Always Second Best

By Robyn C Rye

After the death of her Aunt and Uncle, Harper's life takes a downturn. Constantly undermined by her Mother and cousin, Harper struggles to survive amidst criticism and unexpectedly nasty deeds. Harper turns to her Father for support, and as she tries to avoid conflict within her home, Don Byars attempts to minimise the damage his wife and entitled niece inflict on his daughter.

            Harper moves from home to gain her nursing qualifications, but even then, her cousin lures her friends and boyfriends to become her latest conquests. After one too many incidents, Harper leaves her hometown and moves to a new satellite city far away. Despite her reluctance to become involved in a relationship, Harper is drawn to Rhett Landry, a contractor/ farmer who pursues her.

            Her new start doesn't all go smoothly, and when her relationship with Rhett implodes, it takes the interference of her friend and Rhett's family to help him make a big statement that confirms his commitment. When Harper is called back to Heathcote for her cousin's wedding, it is with satisfaction that Harper watches Karma catch up with Desiree and her Mother.

            Discarding her relationship with her Mother and cousin, Harper leaves Heathcote for the last time. Once she returns to Flinder's Ridge, the future Harper always wanted is within her reach, and the loving relationship she desired is hers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: robyncrye
• Release date: Mar 31, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224932177

Book preview

Always Second Best

Robyn C Rye

Published by robyncrye, 2024.

Copyright © 2024 by Robyn C Rye

All rights reserved. Publication of this document, either in part or whole,  is banned. Distribution or transmission in any form or by any means is prohibited without the publisher’s prior written permission except as permitted by copyright law.

This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or businesses, companies, events, institutions or locales is entirely coincidental.

Also by Robyn C Rye

Farnsworth Sisters

Marrying a Rogue

Rescuing Hannah

The Buckingham Sisters

Lady Maggie's Challenge

Layla's Unwanted Husband

The Evans Family

Sometimes Love is not Enough

Still the One

Moving Forward

Standalone

One More Chance

Lady Jayne's Reputation

Third Time's the Charm

Can't Stop Loving You

The Marriage Scam

An Unlikely Match

Searching For You

The Unexpected Suitor

The Lady and the Duke

Starting Over

An Unforgettable Stranger

The Duke's Revenge

The Temporary Wife

Against The Odds

Betrayed

No Good Turn Goes Unpunished

Lady Eloise's Soldier

Lillian's Forbidden Beau

Remember Me

Always Second Best

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Also By Robyn C Rye

Always Second Best

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Epilogue

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Also By Robyn C Rye

AUTHOR’S MESSAGE

As a reader, you may wonder why some words seem misspelt, but as an Australian writer, I use the spelling of terms in English rather than the American style. So, NO! I am not a poor speller, and I have used the spell check, but with an Australian slant.

I loved recounting the story of *and * and hope you enjoyed the unfolding story of the trials and successes they endured.

If you liked the book and have a minute to spare, I would appreciate a short review on the page or site where you bought the book. Your help in spreading the word is appreciated. Reviews from readers like you make a massive difference in helping new readers find stories like*

Prologue

Even as a five-year -old, Harper knew that when her Mother started frantically cleaning, her family were expecting a visit from Aunt Eva, Uncle Chad, and their horrid daughter Desiree. It felt like the preparations were for royalty, and Harper wondered why this was so. Weren’t her Aunt and Uncle ordinary people? Why would her Mother pull out all the stops for her sister and the family?

Visits from her relatives were few and far between, and Harper felt grateful for that. Her Mother was always sad after the family left. Harper thought it might be related to a new acquisition her aunt bragged about or an overseas or exotic holiday the Samson family had planned. She knew that her Father suffered during these visits as much as she did, and after her relatives left, her parents would argue, although Harper wasn’t privy to the reason for the argument.

Harper thought she would tell Aunt Eva and Uncle Chad they weren’t welcome if she was an adult, but the choice was not hers to make.

While the adults had morning or afternoon tea, Harper was supposed to play with her cousin. Although they were close in age, Desiree treated Harper as though she was a baby. She laughed at Harper’s toys, bragging that she had the newest edition of a game or book Harper had. When Harper suggested an activity, Desiree proclaimed it to be childish. For Harper, the visits were unpleasant, and whenever she waved goodbye to the Samson family, she silently prayed that it would be years before the relatives visited again.

After the last disastrous visit, Harper entered her Father’s study. Bookshelves lined the room, and the overflow leaked out onto the floor. Harper loved this room; there was nothing in here that her relatives were privy to, and she understood why her Father often hid in his private place. As she entered, her Father raised his head and smiled at her.

We survived another visit from the royal members of your Mother’s family. Had did you fare with the princess?

Dad, she’s horrid. She treats me like a baby and laughs at my games. Why do we have them visit when they are so snobbish and only come to skite about their money? Why can’t we have new things and holidays like they do so we can brag about our stuff?

Her Dad patted his knee and said, Come here, Harper.

