Page 135 of Already Home

She nodded. “Promise.”

* * *

Beth stood with Tom in the small apartment he andSerenity had rented. There were signs of Serenity everywhere. From the brightlavender sweater thrown over the back of a chair to the yoga mat rolled up inthe corner. Flowers spilled out of several vases and a teacup still half-full oftea sat on the kitchen counter.

Beth guided him to the sofa and urged him to sit. She went andsearched for coffee. When she didn’t find any, she put water on to boil, thendug out some green tea bags. Quiet sobs drew her back.

Tom sat where she’d left him, his head in his hands. The tallbroad-shouldered man looked broken. She moved toward him, then sat on theottoman so she could face him.

He looked up at her, his face pale, his eyes dark with anguish.“I can’t do this. I can’t live without her. I’ve loved her my whole life.”

She took both his hands in hers and squeezed. “You loved herand she loved you back. You had her complete heart. You made three beautifulchildren with her and now you have a grandchild on the way.”

He dropped his head and began to cry. “I just want her back.She was too young, too full of life. I never wanted to believe this wouldhappen. I told myself that she was different.” He paused to catch his breath. “Ididn’t think she was going to die.”

Beth swallowed her own tears. Tom’s pain was as tangible as thefloor and as big as the sky. She didn’t bother trying to find the words to makeit better. She knew they didn’t exist.

The kettle began to whistle.

She got up and returned to the kitchen where she poured boilingwater into two mugs and dunked in the bags. The smell of the green tea nearlymade her gag, but she carried both mugs into the living room and handed himone.

“Thanks,” he said, sounding grateful. Tears still poured fromhis eyes.

This time she settled next to him and put her mug on the coffeetable.

“I’ll get everything together here,” she said. “What won’t fitin the suitcases, I’ll ship back in boxes.” She hesitated. “Unless you want meto take care of her personal things.”

He shuddered. “She has a few pieces of jewelry she wanted Jennato have. They’re back home. Everything here...” He swallowed, then ducked hishead again.

“I’ll take care of it,” Beth said gently. She would getDragon’s address and ship everything to him. He could take Serenity’s belongingsover to his father when he was sure Tom could handle it.

She patted Tom on the shoulder and walked into the bedroom oftheir small rented apartment.

It only took a few minutes to pack up his clothes andtoiletries. He and his sons were flying out that afternoon, with the funeral tofollow in a few days. Marshall had arranged for their car to be delivered backto them using a moving service. It was already on its way.

When she returned to the living room, Tom was sitting exactlyas she’d left him. His misery filled the room, making her ache in sympathy.

She sat with him until Wolf and Dragon arrived. Both young menlooked as sad as their father.

“Thanks for all your help,” Dragon said, giving her a quickhug. “We couldn’t have gotten through all this without you.”

“Of course,” she said. She handed over the suitcase. “I’ll sendeverything else back after the funeral.” She looked at Dragon. “I thought Iwould send it to you.”

He nodded. “Good idea.” He pulled a business card out of hiswallet. “Send it to the office.”

“I will.”

Wolf went to his father and drew him to his feet. “Jasminecalled. She’s in labor. We’re hoping for a girl, Dad.”

Tom walked unsteadily. “Serenity would have liked to see yourbaby born.”

“She’ll be there,” Wolf told him, wiping his face. “I knowshe’ll be in the room with us.”

Tom nodded.

When he reached the doorway, he turned back to Beth. “I don’tknow what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything. Jenna and I are flying intomorrow morning. Let us know if you need anything.”

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