Chapter Four
Nine days. That’s all the time she’d had with her mother before she passed on. She tried to be logical and tell herself her mother was finally at peace and in no more pain, but her selfish, childish part wanted her mom back.
She stared down at the coffin as the preacher droned on. She tried to concentrate on his words, but the pain was so overwhelming that she had to distance herself or lose all control and start weeping uncontrollably in front of the few people who had known her mother.
She’d called her sister when their mom passed, but Shasha told her she was busy and wouldn’t be around. She went on to tell Hanna their mother would understand. Shasha had to work hard to survive and couldn’t take any time off unless Hanna gave her some money.
Hanna had declined, which threw her sister into one of her tantrums. She was glad she wasn’t there. Hanna knew Shasha would do something to disrupt the funeral, and she couldn’t handle any more at that moment.
Hanna got through the service and the people’s well-wishes before she was left alone in blissful silence.
****
Blake stood at the checkout in the farm store, waiting for the older lady before him. He gritted his teeth. He just knew they were going to gossip for ten minutes before he’d be able to buy what he needed.
“I heard Amelia finally passed?” the man said.
The woman nodded to the old male clerk. “Oh, thank God. That woman had been through hell her whole life. A miserable drunk of a husband, a slutty daughter, and a ranch that has been debilitated for so long, I can’t remember what it looked like twenty years ago.”
The clerk grumbled under his breath. “At least she had the one good daughter. I don’t know what Amelia would have done without her. I heard she sent her mother money every month, and I know she’s been here for several weeks helping her mother out.”
“She couldn’t have asked for a better daughter.”
The clerk nodded.
Blake’s heart thumped heavily in his chest. They had to be talking about Hanna. “Who are you talking about?”
The woman turned to him. “Why, Amelia Black.”
“She died?” God, he hadn't even known she was sick.
“Yes, two days ago. The funeral is happening right now.”
“Where?”
“The Baptist Cemetery. Why?”
Blake set the few things he’d come in for and raced out of the store.
The clerk and the older woman watched in shock. Neither had ever seen one of the Denison’s lose it like that before.
“I wonder what that was about?” the clerk asked.
“I've no idea.”
****
Blake sped to the cemetery to find Hanna standing all alone over a coffin, oblivious to her surroundings. The only other people were two men who stood off to the side with shovels waiting for Hanna to leave.
The day was sunny and warm, but looking at Hanna as she stood in the shadows of the old maple tree, he knew she probably wasn’t feeling anything but despair and pain—the fact she was alone made it so much worse.
He parked behind her Tahoe and walked up to her.
She looked so incredibly tiny. She wore a sleeveless black dress that fell a few inches above her knees and hugged her curves perfectly. Her high-heeled shoes made her legs look longer, and her upswept hair made her look older and more sophisticated.
He stood behind her for a moment. She was so still, and no sound came from her. It was like she was frozen, and he didn’t know how to deal with the situation. He wanted to help her but didn’t want to intrude.
After a few more minutes, he finally stepped beside her and cleared his throat.
“Hi, honey. I just heard about your mom. I’m so sorry for your loss.”
It seemed to take an effort on her part to turn his way. She looked at him, looking uncertain for a moment as if to place who he was. He watched the dazed look replaced with confusion.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I just heard about your mom and wanted to be here for you.”
“Why?”
“I don’t like you being alone.”
“Why?”
He sighed. “We'll discuss that later. What can I do for you right now?”
She looked around in a daze. “I don’t know. I don’t know what I should do right now.”
“You take the time you need. I’ll be here.”
Blake watched her stiffen when she looked at the two men standing in the distance, waiting for her to leave before looking back at her mother's casket.
“I feel close to her right now, and I’m afraid I’ll lose that feeling if I leave.”
He cleared his throat uncomfortably. He wasn’t a man who talked about feelings. He was too hard and rough, so he tried to find the words to use.
“I don’t think you’ll ever lose your love or memories of her. The pain will fade with time, that I do know.”
She glanced up at him. “Who are you talking about?”
“I lost my dad several years ago. It was hard. We were very close.”
“I’m sorry.”
He smiled gently down at her. He could tell she meant it. “You are so sweet.”
She shrugged and looked away.
He watched her place the flower she’d held on the coffin and stepped back. He gathered her in his arms when a sound of despair ripped from her throat.
“Shh, it’s going to be okay, baby. I promise.”
He continued to console her with his touch, holding her tightly against his chest, running a hand up and down her slender back as she sobbed uncontrollably. He murmured soft words until she finally relaxed against him, sighed, and hiccupped.
She sniffed and pulled away enough to wipe her eyes and blow her nose on the tissue she gripped in her hand.
“Are you ready to go?”
She glanced at the coffin again, turned, and walked toward her vehicle.
“What do you want to do right now?” he asked, curling his arm around her waist.
She shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“I have an idea. Come home with me.”
He started to maneuver her toward his truck.
She balked. “Wait. What?”
“I’ve got something to show you that I think you’ll enjoy.”
She looked at him suspiciously. “I don’t think...”
“Good,” he interrupted. “Don’t think.”
“Why are you being nice to me?” she asked in confusion.
He swallowed. “There’s a lot I've got to tell you.”
She dug her heels in. “Wait. I can’t take any more, Blake. Not right now. Please. Just give me a few days...”
He cupped her cheek in his palm. “I know you don’t trust me, and I don’t blame you. I don’t want to upset you. I want to take care of you. Please, let me do that.”
She stared up at him for a long moment. “I don’t know.”
He smiled. “I swear I have good intentions.”
It took her a moment longer, making him sweat.
She nodded. “Okay. Fine.”
“Good. Let’s go.”
“I’ll follow you,” she said.
“No, I don’t want you driving while upset.”
“Can we at least take my vehicle? I don’t want it left here.”
“Sure. I’ll have a few of my men come to get mine.”
He took her keys from her and unlocked the SUV. He lifted her in, shut the door, and walked around it to the driver’s door. He adjusted the seat as far as it would go before starting it. He glanced to make sure her seat belt was fastened before he drove away.
They were both silent on the twenty-minute drive, each lost in their own thoughts. He was good as long as he was with her.