1. That's What Friends Are For

by Annette Broadrick

  Taking her at her word, Brad used the tickets as a reason for their hurried departure. But the well-wishers couldn't let them leave without the traditional spray of rice over them as they dashed for Brad's mother's car.

  "My suitcases!" Penny gasped, hurrying down the sidewalk.

  "Your dad said he put them into my car this morning."

  They got into the car, waving at all the happy, smiling people who had helped them to celebrate their wedding day.

  Brad took Penny's hand and squeezed it gently, then placed it on his thigh before driving away. ''Well, Mrs. Crawford. We may have the shortest marriage in history, but it looks like we're going to have our honeymoon!"

  Chapter 8

  Penny stood on the balcony of the luxury hotel and stared at the sun as it set over the Pacific. She had never seen the ocean before and knew that she should be experiencing all of the excitement of the unknown.

  The view below had all the earmarks of a fantasy— white sands, gently swaying palm trees, and the variegated blues of the ocean—a virtual tropical paradise.

  Penny felt no excitement, no anticipation, no pleasure. She felt numb.

  From the room behind her she heard Brad's voice speaking to the bellhop, but she didn't turn around. She had nothing to say to Brad at the moment. Only questions that needed to be asked eventually, and decisions to discuss. But even the answers to those questions could do little to change the present situation.

  Nothing could change the fact that she was now officially on her honeymoon—with the wrong man.

  Staring out at the panorama spread far below her, Penny knew when Brad opened the wide sliding glass door and joined her on the balcony. She didn't turn around.

  They had spoken very little since leaving the church. By the time they made their connections and were on the plane to Acapulco, Penny felt exhausted. She slept most of the way.

  Penny recognized Brad's dispirited mood and no longer believed this was another one of his pranks. During the reception, fleeting memories of their conversation the night before had occurred to her.

  Penny realized that the blow to his head hadn't affected him as she had thought at the time. He'd been trying to warn her that Gregory wasn't going to be at the church. One of her questions was how he had known. What could he have said or done to cause Gregory to risk ruining his reputation in Payton rather than marry her? Whatever it was, Penny knew she wasn't quite ready to face Brad's possible treachery.

  And that was the cruelest blow of all. That Brad, her childhood friend, her most trusted companion, could be responsible for what had happened.

  If that were true, she had not only lost her fiance but her belief in the integrity of her best friend. How ironic that she was now married to him.

  "The view is really something, isn't it?" Brad said quietly.

  She could hear the tenseness in his voice. He wasn't feeling any better about the recent turn of events than she was. She supposed that was something they had in common at the moment.

  "Yes."

  When she didn't say anything more, he asked, "Are you hungry?"

  "No."

  "Neither am I." Brad pulled out one of the chairs tucked under a small table on the balcony and sat down. "At least we're away from the comments of all the well-wishers," he offered in a gentle voice. "Are you very tired?"

  Penny continued to gaze out toward the beach. She hadn't looked at him since he'd joined her. Without turning she said, "Not really. I slept on the plane."

  Brad was very aware of that. After she had fallen asleep he had pulled her into his arms so that she slept with her head on his shoulder. What had torn at his heart were the tears she had shed in her sleep.

  Why had he ever thought that she would prefer to marry him than be abandoned at the church? Why had Gregory ever suggested it? Unconsciously he rubbed his head. Perhaps that was it—the blow to his head. His brains had been addled. Despite doing everything in his power to prevent it he had managed to hurt her, the very last thing he would ever have wanted.

  Penny caught sight of the movement and turned slightly to see Brad massaging his forehead.

  "Is your head bothering you?" she asked, suddenly remembering all that he had been through that week. She had been so wrapped up in her own misery she had forgotten what he was going through.

  "A little."

  "Why don't you take some pain medication and try to rest?''

  He looked up at her and smiled ruefully. "Because the stuff is so strong, it puts me out for hours."

  Penny found herself smiling for the first time since the wedding reception. "I don't find that such an unfavorable side effect. I wouldn't mind being unconscious for a while, myself."

  His eyes met hers in total understanding. They had shared so much over the years. Today was one more experience that strengthened the bond between them. When the challenge of the reception confronted them, they had immediately united and faced the crisis together. Now that it was over, they could fall apart without fear of the other's ridicule.

  Brad wondered if Penny had any idea how rare that bond was. Or if she cared.

  "Good point," he said, answering her smile. "I may just take your advice." He glanced around, taking in the view from the balcony. "We certainly found a spectacular spot to hide and lick our wounds, wouldn't you say? "

  She heard the underlying pain in his voice and she closed her eyes, almost wincing at the sound. Brad looked tired, as though he hadn't slept much in the past twenty-four hours.

  His decision must have caused him a great deal of agony, and her accusations hadn't made the situation any easier. She had struck out at him in pain, perhaps unconsciously hoping to ease her own. Why had she placed all the blame on him?

  Penny acknowledged that sometimes, when a person is so filled with hurt and the pain takes over, it's hard to recall who administered what particular jab of agony. She had struck out at Brad for some of the pain inflicted by Gregory.

