With anencouraging nod from Kell, Becky went ahead and filled out all therequired forms. She was then given a copy of her grandmother’s willand a large envelope containing the old lady’s wallet, a goldchain, and crucifix Granny had always worn. In her will, she’dspecifically requested that Becky be given the necklace.
It all happenedso fast, Becky thought, standing there in a daze. She hadn’t evenhad a chance to say a proper goodbye to the dear old lady. Hersweet granny, who had taken her in without hesitation at the tenderage of five and single handily raised her with all the love shecould muster.
“Ready, love?”
Kelley’s softvoice broke through her thoughts and she blinked her eyes at him.What a relief to have him near. She inwardly shuddered at thethought of having to go through this difficult situation on herown. Thank God, she’d snuck into his room last night. Thank God,he’d offered to come with her.
What a completeand utter nightmare, Kell thought to himself, seeing theuncertainty and grief all over her face. How would he get throughthe next few hours, let alone attend the funeral tomorrow? Beckyneeded him to be strong for her, he realized that, but could he bethat source of strength that she so desperately needed? Did he haveit in him to give? He seriously doubted it, since all he reallywanted to do, was to get as far away from this situation aspossible. Why, only moments ago, he’d contemplated calling Dorianor even Crispin to take his place.
“I think I’m ready, Kelley,” Becky said, placing her hand inthe crook of his elbow.
He flinchedslightly at the feel of her shaky little hand on his arm. With areassuring smile, he steeled himself to the task. Once again, Kellput aside all his fears and hesitations. Becky needed him rightnow. Not Dorian or Crispin. God help him, he would be there forher. Even if it killed him.
It amazed himreally, how well Becky kept it together. Other than her initialtears, she hadn’t shed another throughout the entire time spent atthe funeral home. She even insisted on going in alone to see hergranny’s body, for which Kelley was eternally grateful. As it was,it had taken all of his courage to even step into the depressingfacility in the first place. He’d been more than happy to wait forher in the lobby.
When shefinally emerged from somewhere in the back, he could tell by thestoic expression on her face that it was taking all her resolve notto fall apart right there and then. Sensing the impendingbreakdown, he gently tucked her hand into his elbow and hastilywalked her to his car. He opened her door for her. She needed noencouragement to enter as she slid into the passenger seat.
He quicklyjogged around to his side and got in, shutting the car door behindhim, effectively cocooning them away from the outside world and allits distractions. The moment he sat down next to her, she lost it.Sobbing like a lost child, mumbling incoherent words in betweengasps for air.
He did the onlything he could. He wrapped his arms around her and held her weepingform to his chest. Sitting there, holding her, absorbing her painwas like experiencing his own loss all over again. He understood itall too well, and it only made him hold her tighter.
“She’s gone,” Becky repeated over and over again. She buriedher face in Kelley’s chest. His intoxicating scent, a blend ofleather and spice comforted her. His arms were strong around her,and she was so very glad for them. Her world had just fallen apart,yet in his capable arms, she felt oddly safe andcherished.
“You’re okay, love,” he whispered, rocking her gently in hisarms. “You’ll get through this.” Where the words were coming from,he didn’t know. “You’re not alone.” He only wished that there hadbeen someone to say them to him all those years ago.
“Granny…” She paused for a breath. “I’ll miss her so much.” Hecould only nod at that. It was true and there was no getting aroundthat fact. “Oh, Kelley… I’m so glad you’re here withme.”
“Me too, love. Me too,” he said, placing a tender kiss on hertemple. As much as it was killing him to go through this again, thethought of Becky being here alone was absolutelyunbearable.
Luckily, she’dbrought a handful of tissues from the funeral home. She wentthrough them quite quickly, though. Somehow, Kelley realized theywouldn’t be enough.
“Wait here, Becky,” he said, carefully extracting himself fromher grip. “I’ll be right back.”
“Okay…” she said, reluctantly sitting back in her chair. Hewasn’t gone for longer than ten minutes, but it was long enough forBecky.
The realizationthat other than Kelley, she was completely alone in the world, hither with the force a freight train. Seeing him in all his gloriousGothness, jogging back towards the car with a recently purchasedbox of tissues in his hand was suddenly the most beautiful sightshe could imagine.
“There now, Becky.” He handed her the box of tissues. “Just soyou know, I checked my cell phone. Fortunately, Crispin and Dorianwere able to find us a hotel for the night.”
“Oh… good,” she said, relieved. “Where are theynow?”
“At the Holiday Inn on King,” he said, buckling his seatbelt.“They’ll wait for us in the pub, downstairs.”
“Okay… we should go then,” she said, righting herself,attempting to fix her hair. Seeing her reflection in the rearviewmirror, Becky couldn’t help but wince at the sight of her puffyeyes.
“You look lovely, Becky,” he said, starting up thecar.
Chapter 11
They arrived atthe hotel minutes later and parked in the underground lot. Takingher box of tissues with her, she waited while Kelley took hersuitcase out from the trunk. “I’ll come back later for the rest,”he said, encouraging her towards the elevator. “We’ll have to getyou something smaller than this big old trunk.”
“I suppose you’re right,” she said absently. “Although, Iprobably won’t be doing much travelling now.”
Even under thedour circumstances of her ordeal, Becky couldn’t help be impressedwith the stylish hotel lobby. If she were to admit