When Harper climbed onto her Father’s lap, he said, I am a professor at the university. While there is prestige to go with the job, the pay is not generous. We might have more money if your Mum went to work, but would you want to return to an empty house after school? Would you like to have to prepare the nighttime meals so when your Mum arrives home, tired from her job, she can cook the meal?

No, that doesn’t sound good.

Is there anything you need, not want but need, that we don’t provide?

No, but if I show Desiree something of mine that is new, she always laughs and says she has a more expensive model and how much I must hate being poor. Can’t you get a job like Uncle Chad that pays lots of money?

Sweetheart, I have a job I like. Do you want me to find something that pays more and I hate? It would make me sad to leave the university and work somewhere else. It takes a lot of years to become a professor, and I like what I do. Uncle Chad might have a job he says pays lots of money, but he and Aunt Eva spend every cent he earns and more. I try to save money so if something happens to me, you and your Mum can still live here, but your Aunt and Uncle never plan for the future. They have a big house and a flash car. Desiree goes to the top private school in the area, but they have paid for none of those things. They don’t own anything, and if something bad happened to Uncle Chad, Aunt Eva would find herself without money and in lots of debt.

So, it is better to live like we do?

Yes, in a few years, we will own the house, as modest as it may be. We owe nothing on our car and pay our bills on time. Your Aunt and Uncle may think I am too cautious and boring, but everyone lives differently.

He slid Harper from his lap and stood with a sigh.

I wish it was as easy to explain to your Mother as it was to you. The visits always make her sad and dissatisfied.

Chapter 1

Years later

The situation with the family visits persisted for years. Eventually, the dissatisfaction caused by the Samson family’s visit dissipated, and calm was restored in the Byar’s household. Her Mother stopped looking sad, and Harper forgot her cousin’s behaviour. Don Byars and Harper prayed that her Mother’s sister and brother-in-law would stay away from their home, and for now they pushed the memories aside.

The topic foremost in Harper’s mind was her upcoming birthday party. The guest list included Harper’s best friends, Beth and Layla, and other girls with whom she was friendly. Harper heard her Mother’s suggestion to ask Desiree with concern. Was the woman serious? After her Mother suggested that Harper invite her cousin, Harper refused. No amount of cajoling could convince Harper to ruin her sixteenth birthday by asking the cousin she despised. This birthday was a milestone because, in a week, she would become a teenager. Why would she ruin her party by inviting her cousin?

No, Mum, just no. She would look down her nose and belittle the presents my friends gave me. She would tell everyone about her grown-up party, where her parents served mocktails and expensive seafood. I’m sad that she is your only niece, but she’s horrid, and I refuse to allow you to ruin my party by inviting her.

But Harper, she is your only cousin. It would make me happy to see you two become good friends.

I’m sorry to disappoint you, but we will never be good friends. I don’t need her superiority to ruin my party.

Her Father, who rarely intervened when his wife and daughter disagreed, said, Rose, it is kind of you to suggest inviting Desiree, but I agree with Harper. The girl is a huge snob, and she would ruin Harper’s party. It’s not as if the girls are friends, and she would be upset at missing out. If you must have your family celebrate Harper’s birthday, choose another day.

I guess that would be best. But it makes me sad that the girls can’t be friends.

Harper sighed with relief, and her Father winked at her. She mouthed Thank you when her Mother turned her back on the pair.

Harper’s party was everything she could have wanted. Her best friends since first grade, Layla and Beth, gave her a photo album of the three of them, and the gift delighted Harper. Other friends from school gave her an assortment of gifts ranging from hair ties to books to a small make-up kit. While she appreciated the gifts, Harper loved that her friends were here and they could share the day. When the party ended, and a parade of cars lined the driveway waiting for the adolescent revellers, Harper glowed with happiness. The one sad aspect of her day was that her Mother had taken her husband’s suggestion and invited her family to dine with them.

As the expensive car pulled into the driveway, Harper ducked into her Father’s study.

Thanks, Dad, for that splendid suggestion. I shouldn’t complain too much because it stopped Desiree from ruining my party, but any visit is one too many. I hope they eat and run.

Her Father pulled a face and said, Sorry, I didn’t think that out well. I just wanted to stop your Mum from inviting that girl to the party. Look on the bright side. You had your party and enjoyed yourself.

For the party, her Mum served party pies and sausage rolls, hot dogs and fairy bread and, of course, a cake. Her friends had eaten the spread without comment, but Harper knew her Mother wouldn’t serve that party fare to her relations. Desiree made a considerable performance of presenting Harper with a professionally wrapped gift. Inside was a lovely cashmere jumper, and Harper profusely thanked her Aunt and Uncle.

Oh, Harper, it’s nothing. Desiree said that some of your clothes are shabby, so we thought the jumper might raise the bar, so to speak.

Harper blushed, embarrassed for her parents and herself.

How kind you are. Allow me to put it in my bedroom. I’d hate it to get dirty before I wear it.

Harper ran from the room, afraid that much more of the patronising conversation would see her explode. How dare that snobbish cow criticise her clothes.

When she returned to the dining room, where her Mother had set the table for dinner, Harper scowled at her cousin when she said, How quaint.

"Please, Desiree, tell me what is quaint about