AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“The Irish. Apparently, your uncle was a tough bastard and started standing up to them.”
“When did you find out?” I wonder how long Raf has known this.
“This morning. After I dropped you off, one of my men told me.”
“Can you take me home? To my aunt’s?”
“Of course.”
The rest of the day is a blur. As if I’m watching it through a fogged-up window. Instead of walking the three blocks, Raf drives me to Lisa’s house. He even comes inside and tells her what happened. I appreciate it. I don’t think I could have done it.
Lisa has fewer questions than I do. Or at least she doesn’t ask them. She doesn’t ask who Raf is or why he’s here. She doesn’t ask when it happened or where Allen was found. Either she already knows enough, or it doesn’t matter. The worst has already happened.
Raf helps me up to my room, into my pajamas, and then tucks me into bed. He seems to know what I need without being told. I cry myself to sleep and don’t wake up until late the next morning.
* * *
When I come downstairs, Raf is at the kitchen table, drinking coffee with my aunt. “Lisa let me sleep on the couch. I didn’t want to be far in case…” He doesn’t finish his sentence. I’m not upset to see him here.
Lisa looks like she appreciates having him here too. But she doesn’t say anything.
“Nobody woke me. I was supposed to open the bakery.”
My aunt sets down her cup. “We can close it for a few days, honey. I already called all of the employees to let them know.” She gets up and pours me some coffee.
I take the mug and sit with them. “Did you sleep?” I ask her.
“A little.“
“I don’t even know where to begin. I feel like there’s so much to do. I never really thought…” I don’t want to finish that sentence. I knew this was possible. Even though I had no plans to go back to L.A., I also hadn’t decided if I would stay here permanently.
“You don’t have to figure anything out right now.” My aunt puts her hand on mine. “There’s no rush. I’ll support you whether you decide to keep the bakery or not.”
“Keep – what?” I don’t understand why she’s leaving the fate of the business up to me. “Why would it be my decision?”
“Allen left it to you. In his will.”
“Why didn’t he leave it to you. You’re his wife?”
“My only option would have been to sell. We talked it over when he had the will drawn up. He wanted you to have a say in what happens to it, and so do I. We didn’t tell you because we didn’t want you to feel like we were putting any pressure on you.”
I glance at Raf. I can see in his eyes that he’s thinking the same thing I am. That my uncle was a sweet and generous man who must have been proud of me. He certainly had a lot of trust in me. My eyes fill with tears.
Aunt Lisa smiles, tears in her eyes, too. Raf reaches over and squeezes my hand. His warmth spreads through me gently, like sun on a winter day.
14
RAF
Caroline and Lisadecided to keep the bakery closed until after the funeral. I’m back to staying at my own place, but I still stop in to see them every day. Caroline’s starting to look better. I know she’s still mourning, but she’s been able to tell me about some of the happy memories she had with her uncle. It’s a good sign.
My guys worked with the police to recover Allen’s body. It’s no longer a missing persons case. It’s officially a homicide, although, I don’t think anyone will be working on it. It’s just another case with no obvious leads doomed to be left in a stack in some back storeroom. But I know it comes back to Nevan Kelly. The bakery was in his territory. Even if he didn’t pull the trigger, it was under his orders.
Caroline and Lisa had a small service for Allen. They invited me, even though I never met him. I know Caroline wanted me there for more than just protection.
She re-opened the bakery and seems determined to keep it going, to see that her uncle’s work and defiance wasn’t in vain. I admire that. She’s far stronger than anyone would expect. I love that about her.
We’re having dinner at my house tonight. It feels like she might be ready to be intimate again. I’m looking forward to it. I’m cooking the dinner I promised her when we were on our first date.
