“Sure, and thanks, Declan. I think we’re having photos now.”
After they’d gone, Macy turned to look over the lake and study the mountains beyond. This was her haven, the place she called home. Here, she’d healed, and here she would stay, and it would be enough if she had to do so with just her boy and friends at her side.
She looked at her town. Small but compact, it had everything a person could want, and plenty they didn’t need, but lured people to buy. Tourists visited Lake Howling year round, and as she had a business that relied on them, she didn’t mind.
“How you doing, Macy?”
“All good thanks, Jake.” Macy felt a large arm slip around her shoulders.
“But seriously, how you doing?”
She sighed. Jake was a doctor and had treated her when she'd first left her husband. He'd seen her bruises and the mess she was both inside and out. Sometimes she felt embarrassed, but most often she was just relieved that someone had realized what her life was like.
“I'm okay, Jake, really. In fact, I think I'm better than okay. At least that's what Dr. Milo said.”
He took her shoulders in his hands and looked at her with serious eyes. Why had she not married someone like him? Or any of the others who shared her hometown. The friends she had only been close to for a few years.
“You certainly look good, and Dr. Milo's the best for getting heads straight.”
“She really is.” Macy wouldn't have got through the mess that was in her head without Jillian Milo. “We catch up every month.”
His smile could melt a thousand hearts. “That's really good to hear, Macy, and I know what you mean about feeling better than okay. It took me a while to get there, but it was worth the work to do so.”
“You still seeing your doctor?”
“Of course I still see my head guy. It helps, and I do it for Branna and Rose.”
“Just as I should do it for Billy?”
He didn't answer, just kissed her forehead.
“How’s your dad?”
“He was okay yesterday, but frail, and every time I see him he’s weaker, Jake.”
“I’m sorry there’s not more I can do for him, Macy.”
Her father was dying; Macy knew that but it was still a bitter pill to swallow. Especially as it was only the last few years that she’d grown close to him as well.
“So, do you want to tell me who the dark-haired biker is? I haven't been able to grill Annabelle or Ethan yet, and you know how I hate not knowing something.”
“He's Ethan's brother Brad.”
The shock on Jake's face matched Ethan's.
“That is not the picture I had formed of the middle Gelderman sibling. My guess is that a lot’s changed in the last two years since Ethan lost touch with him.”
“That's my guess too.”
“Well, well, well, the day just got a whole lot more interesting. Smile now, sweet cheeks, it's camera time.”
“Sure, I’ll be over soon.”
She watched Jake walk away then let her eyes study the guests. Some had bought their outfits from her shop, others had picked them up in Brook or online. Color was everywhere. Some wore hats, others flowers. Macy recognized every face, just as they knew her. Knew she'd been a spoiled, stuck-up bitch who’d been beaten and abused by the man she’d married. Brian Delray had fooled everyone, especially her.
There were definitely positives and negatives for living in a small town. A huge positive was that it was safe for Billy, and that was the main thing.
“Photos, Macy!”
