“You about ready to forgive me for being a dickhead when we last met?”
Annabelle gave him a dazzling smile and then wrapped her arms around him. He accepted her hug but wasn’t comfortable with it.
“Mom, me and Mikey are hungry.”
Billy appeared, looking cute in his little red tie, white shirt, and checkered shorts. Beside him was the long gangly form of Mikey Tucker.
Branna had dressed him in long shorts and a collared, pale blue shirt. On his feet were white sneakers. He was a local boy who had adopted Branna as his sister, and the rest of them as family, because his was dysfunctional.
“We’ll be eating soon, but first, what have you got to say to Annabelle and Ethan, Billy?”
“’Gratulations, Ethan. ’Gratulations Annabelle.”
“Thanks, buddy,” Ethan ruffled Billy's hair and Annabelle kissed him. The boy withstood it because it happened a lot, but at four, he was starting to challenge Macy and assert his independence. Hugging, he’d told her two days ago, was for babies.
“Who are you?”
“Billy, don't be rude,” Macy gave her son a look as he stared up at Brad Gelderman.
“No, it's all good. Kids are curious, and I'm new in town.”
Much to the surprise of the three adults, he then dropped to his haunches and held out one hand.
“I'm Ethan's brother, Brad. It's a pleasure to meet you.”
Macy could feel the confusion in both Ethan and Annabelle as they watched Brad, and knew where it stemmed from. The last time they'd seen him he'd been belligerent and rude, nothing like this man. She had heard all about the arrogant man that Brad Gelderman had been at his sister, Hope's, wedding.
Macy watched the two youngest Gelderman siblings appear. They hugged their brother and new sister-in-law. Brad rose to his feet.
“Hi.”
“Brad?” Taylor took a step closer to study his brother, and Hope just looked stunned.
“The very one,” he drawled.
“Christ, look at you.” Hope stepped closer. “You look so different.”
“And married life suits you, sister.”
She brushed his words aside. “Every time Taylor or I phoned home, or went there, you were out or visiting friends. I'm wondering now what you were really up to.”
It was only a small gesture, but Macy saw his fingers clench briefly.
“They didn't tell you?”
“They being our parents?”
He looked uncomfortable.
“Let's talk about this later,” Brad said. “It's Ethan's wedding day, and people are lining up to congratulate him and Annabelle. We don’t need to air the family laundry in public.”
Three of the Gelderman siblings didn't want to, but they relented, and Brad slipped away before they could stop him.
Macy looked at the rear view of Brad Gelderman, which she had to admit was pretty damn fine, and wondered at the change in the man.
“Mom.” Billy tugged her hand, so she bent until her face was level with his. “That man Brad is nice.”
“He certainly seems nice.”
