“This is what Newman was talking about earlier?” Brad asked her.
Macy nodded.
“Get your bag. Newman, you man the shop.”
“What?” Macy looked at Ethan. “Why do I need my bag, and Newman is not manning my shop. I need to make money, not lose it.”
“We're going to talk with Cubby now. He's the sheriff in this town, and he needs to know what's going on.”
“He knows. After the first call, Newman made me tell him.”
“But there have been other calls, haven’t there, Macy?” Newman gave her a steady look, which she refused to be intimidated by. “How many has that asshole made now, and don't lie to us?”
“Four.”
She didn't catch the word Newman used, but knew it wouldn’t have been pleasant.
“So, I know this ex is an asshole, but just not how much of one.”
Macy closed her eyes briefly as Brad spoke. She didn't want Brian to start intruding in her life again, not when she was becoming the person she wanted to be. Strong and resilient, and yes, she could at least think it: she was now a woman who liked physical intimacy.
“Go and get your bag, Macy.”
She knew they would fill Brad in when she left. Knew it, and couldn't do a thing to stop them, because if they didn't do it now, they would later.
“He doesn't need to know this stuff. He's leaving soon, and I don't want my business out there.” Macy waved her hand in the direction that she knew led to the main road out of Howling.
“Yes, because I love to gossip, especially shit like this. Hell of a story over a beer.”
Macy didn't lower her eyes as Brad growled the words at her.
“Whatever,” she said, walking away from the three glowering men. “And I don't know if you like to gossip or not, because I don't know you.” Macy said the words under her breath because she didn't know him, only that his kisses melted her bones, and when he touched her, she'd felt no fear.
When she returned, Brad was looking grim, which suggested Ethan and Newman had given him all the sordid details about Brian.
“Let's go.”
Macy tried to shake off his fingers as they wrapped around her upper arm, but he didn't release her, only softened the grip, and soon she was on the street with the Gelderman brothers flanking her.
“I'm not going to make a run for it. Neither of you need to come with me.”
“Sure we do.”
Ethan’s words were final, and Macy knew she couldn’t battle two Geldermans, so she said nothing and accepted the inevitable.
The sheriff's office was called the Lair, and it was written on a brass plaque above the door.
“The names in this town are weird like the rest of it,” Brad said, looking at the plaque.
“Not weird, quirky,” Ethan said.
Rustic-looking like other buildings in Howling, the Lair looked more like a tourist information center than police station. Walking between the two large wooden pillars, Macy tried not to stiffen up as memories of the time she'd spent in here after Brian had shot Branna filled her head.
“Well, if it isn't the town’s most handsome boy. How you doing, Tex, and this must be your little brother, TJ?”
Maureen had manned the reception desk at the Lair for more years than Macy could remember.
“Aww shucks, Maureen, I'm sure I can't hold that crown for too much longer.”
Macy made a gagging sound as Ethan leaned over the reception desk and kissed the woman on the cheek, making her giggle.
“I told you to get those eyes of yours tested, Maureen. I think they've got a two-for-one special on this week at the optometrist in Brook.”
Ethan shook his head at Macy. “Jealousy is an ugly thing in a woman, don't you think, Maureen?”
But the woman didn't answer, as she was looking Brad over. “You could be right about that crown though, Ethan.”
Ethan clutched his chest and staggered back. “I'm a broken man.”
Brad had watched the entire performance with his usual blank expression, although she was sure his lips tilted slightly at his brother's antics.
“Don't feel bad, Ethan, everyone knows that at a certain age your looks start to deteriorate. Present company excluded of course, Maureen.” Brad stepped forward with his soft smile and held out his hand to the woman. “Pleased to meet you, I'm Ethan's much younger brother.” He shook her hand gently.
Ethan snorted, Maureen sighed, and Macy made another gagging sound.
“Cubby in?” Ethan asked.
“Sure, sweetie, you go right on. Katie's in there too.”
“Great, thanks.”
“What the hell color is this?” Brad asked.