  "I'm sorry for all of those hateful things I said to you earlier," Penny said slowly, opening her eyes and meeting his gaze.

  His gaze seemed to soften and grow warmer. "Thank you for that, Penny," he replied.

  ''I think everything will look a little better to us in a few days," Penny said, "once we've had a chance to get used to the idea of what has happened. We don't have to make any decisions today." She walked over to him and softly stroked his forehead. "Why don't you take something for that headache, okay?"

  He studied the expression on her face for a long, silent moment. Apparently satisfied with what he saw, Brad nodded. "I think you're right. Without this throbbing in my head, I could probably think a lot more clearly.''

  Penny watched him walk back into their room. He took off his coat and tie, then opened his suitcase and took out the small bottle of tablets. After disappearing into the bathroom he soon reappeared, sat on the side of the bed and slipped off his shoes.

  She could almost feel the groan of relief he gave when he stretched out on the bed and closed his eyes.

  Poor Brad.

  It was amazing how quickly her perspective changed as soon as she began to think of someone besides herself, Penny thought wryly. She had certainly been enjoying a pity party of her own all day—feeling misused, abused and totally duped.

  She needed to look at what the nefarious Brad had done to her. Why, the dastardly fellow had sought her out the night before and attempted to explain that her fiance had backed out of their engagement at the last minute. When she refused to take him seriously, Brad, being the blackguard he was, had filled in as bridegroom rather than leave her to face a crowded church alone.

  Gregory was the one who needed to make explanations. Penny shook her head wearily. What difference did it make? It was much too late to search for answers, but she knew that her mind would busily work to solve the mystery of the disappearing bridegroom.

  How well do we ever get to know a person? Penny wondered, leaning against the railing and looking toward the water. No mat
ter how hard we try, there are too many depths to be plumbed in a person to hope that we can ever completely know him.

  She probably knew Brad Crawford better than she knew any other living human being. He knew her equally well. He'd once mentioned to her that the knowledge they shared about each other was more significant than she had ever acknowledged.

  One thing Penny knew with fierce certainty—Brad would never have done to her what Gregory had done. Never.

  She sighed. Today had been the most traumatic day of her life. She was glad to see it end.

  Penny slowly entered their room, unsurprised to find Brad asleep. A frown still creased his brow and without thought she reached over to smooth it away with her forefinger.

  He muttered something and shifted restlessly on the bed. It sounded as though he had said "Penny." She felt an ache in her chest. It wouldn't be surprising if he were having nightmares with her in the starring role.

  Poor Brad. When he had decided to go home to attend a friend's wedding, the last thing he'd expected was to find himself in a featured role.

  Penny wandered into the bathroom, a little awed by the luxurious fixtures. "Well, Penny, old girl, it's your wedding night, so how do you intend to spend it?" She reached over and turned on the water in the large tub. A warm soak in the tub sounded like a good way to relax. Too bad she hadn't thought of bringing along a good book to read, she decided whimsically.

  And then she'd probably be ready for bed. Bed. She was going to share her bed with Brad. Of course it wouldn't be the first time. But the last time they'd slept together was on a camping trip when the zipper wouldn't work on her sleeping bag and he had offered to share his. As she recalled, she was eight years old at the time.

  Somehow she knew that sharing a bed with the adult Brad would be an entirely different experience.

  ❧

  Almost an hour passed before Penny decided that as enjoyable as the water was, there was only so much fun to be had soaking in a tub.

  Why was she trying so hard not to think about what this night was supposed to have been? The sooner she came to grips with the reality of her life, and accepted it, the sooner she'd be able to put away her sorrow that the tapestry of dreams she'd woven over the past several months had come unraveled.

  After drying herself, Penny remembered that her suitcase still waited to be unpacked. She wrapped the enormous towel around her and grinned. One advantage of being small was that it didn't take much to cover her. This particular towel hung below her knees.

  Quietly opening the door she walked into the bedroom. Brad had rolled onto his side and his face had lost its grimness. He was well and truly asleep.

  When Penny opened her suitcase she was forcibly reminded of her situation. Her bag was filled with the frothy lingerie and sleepwear she'd received from the numerous showers her friends had given for her. She remembered all the teasing and chuckles regarding the sheerness of the nightgowns and undergarments.

  She suddenly yearned for one of her sturdy football jerseys that had kept her company for so many years. Too bad she hadn't had the foresight to pack at least one.

  Eventually she found a peach satin gown that was more opaque than any of the others and took it back into the bathroom to put on. When she glanced into the mirror later she wondered why she had thought it would be less revealing.

  The satin was cut on the bias and the gown was designed to look like an evening gown from the thirties. Thin straps widened to a well-cupped bodice. An insert of matching peach lace formed a diamond, with a point that nestled just below her breasts, widened at the waist, then made another point on her abdomen. When she moved, the satin slid over her body highlighting each curve and forming shadows at each indentation.

  Glancing at her watch, Penny admitted to herself that she had stalled long enough. It was time to go to bed. Turning out the light in the bathroom, she entered the bedroom once again. Only one lamp was on and it was across the room from the bed. She hadn't wanted to wake Brad when she'd come in earlier to find something to sleep in.

