Her Unexpected Life

By Brickley Jules

Valerie Cooper is set on a path she would have never dreamed when her husband, Curtis, suddenly leaves her.

After Curtis makes it clear the separation won't come easy, she befriends Luke Flynn, a fellow parent from their kids' soccer team.

He helps her keep her sanity as she navigates the obstacles on the way to her new life.

In return, Luke may be asking for more than just her friendship, and Valerie will need to decide if that's what she wants, or if it's too much too soon.

***A Treasures of Briarton novel which can be read as a full-length stand alone or as part of the series. NO CLIFFHANGERS in this HEA women's contemporary fiction.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brickley Jules
• Release date: Oct 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370152711

Brickley Jules

I have two beautiful daughters that occupy most of my time. I am a stay at home mom with a recently empty nest. I can be found on most social media platforms and try to keep them fresh, when the kids let me. I have four current projects Her Ordinary Life, Out of the Blue, Vested In Her, and Into the Blue. I've recently set Her Unexpected Life, my chick lit romance, up for pre-order.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Valerie Cooper’s cell phone jingled to life in the middle of the soda aisle at her local Hugemart. After swiping her finger across the screen, she read the text from her husband.

I’m moving out.

Ha! Auto-correct, the technological version of that telephone game the kids play. Valerie’s thumbs wrestled with the touch screen of her phone to send her reply. I think auto-correct got you. She tossed her phone back into her purse and moved on to the next aisle where she was greeted by the scent of roses, her favorite flower.

Moments later, a few cheerful jingles announced his response. No. It didn’t. I’m moving out of the house and in with my college girlfriend, Wendy.

Valerie could feel sweat creeping up her back as she waited for the punch line in this bizarre joke of her husband’s. Curtis, as far as jokes go, this one sucks, babe. She didn’t throw her phone back in her purse this time. Instead, she stood fixed in the aisle, almost rooted to the spot while waiting on his retort. The humor of his joke must have been over her head.

It’s no joke, Valerie, but believe me we’re getting quite the laugh out of it.

I must be dreaming. This is too crazy to be happening.

Valerie stared from her phone to her cart full of groceries her family would need to get through the week. Her eyes lingered over the sports drinks that Curtis took in his lunch and the snack bars he ate before he played basketball.

An awful truth dawned on Valerie, causing her mind to swirl. She braced herself against the cart to keep from toppling over. He played a lot of basketball. Now she wondered if he was, in fact, playing basketball with the guys at all? Was he with Wendy, whoever that was, when he was supposed to be at the court?

If this isn’t a joke, then he’s leaving me, and by choice. Curtis is leaving me for someone else. She shook her head unwilling to except that reality. It has to be a joke, a very messed up, sick joke.

That morning when Valerie dropped her daughters off at school, she felt the loneliness of her youngest’s obligation to attend school all day, every day, like every other child in the country. This requirement sentenced Valerie to ramble around the house on her own with no companions throughout the day. But her daughter didn’t choose to leave her. Curtis was. No. It can’t be true. I don’t believe it. And I won’t.

Her hands trembled so violently it became a struggle to maintain her grip on her phone. A large swig of coffee from her Best Wife in the World mug nestled in the cart’s basket helped settle them, and its aroma covered her in a reassuring embrace. But her stomach still churned like that time she ate bad sushi.

Valerie’s eyes took in her surroundings, looking for the exits. A tear escaped her resolve and slithered down her cheek; its traitorous behavior threatened to give away the turmoil bubbling under her composure. With shaky fingertips she removed it with as much affection as any executioner had for a prisoner bound for the block. She must leave before she gave all the looky-loos something to talk about this week. Her ruined life concerned no one but her.

Straightening her back, Valerie attempted to remain poised as she pushed her cart to the front of the store. Once at the service desk, she outright lied, saying she left her wallet at home. All around her people went about their lives as if everything was normal. They acted like nothing was different, but everything was changed for Valerie and her girls now. Pleading with her eyes, she begged forgiveness and received understanding sympathy from the cashier who admitted she, too, had left her wallet at home before. The woman prattled on about each instance as Valerie stewed in visions of Curtis under the covers with another woman. He better not have brought her to our house.

Valerie Cooper, stop this right now. This is all a misunderstanding. Some twisted joke.

But what if it wasn’t? Valerie cleared her throat, pushing back a lump of uncertainty that, if addressed further, would make her cry buckets right there on the spot. Her pride seemed to be all she had left, and after this got out, she may not even have that. She nodded thanks and excused herself to find her wallet, but she didn’t bother to promise to return. She could find another Hugemart to shop at. She may never return to this one.

On her fifteen-minute drive home, Valerie traveled through the picturesque town of Briarton. The town could have been straight from the set of any Made for TV Movie with its small, trendy shops, proximity to a larger city, and abundance of fresh air. The fact that it was situated next to a small meandering river only added to its charm even on a cold January day like today. It was beautiful. And if someone were to watch close enough, they might catch a glimpse of the area’s local wildlife on the tree-lined banks of that river. The final thing that cemented its Made for TV charm was that people flocked to the town to visit its bicycle paths on any day it wasn’t raining.

