Otherwise Engaged
Susan Mallery
On Sale Date: November 4, 2025
9780778387268, 0778387267
Hardcover
$30.00 USD, $37.00 CAD
Fiction
/ Family Life / Siblings
368
pages
About the Book:
A twisty, tender and wise look at how secrets can transform
the powerful—and sometimes problematic—bond between mothers and daughters, from
#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery.
Excerpted
from Otherwise Engaged by Susan Mallery, Copyright © 2025
by Susan Mallery Inc. Published by MIRA Books.
How
does the horse look?
Victoria
Rogers pressed her good arm to her very bruised, almost broken ribs. “Dad,
don’t,” she said, trying to stay as still as possible. “You can’t be funny. It
already hurts to breathe. It wasn’t a horse.”
Her
father frowned. “I was told you were thrown off a horse.” “I was thrown out of
a truck.”
“Then
how’d you get the black eyes?”
“The
ground was a little bit pissy when I hit it and punched me back.”
There
wasn’t a part of her that didn’t hurt. The good news was that now that the
medical staff had determined she didn’t have a head injury, they were going to
give her drugs to help with the pain. She’d already said she didn’t want any of
that weak-ass pill stuff. She wanted a nurse to give her a shot of something
that would work instantly and let her rest. Because in addition to the bruised
ribs, requisite scrapes and contusions, she had a broken left leg and a
sprained wrist. Her previously dislocated shoulder also throbbed, but that was
kind of the least of it.
As she
lay in her hospital bed, feeling like death on a tortilla, she had the thought
that maybe stunt work wasn’t for her. Injuries came with the job, but this was
the third time in five years she’d landed in the hospital. The first time she’d
messed up, so that was on her, but the other two had just been plain bad luck.
The incident with the truck had come about because one of the tires had blown,
causing the however many ton vehicle to jump the curb—an action that had sent
her flying up and over the side. Gravity, being the bitch it was, had flung her
onto the sidewalk. Hence the injuries.
Her
father studied her, his brows drawn together in concern. “None of this makes me
happy,” he told her.
The
incongruous statement nearly made her laugh. She remembered—just in time—that
her ribs wouldn’t appreciate the subsequent movement and they would punish her
big-time.
“Today
isn’t my favorite day either,” she admitted, trying not to groan. “I didn’t
wake up with the thought that I should try to get thrown out of the back of a
pickup.” Although technically getting thrown out of the truck had been the
stunt. Just not when it had happened and without warning or a plan.
“I’m
worried,” her father told her.
“I’ll
be fine.”
“This
time.”
She
winced, and not from pain. “Now you sound like Mom.”
Her
father, a handsome man only a few months from his sixtieth birthday,
brightened. “Thank you, Victoria. That’s such a nice thing to say.”
Given
her weakened condition, she let that comment slide. Honestly she didn’t have
the strength to deal with it right now, even though she knew her father
understood exactly what she’d been saying. He was only pretending to not get
it.
“If
you’re going to act like that, you should go,” she said, then amended what
could be construed as a catty comment into something more kind. Mostly because
she only had the emotional energy not to get along with one of her parents, and
her mother had already claimed that prize. “Besides, they’ll be bringing my
drugs any second. I plan to surrender to sleep, so I’m not going to be very
conversational.”
As if
to prove her point, one of the nurses walked in with a syringe. “Ready to feel
better?” he asked cheerfully.
“Yes,
and let me say, you’re my favorite person ever.”
He
winked. “I get that all the time.”
He
slowly injected whatever the medication was into her IV. Victoria drew in a
shallow breath as she waited to feel that first blurring of the edges of the
pain. Modern medicine was a miracle she intended to embrace.
The
nurse left. Milton took her good hand in his.
“I’ll
let you rest,” he told her. “But I’ll be back later tonight.” He squeezed her
fingers. “Tomorrow, when you’re released, I’m taking you home.”
Ugh.
Victoria knew that her father wasn’t talking about the pretty condo he’d bought
her when she’d turned twenty-one. Instead he meant the house where she’d grown
up. The one where her mother still resided.
“I
don’t need to move back,” she protested, feeling the first telltale easing of
the pain. “I have a few bumps and bruises.”
“Along
with a broken leg. And what about your ribs? You can barely move without
wincing.”
“I
have zero pain tolerance. I’m a total wimp.”
He
frowned. “You’re tough and stoic. If you’re showing signs of pain, it’s bad.
You’ll stay with your mother and me until you’re well enough to be on your
own.” He pointed at her. “I mean it, Victoria. You don’t get a vote.”
Her
father was rarely stern with her, so his sharp tone warned her he wasn’t
kidding. And she knew from twenty-four years of experience that arguing with
the man would get her nowhere. Milton didn’t take a stand very often, but when
he did, he was the immovable object.
“I
wish you loved me less,” she murmured, feeling a little floaty and stumbling
over her words. “Okay, I feel drugs. Let me enjoy the experience of breathing
without, you know, wanting to die.”
Oh,
baby girl. You’ve always been difficult.”
“I
know. It’s one of my best qualities.” Her eyes drifted closed. “Love you, Dad.”
“Love
you more.” He kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“Come
alone.”
His
soft chuckle was the last thing she heard.
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About the Author:
SUSAN MALLERY is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of novels about the relationships that shape women's lives―family, friendship, romance. Library Journal says, “Mallery is the master of blending emotionally believable characters in realistic situations," and readers seem to agree―40 million copies of her books have sold worldwide. Her warm, humorous stories make the world a happier place to live. She’s passionate about animal welfare, which shows in the many quirky animal characters she has created. Susan grew up in California and now lives in Seattle with her husband and adorable poodle. Visit her at SusanMallery.com.
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