Chapter 10
WESTON
Ialways thought the hardest day of my life was going to be sitting by Grandad’s sickbed, holding his hand while I waited for him to take his final breaths.
As it turned out, I never got a chance to do that.
But as the driver pulled into the gravel lot next to the funeral home, I knew today would be just as hard.
A wave of grief crashed into me as I stepped out of the car, and for one terrifying moment, I wasn’t sure I could catch my breath.
Then suddenly Lena was there at my side, taking my hand like it was her sole job in the world.
As she entwined our fingers, I clung to her tightly, using her presence to ground me.
When I finally felt as though I could take a breath, I squeezed back and she reached up with her other hand to grab my bicep.
“I just want you to know,” she whispered as we filed toward the funeral home for the service.
The exterior of their stone chapel was moss covered, the arching doorway surrounded on both sides by yew trees.
“Whatever you need today, I’ve got it. Don’t worry about playing host or putting on a good show.
Just say goodbye to your grandfather however you need, and I’ll take care of the rest.”
“I know you will.” I’d expect nothing less of Lena because that was her in a nutshell: efficiency personified and always exactly where I needed her to be.
I also knew she was more than that—kind and compassionate.
Our footsteps echoed across the floor. Inside was cool and dim, the air smelling of old wood and candle wax.
“And thank you, I appreciate it and you. Especially today.”
She simply nodded, a few curls slipping free of the intricate knot she’d twisted her hair into today.
It was practical and appropriate, but it still looked soft and pretty with the simple black dress with lace sleeves she wore.
I’d already let my thoughts wander multiple times about what it would be like to brush my fingers against the soft skin between those pockets of lace.
“I’m going to go make sure the choir has everything they need,” Lena said, her hand slipping from mine.
I nodded, watching her rush off, wishing for a beat that I hadn’t let her go. Everything seemed easier when she was close—and harder when she was out of my sight.
“Hiya, mate,” Locke said, walking out of the sea of black. He clapped me on the shoulder, pulling me in for a long hug. He’d been the oldest and tallest of us growing up, but now I was able to look him in the eye.
“I see you’re going for the rugged look,” I said.
Locke touched his face where he’d let his dark beard grow out. “Figured I’d try to emulate Grandad Pete a bit.”
“Handsome bastard’s probably just trying to get himself on the cover of GQ again,” Alistair said, joining us.
His pocket square had subtle pink flowers—his daughter’s favorite color.
“What was the headline again? Highland Gentleman: Modern Power, Old-World Charm. Guess you gotta look your best when the world thinks you’re a real estate mogul,” he teased, nudging Locke on the chin. He turned to me. “All right?”
I nodded as he clapped me on the back. Alistair looked even more tired than I felt, and who could blame him?
Three years ago, he’d been on top of the world, with his tech company reaching new heights and Jessica, his girlfriend, by his side, pregnant with their first child.
But just a few months ago, it had all come crashing down.
Jessica, it turned out, had been using him all along, and once she’d finally gotten the access she needed, she’d stolen millions from his company and disappeared, leaving him and their child behind.
No one had been able to track her down ever since, and all the blame and condemnation was falling directly on Alistair.
The tabloids were tearing him absolutely to shreds, and he hadn’t been seen in public in weeks. The fact that he was here meant a lot.
“Kenna didn’t come?” I asked, looking around for the pint-sized princess who called me Unca Weston.
“Nah,” Alistair said. “Thought I’d spare her this for a few more years.”
“Probably for the best,” Locke agreed. He wrapped one arm around my shoulders, the other around Alistair’s. “And this way you’re free for a drink. We’ll go down to the pub after today’s all said and done. Send Grandad Pete off the right way.”
“He’d be pleased to see us all reunited again,” I said, my throat thick. It continuously caught me off guard—the realization that Grandad was gone. I wasn’t sure when it would stop taking me by surprise, hitting me like a sucker punch straight to my blind spot.