Valerie loved the suburb of Briarton and all its charms. They played a large role in her vote for their home here. If it hadn’t been for Briarton’s appeal, she may have chosen a house closer to Curtis’s parents back when they were searching. She often brought her girls to town to experience that beauty. They would eat lunch at one of three era-themed diners. After lunch, they would wander the streets, window-shopping, and wave to the cyclists. She would miss this town if she had to move.

Valerie’s stomach sent another wave of nausea up her throat as she neared the country home that she and Curtis had bought for their family. It sat far enough away from Briarton to see the stars at night, but was close enough to reap the benefits of city life. Once she left the city limits sign, it would only be a few minutes’ drive until she reached her destination. Her palms couldn’t seem to stop sweating. She wiped each of them on her pants while the other manned the wheel. Going home had never affected her like this before.

A large yard and swing-set had been her sole requirements for their family home. This house didn’t have the swing-set, so Curtis built one that rivaled the best playgrounds around. At the time, she sang his praises at the love he showed his family with his hands.

As the small creek that ran by the house came into view, Valerie’s heart quickened. She feared that if it beat much faster she would pass out. After parking in her driveway, Valerie approached her home, each step taken with care as if she might shatter the well-worn pavers under her feet. This house, their refuge from the hustle of life, the place where their girls had sleepovers and birthdays, was supposed to be a happy home, or so she had thought.

My Curtis wouldn’t leave his family. His attachment to duty wouldn’t let him. Curtis once went back to a fast food restaurant to pay for an extra fry they received but didn’t order. Valerie often joked with him that under straight-laced in the dictionary, Webster printed a picture of him. But he never laughed.

Valerie slowed her tiptoed approach as the wheels in her brain started turning.

He had been acting strange recently, more relaxed about that sort of thing. He had told Amelia, their daughter, to keep a necklace she found at school instead of turning it in to the lost and found. Amelia argued that as much as she wished it was hers, it wasn’t, and if she ever got one and lost it she hoped that the person who found it would turn it in so she could get it back.

These thoughts froze Valerie to the pavers, her hand jerking to cover her mouth, as realization dawned on her. He had been acting strange for a little while now. He wasn’t as uptight and righteous as usual.

No. This can’t be. She straightened her spine and squared her shoulders. This wasn’t their life. They weren’t like that. Other people divorced, other people separated all the time, but not her and her husband. Divorce happened to people who claimed to fall out of love with each other and people who spent more time at work then with their families, but not Curtis and her.

Yes. She was the proverbial soccer mom, always running a kid here or there, and he was the fifty-hour a week provider. But they had family night where they ate dinner together and play board games. They went to the zoo together and the aquarium. That proved they loved each other. People who don’t love each other wouldn’t spend time together.

Besides, Curtis looked down on people who couldn’t stick it out for the kids’ sake. He always claimed to not understand how they could be so full of themselves to ruin everyone’s lives around them with a simple whim.

Trying to plan sleepovers for their daughters helped bring this point home. Several of the little girls her daughters were friends with had divorced parents. They could never get all the girls together on the same night because Sally had to be at her Dad’s this weekend but Megan had to be at her Dad’s the next. Poor Tessie lived with her Father every weekend, and he was not willing to share her at all. Isabelle was the only one whose parents were still married and was able to come almost any weekend. Now, her babies, Amelia and Paige, would fall into the divorced parents group.

Sniffing back tears that still threatened to overtake her, Valerie continued down the walkway.

Chapter 2

No premade scenarios existed in Valerie’s mind for a day like today. Scenarios for wrecking the car in the snow or getting a flat resided there, but no ideas on how to start her life over abided.

Once Valerie walked into that house, her life as she knew it might change forever. The scent of roses wafted up to torment her. Curtis had planted those roses for her for their anniversary a few years ago. With no desire to determine her future’s fate, Valerie forced herself across the wooden porch, willing each foot to take the next step. The front door loomed before her, its once cheery red paint now giving off an ominous feel. She steadied her shaking hand with her other as she put her key in the slot. Her clammy palms slipped on the knob, and she had to wipe them against her pants again before she could turn it.

Upon entering the threshold of the living room, Valerie noticed no apparent changes. Everything appeared the same. The couch still sat in front of the TV, the table still had eight chairs around it, and Duke, the dog, still ambled from room to room. In the bedroom, she found the truth. Curtis’s drawers hung open and empty, teetering at their limit, threatening to crash to the floor. As if in a trance, she closed each one, her defenses adding another brick to the wall going up around her broken heart with each drawer she closed.

Hangers littered the closet floor, some broken, their hooks popped off with force. Valerie stooped, gathered up the unbroken hangers and rehung them in the closet. On autopilot, she removed all the broken ones and discarded them. The floor under the rack where Curtis’s shirts hung lay bare, his suitcases no longer stored there. In the bathroom, his shampoo and body wash no longer lined the shelf in the shower, and his shaving kit didn’t occupy the drawer. Heartbreak replaced disbelief as Valerie came to terms with reality. Her heart felt as desolate as their closet looked.

