Maddie gathered him in close again, bringing his head to rest on her chest. “Close your eyes and try to rest for a while.”

“I have to go back to work.”

She reached for his belt where he clipped his cell phone so it wouldn’t fall into the water when he was working.

“What’re you doing?” he asked when she placed a call.

“Hi, Luke, it’s Maddie. Mac is taking the afternoon off. I wanted to let you know.”

Her husband pinched her rear, making her smile.

“Everything okay?” Luke asked.

“It’s going to be.”

“Right. Well, tell him not to worry. I’ve got it covered here.”

“Thanks, Luke. He’ll see you in the morning.” She ended the call and tossed the phone onto the bed behind Mac. “He said to tell you he’s got it covered. Not to worry.”

“You’re being very bossy, sweetheart.”

“I know. Now close your eyes and rest. I’ve got you.”

A sigh shuddered through his big frame as he relaxed into her embrace.

Relieved to have taken the first step in what would probably be a long healing process, Maddie closed her eyes, too. They were both exhausted and overwrought. The sleep would do them good.

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

After lunch, Adam borrowed his dad’s truck and set out to find Evan’s new studio. Following his father’s directions, he drove past the Southeast Light to a parcel of land that their friend Ned Saunders owned. Adam nearly drove by the driveway that was hidden by an overgrowth of brush.

On the way down the dirt driveway, he wondered if the brush was scratching the shit out of his dad’s truck and how much grief he’d get from Big Mac if it was. Oh well, he thought. He could blame it on Evan’s crappy landscaping. Getting Evan into trouble had once been Adam’s primary goal in life. Some things never changed.

At the end of the driveway sat an enormous cedar-shingled barn. A beat-up truck and the old motorcycle he’d recognize anywhere as his brother Mac’s were parked outside. Adam followed the music inside to a large room that smelled of freshly cut wood and new paint. Microphone stands, amplifiers, cords galore and other equipment was scattered about the space.

Through a pane of glass, Adam could see Evan. He was sitting down while another guy leaned over him, pointing and talking with his hands as loud music pounded through the space.

Though he hated to interrupt them, Adam had come a long way to see his brothers. Adam waited until Evan looked up and waved at him through the window.

Evan’s eyes widened with what might’ve been pleasure. He said something to the other man and then removed a headset from around his neck as he stood. He came bounding down a small set of stairs to the main studio where he hugged Adam.