Helen leaned against the counter, staring at her daughter as though she no longer knew her. "Why, Penny, that isn't true! Of course you squabbled at times—any kids who spent much time together would be likely to bicker. Besides, you're both extremely strong-willed and determined to get your own way. No one would expect that you'd always agree on everything."
Penny absently opened the pantry door and peered inside with absolutely no idea what she was looking for.
"But, Penny, the two of you were friends. Close friends. I don't understand your attitude toward him now."
Penny closed the door and turned around. "Well, I don't suppose it matters now, does it? He's here and he'll be here for dinner. I think I'll go on up and take a bath. I want to look calm and relaxed when Gregory gets here."
Helen stood and watched Penny as she went into the hallway and started up the stairs. There were times she didn't feel she understood her daughter at all.
Penny stared at her reflected image in the mirror. The pale peach of her dress showed off her darkening tan and brought out the red highlights in her russet-colored hair. She had pulled her hair smoothly away from her face into a cluster of curls at the nape of her neck. She looked poised, sophisticated and calm.
If only she felt that way! Her insides had been churning all afternoon, which was absolutely ridiculous. What possible difference could it make that Brad Crawford would be there for dinner? she asked herself.
Unfortunately she could come up with a half-dozen reasons before she had to draw breath. She knew him too well. Depending on his mood, he could be everything a hostess could want in a polite dinner guest. Or he could be perfectly outrageous. Funny, but outrageous. And he knew entirely too many things about her that he could bring up if he felt the urge. It wouldn't be the first time he'd embarrassed her in front of someone important.
"Oh, Mother," she lamented aloud, "If you'd only asked me, I would have told you that Brad's favorite pastime is ignoring the script and improvising in a situation." A reluctant smile played on her face when she thought of some of the things he'd done in the past. He really did have a wicked sense of humor.
She realized that she was being a coward, hovering upstairs when she'd heard him arrive at least fifteen minutes earlier. Penny had justified her delay to herself, knowing that her father would monopolize Brad for a while. Sooner or later she would have to face him. Glancing at her watch, she decided now was as good a time as any. Gregory should be arriving before much longer.
Sure enough, she found Brad and her father in animated conversation. They'd always gotten along well. Her dad had gone to all of Brad's Little League games and stood on the sidelines cheering during his high school football games.
The little voice inside her said. And don't forget, you were right there, cheering with the best of them.
Of course she was. She'd been proud of Brad. He was a natural athlete and she'd enjoyed seeing him play. But that was years ago, after all—just part of her childhood.
Brad stood up as soon as she walked into the room. "Wow!" he said in a reverent voice.
Penny couldn't help it. She began to laugh. "That's one of the things I've always liked about you. Brad," she said, grinning. "You were always so articulate, with such an artful turn of phrase."
He walked over to her and took both her hands, staring down at her. "And that laugh is one of the things I've always liked about you. I had almost given up hope that it was still around."
She could not ignore how well Brad looked in the navy blue blazer and gray slacks. The ensemble set off his blond good looks. Let's face it, she thought, he looked like every woman's dream of the man she hoped would appear in her life and take her away from daily drudgery. No doubt that was one of the reasons Hope for Tomorrow had become one of the most successful daily serials.
The doorbell served as a reprieve from Penny's runaway thoughts. "Oh, there's Gregory now." she said, unconsciously betraying her relief.
Brad frowned slightly as he watched her return to the hall. For just a moment he'd seen a ghmpse of the Penny he'd known forever, but then she'd disappeared behind the polite, sedate facade of the woman he'd seen this afternoon.
He heard murmured voices in the hallway, and an intimate male chuckle that caused the hair on his neck to rise in protest. Brad determinedly ignored the fact that Penny's lipstick was definitely smudged when she returned to the room, leading a man who must have been Gregory Duncan.
Brad wasn't prepared for the shock he received when he saw Penny's fiance. There was no denying that he was in his late thirties. The mark of time had added character to his face. What hit Brad like a doubled-up fist in his stomach was that Gregory Duncan looked enough like him to be a close relative.
They were both approximately the same height and build, and their hair was the same shade of blond. Brad felt as though he were looking into the future, at what he would look like in another thirteen years.
And this was the man Penny had chosen to marry.
After the introductions were made. Brad said, "I've looked forward to meeting you, Gregory. I've heard some very good things about you." He didn't miss the exchange of glances between Gregory and Penny.
"It's good to meet a friend of Penny's, Brad," Gregory replied in a deep, mellow voice that Brad was sure could be used to great effect in a courtroom.
"Unfortunately, I'm at a disadvantage. She's never mentioned you to me."
Brad glanced at Penny in surprise, and acknowledged to himself the pain Gregory's remark caused him. She had truly dismissed him from her life.
Penny couldn't meet Brad's eyes. She smiled at Gregory and said, "Oh, I'm sure I told you about Brad, Gregory. You've probably just forgotten. He lived next door for years."
'Tm sure you have, love," Gregory said, holding her possessively to his side. "It must have slipped my mind."
Brad was unprepared for the almost despairing rage that swept over him at the sight of Gregory holding Penny so intimately.
