“He's not into relationships, Katie, so leave it.”
Her friend's eyes held hers, and Macy was the first to look away.
“After everything you've been through, I didn't pick you for a coward, Macy. I picked you as someone who knows what they want and will do what needs to be done to get it.”
“I've never seen myself like that,” Macy whispered.
“Well maybe it's about time you should.”
“Brad said that to me. He thinks I’m strong.”
“There you go then.”
Katie's cell phone thankfully rang at that moment, and gave Macy a chance to regroup and think about what had happened that morning.
Could she go and find Brad? Did she have the courage?
Yes, damn it, she could!
“Macy.”
Something in Katie's voice made her stiffen.
“What?”
“Cubby just got word, Brian was being transferred to another prison, and he escaped.”
“How you doing, boy?”
“Uncle Mitch.” Brad got to his feet and shook the hand offered.
“Why are you holed up in your room?”
Mitch Gelderman, older brother to EG, was a shrewd businessman and the best uncle a child could have. Especially if that child had parents who didn't give a crap. He had the look of his brother but his edges were softer. His hair almost white now, he had laughter lines and a stomach that was growing every year he aged. His laugh was big like him, and Brad would do anything this man asked of him in a heartbeat.
“I like it here.” Brad shrugged.
He'd been home two weeks, and each day seemed longer than the last. He'd walked in and confronted his father right off. Told him he'd do what EG was forcing him to, but he'd do it his way. He also wouldn't put up with any of his father's crap and if he didn't like something, or the way EG treated someone, he wouldn't stand silently and let it happen.
His father's mouth had fallen open, but Brad hadn't finished there. He’d said he wanted proof that he’d dropped the development of the Buchanan land before he did any work for him. Proof had come thirty minutes later, and the faint hope he’d had that his father was lying and he could leave vanished. This was now his life.
Brad's mood alternated between anger and desperation. He hated it here, hated that Macy and Ethan were miles away from him and he couldn't reach them in a matter of minutes. He didn't fit this life now. It made everything inside him rebel, and that only kept his resentment toward his father simmering.
“You like your room? What's the matter with you? You should be out with friends or finding a woman to give me great-nieces and -nephews.”
Brad knew his uncle was aware of what lay between EG and his children, but they didn't talk about it. Mitch had helped Brad and Ethan when they'd needed help, where he could, but they'd never asked him for more, because he was also loyal to his brother.
“I've found a woman.”
“Son, that makes me real happy.”
“It would make me happy too, if she wasn't in Lake Howling with Ethan, and I'm here.”
“Why are you here then? EG said you'd had your fun and were back to stay now. That it was your choice to return home.”
“It doesn't matter.” Brad got off the bed. “You here for dinner?”
“I am, but I want an answer to my question, Brad.”
