1. That's What Friends Are For (6 page)

❧

The congregation was well into the second verse of the hymn when someone paused by the pew. Penny became aware that someone else was later than she was. She looked up, half expecting Gregory. Instead, Brad edged into the pew beside her and took one side of her hymnbook in a silent request to share.

He looked rested and well-groomed and when she met his eyes he gave her a smile that would have warmed the heart of the coldest critic.

Penny felt her own heart sink. She didn't want to see Brad Crawford. Not today. Not until she was able to get her life back into some sort of order. Whether she liked it or not, Brad was a definite distraction to her.

What would Gregory think if he saw them standing there together, after his questions last night? Why hadn't she ever mentioned Brad to Gregory before?

Could it be she was ashamed of their relationship? How absurd. That would be the same as saying she was ashamed of herself. Brad was so much a part of her he seemed to be an extension of herself. Funny she'd never really thought about that before this weekend.

She'd been so hurt when he went to New York. But it had been good for her. She'd gotten in touch with herself and her own views and goals. If Brad hadn't gone away she probably would have drifted into marriage with him, just because he was so familiar.

What would be wrong with that? that tiny voice asked.

I'm marrying Gregory! He's more my type, she responded sternly. I don't want to hear any more of your irresponsible remarks.

The pew where they stood was full. When the hymn was concluded and everyone sat down, Brad was pressed against her side, from shoulder to thigh. She tried to shift but it didn't seem to help. Finally, he placed his arm on the back of the pew, giving them a little extra space, but creating a visual intimacy between them that Penny could have easily done without.

Whenever she glanced at him. Brad responded with a look of smiling inquiry.

He certainly seemed pleased with himself this morning, she thought waspishly. Obviously nothing had disturbed his sleep last night.

Penny realized later that she hadn't heard a word the pastor had said during his sermon. It was only when he mentioned the announcements in the bulletin and she heard her name that Penny became aware that she missed most of the service.

"You will note that this coming Saturday Gregory Duncan and Penny Blackwell will be joined in Holy Matrimony before this altar," Reverend Wilder said with a smile. "The Blackwells have extended an invitation to each and every one of you to join them in celebrating their daughter's wedding and hope to see you there."

Penny felt as though a spotlight had fallen on her and Brad as they sat there so closely. She forced herself to keep her eyes trained on Reverend Wilder, whose friendly smile served as a beacon of sanity in her sea of confusion. This, too, shall pass. The thought seemed to flow around her and she gained some comfort from it.

As soon as the final song was sung she was ready to bolt from the church and search for solitude.

Instead, it seemed as though everyone who attended church that morning wanted to stop and speak to her... and to Brad, who continued to stand beside her in the crowd.

"My, if it doesn't look natural to see the two of you together again," one woman said with a smile after she had greeted them.

"It's good to see you, Mrs. Fielding," Brad replied easily. Her husband owned the local hardware store and had been Brad's coach during his years of Little League.

"I don't suppose you came back in time to stop the wedding now, did you, young man?" she said archly and Penny suddenly prayed for a trap door that would allow her to drop out of sight.

Brad just laughed.

Mrs. Cantrell joined them. ''Where is your young man this morning. Penny? When I first saw you standing there this morning, I thought Brad was your Mr. Duncan."

"I'm not sure where Gregory is, Mrs. Cantrell. How's Mr. Cantrell's leg?"

"Oh, it's heahng right nicely. He was just lucky he didn't lose it, being so careless around the farm machinery." Not to be led astray from her subject, she went on. "Guess Mr. Duncan can find better things to do with his time than to go to church on Sunday. Those big city people don't seem to consider it as important as some of us," she said with a sniff.

"Oh, I'm sure it's nothing like that, Mrs. Cantrell. But since we're going to be away for a week, Gregory's been putting in long hours trying to clear his calendar."

"Well, it's sure good to see you here, Brad," Mrs. Cantrell said without commenting on Penny's explanation. "Wish you were going to be back home all the time."

