Page 93 of The Art Of Starting Over

“No, it’s not that,” Hayden said through gritted teeth. “It’s the man next to her.”

“Colt?”

Hayden shook his head and looked around the room for Colt, spotting him in the corner speaking to a police officer. “That’s Chad Campbell.”

“No shit? Pretty ballsy showing up at Crow’s funeral. He’s liable to come back to life and beat his son-in-law.”

“I wish he would,” Hayden said. Then he wouldn’t have to spend the night in jail for doing it himself.

A police officer stepped to the podium, and everyone rushed to take their seats and quieted down. The man spoke about why they’d gathered there today and asked that if people needed to excuse themselves, to please use the gym doors off to the right or left. His last request was that everyone silence their cell phones.

One of the local preachers took the podium and began Crow’s service. By the end, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house, including Hayden’s. For as gruff as Crow was, he was going to be missed, and not just by the community, but by his family.

Crow’s family stood, and, led by Colt, they walked to Crow’s coffin and said their last goodbyes.

Chad did not. He stood there and waited for Maren and Devorah to return, and then he held his daughter’s hand and placed his other hand on the small of Devorah’s back and guided them out of the gymnasium.

One by one, rows were excused. Some went to Crow’s coffin, while others made their way to the cafeteria, where the wake was being held.Hayden thought about leaving, heading back to his parents’ place, where he could shut everyone out of his mind.

Only, doing so would serve no purpose. He wasn’t going to stop thinking about Devorah and Chad. Or be able to forget how she hadn’t spoken to him all week. Or how Chad was in town, and his presence wasn’t a surprise to anyone. Except Hayden.

The receiving line to get into the gymnasium had already backed up down the hall because of all the people waiting to pay their respects. Hayden grew irritated, but he knew that if he didn’t go to the wake, Devorah would ask him why he hadn’t been there. Or would she?

Would she even notice he wasn’t there?

Probably not, with Chad there.

“Behave,” his father’s voice said in his ear. He turned and glared at his father.

“I’m at a funeral,” he told him. “It’s not like I’m going to punch the guy.”

“Or her,” Lee said. “She’s going through a lot right now and needs support. She doesn’t need you pissing on her to mark your territory.”

As if the thought crossed my mind.

When it was Hayden’s turn, he shook Colt’s hand and then pulled him in for a hug. “I’m so sorry, man.”

“Me too. Nothing feels the same without him.”

Hayden understood.

Devorah was next.

Their gazes me, hers with unshed tears. Hayden pulled her into his arms and nuzzled her neck. “I’m here if you need me.”

She nodded against him.

Before she could pull away, he kissed her just below her ear.

“Hey, Conor,” Devy said.

“I’m sorry about your dad,” he told her. “We’re the same now.” Hayden turned and watched Conor interact with Dev. She crouched to his level.

“What do you mean?”

Conor shrugged. “My mom went to heaven too.”

Devy smiled softly and tugged on the end of Conor’s jacket. “We are the same, aren’t we?”

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