“Cantaloupe, from memory. Cubby said something about the previous sheriff's wife doing the decorating. It's certainly not your usual shade for a sheriff’s office is my guess.”
Macy saw Cubby bent over Katie's shoulder when she walked into his office, their heads together as they read whatever was on the computer screen before them. It was a wonderful thing that these two had found each other. They'd had a thing for so long, but both had fought against it. She was glad all that had changed.
“How come the big boss has to stand and you get the desk?” Ethan asked as he and Brad filled up the remaining space in the small office.
“She can type faster,” Cubby said, straightening. “Plus, she's hot to look at.”
He had been the sheriff of Lake Howling for many years now, and was loved and trusted by most of its inhabitants. Well, the ones who usually walked the right side of the law, anyway.
His hair was deep chestnut and he was fit and active, just like the woman he'd fallen in love with.
Katie had the McBride dark coloring and was tall and ridiculously fit, like her man. She'd been a detective in LA, but trouble had sent her home, and here she'd stayed.
“She'd be still hot standing,” Ethan added.
“There's that,” Cubby conceded, “but I also like her looking up at me, sort of puts her in her place.”
“I'll make you pay for that later, Hawker.”
The sheriff flashed a wide smile, showing off a row of gleaming teeth.
“Get used to it, TJ. Insults are how we communicate,” Cubby said when he noted the look on Brad's face.
“Not you too. Any chance we could go back to Brad?”
“It's all around the entire town by now. Try and fight it, and they'll just throw it in your face at any given opportunity,” Ethan said.
“Like they're not now?”
“Don't fight it, is all the advice I'm giving you. Look at it this way, they could hate you, and the name could have been really unflattering.”
“I'm leaving soon, anyway.”
Macy, who was now sitting on the other side of Cubby's desk, looked over her shoulder at Ethan and saw the flash of pain at Brad's words.
“So what brings you three in here? You come to talk some more about that Buchanan land business Jake told me about this morning?”
“Nope. Macy—”
“Maybe you should let Macy tell him,” Brad interrupted his brother, “seeing as she has all the details.”
Macy usually let people talk for her; it was just the way things had gone since the business with Brian. Her friends liked to protect her, and she let them.
“No, it's okay—”
“You took the call, Macy, so you tell the sheriff the details.” Brad didn't raise his voice, he simply encouraged her.
“I got another call from Brian, and this is the fourth one now.”
“Four?” Katie said. “I thought you told us a few months ago it was only one?”
“It was, and now it's four.”
“Okay, and the only reason you're telling us now is because these two were with you when you got this one?”
“Katie.” Macy sighed. “I'm telling you now, so let it go.”
The McBride eyes narrowed, but she simply nodded.
“I'll think about it, but first how about you tell us what he said to you?”
She did, relaying everything she remembered.
“Each time he's threatened you by saying he's coming for you?”
Macy nodded, and then swallowed because her throat felt suddenly dry. Damn Brian Delray.
“Do you say anything back, Macy?”
“Yes, I tell him he doesn't scare me and that he… he can't hurt me, or that he's pathetic.”
“Nice work, girl.” Katie smiled at her, then reached across the desk and squeezed her hand. “You got backbone now, don't you forget that ever, okay?”
Macy nodded. She did have backbone, even if sometimes Brian challenged that.
“And he said you can change your numbers but he can still get to you?”
Macy had thought about Brian’s words on the way to the Lair, while she was safe, wedged in a sexy Texan sandwich, and had an idea how he was getting her number. “I’m not sure if this is what’s happening, but his sister, Mel, is like this computer IT whizz kid.”
“And you think she’d help Brian?”
“I’d like to think she wouldn’t but she didn’t like me very much for taking her big brother away. Brian, however, she idolized.”
“It’s possible she could track down your cell number if she was clever with that kind of thing.”
“I’ve only changed it three times. One after he left, two after the first call, and then again last week.”
“But that’s not working, Macy,” Katie said.
“I'll contact the prison, and see if we can get this stopped?”
“Sure, Cubby.”
“If anything changes, if he escalates, if anything else disturbs you, you have to tell us.”