Brad grinned. "Well, if there's some way I could convince the production crew to film Hope for Tomorrow here in Payton, I'd move back in a flash."

Everyone laughed, except Penny, who had a sudden vision of what life would be like if Brad lived there full time. Her beautifully planned future would probably become a shambles! She edged her way around the group that had gathered just outside the church doors. She'd almost made it to her car when Brad caught up with her.

"Mind if I get a ride home with you?"

"What's wrong with your car?"

"As you know, I've been using Mom's car. It wouldn't start this morning, so I got a ride in with Mom and Dad. They were on their way to visit friends for the day."

"I'm surprised you didn't go with them," Penny said, giving in to the inevitable and motioning for him to get in.

"I thought about it, but decided I'd rather spend the day with you."

"Why?" she asked baldly.

He looked at her in surprise, noticing for the first time the dark shadows under her eyes. "Why?" he repeated.' 'Do I have to have a reason to want to spend the day with you?"

She shrugged. "What if I've already made plans?"

"Have you?"

Good question. Gregory hadn't called before she left, but he'd made it clear today would be extremely busy for him. She'd be lucky to receive a phone call before he left for St. Louis.

She glanced over at Brad. "Not really," she admitted.

"Why don't we take the boat out on the lake?" he suggested. "It looks like a perfect day for it."

Penny thought about his suggestion for a moment. She enjoyed nothing more than being out on the water. The lake had been formed by a dam built over the river. When they were younger she and Brad had spent many a day following the river and exploring some of the coves that had formed when the water backed up.

The thought of a peaceful cove somewhere seemed to be an excellent idea. "All right," she agreed.

"Do you suppose you could find your way around your mom's kitchen enough to make us something to take along to eat?" Brad asked with a grin.

She refused to rise to the bait. "I'm sure I can. It would probably astound you how well I manage on my own these days."

He watched her in silence as they turned down the road that led to their homes. "Is something wrong, Penny?"

Funny he should ask. "What could possibly be wrong, Brad? I'm getting married in six days. Everything is perfect." She refused to look at him.

"You look tired."

"I've been keeping a busy schedule. School was just out and I've had a lot to do, getting ready for the wedding."

Brad said nothing more and Penny found some comfort in the ensuing silence.

❧

Hours later, Penny knew she'd been right to accept Brad's invitation. This was just what she needed. Her sleek, one-piece suit was great to swim in. They had found a cove where they could swim without being afraid of being run over by a boat hauling water-skiers.

Brad and Penny had spent as much time in the water as they could all the years they'd lived at the lake. Consequently they were very much at home in it. They were like a pair of porpoises playing and they quickly returned to the pattern of their childhood. Once again, Penny forgot about Gregory and his promise to call her.

By the time they decided to eat, both of them were laughing and winded.

Penny had cheated. She had raided the refrigerator, knowing her mother wouldn't care. There had been leftover chicken, some ham, potato salad and fresh vegetables, all peeled and sliced. And for dessert, she had cut giant slices of her mother's cherry-chocolate cake.

By the time they finished eating, they felt too lazy to move.

"When do you have to get back?" Brad asked, squinting up at the sun as though trying to decide the time.

"No particular time, I suppose."

''Is Gregory coming over?"

Gregory. She hadn't given him a thought for several hours. A surge of guilt flooded through her. No doubt he'd spent the day working while she was out playing like some carefree teenager.

Brad seemed to have that effect on her. She didn't understand it. When she was with Gregory, she behaved as a mature adult would. Somehow Brad brought out the child in her.

"He didn't say," she finally said, in response to Brad's question. ^

"I suppose he's really busy."

"Yes."

"He appears to be very successful."

"Yes."

"Must put in some long hours."

"He has, ever since I've known him."

''Doesn't have much time to relax and enjoy himself, then," Brad offered.

