1. That's What Friends Are For (8 page)

❧

When Gregory called her that night she was able to report that Brad was rapidly improving and due to come home the next day.

"That's good news, I'm sure."

"Yes," she said, a little abstracted. Penny had wandered around the house all day, like a lost soul trying to find its home. "How are things going for you?" she asked, determined to concentrate on Gregory.

He filled her in on some of the complications he'd run into and she found her thoughts wandering once again. She loved Gregory; there was no way to deny what she felt for him. But it was so different from the way she felt for Brad.

Would she ever be able to forget how she felt for those few moments when she thought Brad was dead? Penny never wanted to suffer through anything so traumatic again. She couldn't begin to picture what life would be like for her if she didn't know that Brad Crawford was somewhere in the world.

"Penny?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Gregory, I was distracted for a moment."

There was a silence for a moment before Gregory responded. "I'm not surprised," he finally said. "You've had so much on your mind, lately."

"No more than you, I'm sure."

"Yes, well, different things affect us different ways. I've got to let you go for now. I'll see you Friday night."

"Fine. Take care now."

''You, too."

Penny hung up the phone, feeling oddly restless and discontent.

For a moment she wished she could lie down and go to sleep and wake up Saturday morning in time for her wedding. The pre-wedding jitters were getting completely out of hand.

❧

Brad had been home for three days when his mother called him to the phone. He assumed it was Penny checking to see how he was feeling, although she generally came over. In fact, she had promised him a game of chess sometime that day before she had to go to the church for the wedding rehearsal.

"Hello?"

"Good morning, Brad. This is Gregory Duncan. How are you feeling these days?"

To say Brad was surprised to hear from Penny's fiance would be a definite understatement. He had assumed that Penny was reporting his progress to Gregory whenever they spoke to each other. For some reason Brad didn't feel as though he had made Gregory's best friends' list.

"I'm feeling much better, thank you."

"I was wondering if you'd feel up to meeting me somewhere. There's something I would like to discuss with you."

"Today?"

"Yes, if at all possible. Penny may have told you I've been in St. Louis all week. I just got in."

"I see," Brad said, automatically. Actually, he didn't see at all. Why was Gregory calling him? More important, why would he want to meet with him?

"Brad? Are you there?"

"Oh, sorry. I was thinking. Yes, I suppose I could meet you at your office, if that would be convenient."

"Fine. I'll see you whenever you can get here."

Brad hung up the phone, still puzzled. Maybe Penny had told Gregory about their conversation at the hospital. Was Gregory going to tell him to keep away from his wife? That was a httle dramatic, but then trial attorneys had been known to use a little drama to get a point across.

Brad absently touched his head, where a small bandage covered the blow he'd received.

Perhaps the blow to his head had caused him to feel all of this confusion. Maybe he was Drew Derek, recovering from his stay at the hospital. This visit home certainly had all the elements that could be found in a soap opera.

He could almost hear the strains of music in the background while the announcer intoned—"Tune in tomorrow to find out... What does Gregory want to say to Brad? Does Gregory know that Brad is in love with his fiance and had hoped to break up their engagement? Will Gregory denounce Brad to Penny? Will Brad be barred from the church for fear he might try to stop the proceedings? Stay tuned..."

Brad shook his head. Obviously his vacation had been long overdue. He must be cracking up.

Brad had never seen the building where Gregory Duncan had his law practice. He was impressed. The office itself was even more impressive. A middle-aged woman sat at a secretarial desk in the reception area.

"May I help you?" she asked pleasantly.

"My name is Brad Crawford. I—''

"Oh, yes, Mr. Crawford. Mr. Duncan asked that you be shown in immediately." She came around her desk and led him down a hallway lined with law books. Tapping on the door at the end, she announced, "Mr. Crawford is here," and stepped back, allowing Brad to enter.

The office was a comer one, so two walls were almost entirely made up of glass. Since the building was located on the edge of town, the view from the windows was of meadows, rolling hills and a distant glimpse of the river.

"Fm impressed," Brad said quietly, standing in the doorway.

