Chapter Four
As time passed Mac seemed to be erecting a barrier between them, never mentioning their rides or the past. It was as if he’d forgotten that part of his life.
His letters contained so many judgments and criticisms they often left her in tears. Still, her adoration of him never faded—in fact as she grew older her teenage fantasies turned him into a sort of god.
Barbara was wrapped up in Robert and his futile efforts to expand the business, so she barely noticed Sam’s see-sawing emotions.
Sam could barely contain her eagerness to see Mac on his return for the holidays. She bored her mother by interminably rambling on about the gift she would buy him.
“Mac’s twenty-one now, Sam,” her mother said. “He may not want a fifteen year old girl trailing him when he comes home. He’s not the paragon you seem to think him. He’s a man, and has been living a different lifestyle to us. Why, he might have a girlfriend. After all, he rarely comes back during the year now. He’s much too kind-hearted to hurt you, so don’t wear your heart on your sleeve. Try not to be so...pushy, hey?”
“No!” Sam covered her ears, aghast at this picture her mother painted of her hero. “Mac would never find anyone else. He promised me.”
Her mother sighed. “Promises are sometimes broken, Sam.”
Lonely Pride Page 7