Now it was her turn to look uncomfortable.
“Sure I do, honey.” Brad felt better now the conversation had moved on from him.
“You sounded just like Ethan then.”
“Tell me about him.” Brad didn't know his older brother very well. They'd lived apart for years.
“He flies charters in his helicopter from Howling now. He and Annabelle have built a wonderful house in the Redwoods. He's liked by everyone, one of the good guys. Billy loves him.”
One of the good guys. Brad thought about that. Ethan had always been a good guy. He'd protected his brothers and sister from their father until he could take no more, and left. Then all hell had broken loose, and Brad had been in the center of the storm. He’d hated his brother after that. Hated and resented him.
“Yes, he's the good guy of the family.”
“That didn’t sound like a compliment, and I'm not sure he'd look at it that way. Plus, I've met you all now, and have to say you all seem nice.”
“It comes natural to Ethan,” Brad said, looking over Macy's head to where his brother danced. As if sensing him, he turned and found Brad, and the smile that lit his face made Brad swallow. It was one that told of the pleasure Ethan felt that his siblings were close, here to witness the day he could bind himself to the woman he loved. Nodding, Brad focused on the woman in his arms.
Too much emotion makes a man soft.
The words were right out of the EG handbook. Imprinted inside Brad's head, like so many others, no matter how hard he'd tried to erase them.
“You look sad.”
“What?”
Macy squeezed his fingers. “You looked so sad then.”
“No, just tired,” he said, schooling his features. “Do you like motorbikes, Macy?”
“I've never been on one.”
“Want to go for a ride now before someone else from your posse arrives?”
She only took a few seconds to decide, and nodded.
“You go out first,” she whispered, “and I'll follow in a bit.”
“Turn right out the door and head up the street,” Brad said as the dance finished. “I’ll see you soon.” Grabbing his jacket, he slipped out of the reception.
Chapter 4
Macy went back to her seat, then took a large mouthful of her water to steady herself. She'd just said she would take a ride on Brad Gelderman's bike. It was approaching dark, and she was sure someone would see her, but she felt the reckless need to do this. Go with him wherever he wanted to take her, if only for one night.
Have some fun, Macy. Don't think. When you're ready you'll know.
Her therapist, Jillian, had talked about getting involved with another man. She had urged Macy to do so, if she felt she was ready and the right man turned up.
“You're a person who likes contact, Macy. Someone who, with the right man, will experience a healthy and happy relationship.”
She knew Brad wasn’t thinking about a relationship with her, just like she wasn’t with him, but was he thinking about having some fun, and by that she meant sex? Her limbs felt unsteady about that beautiful man wanting her. Did she want it… him?
“You are a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for, Macy. You've lived alone, unsupported by anyone but yourself, and raised a wonderful boy. You are no longer dependent, but independent.”
Macy felt a rush of pleasure at the memory of Jillian's words. Damn it, she was independent. She looked to where Brad Gelderman had gone. How long would he wait for her?
“That's a mighty fierce frown you got going on there, Macy.”
“Hey, Newman,” Macy said to the tall, elegantly dressed man who fell into the seat beside her. “Just tired, I guess. It was a nice wedding, don't you think?”
