Ed watched Maggie recoil from her brother’s words. He was surprised by pain flashing across her brother’s face. Maybe he hadn’t meant to hurt his sister after all. How much of Brad’s performance was an act? Or maybe it was the twenty-fifth act of an old play between brother and sister.
“For your information,” Brad’s voice lowered, “I happened to be coming back from a business trip to Minneapolis. And Mr. Prater keeps me informed now and then about my Iowa investment and the carryings-on of my sister.” He paused. Ed received the brunt of the man’s glare. Looking back at Maggie, Brad said, “And I don’t like one bit you chasing some damn foolish fantasy regarding racehorses. You’ll screw everything up yet. If you go bankrupt, I stand to lose right along with you.”
“I understand.” Maggie exhaled slowly. “Your position is clear and always has been. If I can get ahead enough, maybe I should go ahead and pay you off. But until then, I’m afraid your investment in the farm, as small as it is, remains at the same risk as mine. In any legal proceeding, I out vote you eight to two. And there is the binding will, which you have already unsuccessfully contested. So?”
Ed crossed his legs at the ankles and relaxed a little. That was some good news. This was better than any soap opera he’d ever seen, which wasn’t very many. This was the determined Maggie that he knew so well. This was the Maggie who could scare him at times—and no doubt her brother, too.
“So. You never were able to take sound advice.” Brad visibly shed some of his anger and relaxed a bit. He gave Maggie a genuine smile. “Well, as long as I’m here I’d kind of like to see my nephew and niece. They’ve probably grown a lot since I last saw them.”
“I’m sorry, Brad. They’re not here. They’re away at summer camp and won’t be back for another three days.”
“Oh, isn’t that just handy,” he said, balling his hands into fists. “I’ve got some time coming. I guess I’ll wait a few days to see them. Maybe I can find out some information from Prater or Con-Ex Farms that will convince you to sell.”
“Don’t count on that. Has Ben Templeton reached you yet?”
“No, but I’ve been on the road for weeks. What does that snake-in-the-grass want?”
“You’ll have to ask him, but it is important. He can explain.” Letting out a sigh, Maggie said, “Brad, it’s nice that you want to see the kids. They do miss you. They’ve always liked the funny stories you tell. And you know you’re welcome to stay here.”
“No. No way. I haven’t slept in this house since you inherited it. And I certainly wouldn’t start now when you have your hands so full with horses and your hired man.” Brad stood and sauntered toward the door. “No, I’ll stay in town. Maybe look up some old buddies. I’ll be around.”
Ignoring Ed entirely, Brad Magee stepped out into the darkening night.
- o -
Maggie felt Ed place a comforting arm around her shoulders. When all they could see of the compact was its red tail lights in the distance, she shuddered against the cool breeze and the despair her brother left behind.
“You want to talk about it?” Ed asked softly.
She turned and buried her tears in his chest. “You sure got an ear full. Bet you didn’t know I was such an evil person. Most of the time I try to forget I have a brother.”
Maggie stepped away from Ed, leaned against the porch wall, and shook her head. She stared past Ed out into the dark.
“He was Mommy’s boy and I was Daddy’s girl.” She sighed and flopped down onto an overstuffed porch chair. “Maybe it would have been different if I had been the second born. But I was first born. And I listened well to my dad. I accepted his philosophy and work ethic. He taught me to love the land, and that nothing came to anybody without hard work. He taught me to be strong because I had Magee blood coursing through my veins.”
“You’re nothing if not strong,” Ed commented. “Sometimes too damn strong for your own good.”
“I doubt that,” Maggie muttered. “Four years younger, Brad always resented his older sister. Maybe for good reason. I don’t know. He didn’t naturally take to the land or to farm work. He hated the hogs. He’d rather have his nose in a book.”
Maggie smiled a half smile. “There’s nothing wrong with being studious. But it didn’t meet Dad’s expectation for a son. Dad kept forcing me on Brad as the role model. Work as hard as your sister and you’ll be fine. Your sister can work the land and still get good grades, why can’t you? Why do you want to go off to college, your sister didn’t. Your place is here on the farm with your sister.”
