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A sharp slapping sound came from the other side and sent Charlotte running toward the door. She hurriedly took the seat next to Ivy and would stay until Bastien and his mother arrived, and then she’d find a seat farther back in the pews.
A few moments later, the door opened, and a dour-looking Bastien entered, followed by his smiling mother.
Ivy dropped her bear and grasped Charlotte’s hand. “Don’t leave.”
She was torn because she had no place sitting in the front pew with the family, but she didn’t have the heart to abandon Ivy.
“Who are you?” Mee-maw asked.
Charlotte opened her mouth to speak, but Bastien answered for her.
“This is my good friend, Charlotte.” He took the seat beside her and kissed her cheek. “Thank you for coming.”
Sandwiched between Ivy and Bastien, she felt both out of place and exactly where she needed to be.
The service was short and beautiful, and as they passed the casket, Ivy put the letter she’d lovingly crafted inside. They made their way down to the church’s kitchen, where enough food to feed an army was laid out.
Stuffed to the gills with cornbread casserole and Mabel Huntley’s ham biscuits, she made her way to the door. She’d leave the family to their grief. She had some mourning to do herself. She was drowning in expenses and now Because You Said Yes was drowning in water. How would she get out of this pickle she found herself in?
CHAPTERTEN
Bastien had never liked funerals or cemeteries, but he'd visited both today. Despite the occasion's somberness, some relief accompanied him as he stepped away from the graveyard and into the open air. Next to him, Ivy and Rachel were both lost in a world of their own thoughts, but even in the silence, he could feel the weight of their shared grief.
Stepping out into the street, the sun was high in the sky, a reminder of life's unyielding and ever-hopeful cycle. Bastien realized that despite the day's sadness, they still had to go on living. They had to move forward. The living, even when left behind, had a responsibility to live fully. That was the rule of life.
Without saying a word, he turned to Ivy and Rachel. “You must be hungry.” Even as he spoke, he felt his stomach grumble as if it knew what he was thinking. He recalled the dozens of casseroles that virtual strangers sent to their door. He didn't have the energy to do something as simple as reheating any of them.
“Cricket's,” Little Ivy said matter-of-factly.
Still sullen but unable to resist the lure of food, Rachel shrugged and said, “I could eat.”
Bastien couldn't help but smile. It was a moment of normalcy that felt like a bit of freedom. He nodded in agreement and started his car, driving off into the glow of the afternoon sun. The streets were busy, which was a welcome respite from the stillness of the graveyard.
The inviting red neon “Open” sign shone from Cricket's diner and beckoned them inside. The restaurant was quiet, likely because of the time of day; it was already past lunch but too early for dinner.
They took the empty booth under a poster of a rooster that read,I don't give a cluck. Bastien didn't give one about much, either. That impromptu meeting with his mother shook him. Chloe said she'd fight for custody, but he didn't think she'd do it at the funeral.
Cricket arrived wearing her red high-tops and a smile. “What can I get you?”
Ivy said, “I'll have the regular.” It made him wonder how many times she'd been to the diner.
Cricket looked at Rachel. “BLT and leave off the bacon?”
Rachel shook her head. “Might as well indulge. I ate pepperoni last night.”
Cricket laughed. “And it didn't kill you?”
She must have seen the sadness etched across their faces because she suddenly looked apologetic. “Sorry,” she said quietly, before writing their order on her notepad and grabbing a menu for Bastien.
He scanned the menu, unsure what he wanted. He felt like he could eat anything right now to shut out all the emotions bubbling up inside him: confusion over the custody matter, grief over losing Chloe, and regret for not being here more. Finally settling on a double cheeseburger and fries, he handed Cricket back the menu before turning his attention to his niece and the nanny.
“Ivy, how are you doing?” he asked, his face softening into a kind smile.
“I'm good,” she said.
He nodded, then shifted his attention to Rachel. “What about you?”
Rachel’s mouth tightened into a thin line. “I didn't sign up to work 24 hours a day. It's against the rules, and I'm not getting paid enough for that.”