What had he expected, for God's sake? She was marrying the man, wasn't she? He found himself clenching his teeth in an effort to control his emotions. Helen earned his undying gratitude when she came into the room and announced that dinner was ready.
Dinner was almost as bad. Brad sat across the table from the engaged couple, a silent witness to their smiles and murmurs. Ralph and Helen kept the conversation going, and Brad determinedly joined them, knowing he would have to deal with his pain later.
Penny began to relax about midway through dinner. As usual, her mother had outdone herself with the meal, and the men were obviously enjoying it. She had just felt the tension in the muscles along her spine ease when Brad said, "Too bad you never learned to cook like your mom, Runt. Maybe she'll take pity on Grre-gory and have you two for dinner often."
Gregory glanced up from his meal and looked at Brad in surprise. "What did you call her? Runt?''
Brad looked a little abashed. "Sorry. I guess that 1 just slipped out. It was a nickname I gave her years ago."
Gregory's gaze fell on Penny. "I can think of many nicknames I might choose for her, but nothing so revolting as that."
"She was always small for her age, you know," Brad said lightly. "I think she always hoped she'd catch up with me, but by the time we were teenagers I she knew she'd well and truly lost the race." He studied Penny for a moment, then smiled. "She's always looked younger than her years, anyway, don't you think so?"
Gregory smiled at her. "Oh, I don't know. I'd hardly confuse her with one of her students, despite her height. She's a very nicely endowed woman."
"Thank you kindly, sir,'' she said.
"As for her cooking," Gregory went on, "Penny doesn't have to do anything she doesn't want to. I'm not marrying her to gain a housekeeper."
"Of course not," Brad agreed. With a perfectly deadpan expression he went on, "I just hope you don't mind the fact that she snores."
The reaction of those around the table was a study of mixed emotions. Ralph looked as t
hough he were trying not to laugh while Helen looked shocked. From the expression on her face. Penny looked as if she could have easily committed murder. Only Gregory showed little reaction—just a slight narrowing of his eyes.
"I had no idea you knew Penny quite that well."
"He's being obnoxious," Penny said heatedly. ''Out families used to go camping together when we were children. Brad always used to accuse me of snoring, just to make me angry."
"And it usually worked," he replied with a grin.
She struggled with her anger now, unwilling to let him know that he had succeeded in riling her once again. She tried to laugh, but wasn't sure that anyone was fooled. "But not now. Your childish tricks no longer have any effect on me."
Brad leaned back in his chair. "That's good to know, Runt. That uncontrollable temper of yours used to get you into lots of trouble."
"Temper?" Gregory repeated, lifting a brow. "You must have Penny confused with someone else. A more even-tempered person I've yet to meet."
Brad began to laugh. "Oh, dear. Are you ever in for a surprise. Counselor." He leaned forward and rested his arms on the table in front of him. "How long have you and Penny known each other?"
"About a year, wouldn't you say?" Gregory answered, turning to Penny.
"Something like that," she muttered.
"And she's never lost her temper?"
"Not that I'm aware of."
"How very interesting," Brad mused.
"Only to you. Brad, dear," Penny said sarcastically. Then she stood and said with a smile, "I'll clear for you, Mother. Who would like some cherry-chocolate cake?'' She refused to look at Brad.
No one could pass up such a temptation, so Penny carried the dishes into the kitchen and began to slice the cake and place it on plates. She glanced up when she heard the swinging door open, then frowned.
"You don't need to help, Brad. I can manage."
"I know. I just came in here to apologize."
"It's too late."
"Too late for what? Do you think he's going to beg off or something just because he's found out you have a temper, for God's sake?"
''I mean it's too late for you to think I'm going to always say, 'Oh, that's all right. Brad, it doesn't matter.' You think you can say anything you want, behave in the most outrageous manner, and all you have to do is smile that devastating, knee-weakening smile and I'll forgive you."
"Knee-weakening?''
Trust Brad to pick up on her unfortunate choice of words.
"A figure of speech, Brad, nothing more."
''Does my smile really affect you that way?"
"Would you get out of here?" She picked up two plates filled with cake and shoved them into his hands. "Make yourself useful."
Penny watched as Brad laughingly returned to the other room, looking for all the world as if the two of them had been out in the kitchen laughing over old times.
Something told her that the next week might have a certain lack of peace and serenity. She would count the days until the wedding.
Surely after she and Gregory were married, Brad Crawford would no longer have the ability to disrupt her life.
Penny refused to ask herself why this would be so.
Chapter 2
"Good morning, Mr. Akin," Penny said the next morning. She placed the large package her mother wanted mailed in the window of the Payton post office and waited to have it weighed.
"Well, hello there, Penny," he replied. "Guess you're pretty busy these days, what with getting ready for your wedding and all."
She smiled at the elderly man who had worked at the post office as long as she could remember. "Yes, I have been."
"Did you know young Brad Crawford is back in town?" he asked, his intent gaze letting her know it was no idle question.
"Yes, I did. He had dinner with us last night, as a matter of fact."
"Did he now? That's right interesting, considering you're marrying somebody else,"
"What difference does that make?''
