Beauty's Kiss (13 page)

“But it’s too late now. Doug has to remain at Hogue until the end of May.”

“Or not.” McKenna held her gaze. “I think you should hire a good attorney and let your friends here in Marietta help you.”

Taylor said nothing and McKenna reached across the table and tapped her arm.

“Are you listening?” McKenna asked.

Taylor looked up at her. “I am, but McKenna, you grew up here, everybody cares about you here. I’m not Marietta’s sweetheart. I’m a nobody here.”

“
I
can help you.”

“How?”

“I can go to Brock or Cormac or Troy—”

“
No
.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m not going to beg for favors from the Sheenans. That’s wrong. They don’t know me—”

“You’re going to the Ball with Troy!”

“I explained this already. I’m going with Troy because Jane forced us together.”

“Phooey. Open your eyes. Use your brain.” McKenna drummed her hand on the table. “Nobody forces Troy to do anything. Not even Trey could get Troy to do something Troy didn’t want to do. And Trey was persuasive, and stubborn, but Troy is strong. Troy doesn’t take crap from anyone, and he doesn’t play games. If he likes you, he likes you, and if he doesn’t, he avoids you. And if you’re going to the Ball with him, it’s because he wanted to take you, and if he’s kissed you, it’s because he wanted to put his lips on your lips. Nobody made him.”

Taylor hung her head, embarrassed. She knew McKenna was looking at her but Taylor didn’t know what to say, or how to articulate her feelings. It was hard enough worrying about her brother and struggling to come to terms with how he’d been rejected by her parents and society, without her having to deal with rejection, too.

It was a challenge coming to terms with Doug’s depression, and supporting him through his disappointments without her feeling disappointed in herself.

Without her feeling disappointed in her dreams.

Better to not want too much or dream too big...

Better to keep one’s expectations small, and manageable...

“Why are you so afraid to like Troy?” McKenna asked quietly.

Taylor pictured him—tall and so darkly handsome--in his long black wool coat and fitted cashmere sweater stepping from his big black Escalade. The man had a private jet. He lived in some outrageous mansion in the most affluent neighborhood in San Francisco. He lived in a world she didn’t know and didn’t understand and would never be part of. “He has so much.”

“Yes?”

“It’s overwhelming to me.”

“But you’re not a shallow woman. You’re not attracted to his things. You’re attracted to him. So don’t let grumpy old Judge McCorkle turn you into a timid little mouse. Have confidence. Enjoy life. Enjoy your life. You’re beautiful—”

“I’m not.”

“You
are
. Just lose the sweater sets and grandma pearls and men’s glasses.”

“Even if I dressed like a hipster, Troy would still be out of my league. He’s a city slicker—”

“Not true. He’s pure Montana, and yes, he lives in San Francisco but that’s because he’s brilliant and innovative and that’s where technology and opportunity is, but that doesn’t mean he’s not real. And solid. And smart. And loving. Because he is.”

Taylor exhaled hard, feeling naked and exposed. She was so private, she was, and she appreciated McKenna’s pep talk but it wasn’t comfortable. None of this was comfortable and Taylor just wanted the spotlight off of her and this painful conversation to end. “If you’re such a fan, why didn’t you fall for Troy instead of Trey? Why wasn’t he the right Sheenan?”

The moment the words left her mouth, Taylor knew she’d said the wrong thing. She didn’t even need to see McKenna’s face to know it was wrong. She felt it in her heart.

It was spiteful. Mean.

And McKenna froze before her eyes, her features hardening, her expression shuttering.

For a moment there was just silence, and the silence made Taylor feel even worse.

“Sorry,” Taylor whispered, kicking herself, hating herself, ashamed she’d said something so unkind to McKenna who had been nothing but kind. “That was terrible. Forgive me.”

“It’s actually a very good question,” McKenna said, coolly, smiling faintly. But the smile didn’t reach her eyes.

Taylor wished the ground would open up and just swallow her. “I really am sorry,” she whispered, mouth dry. “I shouldn’t have said that. I didn’t mean it—”

“But you’re right. I’m sure everyone else thinks the same thing. Why didn’t I fall in love with Troy? My life would have been so different. So much...
easier
.” McKenna drained her margarita and then glanced at her watch. “Oh dear, it’s late. I need to go. My sitter has a big test tomorrow. I promised I wouldn’t keep her out too late.”

“I should go, too,” Taylor said, rising, aware that she’d ruined the mood, and maybe the evening, too. “I really am sorry, McKenna. I shouldn’t have been so sensitive, and I shouldn’t have said what I did—”

“Stop. You’re fine,” McKenna said firmly, cutting the apology off. “I’m fine. No harm done. Honestly. And yes, you should speak up. Speak your mind. You can’t go through life minimizing yourself, marginalizing yourself, hoping it will please others.” She wagged her finger at Taylor, a hint of her good humor returning. “I used to be a big sister, so I’ll tell you what I would have told my sister, Grace. Don’t live to please others. Don’t think everyone else knows what’s right or true. Listen to yourself, and be true to yourself. That way, no matter what else happens in life, you will always have your self-respect.”

McKenna finished buttoning her coat and slipped her gloves on. “And I don’t know why I didn’t fall for Troy,” she added thoughtfully as they started for the door. “Troy is everything Trey isn’t. He’s good, he’s kind, he’s responsible.
Successful
. He doesn’t drink too much and he doesn’t get into bar fights—” She broke off, pursed her lips, and shook her head. “No. He’s nothing like Trey, which is why he doesn’t make my heart race or my pulse quicken or make me feel special, and beautiful, and new. And Trey made me feel that. From day one. From day one Trey made me feel like I was the most amazing girl in the world.” Her shoulders lifted and fell. “How can you not love a man that makes you feel like a goddess... absolutely divine?”

