“What kind of conversation has something like that, 'just coming out’?”
“I thought you were here to cheer me up, not grill me, Gelderman?”
Her friend smiled, and it did amazing things to an already amazing face. Dressed in shorts that stopped several inches up from her knees and a fitted collared shirt, Annabelle looked like a runway model. Branna was elegant and beautiful too, in a denim skirt and floral top.
“I can do both. Now hurry it up, we need to get to Gussie's stall before Jake eats all the fudge.”
“I don't suppose there's any point in arguing anymore, and added to that, I just don't have the energy.”
“Your father loved this carnival, Macy. Do this for him.” Branna slipped an arm around her waist.
“I don't want to cry anymore,” Macy wailed.
“Well if you are, wait until we see that hunk, TJ, then fall into his arms.”
“Annabelle!” Macy found a laugh. “I can't believe you said that about your brother-in-law.”
“Please.” Annabelle fanned her face. “The man's a walking fantasy, and he's got eyes for you, girl. Go have some fun. That is, of course, if you haven’t already.”
Macy didn’t bite, instead she concentrated on her son, who had just returned with his shoes.
The summer nightcarnival was an annual event in Howling. They chose to walk, as the day was still warm, the heat clinging to the air as it slid into early evening.
“Well now, so much beauty can't be good for an old man's heart.”
“Evening, Walt, Lizzie,” Annabelle said as they were joined by the elderly couple on the sidewalk at the end of Macy's driveway.
“Nice night for it to be sure,” Elizabeth Heath said, neat as a pin in her white capris and pink collared shirt.
They were the poster couple for how to live in a long and happy marriage. Both had their own interests and friends, but never lost sight of each other.
Others joined them, and Macy felt her spirits lift as they grew near the carnival. Billy was happy, holding her hand and skipping along, chatting to Walt about his puppy. Razzle would no doubt now be heaving a sigh that his owner had gone, and he could find some peace snoozing in the kitchen in his basket.
“So we'll have to get him walking on a lead soon, Billy, and do a bit of training so he can sit and come when you call.”
“Really?”
“Sure. Once he's comfortable, we'll get on to it.”
“Gee thanks, Uncle Walt.”
They said it took a village to raise a child, and Macy knew she was lucky enough to have one around her little boy. Yes, her mother didn't have a maternal bone in her body, but there were plenty who did. She didn't need a man, this was enough.
She thought about Brad, and how wonderful he had been the day her father had died, and at the funeral. There was no doubting he was a good man, but not her good man. He wasn't the settling down type, and like her had issues. But when he did decide, the woman who ended up with him would be a lucky one.
He'd rung her twice, leaving messages to say if she wanted anything to call him, but she hadn't, because she'd desperately wanted to, and that was enough to make her keep her distance. Macy had been scared she'd beg him to hold her and talk in that lovely voice of his. She'd wanted him to make love to her and make her forget the sadness of losing her father, if only for a while, and that was not going to happen.
She didn't want to rely on a man again. Brian had made her dependent. It had happened slowly over a period of time, when she’d been young and eager to make him love her. But the bottom line was, she’d let him. He'd controlled her in every way it was possible for a man to dominate a woman, and she never wanted to give that much of herself to another human ever again.
You’re stronger than that, Macy.
She didn't feel strong right at that moment, but she would again. Looking at her friends chatting in front of her, she felt that lovely warmth slide through her that came with the realization that she was loved. It eased the cold aside and settled around her heart.
“Thank you.”
They heard her and turned. Saw the look in her eyes and simply gave her a group hug. Billy got caught in the middle and protested loudly.
“I love you guys.”