“You got the wife thing sorted?” Locke said, his eyes darting across the room where Lena was guiding one of the elderly residents to her seat.
I nodded, checking my watch. “I’ll fill you in on the details later,” I whispered as the three of us made our way to the front of the chapel.
Lena slipped in beside me, once again taking my hand.
A spark of warmth spread up my arm. Even if it was just for show, I was still grateful for it as the narrow stained-glass windows spilled soft, colorful light across our legs, the simple stone altar, and Grandad’s casket.
The service itself was intimate and solemn. The minister led with a scripture reading, a short eulogy, and then the choir performed an enchanting hymn. Before the service ended, the minister extended his hand, inviting me up to say a couple words.
Lena squeezed my hand in support, then released me.
I made my way up the stone steps, standing next to an enlarged photo of Grandad.
Pressure swirled behind my eyes suddenly, and as I turned to the crowd, I wasn’t sure anything would come out when I opened my mouth.
Then I caught Lena’s eye, a harbor in an uncertain storm, and focused on her face in the crowd.
“Anyone who knew my grandfather knew that he never asked for much, but he gave everything,” I began.
Heads nodded along with my words.
“He was a quiet man,” I continued. “Steady and loyal, and he led with action, not words. The thing I’ll remember most about him was his love for this land and the people on it.
He instilled in me that success meant nothing if you forgot where you came from, and that no man was bigger than the community that raised him. ”
I took a breath as my jaw trembled, trying to keep from giving in to the tears that swirled through me.
I cleared my throat when I was ready. “I only hope that I can live up to the example he set. I want to make choices he’d be proud of, and most of all, I want to become the kind of man he already believed I was.
” My gaze turned toward the casket. “We’ll miss you, Grandad. Rest easy.”
I found my seat again, blinking hard. Lena’s presence next to me was steady, and I leaned into that as the service concluded and we were whisked to the cemetery for a short graveside service.
It was mostly family and close friends in attendance, and I tried not to dwell on the fact that my father, uncle, and cousin were among the crowd, looking put out more than anything.
Once the service finished, we returned to Lochbrae for the funeral tea.
As I loosened my tie, it felt like I could breathe for the first time since that morning.
Lena had hardly left my side since we’d returned, smiling politely and shaking hands with the never-ending line of people that swarmed toward me to offer their condolences.
I couldn’t even explain how grateful I was for the buffer.
As I watched her make small talk with the locals, I appreciated more than ever that I didn’t have to tell her how to play the part of a supportive wife. She always knew exactly what I needed.
“I better pop into the kitchen and see if Agnes needs any help with the sandwiches,” she whispered to me when we caught a break.
“I’m sure she’s wrangled people to help,” I said, reluctant to let her go, even for a minute.
Lena patted my arm. “Let me just check. I’d hate for her to be managing that all alone.”
I couldn’t help smiling as she darted into the crowd, micromanaging my life right down to the last crumb.
My chest clenched, and I felt a shudder of dread at the thought of what it would be like when this was all over and she left for school.
How the hell was I supposed to go a year without seeing her every day?
But I tried not to dwell on that. Today was already filled with enough loss.
I moved to the bottom of the stairwell, taking a seat and loosening my tie a little more. I couldn’t wait for this day to be over. Locke appeared, carrying two mugs.
“Not sure I’m in the mood for tea,” I said as he handed me one.
“Figured. I added a little something I found in Pete’s cabinet.”
“Thank God,” I said, sipping the alcohol-spiked drink.
“Looks like the whole town wanted to pay their respects,” Locke said, leaning against the banister as he watched people move between the front hall, the dining room, and the parlor.
“So your dad’s still a treat.” He caught my eye.
“I bumped into him bitching and moaning in a corner with your Uncle Bryan and Jasper.”
I released a heavy sigh. “Yeah, shocking.” Bitching and moaning tended to be Dad’s default.
He’d always been the sort to insist that everything was everyone else’s fault.
He was allergic to personal responsibility and about as different from both of his parents as it was possible to be while still being biologically human.