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Pearl opened the door and he watched as Callie flung herself against her chest. Both women began to sob. Pearl rocked Callie back and forth. Jax gently ushered them both into the house, closing the door behind them.
“Let’s go in the parlor room,” Pearl advised, leading them down the hall to the quaint, vibrantly decorated room. Pearl had her arm looped around Callie’s waist. The two walked in unison, leaning on each other for support.
As soon as they entered the parlor, Callie stopped mid-step, her mouth hanging wide open. She had a quizzical expression on her face. Pearl sent her a gentle smile. For the first time Jax noticed the beautiful woman with the long dark hair and the soulful eyes perched at the edge of a purple velvet love seat.
“Morgan!” Callie cried out, her features creased in shock.
“Callie,” Morgan said in a soft voice.
For a moment neither of the two seemed to know what to do. Electricity hung in the air. Jax wasn’t sure which of them made the first move. It was a faltering step in the other’s direction. Next thing he knew the two women were wrapped up in each other’s arms…laughing, hugging, crying, apologizing for not keeping in contact with each other.
Jax looked over at Pearl. She was swiping at her eyes with the back of her hand. Even though she was mourning for Miss Hattie, Jax knew her soul was rejoicing for the reunion of her daughter and Callie. He knew one thing for certain. Miss Hattie was surely looking down at them from her perch in heaven, thanking the Lord for such a blessing.
“Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when you love someone. But it’s important to do it, to pay homage to that person for all they were to you in this world.”
Callie Duvall
Chapter Six
The next few days passed in a blur as the funeral was held for Miss Hattie. With no other family to speak of, Pearl had been named executor of the will and, as such, was responsible for all the arrangements. Miss Hattie had trusted Pearl immensely in life, so it made sense that she would have entrusted her to handle all her affairs. Callie had been shocked to discover that she, along with Olivia and Morgan, had been named in the will. An official invitation to the reading of the will had arrived at her doorstep yesterday morning.
Callie stood beside Olivia and Morgan at Magnolia Cemetery as a huge throng of people gathered for the final prayer before Miss Hattie was going to be laid to rest. The weather was humid and rain was drizzling from the sky. Half of Savannah had crowded into the church to say goodbye to Hattie Alexander. It had been a soulful and uplifting service, one that Callie would always hold in her heart as a cherished memory. Although she had caught a brief glimpse of Jax inside the packed church, she hadn’t spotted him since they had arrived at the cemetery.
“Looking for someone?” Olivia asked as she leaned in toward her.
“No,” she fibbed, “just amazed at how many people are here.”
“I see your parents are here as well,” Morgan said with a nod to her right.
“That’s to be expected. They were also quite fond of Miss Hattie,” Callie said, casting a quick glance at her parents. She had told Morgan all about the events leading up to their estrangement.
Her father was gazing straight at her, while her mother was dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. Luke was standing beside them. He sent her a subtle wave. Callie smiled at her brother, then quickly looked away. She still wasn’t ready to forgive and forget. Her chest still tightened with anxiety every time she thought about how Mac had been lost to her for all those years. Some things in life you could never make up for, no matter how much you might regret it. Perhaps her father was sorry, but he couldn’t give her back what he’d stolen from her. Callie knew she had her faults, but she’d never done anything so wicked in her life.
The pastor’s voice intruded on her thoughts, allowing her to shift her focus toward the matter at hand. Saying goodbye to a formidable woman who had been very dear to her.
“Welcome, everyone,” Pastor Jeremiah intoned. “We are gathered here today to say our final goodbyes to a remarkable, God-fearing woman who made an indelible mark in our world. Hattie Alexander was born and bred in the beautiful city of Savannah. She made Tybee Island her home and, with her kindness, invited us into her charmed world. Cry not for Hattie. She is with the Lord now and the multitude of loved ones who have gone before her. Some of you who are gathered here may know the story of her one true love, Samuel, who was killed in action during World War II. I visited with Hattie a few weeks ago. It might surprise some of you to know that Hattie knew her time here on earth was slipping away.” Pastor Jeremiah grinned. “But I’m here to tell you that Hattie wasn’t afraid. She was looking forward to her divine rewards and to meeting her heavenly father. And of course, being reunited with her beloved Samuel. As the casket is lowered into the ground I invite friends to come forward and say a final goodbye.” He nodded toward the crowd. Morgan stepped forward and stood beside him. She began to sing “A closer walk with thee”—it had b
een one of Hattie’s favorites. And as sung by Morgan, it sounded angelic and hauntingly beautiful.
People began walking up to the casket and saying their goodbyes. Many placed flowers on top or took a few for their own remembrances. When it was Callie’s turn to say goodbye she walked up to the casket and picked a vibrant stargazer lily from a floral arrangement. Miss Hattie had always loved them.
Tears filled her eyes as she thought about how kind Miss Hattie had always been to her. Ever since she was a child, the older woman had shown her grace. She had taught her life lessons that Callie would carry with her until her dying day. She felt someone graze against her arm and she looked up to find Jax standing there, his features creased with sorrow. He subtly reached for her hand and squeezed it, providing her with a brand of comfort she was sorely in need of at this moment. It was crazy the way her heart was thumping like crazy due to his nearness.
**
Jax felt the heat of Callie’s gaze as he plucked a white rose from one of the arrangements and placed a kiss on it before laying it on top of the casket. “Rest easy, my friend,” he said in a low voice.
He turned back toward Callie. Tears were streaming down her face. He gripped her hand even tighter. Earlier, her father had asked him to watch out for his daughter. Jax knew that Lionel had made the request since he had known Callie since childhood, not to mention he was a trusted employee in the family business. Little did Lionel know that watching out for Callie was already engrained in him. He did it now instinctively. And it had taken every ounce of self-control he possessed not to tell Lionel that he was in love with his daughter.
Jax knew he needed to wait on that declaration. God willing, one day soon Callie would reciprocate his feelings, leaving the door wide open for him to approach Lionel about his intentions toward Callie.
Slow down, a voice in his head buzzed. You’re going to scare her off if you don’t chill out a little bit. Although he knew taking it nice and easy was the smartest tactic, he wasn’t sure if he could slow down the pace. Tomorrows weren’t promised and love had a mind of its own.
As they moved aside to let other mourners approach, Jax led her a few feet away from the burial site. He was still holding her hand and enjoying the way her small hand felt joined with his.
“How are you holding up?” he asked.
“I’m doing okay,” she answered. “How about you?”