“Oh, I’m sure I had to have been a real pain in the ass for Brad. I was active in 4-H; Brad didn’t want to join. And Dad was furious. When we were young, I don’t imagine I really appreciated what was happening, or wanted to. If anything, I was probably smug about being the favored child. And I probably worked hard to maintain that status.”
“Where was your ma in all of this?”
“Oh, she tried to protect Brad the best she could. But she seldom took Dad on directly. Few people did. He was a good man, but he was set in his ways. And he did have a temper.”
“Sounds like somebody I’m getting to know,” Ed said.
Maggie glared at him and then broke out laughing. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right. I take after my Dad, but I hope not in all ways. He was much more controlling that I ever understood when he was alive.
She hunched forward, rubbing her shoulders. “Anyway, Brad did as little as he could around the farm and then only grudgingly. He only did things he was told to do. He’d never volunteer to do more. He couldn’t wait to escape to college. And Mom encouraged him to go. She knew it wouldn’t ever work for him to stay on the farm and work with Dad. Their personalities clashed. There seemed to be no way around that.”
“And there never was a reconciliation?”
Maggie tucked her legs under her body. “No. Never. Brad joined a fraternity and lived the good life: beer, women and partying. It took a while, but he finally did graduate in computer science. He only came home to visit—mainly Mom. Never stayed long. And then he was on his way. He’s gone through almost as many jobs as women. But he’s never had much difficulty finding another of either.” Maggie frowned. “He’s not big on permanency.”
Ed nodded. Maggie saw a flicker in his eyes she couldn’t recognize.
“Let me get us some coffee,” Ed said, getting up and moving toward the kitchen.
She heard him banging around in the kitchen and was comforted to have a break. It was difficult talking about her family. But maybe now Ed would say more about his. He certainly was learning that her family was no model. She worried that her crack about Brad and permanency might have struck too close to home for Ed.
“Try this,” he offered, returning with two steaming mugs.
She sipped the butternut flavored coffee and grinned. “This is soothing. Thanks.”
Ed sat back down. “So your father didn’t trust Brad with the land even in the will. He seems to have gone to some fairly extreme measures so you would control the land.”
“Yes, he did. I was shocked by the will and the letter of instruction. Brad was livid. While he liked the extra cash that came to him, he still wanted me to sell the farm. For him, it was almost a matter of principle. The farm had been such an onerous thing for him. Obviously, I wouldn’t sell, and he knew that. So did Dad. That’s why he wrote the will the way he did.
“Right or wrong. Fair or unfair. I don’t know.” Maggie sipped her coffee and glanced at Ed, wondering what he was making of all of this. Now that she’d begun, it was important that he understand. “I’ve been paying Brad off bit by bit. I wish I could have paid him off with the insurance money, but I don’t trust my brother—no matter what he says. If I violate the letter of the will by paying him off faster than it states, what’s to prevent Brad from contesting the entire will again?”
“You two do seem to be bound together by parents from the grave,” Ed said. “I know it happens a lot, but it s
eems eerie.”
“Dad always said blood was thicker than water, and Mom always wanted us to be more of a family. I imagine both of them thought the way the will was written would mean we would at least have to deal with each other. That may be true. But I don’t think the will has helped brother-sister bonding. Sometimes I don’t know what to do with him. He is my only brother. And he is the kids’ uncle.”
- o -
The next day, hoping to avoid Maggie’s brother, Ed stayed busy with the horses. That afternoon his luck ran out.
Glancing up from inventorying medical supplies, he saw Brad Magee enter the barn. At least the man was more appropriately dressed today with jeans, a tan polo shirt, and tennis shoes. He hadn’t come ready to work, but then Ed hadn’t expected that.
“Good morning,” Brad said cheerfully.
Immediately on guard, Ed responded, “And how are you today?”