  She turned back the covers on one side of the bed, thankful of its extra width, then crossed the room and turned off the light. With the room darkened she was drawn to the lighter expanse of the glass door. She peered outside. The stars seemed so bright she felt she could almost reach up and touch one. Out at sea, she could spot an occasional flash of white where a wave had broken.

  What a beautiful spot for a honeymoon.

  She returned to the bed and carefully slid in. Oh, how wonderful to lie down at last, was her last conscious thought.

  ❧

  Moonlight pouring through the wide, uncurtained expanse of glass aroused Brad several hours later. He sat up, disoriented. Looking around him he suddenly remembered where he was. Damn! He'd done it again—fallen asleep for too many hours. Thoughtfully he touched his head. At least the headache was gone, he decided.

  Penny was curled beside him, although she was underneath the covers. Gingerly he slid off the bed and

  Stood while continuing to gaze at her. She looked so peaceful and serene.

  Brad felt as if his heart would explode with the feeling that swelled up inside of him. He had never loved another person as much, and in so many ways, as he loved Penny Blackwell. Penny Crawford, he reminded himself. She was now his wife. His wife!

  How many years had he dreamed about someday being married to Penny—making love to her, acting with her, raising children with her... teasing and laughing and enjoying life with her. When had that dream died?

  He knew to the minute. The day he'd opened the mail in his New York apartment and found the invitation to her wedding.

  He'd felt betrayed. How dare she! He'd been angry and hurt and felt deceived by those he'd most trusted.

  All the time he'd been in New York he'd written to her, but Penny was the world's worst correspondent. Even when his mother had written that she was dating a lawyer, he hadn't been terribly concerned. He was dating, as well. Wasn't that the idea? For them to be sure how they felt?

  He had been sure. He'd always known, from the time Penny had fallen out of a swing when she was four years old and he'd cried because she cried. He'd felt her pain. She was as much a part of him as his heart or lungs.

  How could she possibly not love him in the same way? How could she not know how important they were to each other? The distance had never mattered to him because she had always been in his heart. He could call her up in his mind at will.

  He'd studied the invitation and begun to plot. He would go home and put a stop to the whole thing— make her admit that she couldn't possibly love anyone else—that the two of them belonged together.

  However, things hadn't quite worked out that way for him. In the first place, he was under contract and couldn't just take off. But he'd started talking to anyone who would listen. He needed some time off. There was a family crisis, one that needed his presence.

  Eventually the powers that be had considered the possibility. Then they had needed to prepare new story lines, and that took time, and more time. Only time was quickly running out for Brad.

  He'd ended up with a week. One lousy week to try to convince her she was marrying the wrong man. He'd realized as soon as he saw her that his task was going to be tougher than he'd expected.

  Penny had changed from the woman he knew so well. That was when he had finally given up hope. He realized he could never do anything that would hurt her, and breaking up an engagement a week before the wedding was inexcusable. He loved her enough to let her go, knowing that nothing in his life would ever be quite so wonderful or joyous or sparkling again. Losing Penny was like losing all the sparkle in champagne. Life would be flat without her.

  Somehow he should have known that life would never betray him in such a cold, calculating way. He'd been given another chance to win.

  Looking down at her now, he realized he still had a considerable way to go to win her. But what better setting, or more romantic place, could there be to woo the
woman that was aheady his wife?

  Brad walked into the bathroom and shut the door. Turning on the shower he adjusted the heat of the water, stripped down and stepped under the invigorating spray.

  Did Penny really love him enough to want to continue their marriage? She had told him she loved him, but what did she actually feel? How did a person ever know what another was feeling? Each person had his own conception of what love was, what it felt like, and how he responded to it.

  Somehow he had to prove to Penny, as well as to himself, that she loved him and that marrying Brad, instead of Gregory, was the best thing that could have happened to her.

  Brad was convinced he wouldn't be able to go back to sleep, not with all he had on his mind, and not with Penny lying so close beside him. He was unaware how quickly he fell asleep after he joined Penny in bed, this time under the covers.

  ❧

  Penny's dream carried her along on a wave of pleasure that she had never before experienced. She was on the boat, out on the lake, and she could feel the warm sunshine and a soft breeze. Brad was there, fussing because she hadn't put on more suntan lotion and insisting she would burn without it.

  He was such a nag. She handed him the lotion and suggested that he put it on himself if he didn't like the way she did it. He grinned at her and she could no longer be irritated with him.

  Brad began to spread the cream along her back with long, exploring strokes. She loved his touch. He was so gentle and yet his hands were strong, his long fingers sensitive. She could feel the pads of his fingertips softly moving over her.

  No man had ever touched her so intimately. Only Brad. She loved Brad, so it was all right. Whatever Brad wanted to do, it was all right. She loved him. She loved...

  Penny's eyes flew open. She was no longer asleep. No longer dreaming, and yet—she was in Brad's arms.

  Her head lay on his shoulder, his arm holding her close to his side. And with his other hand, he was touching and caressing her. And she was letting him.