“I will, promise.”
“I mean it, Macy. We know what Brian is capable of, and I'm not taking any chances here. Any little thing, like a letter, parcel, or e-mail, any phone calls that you pick up and no one's there. You feel or think anything's wrong, you contact me or Katie.”
“I got it, Cubby.”
“Don’t you worry about this, Macy, he's locked up nice and tight for a long time, so he can't reach you.”
“I know.” And she did, it's just that Brian was a resourceful, insane man, and his hatred for her, the woman who had exposed him for what he was, went very deep.
“You okay?” The warm hand Brad rested on her shoulder should not have felt as good as it did.
“Fine.” Macy nodded.
“Now I want to talk about this Buchanan land issue. We need to get the facts together and then hold a meeting. We can't let anything happen to that place, it's one of the oldest pieces of dirt around here.”
“I know,” Ethan said. “Worst part is, I think our father may be involved.”
“Heard that too, and it's not a happy thought, but this is your town, and we're your family now.”
“I know it.” Ethan shook Cubby's hand.
“And yours if you want it.”
Macy, who had regained her feet, watched Cubby stick out his hand to Brad this time. Shock was etched on his handsome face briefly before he slid the composed look back in place.
“Thanks.” He took the hand. “But I'll probably be heading out soon.”
“Sure, but from what I gather you have a head for this kind of thing, so we'd appreciate anything you got.”
“Not sure as that's true, but I'll help where I can.”
“Nadine won't change her mind about selling this,” Macy said. “She has no loyalty to her parents, and definitely not anyone here.”
“We have to try.”
They did, but Macy didn't hold out much hope.
“Nice shorts.” Cubby was looking at Brad.
“You think?” Brad rolled with it. “DJ O'Donnell picked them out for me. I'm thinking of getting him to sign them before I leave.”
“You should, and also hang around for the Night Carnival in a few days, TJ. One of the highlights of the calendar for Howling.”
“I'll think about it, Sheriff, thanks.”
The three of them walked out of the sheriff’s office in single file, Macy between him and Ethan. Brad’s head was filled with thoughts about the brief facts Newman had furnished him with about Macy's ex.
He'd like to get on his Harley, drive to the prison Brian Delray was incarcerated in, and go a few rounds with the animal.
He looked at the soft curls coming out of the clip she’d bundled her hair in, and wondered how anyone could hurt her. She was sweet, and loved her son to distraction, and then there was the way she interacted with her friends. Loyalty was important to Macy Reynolds. She was also smoking hot, but that wasn't something he could contemplate again. She was off-limits to him. The night they'd shared was now a memory, and there would be no repeat. The thought made Brad’s chest feel heavy, so he did what he did best, and locked it away in the trunk inside his head where he stored shit that unsettled him.
To be fair, it was pretty full, but he had enough room to wedge this thought in there and slam the lid shut and throw the lock home.
Macy's cellphone rang and he watched her freeze, her shoulder suddenly rigid.
“Answer it, honey,” Ethan moved to her side. “He can't hurt you, remember.”
She gave a quick nod, then pulled out the phone. Looking at the caller ID didn't seem to relax her any.
“Mother.”
Brad shot a look at Ethan, who in turned mouthed the word bitch.
“Okay, I'll come now.”
“Problem?” Brad asked her when she'd finished the call.
“My d-dad's had a fall. I need to ring Jany to come in and run the shop, then organize for someone to pick up Billy.”
“I'll get Billy, Macy, no worries there. Newman will stay in the shop until Jany gets there, and Brad will take you to your mom's.” Ethan’s voice was calm.
“Oh no, I can get there myself.”
“No, you're upset, and your hands are shaking.” Brad slid his fingers down her arm and wrapped them around her wrist. “Let's go.”
They walked again, this time faster, with Macy braced between him and Ethan again.
“Where's your car?”
“Round the back of the shop.”
“I'll take Billy home with me, Macy.”
“Thanks, Ethan.”
Brad held out his hand for the keys, then climbed into the small compact, his knees nearly touching his chin. Wrestling the seat back, he turned the key in the ignition.