“I’ve been worse.” Brad glanced at the vast array of bottles, syringes and bandages Ed had spread out on a work table. “So you were quite successful in Chicago?”
“You could say that.”
“But things went sour.”
“You got that right.”
“How’d you get linked up with my sister?”
“She found me.”
“Why doesn’t that surprise me more?” Brad paused, taking a second look at his surroundings. “Looks like you’ve got quite a set up here.”
Ed lifted his eyes from his checklist to peer directly at Maggie’s brother. “Your sister wanted me to help her set up a competitive racing stable. We’ve done some things that make that a possibility.”
“I’ll just bet you have.”
“Do you have a problem with something?”
Brad raised his open palm quickly. “Not at all. Ben Templeton vouches for you as a horse trainer. I’m sure you know what you’re doing. I may not trust the man, but he wouldn’t do anything to harm Maggie. As far as my sister goes, anybody who can take her on is a better man than me.”
Reaching into his back pocket, pulling out a flask, Brad paused to lift the container to his lips.
As the sweet smell of whisky invaded his nostrils, Ed watched Brad’s Adam’s apple rise and fall, measuring greedy swallows. The man was in ecstasy. Ed’s stomach lurched; his entire body tensed.
“Want a pull or two?” Brad asked, holding out the flask toward Ed.
Repulsed by the man’s devilish grin, Ed stopped long enough to visualize his latest sobriety chip. “No, thanks. I don’t touch the stuff. It can be dangerous to your health, but then you probably know that.”
“Yeah, heard tell that Sis was trying to reform an alcoholic. Our dad always believed she could work miracles.”
Brad shoved the flask back into his hip pocket. “So tell me about betting horses. Craps has always been my game, but I’ve had a run of bad luck recently. I hear money can be made at the track, though.”
“For some. But trainers are about the last folks who can talk about betting. They get too attached to their own horses to handicap objectively.”
“But you know something about handicapping?”
“Of course. You have to make similar judgments when placing your horse in appropriate races.”
“So how do I learn? Where do I get the inside tips?”
Ed stood grinning at the shorter man. “You want an edge? There is no edge other than some hard-headed work and a good bit of luck. Now, I’ve got to go work some horses. Hopefully, with a bit of luck, we can make some money at the track that way.”
“So you won’t help me?” Brad sneered. “Hard work and luck—that’s what I’ve heard all my life. I’m doing pretty well, and I don’t have to sweat much doing it.”
“I can loan you a book or two if you like,” Ed offered. “With your background in computers, you might be quite interested in speed handicapping. Now I have to get back to work.”
“Don’t you walk away from me when I’m talking to you!” Brad shouted at Ed’s back.
Ed turned slowly. “I’d suggest that you not use that tone of voice with me, mister. Your sister may feel that she has to tolerate it—I don’t. I’ve tried to be polite with you because you’re Maggie’s brother, but enough is enough. It’s probably best for both of us if you leave the barn area now.”
Brad sputtered. “That’s fine with me. The stench is overwhelming.”
Ed knew Brad was following him, but he didn’t turn around. He didn’t want a physical confrontation with Maggie’s brother.
“I’ll let you get back to planning how to wheedle your way into my sister’s pants and money.”
Ed tensed when he heard mocking laughter. He turned and stared at the smaller man, who had come to an abrupt halt just out of arms reach.
“Looks like you’re doing fine with both.” Brad put his thumbs in his belt loops.
He didn’t look nearly as tough as he probably thought he did. Ed wanted to laugh.
“I sure don’t know what she sees in you. You’ve got no future, only a past. One of these days she’ll come to her senses and dump you on your tarnished ass.” Brad ginned a victorious smile. “Maybe then she’ll sell.”
Ed’s fingers flexed involuntarily into fists. In an earlier time in his life, he would have bloodied the man’s nose long before now. He took a half step toward Brad and stopped. Maggie would be mad as hell if he threw a punch. Instead, Ed turned and walked away, leaving her brother cussing at him and the entire world.