Penny glanced over at him thoughtfully. "I think he enjoys himself. His practice is something he enjoys. Not only is it his vocation, it's his avocation as well."

''Do you think you're going to be happy with that sort of life, Penny?" Brad asked. His serious expression let her know he was really concerned.

She leaned back on the cushioned seat. "I won't mind it. I'm busy, too, not only with teaching but with the theater group. We each have our own lives, but we enjoy each other's company as well."

"It seems such a tepid existence for you, of all people."

She sat up and looked at him with a hint of indignation. "What do you mean me, 'of all people' ?"

"Oh, you know, Runt. You're so full of life and vitality, your energy never seems to run down. I can't see all of that passion bottled into such a tame existence."

She laughed. "You're crazy. I'm not some wild, passionate creature who craves excitement."

"Maybe not. But you could be. The only time you let it loose is on stage. You've never allowed it to show, except when you lose your temper."

"Which I never do, except when you're around."

"Why do you suppose that is?"

"Besides the fact that you can be extremely aggravating at times and more than a little irritating at other times?" She widened her eyes in an innocent stare. "Why, I have no idea, Mr. Crawford. None at all."

He leaned back so that he was stretched full length across the rear of the boat. "I came home to break up your engagement." he said in a matter-of-fact tone.

His quiet statement caused her to come out of her seat. "You did what?"

"You heard me."

"How dare you even consider it!"

"I know. I finally came to the same conclusion."

She stared at him in disbelief. ''But why would you even want to?"

He shrugged. "It doesn't really matter now. Since I've met him, and talked with you, I realize that if he's what you want I have no right to cause problems for you."

The idea that he had even thought of doing such a thing infuriated her. "Just who in the hell do you think you are—God?"

''No. But I am your friend. I care what happens to you. I didn't want you to make a mistake."

"And you think you know better than I do what's best for me?" she demanded to know.

"Obviously not, or I would have gone through with it."

"Fat chance, you egotistical, arrogant boob. I believe your new status and identity have gone to your head!"

"Aw, come on, Runt, you know better than that."

"And stop calling me that revolting name."

"You never used to mind it."

"Well, I certainly do now. It was all right when I was a child. It sounds perfectly ridiculous now."

Penny couldn't remember the last time she had felt such anger. Whenever it was, she was certain that it had been directed toward Brad then, as well. He was the most impossible, infuriating—she couldn't find enough names to call him.

''I want to go home," she said in carefully level tones. Before I attempt bodily harm on you, she added silently. To think that she had considered him a friend. But no friend would even consider doing to her what he had admitted planning.

Brad sat up. "Fine with me."

She turned the blower switch on, giving time for the fumes to clear before starting the boat. Without another word, they began to pack up the remains of their lunch. Then Penny, being the closest, started the boat and began to leave the cove.

As soon as they cleared the cove she moved the throttle to pick up speed. Out of the comer of her eye she caught a movement and glanced around in time to see another boat shooting around the point, coming directly at her. Pure reflex saved them from a nasty collision.

Penny yelled and jerked the steering wheel hard, cutting their speed at the same time. The combination of suddenly turning and losing speed caused quite a reaction on board and Penny heard a commotion of bumps and Brad's yell behind her.

The other boat went by. It was filled with a bunch of teenagers who were laughing and waving at her.

"Stupid jerks!" she yelled. "Don't you have any better sense? If you don't know water safety you should stay off the lake!" She doubted that they heard her words, but she felt better. Turning around she began to say, ''I'm sorry, Brad, I hope you didn't—"

He was crumpled on the deck, the ice chest lying on top of him.

"Brad!" Penny scrambled over a loose oar, life jackets and other paraphernalia that had spilled out during the near-collision. She knelt by his side. Shoving the cooler aside she reached for him. His color seemed to be gone and he wasn't moving. "Brad?" There was a gash at his temple, and blood seemed to be everywhere. "Oh, God! Brad!''