“Breathe in and out, honey.” He could feel her panic as he headed out of town.
“He must have tried to get out of bed again. He’s done that before and fallen.”
“You don’t know what’s happened, or if he’s now back in bed, Macy, so try not to worry.”
“If it were only that easy. I worry about him from the minute I open my eyes until the minute I close them at night. I wonder if each day is the last one I’ll share with him here in Howling.”
Brad had never been close to his parents, and wondered what, if anything, he’d feel if something happened to them.
“He won’t see my son grow old, won’t know if I meet another man or have another child.”
Brad didn’t know what to say to that. The idea of her with another man or carrying his child caused something to rebel inside him, which was just plain crazy, as he was leaving soon and they’d shared a single night together, nothing more.
“Left here.”
He followed her instructions and soon pulled up outside a tidy two-story brick house. It was nice, kind of homely, with white windows, plenty of trees and flowers, and a big yard. Getting out, he went round to let Macy out, but she beat him to it.
“I got it, thanks.” Her eyes were focused on the front door as it opened.
“Hurry, Macy. I can’t get him back into bed alone!”
The woman standing there was taller than Macy. Blonde and polished, she instantly reminded him of his own mother. Macy ran. Brad hesitated briefly and then followed. There was every chance two women may not be able to lift Mr. Reynolds back into bed.
The doorway was empty when he reached it, and he saw the back of Macy in the hallway, so he followed. Everything was cream. The walls, carpet, and furniture. Gilt-framed mirrors and paintings hung all over the place, and he saw figurines and other knickknacks that also reminded him of his mother.
It was his house on a smaller scale. Immaculate, cold, and presented like a show home.
He heard the raised voices up ahead, and looked into the room. A man was lying on the floor, and the two women were kneeling beside him.
“Let me lift him back onto the bed, Macy.” She shot him a surprised look as he approached. She’d obviously expected him to leave.
“I-I… yes please, Brad, if you could.”
She regained her feet, as did the woman he guessed was her mother. They didn’t go to each other for support or a hug, instead standing a few feet apart.
“Who it this?”
“A friend, and Ethan Gelderman’s brother, Brad, Mother.”
“Very well, you may lift my husband and put him back into his bed.”
Brad had already bent over Mr. Reynolds. The man had his eyes open and Brad could see he was in pain. He wore green pajamas and his face was the color of the gray band around the collar.
“Sir, I’m going to help you back to bed.”
“I’d be grateful.”
His voice was weak, obviously the effort of getting out of bed had cost him a great deal. Slipping his hands under his back and legs, Brad lifted him with ease. Walking to the bed, he lowered him onto it, and it was Macy who rushed to fuss with the covers.
“What were you doing out of bed, Harvey?”
Brad stepped back as Mrs. Reynolds moved to stand beside Macy.
“I needed to go to the bathroom, Delany, and after calling for you several times, I gave up.”
The words hadn’t been delivered in an accusatory tone, but Delany Reynolds grabbed her chest in a dramatic gesture and gasped.
“I merely stepped outside. I cannot believe you are censuring me!”
“Mother, you care for him alone for half a day only, surely you could have been available when he needed you.” Anger clipped Macy’s voice.
“How dare you speak to me that way!”
Brad thought about leaving, but one look at Macy’s rigid shoulders and the anger in her mother’s eyes as she glared at her daughter had his feet staying exactly where they were.
“Delany.” Mr. Reynolds’ words sounded weary. “Please don’t make a fuss.”
“You’ve just accused me of neglect!”
“He never said that, Mother, I did.”
“I don’t have to put up with this, and in front of a stranger!”
Brad stood to one side as Delany Reynolds stormed from the room.
“She’ll calm down, Macy, don’t worry. It’s just her way of dealing with the situation. She worries for me, and what will happen when she is alone.”
“Dad—”
“Now, introduce me to your young man, Macy.”
She blushed at her father’s words.
“Oh no, we’re not together. Just friends, Dad.”
