didn’t mean to kiss you either. Now, can you please hand me my purse. I really need to go. This is awkward, and I don’t want to have this discussion now.”

  “Okay, when?”

  “When what?”

  “When can we have this discussion?”

  Meg rolled her eyes. “Wrong place, wrong time, wrong person. Okay?” Not to mention how her job could be on the line. “Let’s forget about it and move on. Can I have my purse so I can pay for my meal and leave?”

  “I invited myself to dinner, I pay.” He tossed a few bills on the table and handed over her purse.

  “Thank you.” She pulled on her coat and waved goodbye to Mandy not caring if Connor followed or stayed behind to drink away the night, but when she got to her car she felt his hand on her arm.

  “I believe you meant to kiss me.”

  “What? You’re crazy. Can we just drop it?” She unlocked her door, slid behind the wheel, and started her car.

  He leaned over the door and stared at her again. “What if I don’t want to drop it?” The threat was whispered, but it rang loud and clear in her ears as she drove home.

  Chapter 7

  What if I don’t want to drop it? What the heck did that mean? Was he really that angry with her for rejecting him the other night or did he mean something else? Or was he using her? Meg cleared her mind as she walked over to the stable expecting to find Emma gearing up for her Saturday lesson. Instead, she found Betsy Tucker talking to one of the horses.

  “Good morning, Betsy.”

  The petite woman turned around and smiled. Her short, gray hair framed a full face and large blue eyes. Years of hard, physical work evident in her posture and skin, but her eyes never stopped twinkling. Four children and thirty years of marriage to George had been good to her. Over the past few months, w
hile Emma had learned to ride and care for horses, Betsy often talked about her children and her life on the farm.

  “Morning to you Meg. You just missed Emma. George brought her out to the ring to work on jumps. She’s a fine rider. Come spring she’ll be putting her competitors to shame.”

  “George has been wonderful with her. Ever since she was five years old, all she ever talked about was horses. The city didn’t lend itself to many farms. The rural life was definitely one of the selling points in convincing her to move up here with me to the middle of nowhere. No offense. We do love this town.”

  “And we’re a better town because of the two of you.” Betsy kissed the white stallion on his nose and looped her arm through Meg’s. “Let’s go on out and check out our favorite equestrian.”

  The cold December air felt crisp and refreshing after such a confusing night. Their boots crunched on the frozen ground and their breath clouded the air as they walked, talked, and watched Emma ride Lady, her favorite horse, around the ring clearing the jumps.

  “I don’t mean to be nosey, but are you dating anyone?”

  The question took Meg by surprise. “Um, no. I really haven’t had the time or the opportunity to meet anyone.”

  “Hmm. How would you feel about a blind date?”

  Not expecting that either, Meg laughed. “I’m not really blind date material.”

  “What in heaven’s name does that mean?”

  “I’m not very good at making conversation. Especially with strangers.”

  “You and I were strangers once, and look at us now. Once we start, we can’t stop jibber-jabbering.”

  “Anyone can talk with you, Betsy.”

  “Likewise. How about you give it a try? Just one date. Dinner. I can make the arrangements.”

  “Who exactly do you have in mind? Not that I’m interested,” she quickly added.

  “My son, Mack.”

  “Son? You just celebrated your thirtieth wedding anniversary. And your sons are barely out of college. I’m a bit too old for either one of them.”

  “Oh, dear. I guess with all our talking these months I kept a bit of myself secretive. I didn’t mean to. I’m used to living in a small town where everyone knows everything about everyone. I was married before George and had Annie and little Mack. Randy, my first husband, died when the kids were young. Mack had just started kindergarten. I met George some years later and we had two boys. Sometimes I forget that George isn’t their father, not that I didn’t love Randy. It was a long time ago.” Betsy stared off into the pasture and smiled fondly at her memories.

  “I guess I never thought about it. Annie is forty. You were obviously married before.” Meg looked at the sweet lady beside her and couldn’t refuse those pleading, loveable eyes. If her son was even a little bit like his mother or sister, maybe he would be the man she’d been waiting for. Not that she’d been waiting for anyone.

  “Okay. What can you tell me about your son?”

  Giddy excitement radiated off Betsy’s face. “Oh, Meg, you’ll love him. He’ll love you. I can’t believe I waited so long to even come up with it.”

  But Meg highly doubted that Betsy, sharp-as-a-whip, head-over-heels in love with her husband and family just thought of it. Just like she doubted Betsy unintentionally never mentioned her son Mack. Something didn’t feel quite right, but she owed the kind woman and going out on a dead end date sounded fairly harmless.

  Over soup and salad in their tiny kitchen, Meg listened to Emma talk about Lady and how close they’ve become in the months of their training. It pleased Meg that her daughter had invested an interest in horseback riding, and she was thrilled Annie hooked her up with her family. The Tuckers were wonderful and owned a number of properties in the town. Even her rental house. Each month she made a check out to “Tucker Brothers.” She had yet to call for any plumbing or heating problems, so she hadn’t met any of the brothers, but would next week if the predicted nor’easter hit.

  Later, Meg thumbed through her closet of stylish clothes but hadn’t a clue what to wear. She asked Betsy not to tell Annie about the date with her brother. She didn’t want any more meddling, and if the date ended up being a bust, she didn’t want to hurt Annie’s feelings by rejecting her brother. The fewer people who knew, the less build up there would be.

