Free Wings of Love by Scotty Cade Page A

silence.
    “Brad, I don’t know what to say. I’ve never had parents of my own, so I can’t say that I know what it must have been like to lose them, but I know what it felt like to lose Lindsey, and that nearly killed me. Then to lose Jeff a few years later… you are one hell of a strong man.”
    “I don’t know about that, but I’m here and you’re here, and we survived the challenges we had to face. I guess that makes us both strong men. And Mac, thanks for telling me about your family. I know it couldn’t have been easy for you, but you are one hell of a friend, and I love you, man.”
    Brad and Mac both stood at the same time. Mac took Brad in his arms, and Brad held his embrace.
    “Same here,” Mac said. “I love you too.”
    The embrace lasted a little longer than either of them was comfortable with, and Brad broke the hold and stepped back.
    “I’m beat, Mac. I think I’ll turn in.”
    Mac said, “I’m not far behind you. If you don’t mind, I’ll just sit in front of the fire and finish this chapter before I turn in.”
    “Okay. Night, Mac.”
    “Sleep tight, Brad, see you in the morning.”
    “You too.”
    Brad threw another couple of logs on the fire, put out most of the oil lamps, and went into the bathroom to brush his teeth. When he came out of the bathroom, Mac was lying on the couch with his eyes closed and an open book on his chest. Brad sat on the chair opposite Mac and studied him for a long time. He was very handsome, striking really, and such a great guy. He hadn’t realized how attached he’d become to Mac until he was faced with Mac leaving for an unknown amount of time. Mac had come and gone before, but only for a day or two at the most; this time felt different somehow. Neither of them knew when Mac would be able to get back; it all depended on the storm. He was suddenly struck with a feeling of loneliness and longing. Then the realization hit him like a ton of bricks.
    Oh my God, do I have feelings for Mac? I can’t have feelings for Mac. That’s crazy. He’s straight, and Jeff’s only been dead for six months. Not only did I just lose the love of my life, I think I have feelings for a straight man.
    Brad got up from the chair and walked over to his bed. He stood at the foot of the bed and stripped down to his underwear. He pulled back the covers, slipped into bed, and prepared for what he knew would be the worst night’s sleep he would have since he moved into the cabin. He propped his pillow against the back of the headboard and watched Mac sleep for the longest time. He saw Mac stretch and get up off the couch. He slid down in his bed and silently watched Mac stoke the fire, turn out the remaining oil lamps, and make his way up to the loft. Obviously Mac thought Brad was sleeping, because when he got to the top of the ladder, he stopped and for several minutes looked intently at Brad lying in bed. Eventually, Mac climbed the rest of the way into the little loft and out of sight. With Mac now in bed, Brad began to toss and turn until he eventually fell into a restless sleep.
     
     
    M AC slipped into bed with somewhat of a heavy heart. He knew it was best that he was leaving for a while, but it still pained him to desert Brad, especially in the first big storm of the season. But he did have to fly Zander and Jake back to Anchorage, and if they didn’t get out before the storm, no one knew when they would get out. His last conscious thought before he fell off to sleep was that he hoped Brad would be okay while he was gone.
    Some time later, Mac was awakened by the sound of movement downstairs. It must be Brad putting more wood on the fire , he thought. He heard footsteps, then the creak of the ladder, and seconds later he saw Brad’s head appear over the floorboards of the loft. Mac sat up in bed and watched as Brad crawled into the tiny loft and sat on the foot of the bed.
    “Brad, are you okay?” Mac asked.
    “I just needed to be with someone; I hope you don’t