Gregory had stood when he walked in. Now he walked around his massive desk toward Brad. The room seemed large enough to hold a basketball court. All the furniture, furnishings and the well-dressed man coming toward him spoke of dignity and wealth. How could Brad have been so stupid as to suggest Gregory might be marrying Penny for her future prospects? He could probably buy and sell the Blackwells from his petty cash.

Gregory stuck out his hand. "I appreciate your coming in on such short notice, Brad." He motioned to the chairs that were arranged in front of his desk. "Won't you have a seat?"

"I don't mind. I haven't been all that booked up this week," Brad said casually.

'Tm sure that Penny has kept you company during your convalescence."

Brad tried to read something into that statement-sarcasm, anger, jealousy. He heard none of those things. It had been a simple statement. Brad looked at the older man who had seated himself behind the desk once more. "Yes, she has." He raised one brow slightly. "Does that bother you?"

"To the contrary," Gregory said with a brief smile. "I fully expected to hear it, which is why I called you. There's something I need to say to you."

Feeling as though he were in the middle of a play and had forgotten his lines, Brad waited for Gregory to continue.

Gregory leaned his arms on the desk blotter lying in front of him, clasped his hands and met Brad's gaze with his own. "You're in love with Penny, aren't you?"

He'd been right. Gregory was going to see that he was removed from Penny's life. Brad wished he found the situation a little more amusing. How could he convince the man that his love for Penny was the very thing that would prevent him from doing anything to hurt her marriage to Gregory? Searching for the right words. Brad finally shrugged and admitted, "Yes, I am, but you're the man she's marrying."

"No, Vm not," Gregory replied quietly.

Brad was convinced something was wrong with his hearing. Perhaps the blow to his head had... "I beg your pardon?"

"You heard me."

"Of course you're marrying Penny. The rehearsal is tonight and tomorrow—"

"Tomorrow I will be in California. I discovered earlier today where a key witness is located. I'm flying out tonight to take his deposition."

"But the wedding?"

Gregory leaned back. "Ah, yes, the wedding." He placed his hands behind his head. "An interesting situation, isn't it? Two men who love Penny, discussing a wedding that isn't going to come off."

"Couldn't you postpone your deposition or whatever? Surely Penny is more important than—"

"I understand your concern. Now you need to understand mine. I've had a great deal of time to think this week and I've come to the conclusion that Penny seriously misled me."

"What are you talking about? Penny doesn't lie!"

"Please don't put words in my mouth," Gregory responded.

Brad was now facing the courtroom lawyer and recognized he could be a formidable foe.

"When I met Penny I thought she was everything I wanted in a wife. Since then I've come to know her better, and I've had reason to revise that opinion."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I've decided that marrying Penny would be a mistake on my part."

"Why?" Brad demanded to know.

"For over a year I've spent time with the quiet, organized, unflappable woman I knew as Penny Black-well. Yet in three days a volatile, passionate woman I never knew existed emerged as a result of your presence. I'm not comfortable with that person. I have no room for her in my life." He nodded to the younger man. "I believe I have you to thank for the transformation. As far as I'm concerned, I've had a very narrow escape."

Brad came to his feet. "That's a hell of a thing to say! You wait until the day before your wedding to decide you don't know the woman you intend to marry so you're backing out? How can you do this to Penny? When do you intend to tell her how you feel?"

"I don't."

Brad had never felt such a murderous rage in all of his life. Gregory was calmly explaining that he intended to destroy Penny's life without even bothering to warn her?

"You really are a no-good, son-of-a—"

"Yes, I probably am. However, I did not reach my age or gain the experience I presently possess by being quixote and foolish. I don't believe Penny understands what it is she feels for me. Whatever she feels, I don't think it's what I want from my wife. It's better to make a clean break now."

Gregory watched the younger man as though evaluating his reaction to what he'd just been told.

He got an immediate response. "You really are cold-blooded, aren't you? You don't care what you do to Penny, how you hurt her. She didn't measure up to some ridiculous standards you seem to have, so you're going to abandon her at the church."

"I don't intend to be that dramatic. I'll leave that sort of thing to you. You seem well-trained for it."

"If you don't intend telling her you've changed your mind, how the hell is she going to know?"

