Stay With Me (The Montgomery Brothers) Read Online Free PDF Page B

is…”
    “And who says that I’m only driving back and forth to the hospital?  Do I have a curfew?  Do I need to punch a clock or something?  Last I checked, I was here to see my dad and as an adult with free-will and not under any kind of house arrest, I’m free to go wherever I want
.
”
    Mac’s gaze hardened.  “So this is what?  A pleasure trip for you?  Stop in and see your father for a few minutes and then go traipsing around town?”
    “Mackenzie!” William snapped.  It wasn’t often that he had the need to reprimand his sons anymore considering they were grown men but now seemed like the perfect time to do it.  “What are you badgering Gina for?  She didn’t say she was going traipsing around anywhere but for crying out loud, if she wants to visit old friends or go out to eat or just go to the store, that’s none of your concern.”
    Gina looked at him with a smug smile and Mac mumbled an apology.  She graciously accepted before turning away and going back to the car.  She wanted to skip away but she would wait to do that when she didn’t have an audience. 
    “What is the matter with you?” William asked as he walked Mac out of the garage. 
    Mac shook his head.  “I don’t know, Dad.  Sorry.  It’s been a rough week.”
    “Really? How?  It’s been business as usual as far as I could tell.”
    Now was really not the time to get into it but for some reason, Mac felt the need to unburden himself a little.  “Between you and me?  With Lucas and Emma having Lily and Jason and Maggie getting married, it’s just been a bit much.  Everyone is looking at me and wondering when it’s going to be my turn and if I have to hear them ask that one more time, I’ll lose my mind!”
    William observed his son.  Mac never admitted to any kind of weakness and this was as close as he’d ever gotten to share his personal feelings.  “Do you begrudge your brothers their happiness?” he asked cautiously.
    “No, no…of course not; I’m thrilled for them both but, well…I just wish that I didn’t have to hear about it from everyone all the damn time.  Everyone keeps asking if I’m happy for them and then they ask when it’s my turn…I’m beginning to dread going into the office.”
    Unable to help himself he pulled his son in for a hug and pat him on the back.  “It’s the nature of the beast, I’m afraid.  I think that part of the problem is that you spend too much time in the damn office.”
    Mac held up a hand to stop the lecture.  “I am there as much as I’m needed.”
    “That’s bull and you know it.  It wasn’t that long ago that you were picking on Jason for all of the time he spent in the office and you’re no better.  Take some time off, Mac.  The company won’t fall apart without you.”
    “I can’t right now; you’re heading out of town.”
    William waved him off.  “Please, I’m not talking about taking a month-long vacation or anything…yet.  But how about trying to leave by six?  While the sun is still out.”
    “And do what?” Mac asked, confounded by the thought.
    Did he have to do all of the thinking for his children, William thought to himself.  He caught a glimpse of Gina as she climbed from the convertible; a smile of pure satisfaction on her face.  “Look after Gina while your mother and I are out of town.  This isn’t going to be an easy visit for her and as much as she says she’s going to be fine, I’ll feel better knowing that she’s not alone.”
    Mac looked at his father as if he’d grown an extra head.  Look after Gina?   Was his father out of his mind?  Did he see what Gina looked like?  The last time he’d seen her, she’d been a kid; the woman walking around the garage right now was a living, breathing fantasy.  Her long curly hair and big expressive eyes were slowly killing him.  In the short span of time they’d been together today, he’d done his best to not look at her because when he did, he wanted to