Seeking relief, Ed saddled a horse and trotted him out across the meadow and the old pasture land. He wondered why Maggie’s father had never plowed it under for planting crops. It didn’t make much sense to use the valuable land for a few beef to graze when it could be planted with cash crops. But then a lot about the Magee-Anderson family didn’t make much sense.
He felt like he was being sucked into some vortex that had no name and was governed by rules unknown to him. Why hadn’t she told him about her brother? Was it shame, or did she think he might perceive her brother as a monkey wrench in the stable plans? Who was playing whom for a fool?
Ed squeezed the horse into an easy canter. He loved being on horseback. Often he could think more clearly atop a horse than on the ground. Images of Carolyn and Johnny flashed through his mind. Damn, they’d be home shortly. Then what?
A lot of things were crowding him all at once. Life would get worse before improving. Why had he succumbed to her wiles? That was what was making everything so sticky. If they hadn’t become lovers, Maggie’s brother would have less ammunition to use against her. Brad might be a rake, but Ed didn’t want Maggie to be regarded in the same light.
Did anything hold brother and sister together other than resentments and admonitions from the grave?
That stupid ass for a brother had seen through him quickly enough. What had he said? You’ve got no future, only a past. One of these day’s she’ll come to her senses and dump you on your tarnished ass. Ed didn’t doubt that at all; he never had.
- o -
Two days later, Maggie sat on a hay bale watching Ed repair a longe line. He looked so focused braiding the rope to fit a gun metal snap. She loved to observe him when he was totally engrossed. The cat in her lap stood, arched its back and leapt to the floor.
It was hard not to worry. There was her brother, and she and Ed were working through their relationship, and then the kids would be home the next day. They’d be pleased about Ed and her, but she still was a little embarrassed. It wasn’t every day that she could tell her adolescent daughter and pre-adolescent son that she had taken on a lover. They would be delighted; she just hoped they wouldn’t smother Ed. He’d balk at that. No doubt about it.
He’d become even more quiet and pensive since her brother showed up. Maggie had tried to get Ed to talk about the future, but he was so adept at sidetracking the conversation. Their lovemaking, if anything, had become more intense, more urgent. Her body warmed just imagining them entwined in the aftermath of passion.
> With a satisfied smile, Ed looked over at her. “There,” he said, pulling on the longe line and testing its strength. “That ought to last a while longer. Okay, what now? I can see the wheels spinning in your conniving little head. You’re up to something.”
“So…you’re Eddie Travers’ godfather.”
Ed frowned. “Where the hell did that come from, and what else has Cassie been telling you behind my back?”
“All your secrets and more. I was touched by the story of Eddie’s birth. Don’t be so grumpy about it. You should be honored that they wanted you to be his godfather.”
“I am,” he responded. Exhaling, he said, “I’m just not very damn good at it now, am I?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Would you want your son to grow up like me?” He laughed caustically, as if he had told a bad joke.
“I would be delighted if you were the father of my son. You’d make a super dad,” Maggie said, jumping to her feet. “We all make mistakes, Ed. None of us is perfect. The question is, what will we learn from our mistakes? I hope Johnny turns out as caring and loving as you.”
“Bullshit!” He started to walk away.
“I think you should move into the house.”
- o -
She might as well have hit him over the head with a sledgehammer. Like a trapped animal, he growled and backpedaled. “No, that won’t work. What we’ve had has been nice, but it’s got to end. Your kids are coming home tomorrow.”
“Nice!” Maggie rapidly closed the distance between them. “Won’t work? Why the hell not? I love you,” she said, pounding her fists on his chest. “You love me. We’ll make it work.”
“I never…”
“I know you never used those words—you don’t have to. They are in your eyes and on your fingertips when we make love and when we’re sitting on the porch swing. You can’t deny it.”
Ed simply glowered at her, then turned his back on her so she wouldn’t see his pain.
Heat Wave (Riders Up) Page 14