“A wonderful man.” She sat down next to him. “Now, we’re family.”
“I’d love that so much.”
“But you have to promise to not be strangely difficult,” she said, leaning her head against his shoulder.
“I’m a bit of a difficult fellow at times, but with your help, and with the help of your fellow, Randy, I believe you and I will be just fine.” Paul gave her a sweet wink.
“Me too.”
“We didn’t know for the longest time even where Jeremy had gone. Thank goodness for technology. When the obituary was released, it triggered an alert to the attorney here in town.”
“That’s how the will all came about. I knew he had one, but we’d never discussed it.”
“I helped him put all of that together to be sure the cabin would remain in the family and cared for with no burden on you.”
“That makes sense now. Did you two decide to have his remains cremated? I’d never heard him speak of that before.”
“We did, and I’d like to move them here to this church if you’ll allow it.”
“With his family,” she said.
“Your family too, my dear.” Paul paused, then resumed.
“I treasured the time we got to spend together when he came to the cabin. We shared a love for cars, for fixing things. He was a smart young man. Gentle in spirit despite his father’s hatred.”
“I guess he had to cope, and sometimes things are messy. I just wish he’d told me. I’d have been there for him.”
“He loved you, and those lies were not meant to trick you or keep anything from you.”
“I don’t understand, but I accept it. In a way, I feel morepeace about him being gone, weirdly, because of you,” she said. “I am believing now that family is more than the people that we are related to. I’m glad we’re related, though.”
“Me too.” Paul pulled her into a hug.
Chapter Thirty-Six
RANDY PARKEDin front of Orene’s house, feeling the weight on his shoulders of what all just went down. He’d only meant to bring the pieces together for Natalie. He just hadn’t expected her to be hit so hard with all of this. He picked up his phone and made the call he should have made before he came and talked to Paul.
“Sheila? This is Randy Fellowes.”
“The handsome detective. Hey. You’re not calling to ask for my best friend’s hand in marriage, are you?” She belted out a laugh.
“No.”Maybe someday, but not yet, anyway. “I need your help.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing we can’t all get through. Together. Can you come up to Chestnut Ridge? I can send you the address.” He filled her in on the day, and how hurt Natalie was at the moment. “I want to be here for her, but I think she needs you.”
“She needs us both. I’m on my way.”
“Meet me here at the inn and I’ll drive us up to the cabin.”
“No. You get your butt over and fix this. My heart is telling me you two were meant to be together. I felt that the first dayin the hospital. Go to her. I’m on my way, and I’ll find y’all.” Sheila’s phone disconnected.
He walked up to the house.
“You’re back,” Orene said. “How are you?”
“It’s been a day,” he said.
