Jake had told her that Macy’s husband had left Howling, but she was still nervous that he might try to come for his wife.
“Thank you, Branna.”
What did she say to that, when she knew that what Macy was thanking her for was not the hand of cards Branna had just dealt her?
“Just look after you and the baby, and that will be all the thanks I need, Macy.”
“I will, I promise.”
Macy looked worn out and bruised, but Branna thought her eyes looked clearer, and she wondered if it was hope that she could see in them, and maybe relief.
“As soon as Dad and Jake get back, I’ll make us some hot chocolate. It’s better for you and the baby,” Branna said, dealing the cards again.
“Brian hated hot chocolate,” Macy said, picking up her cards.
“All the more reason to drink lots of it now,” Branna added, picking up her hand.
“Dr. McBride said I will be tired for a while and that rest and eating good, healthy food is really important.”
“Did she say how far along you were?” Branna asked.
“About thirteen weeks.”
“What a shame you won’t be going full term, wife.”
Both women froze at Brian Reynolds’s words. He stood in the hallway, and Branna realized he must have come in through the back door. In his hands was a gun and it was pointed at Macy.
“You bitch,” he said, pointing to Branna. “Get over here so I can tie you up before I teach my wife a lesson.”
“Brian, no.” The anguish in Macy’s voice made Branna move to stand before her.
“You can’t honestly believe you can get away with this, Brian? People know what you are now. You can’t live in this town anymore.” Branna reached behind her and grabbed a handful of Macy’s robe to stop her from moving.
“People know what a whore she is. Me, they like. I’m the gentle one they love and she’s the one people hate.”
He wore a dark sweater and trousers, and the face that Branna had thought belonged to a nice man was now twisted in rage. He really believed what he was saying, Branna could see that. He thought people would turn on Macy and accept him. He was crazy, just like Macy had said he was… crazy and unlikely to see reason.
Branna looked to the closed front door and wondered how she could get her and Macy out without one of them being shot. What if her father arrived? Would Brian shoot him?
“I won’t let you take her.” Branna took a breath to steady herself; panic would not help them get out of this unhurt.
“Then I’ll shoot you,” Brian Delray said.
“Branna!”
Macy tried to get around Branna again, but she tripped and fell to the floor, and that was when he fired, the bullet hitting Branna in the arm. Her mind went completely blank, and it was Macy’s cry that made her look down. Blood was soaking into the sleeve of her shirt, and then she felt the pain. It was sharp and vicious and literally took her breath away, and Branna was on her knees seconds later. She couldn’t focus; her vision seemed to have narrowed and her head felt strange.
“No, dear God, no!”
Branna turned to face Macy as she cried out, but she couldn't move, and then suddenly she was falling.
Jake heardthe gunshot as he climbed out of the car. To his right, he saw Declan sprint out of the shed, and they arrived on the porch seconds later.
“Branna!” Bursting through the door, Jake saw her on the floor, her body still, and then the blood; he was on his knees beside her two heartbeats later.
“I’m going to kill you!”
Ignoring Declan’s roar as he charged Brian Reynolds, Jake turned Branna over slowly.