Valerie crashed her way out of the bedroom and threw herself onto the couch, wilting into it. She cried until no tears remained, and her head felt like a chainsaw had split it in two. Gut-wrenching sobbing for three hours left her in a deplorable state. After a bit she dragged herself up; life required it. Her girls needed her to. Right now they needed her to pack Amelia’s dance bag and get ready for the evening activities.

Amelia excelled at school as a student, but lagged behind the other children when it came to sports. She begged to try Step Dancing at Petits Danseurs, and after showing an innate ability for it, Curtis and Valerie agreed to enroll her. And not only the Traditional Step, but also in the Tap version. They even considered letting her join the Competition Team next year if she continued to enjoy it.

Taking a deep breath, Valerie dialed Curtis’s number. It rang until his voicemail picked up and informed her it was full. She choked back her heartache and typed out a text to Curtis. She needed to try one more time. What about the kids?

That cheerful jingle that indicated a text from Curtis played. It used to bring her joy, but now she wondered what tiny message of dread it held this time.

They’re yours. What about them?

Valerie struggled to swallow past the lump in her throat. You’re walking out of their lives, too?

You could put it like that. Wendy and I think…well, they’re part of you, and that makes them not as good as us. I’ll help you feed them and keep the lights on so they can do homework until school is over. Strictly because it benefits us.

His statement hit her like a truck. Wounded for a second time that day, Valerie struggled to grasp understanding. Her nails made fevered clicking sounds, fueling her rage as she typed out her return message. What kind of drugs are you on? Who are you? The man I married doesn’t act or talk like this.

People change.

Valerie’s body tensed, she broke out in a sweat, and her poor phone strained to take the brunt of her anger as she typed. I realize this, but to go from loving your children to suddenly saying they’re not good enough for you is beyond extreme. What, is that bitch’s snatch laced with, LSD or something?

I would prefer you didn’t speak of my fiancée in such a rude manner. And we’re not ready for people to know that I left you so you’re going to need to tell folks that I’m out of town working. So, your lips need to stay sealed until the end of the school year for now or we’ll make your life hell.

Fiancée…he already asked her to marry him! Tears dropped from her eyes, warming Valerie’s chilled cheek. Everything had seemed fine, aside from Curtis acting a bit odd every now and then. He seemed back to normal last night when she spoke to him on his cell phone. Was he even at the cabin last night with his family?

Curtis spent his weekends every January at his family’s lodge with his cousins fox hunting, so Valerie didn’t talk to him much on the weekends. His father and uncles had gone there as boys with their fathers, creating a Cooper family tradition over the years. Curtis never admitted it, but Valerie knew he wished he had a son to take along. But after the birth of their second daughter, they decided not to try anymore.

Valerie didn’t speak to him during the week much either. Most often they shared just a few texts back and forth. Curtis’s schedule required him to go to bed around seven. Valerie didn’t get home until then. On the stove, she would find dinner made for the girls and her, but they seldom ate with Curtis. Only one night a week when no one had anything in the evening did they all eat as a family. Curtis even cooked then, because Valerie lacked cooking skills.

The girls were going to starve. She couldn’t feed them. Valerie pulled herself together, took in a calming lung-full of air, and thought about her situation. She could do this. She’d been on her own before. I need a job!

The role of breadwinner would soon fall to her. This thought sent her straight into panic mode. Bile rose in her throat. She stumbled backwards crashing onto the floor, as her mind raced. Her mind frantically scrambled for any possible leads. She volunteered at the local Givingreat a few times a month. It was a local nonprofit that took items the community donated and sold them for a small sum back into the public. Then they used the money from the sale of the items to fund a food bank. Maybe they’ll have a job for a frequent volunteer. Or maybe she could sub at the school.

This year, writing filled her days so she hadn’t worked outside the home. She loved the way her life operated, but now she wished she had worked, somewhere, anywhere. Valerie pulled out her laptop and searched for her ten-year old résumé. She took her last paying job around Christmastime a few years back when everyone was hiring. Most jobs disappeared at the end of January. She may need to hand résumés out like religious flyers to anyone willing to take them to find work.

Options were what she needed. Seeking family help would have to fall under the category of last resort due to Curtis’s demands. Her anger at him blossomed as she thought about his last few texts. She was the victim in this. He was leaving her. By refusing to divorce her and requiring she keep his actions secret he was just dumping salt in the hole where Valerie’s heart used to be. His insistence on staying married to her until the end of the school year only created bigger problems for her than it created advantages.

If he’d divorced her like a normal man she could take advantage of the cheaper rental rates single mothers received in certain apartment buildings. She could definitely use that now. Selling the house and saving the difference between the mortgage and the cheaper rent for the next four months while he offered his aid could pad her nest egg a great deal. The only notable advantage to staying married involved her girls. They might be spared the sympathetic looks of teachers and parents. Then again, an ‘out of town’ father may solicit the same looks. Maybe there were no advantages at all for Valerie in staying married