  Thankfully the restaurant where Betsy made reservations was out of town—she didn’t want to run into anyone—and deemed one of the most elegant inns in New Hampshire. No way would she be able to sneak out of the house in date clothes and not cause any suspicion with her daughter. Delaying the inevitable long enough, she knocked on Emma’s bedroom door.

  “Come in.”

  The walls were painted with the standard eggshell color, but Emma added her own style with colorful bedding, a funky guitar lamp—not that Emma had ever been into music—and lots of athletic equipment. A pair of skis stood in one corner while a hat rack hung on the opposite wall. Baseball caps, cowboy hats, winter hats, Emma could wear practically anything and make it look fashionable. On her nightstand stood a miniature white Christmas tree decorated with colored lights and miniature ornaments that Meg bought for her ten years ago.

  “I have a dilemma. If I confide in you, I need your promise to complete discretion.”

  Emma closed her laptop and sat up. “I’m intrigued. Fire away.”

  Meg sat on the edge of the twin bed and held up her little finger. “Pinky swear.”

  “Oh, this has to be good! Pinky swear.” They locked fingers and kissed each other’s cheeks. The bedroom still had a teenager’s decor, and Meg suddenly felt like one. Well, not like the teen she was twenty years ago, but like the adolescent years she dreamed of having. Instead of a best friend to confide in, practice makeup on, and share secret crushes with, Meg had had her baby and her aging grandparents. But now, with her child grown, Meg realized what she had missed in life. She couldn’t help but feel young and attractive when she hung out with her gorgeous daughter.

  “I have a date. A blind date and I have no idea what to wear.”

  The look of disappointment confused her. “While I’m pumped you have a date, Mom, why so top secret?”

  Meg sighed. She and Emma had grown to be best friends, more than a normal mother-daughter relationship. They were always completely open and honest with each other. If the tables were turned, she’d want her daughter to be comfortable enough to confide in her. “It’s with Annie’s brother.”

  “Oh?” Emma’s eyes twinkled. “How is this a blind date?”

  “I’ve never met him. His name is Mack, and I don’t want Annie to know…she’s so kind and friendly, but I don’t want her meddling in my personal life.”

  “Mack, huh? Don’t you think she’ll find out eventually?”

  “Sure.” Meg fiddled with the edge of the comforter. “But by then I’ll have a great cover story as to why it didn’t work out.”

  “Always the optimist,” Emma muttered.

  “Will you help me find something to wear?”

  “I can help with that.”

  Emma stood up and tugged on her mother’s hand. “Let’s check out the closet. Where is he taking you?”

  “We’re meeting at the Inn on the Mountains.”

  “Meeting? As in I don’t get to meet him? What if he’s a total dork?”

  “Dork I can handle.”

  “Mom,” she said disgustedly. “What’s this place like? Casual? Fancy? Do you want to go for sexy? Conservative?” She snorted, “Never mind.”

  “Very funny. Betsy said it is elegant. But it’s winter, so I’m thinking dressy pants will be fine. And no, I don’t want to do sexy. I don’t have to be ultra-conservative like I am at school, but I don’t want to send the wrong message.”

  “Okay, I see your point.” Emma spent the next few minutes pulling out dresses, skirts, slacks, and blouses.

  The bed soon became a giant heap of clothing. Meg sat in her robe biting her lip as her daughter concentrated on her task at hand.
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  “Got it. Go put it on.” She held up a DKNY slimming, long-sleeve red dress with a small V-neck.

  Meg slipped on the dress and stood in front of her daughter. The front draped into V-shaped pleats and had an elevated waist, the straight skirt stopping at her knees creating long legs, longer than she already had.

  “I like the knee-high boots but since you’re going elegant, wear these.” Emma handed her a pair of simple sling-back black pumps with a thin two-inch heel.

  “You are amazing. Tracy would be so pleased with your apprentice skills.” Meg leaned over and kissed the top of Emma’s head and walked toward the hallway. “I’ll have my cell if you need me.”

  “Hey, Mom.”

  “Yeah?”

  “If the guy’s a total dud or you need an escape, just text me a quick 911, and I’ll call you with some big emergency and rescue you, ‘kay?”

  “You’re the best daughter I ever had.”

  “But if he’s a hottie…I won’t be worried if you don’t make it home tonight.”

  “Emma!”

  “Kidding. Wake me when you get home. I want all the details or the pinky swear is void.”

  Meg forced a scowl trying to hide her grin. “That’s blackmail. We’ll compromise. You’ll hear all the gory details first thing in the morning. Lock up behind me. I have to run.” She blew a kiss and left.

  * * * *

  Cursing and tugging at his tie, Mack opened the eloquent doors to the fancy restaurant where his mother made reservations. The only reason he agreed to this blind date was because his mother asked. And she never asked him to do anything that wasn’t important to her. Most likely a pity date. Someone Betsy had taken under her wing and felt sorry for.

  Mack, honey, you’ll fall in love with her the instant you meet. I just know it. Yeah right.

  His mother may be a romantic, but he sure the hell wasn’t. He fell in love at first sight years ago; look where that got him.

  And why the hell did he have to drive an hour out of the way to the Inn? There were plenty of nice restaurants in North Conway, or even across the border in Maine. But he appreciated the out of the way place. He wasn’t likely to run into anyone he knew.