To Betray A Brother by G.W. Gibson Page B

turned and disappeared to the kitchen. Penny, stopped trembling, chiding herself for being so silly. Mrs. Huntington had been like a mother to her and Steele when they were growing up. Their house had been a second home. Her eyes wandered about the room. Neatly stacked split logs sat beside the fireplace ready for when winter next chilled the air. Wedding photos adorned the walls and mantle along with pictures of all of the important family occasions, like Bryce graduating from high school and army recruiter training. One picture, a new one, caught her attention. Bryce in ceremonial military dress stood facing Governor General, clearly just having received an award of some kind. His posture rigid, his attention focused on the woman, who appeared to be chatting in an easy going manner.
    "I was so proud of him that day." Amanda Huntington placed a tray on the small polished timber table which sat on the center of the rug.
    "Why was he with the Governor General?" Penny asked moving back to sit, all the while turning to look at the photograph. She didn't know anybody who met anybody from parliament let alone somebody as important as the Governor General.
    "Do you take sugar in your tea?"
    "No, thank you, just a dash of milk." She sat back into the chair, relaxing as the warmth of familiar surroundings wrapped around her like a cozy blanket.
    Amada Huntington paused, took a sip of tea, and looked at the photograph. Her eyes moistened and shone with solar flare intensity, showing the pride she held for her son. Amanda and Bryce always had a close relationship. "We nearly lost him, you know," she said quietly.
    "Sorry?" Penny shook her head.
    “We very nearly lost Bryce while he was away in Afghanistan. But that’s a story for another day. Tell me, what brings you here after all these years?”
    Penny swallowed a mouthful of tea. “Well, Bryce, really. I need his help.”
    Mrs. Huntington merely nodded.
    “The truth is I’m stuck. I need a mechanic, and Bryce is the only person I can think of who could possibly do the job.”
    “I see. I read about Mick in the paper. Terrible business. How is he? Is Maeve coping?”
    Bryce’s mum had the rare ability to put random pieces of information together to produce a canny and accurate picture.
    “I saw them yesterday. He’s mending. Not quick enough for his liking though.”
    Amanda Huntington placed her saucer on the table. “Mmm. I see. So now you need somebody to help fill the hole left by Mick.”
    “Yes, and I’m hoping to convince Bryce to help me. We’ve spoken a couple of times at the track but not too much more, I’m afraid.”
    “How have you been keeping, my dear?”
    Penny straightened in her chair. “Well, really well. I found things tough for while after dad died.” She realized she’d not seen Mrs. Huntington since before her father’s accident. Penny continued. “I took a long time to get over his death. Do you know, try as I might, I don’t think I can ever forgive those two for cutting him off and causing him to crash into the railing. If not for the help of Mick and Maeve I’m not sure I would’ve. Their support was a godsend.”
    “And business, is it good?”
    Penny shook her head and smiled. Nothing ever got past Amanda Huntington. “Yes. It is now. Things were slow in the beginning. Now I have two part time girls who help me out and stock is whizzing off the shelf as fast as we can get it there.”
    “More tea dear?”
    Brrring. Brrring .
    The telephone sounded harsh in her ears, alien in the elegant old home, as the ring cut across Amanda's voice. "I’m so sorry. I have been expecting this call. Bryce will be in the barn if you’d like to go through." She nodded in the direction of the back door, her attention already on the caller.
    Penny took her cue and slipped out the door, not before taking one last look at the photograph of Bryce with the PM. She walked down toward the barn with a million furtive questions buzzing through her mind.