And then she was walking, quickly, and Taylor followed behind her, processing everything that had happened, and everything she and McKenna had talked about, realizing that McKenna Douglas wasn’t just beautiful and talented, she was also surprisingly wise.

Chapter Eight

Troy was glad that the uncomfortable ninety minute dinner with Judge McCorkle at the Graff was over and he was now free to sit at the bar at Grey’s and just relax.

Ninety minutes wasn’t long when you were dining with friends or a beautiful woman, but ninety minutes was endless when you were being solicited for a loan.

Judge Joe McCorkle found himself on the wrong side of a business deal and was in financial trouble. Of course he didn’t want anyone in the community to know he’d made some mistakes with his investments, and that he’d already taken out a second mortgage on his house to sort things out only to have just dug himself deeper into debt. He’d already approached both local banks and Big Sky Credit Union, and all three had turned him down. Judge McCorkle was a risk. He was also nearing retirement. How could he ever pay the loan back?

For that matter, how could he save his house? His wife had no idea that they could soon lose their home, and everything they’d worked for.

Troy had listened to all this over a dinner of steak and whiskey. He paid for the dinner. The Judge had no money.

The Judge knew Troy had money.

What was a two hundred and fifty thousand dollar loan between friends? Hadn’t Troy gone to school with his daughter Susie? (And no, Troy hadn’t. Brock had.)

Troy hadn’t told the judge yes. But he hadn’t told him no. He had to think about it. Had to figure out where the money would come from, and be realistic about McCorkle’s ability to pay him back.

The Judge might not ever be able to pay him back.

This wasn’t the first time Troy was approached by a Marietta individual needing assistance. It wouldn’t be the last.

As Troy entered Grey’s, he spotted a half dozen different people he knew. Callan Carrigan was in the far back, shooting pool, with a couple of Brock’s young hired hands. Dawson O’Dell and a young off duty sheriff were eating burgers at a table on one side, while McKenna and Taylor were having drinks on the other side.

Interesting, seeing McKenna and Taylor together. Troy hadn’t known they were friends. Taylor certainly hadn’t said anything last night at the Diner to indicate that she and McKenna were close.

He didn’t have a problem with them being friends. If anything, he thought it’d be good for Taylor to have someone like McKenna in her corner. You couldn’t ask for a better friend than McKenna. McKenna didn’t bullshit and she wasn’t superficial, and she was the first to stand up for the underdog.

What did surprise him was seeing McKenna head his way. He’d only just ordered a beer when McKenna arrived at his side.

“Hey,” McKenna said, greeting him.

“Hey, yourself,” he said, sliding off the bar stool. “Hello, Taylor,” he added, nodding at the librarian who was hanging back, as if to give them space. Troy turned his attention to McKenna. “You okay?”

She tucked a long dark red strand of hair behind her ear. “Sorry about last night.”

“It’s fine.”

“I wanted to talk to you, but its... weird.”

“I get it.”

She shook her head, jaw set, frustration evident. “It’s always such a shock... seeing you... even now. I know you can’t help looking like him, the rat bastard.”

Troy reached out and folded McKenna into a quick hug. “The curse of being an identical twin,” he said, dropping a kiss on the top of her head.

“I should hate you,” she said, her voice muffled against his chest.

“You should.”

She looked up at him, smiling faintly, crookedly. “I don’t.”

“That’s good.” He released her, and watched as she stepped back, moving closer to Taylor. McKenna had been a very pretty girl and she’d grown into an absolutely stunning woman with long auburn hair, light green eyes, high cheekbones and a perfect chin, beneath perfect lips. But beneath her beauty was sadness. Her fire and courage didn’t completely mask her pain. McKenna had lived through a terrible tragedy and then she’d fallen in love with a man who couldn’t get his shit together long enough to protect her properly so that her wounds could heal. Instead Trey just kept hurting her, making the scars and pain worse.

“How’s TJ?” Troy asked. Is he doing okay?”

“He’s smart as a whip. And a chip off the old block.”

“Lucky you.”

“Haha.”

Troy glanced at Taylor, not wanting to leave her out of the conversation and yet not sure how to include her, before focusing back on McKenna. “I’d love to come see him while I’m in town. If you’re alright with that.”

McKenna smiled. “That’d be great. He’d love seeing you.” She hesitated. “But it is confusing for him. You look, you know, like his—” she broke off, smiled, even as tears glittered in her eyes. “So how is everyone? How’s your dad?”

“Dad’s not doing well. He’s fading fast. I think it’d be a miracle if he makes it another two weeks.”

“I’m sorry.” She hesitated. “Do you think he’d want... to see... TJ?”

“I’m sure he would. Maybe we can bring TJ by this weekend while I’m still home?”

She nodded and drew a deep breath. “I don’t know if you’ve heard. I’m engaged, to Larry... Lawrence... Joplin.”

“Dillon told me.”

McKenna glanced at Taylor, who was still hanging back, and then at Troy. “I have to do what’s right for me and TJ.”

“I understand.”

“TJ needs stability and security.
I
need stability and security.”

“We all understand. We do. And we support you. We love you.”

McKenna’s eyes narrowed and she looked away, focusing very hard on a distant point across the bar. “I haven’t told Trey. I’m not going to.”

“Okay.”

McKenna glanced at Taylor again, and struggled to smile. “I understand you’re taking Taylor to the Ball.”

Troy saw Taylor’s eyes widen behind her big glasses. She looked positively mortified. “Yes,” he said, checking his smile. “Taylor has most graciously agreed to accompany me to the Ball.”

“That was very nice of her,” McKenna said, lips curving. “And that’s because she’s a
nice
girl, Troy, not like your big city floozies. So please, Troy, be on your best behavior Friday night.” She winked and walked out.