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“It’s nice the church helps out.”
“It really is. There’re a lot of good people here.”
“No one’s better than you.”
She winced. “Thank you.”
“You know how I feel about you. We’re meant to be together, Talulah Ray,” he said, using her middle name, “and I hope you’ll realize that soon.”
She tensed. When he started pressing her, she often felt overwhelmed and claustrophobic. It wasn’t so much the things he said; it was knowing what he wanted and being unable to give it to him. Why wasn’themore skittish? After all, he was the one who’d already been through a divorce. “Don’t...don’t put any pressure on me, okay?” she said. “I’m sorry, but...dealing with all of this makes me especially sensitive. I—I can’t offer you a commitment right now.”
“I understand. You do what you have to do and know that I’m eager to see you when you get home.”
Slightly surprised and relieved that he’d backed off so easily—that wasn’t always the case—she felt some of her anxiety fade away. “Thanks.”
She asked if he’d finalized the travel plans for his trip and listened as he went over his itinerary. Then they talked about his mother, who’d had a knee replacement two weeks ago.
“The pain is easing,” he assured her just as someone banged on the door upstairs.
She checked the time on her phone. It was her understanding that church didn’t let out until two. So...who was this?
Afraid it might be Charlie, or even Averil or Dinah, coming to vent their long-simmering resentment, she told Paul that she had to go. But by the time she’d hurried upstairs, moved the vacuum she’d used to finish cleaning up the shards of glass in the entry and answered the door, there was no one there—just a beautiful bouquet of pink, white and orange peonies with small bits of greenery.
Although it didn’t look like the typical funeral arrangement, she assumed that someone had sent it after hearing the news of her great aunt’s passing—until she saw a new toothbrush sticking out among the flowers.
Then she knew it had to be from Brant.
Taking the card from its small envelope, she read, “I forgot to tell you I loved your croissants and you might find one in the microwave I never got to eat. Thanks for letting me use your toothbrush.”
She put the flowers on the coffee table and sank into a nearby chair, staring at the arrangement for several minutes before navigating to the number he’d typed into her phone this morning and texting him a response.
Thank you.
Life was so unpredictable. Brant Elway was the last man she’d ever thought she’d sleep with. He was also the last man she’d ever thought she’d like.
Yet...she’d wanted to sleep with him. She’d enjoyed sleeping with him. And she definitely liked him.
Seven
Atall, willowy-looking woman in her midfifties, wearing a dress and heels, her soft brown hair curled under, arrived not long after the flowers. Identifying herself as Sarah Carrier from Aunt Phoebe’s church, she mentioned how beautiful Brant’s arrangement was as she took the seat across from Talulah in the cramped sitting room. She also said that funeral arrangements had come a long way, but Talulah didn’t correct the assumption that what Brant had sent was an example of that. The last thing she needed to do was mention his name.
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” Mrs. Carrier said as she tucked her purse at her feet.
Talulah nodded. “Thank you. Aunt Phoebe was almost a century old, so it wasn’t unexpected, at least.”
“She lived a long and good life. I’m sure you’ll miss her, but I hope it’ll be a comfort to know she’s in a better place.”
Since this woman belonged to Charlie’s church, Talulah guessed she’d heard some of their history. Debbie might even have told her about the wedding. “It’s nice of you to help with the funeral.”
“Phoebe was part of our church family. Of course we’ll help. I bet having you come all the way from Washington to be here at this time means a lot to your mother and sister. It must be difficult for Carolyn to miss the funeral, and Debbie wishes she could do more to help. She told me so on the phone.”
“She told me that, too, but she has enough to worry about with the new baby coming,” Talulah said. “I can manage here.”
“Of course you can, especially because we’re happy to fill in wherever you need us.”
The “we” in that statement referred to the church generally, Talulah supposed. “I appreciate that.”
“Of course.” Mrs. Carrier bent to withdraw a piece of paper from her purse, which she held in her lap as she continued. “The building is available on Thursday, as we discussed. I was thinking we’d start at two. That should allow time for the graveside service afterward before we return to the church for dinner.”