He didn't respond.

Frantic, Penny looked around. They had come a few miles from home. There was nothing on shore that indicated people might be close by. Even in her panic she knew she had to get help. The closest she could think of was home.

Penny grabbed a towel and began to clean the blood from his face. She held pressure there until the flow eased up. Then she gently checked to see if she could find any other injuries.

He was out cold and she didn't know how badly he'd been hit. There was nothing more she could do now. She had to get him to the hospital as quickly as possible.

Penny didn't even realize she was crying until she had to keep blinking to see where she was going on the way home.

Brad was hurt and it was her fault. She'd been so mad at him. She'd even thought about doing him bodily harm! And look what had happened. "I didn't mean it, God! You know I didn't mean it. Don't let it be serious. Please. Please let him be all right."

She set new speed records getting home. As soon as she could tie up the boat at her dock she ran up the path. "Mom! Dad! Call the ambulance, Brad's been hurt!"

Penny burst into the house, gasping for breath. Gregory met her by the time she reached the kitchen, her parents right behind him. She absently noticed his casual dress but she had no time to question him.

"What's the matter!" he demanded.

"It's Brad! He fell. Hit his head. He's bleeding and I don't know how badly he's hurt."

He grabbed her by the shoulders, "All right, now. Calm down. You call an ambulance and we'll go check on him."

Quickly she nodded, reaching for the wall phone and glancing at the emergency number posted nearby.

Later, Penny couldn't seem to remember all of the events. She knew Gregory and her dad had gone down to the landing and had brought Brad up to the house. He was still unconscious.

She'd called his parents and they were all there when the ambulance arrived. Without thinking about it. Penny crawled into the ambulance with hun, holding his hand and whispering to him. "I'm sorry. Brad. I never meant to hurt you. You know that. It was just a crazy accident. Please get better. Brad. Please don't be hurt bad."

The attendant handed her a tissue and she realized that tears still streamed down her face.

The doctor was waiting for them when they arrived and it was only when they'd taken him into the examining room that Penny realized she was standing barefoot in her bathing suit.

Both sets of parents and Gregory arrived within minutes. Her mother, bless her heart, had grabbed some clean, dry clothes for her and Penny excused herself and went into the ladies' restroom to change.

As soon as she came out she asked, "Have you heard anything?"

They all shook their heads. Gregory led her to a couch that looked as though it had been brought off the ark and sat down beside her. "Can you tell us what happened?"

As coherently as possible, she explained the sequence of events. When she was finished, Gregory asked, "Could you identify the other boat or any of the people in it?"

"I doubt it. It all happened so fast. They were just a bunch of kids out having a good time and not paying attention."

"Without your quick responses, it could have been much worse, you know. They need to be found and reprimanded."

Her eyes filled once again. "It was so awful, Gregory," she said in a choked voice. "We'd been fighting and I was so blasted mad at him, but I didn't want him to get hurt." She lay her head on his shoulder and cried, her sobs shaking her body.

"I know. He's very special to you. I'm beginning to understand that."

He held her until eventually the emotional shock began to abate and she had managed to gain some measure of control.

The doctor on call appeared in the doorway of the waiting room. He was new to the area and none of them knew him.

He smiled at the three couples waiting and said, "This young man was very lucky. He did receive a concussion, but it could have been much worse. Blows to the temple are very tricky things."

Brad's mother asked, ''But he's going to be all right. You're sure?"

"Oh, yes. He came to for a few minutes. He's still groggy and we gave him something to ease the pain." He paused and glanced at the three women. "Which one of you is Penny?"

Penny came to her feet. The doctor's smile widened. "You might want to go in and see him for a few minutes. He's disoriented and seems to think something happened to you. He's been calling your name and fighting me, saying he had to find you."

Without a thought Penny joined the doctor in the doorway. "Where is he?"

He turned and started down the hallway. "We put him in this room," he said, opening the door and holding it for her.