Gregory met his gaze and deliberately smiled. "Why, you'll tell her, of course. Why do you suppose I asked you to come in today?"

"Me? Are you out of your mind? It isn't my place to-"

"You're her friend, aren't you?"

"You're damn right I'm her friend, but—"

"I'm sure she'd rather receive such news from you."

"You're wrong! She'd rather hear it from you!"

"Somehow, I doubt that very much," Gregory said in a dry voice.

"Well, of course, you're right. Nobody wants to be told on the eve of their wedding that the other party has backed out."

"I have to agree."

"But it's none of my business. This is between you and Penny," Brad protested.

"Not any longer. I am here only long enough to pick up some papers I need. I'm leaving as soon as we're through here. How you want to handle everything from now on is up to you."

"Well, thank you very much. For nothing. How in the hell can I help her face this?"

Gregory rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "You could always take my place at the church tomorrow."

B
y the time Brad reached home his head felt as though it were going to explode. He didn't even remember leaving Gregory Duncan's office or driving home. Only the intense pain in his head held his attention until he realized he was sitting in his room, staring at the wall.

He had to find Penny and tell her. But how was he going to break the news? Damn the man, anyway. How could anyone be so unfeeling as to walk out on someone the day before the wedding?

It would break Penny's heart.

Forcing himself to go in search of her, Brad started through the kitchen of his home.

"Your head must be really bothering you," his mother said when she saw his expression. "Why don't you lie down and rest awhile?"

He turned, wincing at the sudden movement. "I've got to talk to Penny."

"She should be over here before much longer. Why don't you rest until she gets here?"

Perhaps that was good advice. He would take some of the pain medication the doctor had given him when he left the hospital. He hadn't used it before, but at the moment he was willing to do whatever he could for some relief.

After swallowing the tablets he stretched out on the bed and waited for Penny to come.

Oh, God, Penny. If only you didn't have to go through all of this.

By the time Penny peeked in to see if he still wanted to play chess, she found him sound asleep. His mother had told her that he had gone out for a while and was concerned that he had tried to do too much, too soon. She mentioned that he wanted to see Penny, but they both agreed it would be better to leave him alone and let him rest.

Penny had enough on her mind. She hadn't talked with Gregory since Monday evening, which wasn't like him at all. And he hadn't called to let her know he was back today. What if he was late for the rehearsal, or even worse, unable to make it?

She wouldn't let herself think of that. If he was delayed too much, she was certain he would call. Gregory was an honorable man and dependable. If she hadn't been in such a turmoil all week she wouldn't have worked herself up to such a state now.

Everything was under control. She would see Gregory this evening and they could laugh at her silliness.

Her mother decided not to go to the rehearsal so Penny drove to the church alone. Her dad was coming directly from his office.

When everyone was there but Gregory, Reverend Wilder suggested they begin. ''After all, the groom has very little to do. I think that's for a reason," he kidded. ''Usually the groom is too nervous to think of much of anything."

They all laughed politely, then followed his instructions.

"Have you talked with Gregory today?" Penny's father asked while they waited their turn to go down the aisle.

"No, I haven't."

"I hope nothing is wrong."

"So do I. Perhaps he just got held up. He's probably on his way now."

"Well, he could have called to let you know."

She gave her father a sidelong glance. "You know. Dad, that thought had crossed my mind."

He chuckled and patted her arm. "I'm sorry. I suppose I'm more nervous about the groom's absence than you are."

"Not necessarily. But I don't want anyone to think I'm nervous. What you are presently witnessing is my superb acting ability."

At that moment Reverend Wilder motioned for them to start down the aisle. Penny and her father didn't have a chance to speak in private again.

When Brad woke up he noted with relief that his head felt considerably better. Then he noticed it was dark.' 'Oh, no!'' His sudden effort to sit up on the bed reminded him that he was far from being cured, despite the rest.

By the time he got over to the Blackwells', he knew he'd missed Penny. Helen confirmed his guess. "If you want to see her, you're welcome to wait. I'm sure they'll be home soon."

Brad was too restless at the moment to sit and try to make conversation. What he had to tell Penny had to be said in private. What she chose to do after that was anybody's guess. But it wasn't up to him to inform her mother or anyone else.