“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Reynolds, my name is Brad Gelderman.” Brad stepped closer and took the hand Macy’s father held out to him. “Friend to your daughter.”
He saw Macy in the eyes, but not much else as the man’s face was drawn, and like the rest of him, wasting away. His breathing was harsh, and Brad didn't know much about illness, or have a lot of experience with death, but he knew when it was circling.
“Bet your brother was pleased you arrived for his wedding.”
“He was.” Brad didn't add the word shocked.
“You got the look of him.”
“I was just thinking the same about your daughter. I can see where she comes from now.”
“I’m sorry to drag you here, love.”
Mr. Reynolds held out his hand, and his daughter clutched it between both of hers.
“I was coming anyway, so don't give it a thought,” Macy lied smoothly as she fussed with his covers. Obviously her father had forgotten she worked. “Now, have you had something to eat today? Want me to make you some eggs?”
“If I say no you'll still do it anyway, so yes.”
She laughed, then hesitated.
“Go, we'll be fine,” Brad said to her.
“I won't be long.”
Pulling up a chair, Brad sat beside the bed.
“I've been in this town for a few days, Mr. Reynolds, and I have to say it's not your regular place.”
The man chuckled.
“I've been given a nickname, forced into a pair of shorts when I went in to the general store for supplies, and don’t get me started on this business with putting my purchases in a book at the Hoot to settle up later.”
His smile was the same as his daughter’s, and Brad felt sad that he wouldn’t be around to see more of them.
“This town is not normal, Brad. It's the people, they're some of the best and most trustworthy you'll ever meet.”
“I've figured that out, but that secret can stay between us. These people already believe they’re better than anyone stupid enough to live outside Lake Howling’s borders.”
“Well, you are.”
“We can’t all live here, Mr. Reynolds, pretty soon you’d be full.”
“Harvey, and we’re fussy about who we let in, but I think you might have a chance seeing as you’re Ethan’s brother.”
He yawned and Brad guessed the fall had taken it out of him.
“You want me to leave?”
“Mostly I only get to talk to women, Jake, and that wonderful grandson of mine, so stay a bit if you have the time.”
Brad nodded, not entirely comfortable, but aware that he wouldn’t deny this man what he wanted.
“What's between you and Macy?”
Surprise held him silent.
“Son, when you’re dying, you can't afford to be polite and go through the usual preliminaries of getting to know a person.”
Brad looked into Harvey Reynolds’ eyes. The man was awake on all fronts, for all he was sick and exhausted.
“She's a friend, and someone I hope will always be so, and you’ll have to believe me when I say there's nothing more to it than that.”
“Shame.” He sighed. “You look like someone who’d treat my girl like a princess, and she needs that now. She's been hurt bad, and her mother and I should have realized what was going on before that bastard nearly destroyed her. We should have done more to protect her, but I was too weak to see or do anything about it. Then it was too late. My wife is a dominant woman, and I allowed her to be that way. Lying here has made me realize my mistakes, Brad.”
Brad knew death made people face up to stuff, but he wasn't overly comfortable hearing the confessions of a man he didn't know, the father of the woman he’d had the best sex of his life with. A woman who intrigued him way more than she should.
“Mr. Reynolds—”
“I'm sure you don't want to hear any of this, but the thing is, Brad—” He had a coughing fit then, and Brad eased him upright and gently rubbed his back before lowering him to the pillows once more.
“I heard about him, her ex,” Brad said, not knowing what else to say.
“If I had the strength I'd go to that prison and shoot him dead, but I wouldn't make it out of the door.”
“If I'm ever passing, I'll do it for you.”
“Be grateful.” Mr. Reynolds flashed him a weak smile, and Brad saw more of his daughter.
“I don't know all the details, as it was not long after that I started to go downhill, but I've seen the shadows in my girl’s eyes, and I'm her father, I should be able to chase them away, or at least make her feel safe.”
“She has friends, Harvey, who look out for her.” Brad doubted the man knew about Brian Delray’s calls to his daughter.
His sigh shook his body.
“And for that I will be forever grateful. They’re good people, Brad, and I can never thank them enough for looking after my girl when her mother and I did not.”