"Well, folks around here kinda figured that sooner or later you and the Crawford boy would end up married to each other."
"I have no idea why they would think that, Mr. Akin, just because we were next-door neighbors for years."
"It's probably because the two of you were thicker than fleas on a hound's back, missy," he said in a no-nonsense voice. ''Never saw one of you that the other one wasn't right there as well."
' 'That was a long time ago, Mr. Akin. We were just kids then."
"You weren't just kids when you went off to college together. Why, everybody knew that Brad spent his first year out of high school here in Pay ton, just waiting for you to graduate so you could go to school together."
"Mr. Akin, Brad worked at the textile mill for his dad the year after he graduated from high school. He was tired of school and wasn't sure what he wanted to do."
"Hmph. Figured that out quick enough when you decided to go up north to that big university to study acting, though, didn't he?"
Why was she debating the issue with a postal employee? People were going to think whatever they wanted to think, no matter how much she tried to explain. Penny managed a noncommittal response that seemed to appease him and watched as he weighed the package.
After paying him, Penny waved goodbye and went to the grocery store to pick up a few items her mother wanted. When she was ready to check out, she noticed Sonia Henderson had the shortest line of people waiting. She and Sonia had gone through school together, but instead of going to college, Sonia had married her high school sweetheart.
As soon as Penny began to unload her basket onto the moving belt, Sonia saw her.
'Tenny! Did you hear that Brad Crawford is in town?''
Why did everyone want to tell her about Brad's visit, for Pete's sake? "As a matter of fact, I did, Sonia." Trying to forestall another interrogation, she asked, "So how are Timmy and Sarah?"
"Oh, they're fine. Timmy's glad to be out of school for the summer. Sarah's teething and she's been a little cranky, but Mom says that's only natural." Almost in the same breath she asked, "Have you seen him yet?"
"Seen who?"
"Brad! Have you seen him since he came back?"
"Uh, yes. I saw him yesterday."
"Does he look as good as he does on television?"
Better, Penny thought, but decided there was enough conjecture flitting around town without her adding to it. "About the same, I guess."
"Did he talk to you about what it's like, living in New York and being famous and everything?"
"Actually, no, he didn't."
"I think it's so exciting he's here. I hope I get to see him. Do you suppose his life is anything like Drew Derek's?"
"I have no idea."
Sonia giggled. "He probably wouldn't tell you if it was."
" Probably not,'' she agreed.
"Can't you just imagine what it's like, being famous and all, knowing all the women are dreaming about wanting to make love to you?"
Penny was saved from having to think up a reply when Sonia rang up the total for the groceries. Penny conscientiously concentrated on writing out her check. By the time she managed to get out of the grocery store, she was thankful her mother hadn't thought of any other errands for her to run. If one more person brought up Brad Crawford's name today...
"Good morning, Penny. I always thought that shade of yellow looked great on you."
Thank God she had a good grip on the two sacks of groceries. "Brad! Where did you come from?"
"Why, Penny, you never cease to amaze me. We had a discussion about the birds and the bees years ago. My, how quickly we forget."
"You're not funny. Brad. How long have you been lurking outside the grocery store?"
"I wasn't lurking. I happened to see your car parked out here when I drove by earlier and decided to see if you'd like to go get something cold and refreshing to drink with me."
"I need to get these groceries home," she explained with a certain amount of
relief. Brad was looking every inch the virile male in his prime this morning, in faded jeans that fit him like a second skin and gave no doubt to his gender. The tan sport shirt he wore accented his well-developed shoulders and chest. His blond hair, worn much longer than most of the local men's, gleamed brightly in the morning sunlight.
"That's all right. I'll follow you home and we can go in my car."
She closed the trunk and came around to where he was casually leaning against her car. "Not today. I have too much to do."
"Such as?"
Penny quickly racked her brain, trying to think of something. What did she usually do on Saturdays? In the summertime? Not much. How about the Saturday before her wedding? Surely she had something urgent, something really vital, that could not be postponed another hour.
She couldn't think of a thing.
"Don't you want to have a drink with me?" he asked quietly.
Penny hadn't heard that note in his voice in a long time. It caught her totally off guard. She had heard pain, despite his attempt at lightness.
"It's not that. Brad," she began uncertainly.
"We haven't had a chance to talk since I got home. Penny," he reminded her, reaching out and touching a russet curl at her ear.
"Of course we have," she said, trying to defend herself. "We talked yesterday afternoon, then again last night."
"No, we didn't. You didn't say a half-dozen words around me yesterday, except for telling me off in the kitchen." He studied her in silence for a moment. "Are you still angry at me because of last night?"
Trying to ignore how close he was, she opened the car door and slid behind the steering wheel. After pulling the door shut, she looked up at him. That particular look in his eyes had always been able to sway her, even against her better judgment. And she was aware that she had overreacted to his teasing the night before. "All right," she said, giving up the struggle. "I'll see you at home, then."
His smile lit up his face, and for a moment she could only stare at him. He seemed to glow with it. No wonder he had been an instant hit on television. With that much charisma, he was lethal to a person's peace of mind. Or at least, to her's.
1. That's What Friends Are For Page 2