Brad spent the next few hours rehearsing what he needed to say to Penny.

"You could always marry her yourself," Gregory had said. The refrain kept running over and over through Brad's head.

There was just one thing wrong with that idea. Penny had no desire to marry him. She was in love with Gregory Duncan. The louse. The no-good, rotten arrogant fool who didn't care that he was leaving her to face the embarrassment and humiliation of a church full of people and no bridegroom.

What was she going to do at this late date? How could she possibly call everyone and explain? What could she say? How could Gregory Duncan have done such a thing to her? If he had any feelings for her at all, he would have talked to her, either in person or even by telephone. At the very least, he could have written her.

Why the hell had he chosen Brad to break the news to her?

That's what friends are for. Was that it? Gregory knew that Brad would do his best to shield Penny as much as possible. He'd even marry her if it would help.

Brad thought about that for a long while. Would it help? It couldn't make things any worse. At least she could have the wedding as planned, the reception. He seriously doubted she'd be interested in a honeymoon. Not with him, anyway. Brad tried not to allow himself to think about a honeymoon where he and Penny would be together, alone, and legally married. That way of thinking led to insanity.

Perhaps he and Penny could work out something so that she wouldn't feel abandoned and forgotten. She would never have a need to feel that way as long as Brad was around.

Ralph and Penny got home at about the same time. Her mother said that Brad had been looking for her. There had been no message from Gregory.

She glanced at the time. It was almost eleven—too late to see what Brad wanted. Her parents went up to bed, knowing they would need their rest for the next day.

Penny almost called Brad anyway. She needed to talk to someone. Not just someone, she needed Brad, she realized. He was the only person she knew with whom she could share her fears and be sure he wouldn't laugh.

But his mother said he was still suffering from considerable pain. No doubt he was already asleep now, and he really needed his rest.

Oh, well. She'd see him at the reception tomorrow, and they could chat before she and Gregory left to go wherever it was that Gregory planned to take her. Once Brad returned to New York, Penny knew her life would resume its normal pace.

She knew that he wasn't to blame for all her restlessness this week, but he seemed to symbolize a certain freedom that she was willingly giving up by marrying Gregory. She knew she'd feel more at peace once Brad wasn't around to remind her.

Quietly climbing the stairs. Penny went into her room and without turning on the light grabbed her nightshirt and went into her bathroom. She went through her nightly ritual, showering and drying her hair. Tonight she needed to remember to soak her contacts. She wouldn't want to be bothered next week while they were traveling. Thank God she knew the way to bed blindfolded, she thought with a grin. It was amazing how dependent she'd become on her extended-wear lenses.

Flipping off the light she felt her way to the bed and had ahnost reached it when a hand touched her arm and a voice said, "Don't let me scare—"

She was already beginning to scream when a hand clamped over her mouth in a firm grip.

"Oh, for God's sake. Penny. I'm not a rapist! What's the matter with you?"

As soon as she heard his voice, she recognized Brad but she hadn't been able to control her involuntary scream. She went limp in his arms and he released her mouth.

" Are you okay? I didn't hurt you, did I?" he asked in a low voice. Brad reached over to the bedside lamp and turned it on. They both blinked in the sudden light.

"How did you get in here?" she hissed.

"The same way I always got into your room-through the window, remember?" He motioned to the opened window and the oak tree that stood outside.

"What is so important that you have to scare me half out of my mind to tell me? Couldn't it have waited until tomorrow?" She wished she could focus on his face better. Penny couldn't see his expression at all. She sat down on the edge of the bed and glared at him.

"You're wearing my old football jersey," Brad said in a wondering tone.

"You mean you risked your neck climbing that old tree to crawl into my window to tell me that?" she asked incredulously.

"Of course not. I just didn't know you had kept it, that's all."

She sighed. "I kept every one you gave me. I find them very comfortable to sleep in. I've used them for years."

He couldn't help grinning but she didn't seem to notice. Now that he looked more closely, she didn't seem to be looking at him. At least, she was staring at him, but she didn't see him. She had that same vague, unfocused look she used to get when... "You don't have your contacts in, do you?" he asked, suddenly comprehending why she seemed somehow different.