“They seem really tight.”
“You have friends like that, Brad?”
He nodded, and the heavy feeling settled in his chest again as he thought about Mark.
“One just died.”
“I’m sorry for your loss then. Nothing worse than losing someone close.”
“There isn’t.”
“It hurts.”
“And then some,” Brad added.
“You never get over it, Brad, but it gets easier given time. You need to talk about him, your friend, so his memory stays strong.”
“I’m not much of a talker, Harvey.”
“It helps with the healing, son. Give it a try.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Can I add something, Brad?”
He nodded.
“I want to say that if things change between you and my daughter, that you have my blessing.”
“How can you say that when you don’t know me? Your daughter doesn’t even know me, for that matter.” This day was spiraling out of his control.
“Son, you walked into this house not knowing what you would find and picked me up off the floor without hesitation. Not many people would do that.”
“I’m sure they would.”
“No, they wouldn’t. I know a good man when I see one.”
“Here you go.”
Brad got out of the chair when Macy walked back in carrying a tray. He needed to get out of this house and town, because everything was getting way too personal for his liking.
“I’ll leave you two alone now and head back to the cabin.”
“Thanks again, Brad.”
“Sure, no worries, Harvey.”
This time Brad’s hand was squeezed in a surprisingly strong grip, and then he nodded to Macy and headed out the door. Standing on the doorstep, he inhaled.
“What the hell is happening to me?” He looked around.
He’d been there three days and had more emotion squeezed out of him than he had in a lifetime. It was time to go. He needed to get his life back on track, and get away from this place and its people.
“Tomorrow,” he muttered, heading down the street and back into town. He needed food, so he’d go to the supermarket and hide in the cabin for the rest of the day. If he was there no one could talk to him, expose him, or make him feel.
“Good day to you, Brad.”
“Walt.” Brad nodded to the man as he walked into the grocery store, almost like he’d done it every day for years.
I am not a local, he reminded himself.
“Brad.”
“Willow, how are you?”
Willow Harper was standing in the fruit section with a basket on her arm.
“Good, just getting Buster some supplies. I’ll be in touch about that sitting.”
“Sitting?”
Her head tilted slightly as she studied him.
“Your brother didn’t tell you?”
Brad shook his head.
“You and he are sitting for me. I’m an artist.”
“No, I know you’re an artist, not about the other part.”
“Oh right, well he said you’d both be happy to do it?”
“You responsible for all the artwork I see around this town?” Brad decided to change the subject.
Her smile was wide.
“You’re a talented lady.” He moved on so he didn’t have to commit to a time for the sitting. He wouldn’t be here long enough for that. “Catch you later.”
Speed shopping his way through the store, Brad reached the checkout ten minutes later. Thankfully no one else had approached him.
“You want milk?”
“Pardon?”
“Milk. You don’t have any in that basket. Do you want some?”
With braces and acne, the girl behind the checkout couldn’t be more than fourteen. She was all angles and edges, and yet to grow into her body.
“Hazel,” she then said.
“Brad,” he added, wondering when he’d last had a conversation with anyone at a checkout, other than to hand over money.
“So, do you want that milk?”
Looking down at his basket, he thought maybe he did.
“Be right back.”
He ran, retrieved the cartoon, and returned in seconds. Hazel continued to talk as she scanned and packed his stuff, and he grunted replies, which didn’t put her off at all. Scratching his shoulder, he wondered if all this interaction was breaking him out in hives.
Grabbing the bag when he was done, he thanked her and fled. Standing outside the door, he didn’t think a cab would pass by anytime soon, so he’d have to walk.
“Want a lift?”
Bending, he looked into the lowered window of an ugly gray sedan at the woman who’d asked him the question. She had red spiky hair and her mouth formed a straight, angry line. He didn’t think they’d been introduced.
“Ah, no, thanks. I’ll walk.”
“Suit yourself.”
She drove off down the road at a pace he could outrun, leaving him shaking his head. He had to get out of this crazy town, and he would… any day now.