Page 60 of Jenna's Threatened Sanctuary

She squeezed her eyes closed, trying to bring forth everything that had transpired in the church. “I hate that I can’t remember it all. I went to the church, and he asked me to take communion. But the wine…he drugged the wine.” She lifted her eyelids and stared at Calvin, searching his face for the details of what had happened.

Calvin’s eyes hardened. “I know. He used Rohypnol. Police found his supplies in his office, as well as in his house.”

“They already searched his house? How long have I been in the hospital?” She looked for the wall clock but didn’t have the energy to turn toward the ticking behind her.

“A few hours. They gave you oxygen and activated charcoal in the ambulance. You have stitches on your neck from where the knife pricked your skin.” He flicked his gaze to the monitor on her other side. “Your vitals have been stable. But they admitted you for observation. Just one night.”

“Where’s Oliver?” She cringed. Staying in the hospital didn’t sit well with her, but she didn’t have much of a choice.

“Mrs. Collins has him. He’s having the time of his life.”

She managed a small smile, forever grateful for her found family from Safe Haven Women’s Shelter. “As long as I’m out first thing in the morning.”

Calvin pushed her long bangs from her face. “You need rest.”

“Stella’s funeral is tomorrow. I need to be there.”

He linked his hand with hers and squeezed. “We’ll be there. We’ll all say goodbye to Stella together.”

She swallowed past the lump in her throat. Stella had caused him so many problems. She didn’t expect him to go to her funeral. “You don’t need to go.”

Calvin lifted their joined hands and brushed his lips against her knuckles. “My place is beside you and Oliver. No matter how tough.”

She sucked in a sharp breath. “Do you really mean that?”

Calvin swooped down and pressed his lips to hers. “Always.”

Love filled her heart, fixing all the broken pieces. She circled her arms around his neck, bringing him closer. Now that she had him back in her life, she’d never let him go.

Calvin kepthis focus straight ahead, trying his hardest not to remember every detail from the day before. The hauntingly beautiful organ played the final tune of Stella’s funeral service. Fragrant flower arrangements took over the steps, the intoxicating smell almost suffocating. A large, framed picture of Stella stood beside the closed casket at the front of the church. The venue might have been changed last-minute, but the sanctuary was eerily similar to the one where he’d almost lost Jenna.

Emotions warred inside him. He pushed away the anger and focused on the love. Love for Jenna and Oliver—for his family. Oliver sat on Jenna’s lap, his eyes wide and uncomprehending as the service went on.

Tears fell from Jenna’s eyes. Stella’s killer might have been brought to justice, but it wouldn’t bring her back. Jenna would always grieve and question the murder of her sister.

Calvin’s job was to learn how to navigate those feelings and help her through them.

The song ended.

The rustle of clothes and shuffling of feet sounded behind him. He stood, swung Oliver into his arms, and watched Jenna walk up to the casket. She laid a hand on top of the shiny wood and whispered words for only Stella. One last secret between sisters who’d loved each other so damn much.

Oliver rested his cheek on his shoulder “Love, Mama. Love, Cal.”

The words—along with the newly minted nickname Oliver had given him—squeezed his heart so tight it almost stole his breath. He ran his palm over the little boy’s head. “I love you too, buddy.”

Jenna came up beside him, circling her arms around them both. She locked eyes with Calvin. “I think it’s time to go.”

He nodded, needing the cool fresh air to fan the turmoil in the pit of his stomach. He turned and walked with Oliver down the long aisle, nodding and greeting mourners as they pushed out the doors and onto the concrete steps at the front of the building.

Mrs. Collins emerged from the double doors with a handkerchief pressed against her nose. She wrapped Jenna in a hug then turned to him with open arms. “Come here, little man. I need some good cuddles.”

Calvin handed over Oliver, who snuggled close with the older woman.

“Calvin. Jenna.” Cruz stood at the base of the stairs with his hands in the pockets of his jacket.

Jenna linked her fingers with Calvin and led him down the stairs.

“I’m sorry to bother you now, but I thought you’d want to hear what we found out about Bowman,” Cruz said.

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