Penny began to feel bewildered. Brad didn't seem to be his normal self at all, tonight. Then she remembered, but, of course; he was still recovering from his accident. That blow to the head might have caused more serious damage than anyone had realized.

Oh, how horrible! Maybe there had been some brain damage that was only now beginning to be apparent. Penny got up from the bed and walked over to him. Touching his arm she said in a calm, soothing voice. "That's right. Brad. I have to soak them once a week to keep them clean of protein buildup."

Leading him over to the bed, she coaxed him to sit down. She sat beside him and patted his hand.

"I'm really pleased that you came to see me tonight, Brad. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to visit with you these past couple of days." She glanced up at him with concern. "I suppose your head still really bothers you."

Brad looked at her and had an almost uncontrollable urge to reach out and haul her into his arms. There she was, looking so concerned about him and his problems, unaware of what was happening in her life.

He loved her so much. She deserved better treatment, she really did. If he hadn't been so shocked when Gregory had informed him of his intentions. Brad would have loved to have laid him out. Let Mr. Duncan appear in California to take depositions with a lovely shiner! He deserved more than that.

Penny stroked his brow, subtly checking to see if he was feverish. "Why don't you go home now and get some rest. We're both tired." She smiled. "It wouldn't do for the bride to be drawn and wan tomorrow, you know."

He flinched at her words, grateful she couldn't see him any better. Otherwise she would read the distress that was obvious on his face.

"Yes, well, that's what I wanted to talk to you about, Penny," Brad finally managed to mumble.

His voice sounded so soft and hesitant, which only increased Penny's alarm. He didn't sound at all like himself. Oh, if only she'd taken the time to check on him during the past couple of days. But he'd seemed to be improving. His mother hadn't reported anything out of the ordinary. What could have happened to have brought on these dismaying symptoms?

"You want to talk about tomorrow, Brad?" she questioned as casually as possible.

"Yes."

She waited a moment, but he didn't say anything more. Finally, she said, "Okay."

Brad sat there, staring at her, remembering all of their shared time together. He'd lost track of how often he'd climbed the tree outside her window and sneaked into her room. She had been just as bad about using the tree as an escape to meet him somewhere.

The innocence of youth. It had not occurred to either of them that there was anything wrong with them shinnying in and out of each other's bedroom windows. It had been a game. Some of their greatest adventures had been planned while sitting on one of their beds cross-legged, letting their imaginations fly before them like kites in the sky.

Brad admitted to himself that he felt different now. He was well aware that they were no longer children. Even with her face freshly scrubbed and her hair brushed into submission, Penny could scarcely pass as a child. His old football jersey did not disguise her womanly form or hide her well-shaped legs. Brad felt such a strong surge of love for her that it set him trembling.

How dare Gregory Duncan hurt her—his wonderful, lovable, gentle Penny. She never harmed anyone; she only saw the good in everyone. Even now, Penny had complete trust and faith in the man who was too cowardly to tell her he wasn't going to marry her tomorrow.

"What about tomorrow?" Penny prodded gently, wondering if she should slip out and try to get one or the other sets of parents. Maybe they should take him to the emergency room tonight. Perhaps something suddenly had come loose inside his head, causing his rather strange and unusual behavior.

"The wedding," he managed to say, desperately seeking the right words to tell her.

"That's right, Brad," she said in the same soothing tone she'd been using for several minutes, "Tomorrow is the wedding. And I'm getting married."

"No, you're not," he said baldly.

Oh, dear. He was getting more and more irrational.

"I'm not?"

"No."

"I see. Why am I not getting married?"

She sounded so calm, as though she were humoring him. Of course she'd been under a great deal of strain this week, herself. "Because Gregory isn't going to marry you." There. He'd told her. He waited for her reaction. He knew the rest of the night was going to be hell. At first she'd try to deny it. That was only to be expected. Then she'd probably cry, and get angry—the anger would help, he decided. He would stay with her through all of it, and whatever she decided to do in the morning, he'd agree. If she wanted him to marry her, he would. That's what friends are for, after all, to help in a time of crisis.