Page 112 of To Belong Together
None of that made sense. How could all of it have happened without Erin breathing a word of it?
“I’m not saying it was easy for Erin. She’s never shown an interest in dating before, but for the opportunity to have all her problems solved? No wonder she’s suddenly in touch with her feminine side.” Sam dropped his hand, and the place where his damp palm had been cooled rapidly. “But my advice? Get a prenup so she doesn’t someday realize she can take half of all you’ve got and stop the charade.” Sam sighed. “Or not, I guess. Maybe I’m wrong. Either way, Uncle Rob was a good man. He’d be happy to know they’re taken care of.”
“Too bad he couldn’t trust family for that.” John didn’t wait for a reaction, just stalked out of the foyer and into a hall.
Out of sight from the gathering, he braced himself against the wall.
His sisters had hidden their choices to secure vacations. Nicole had lied to hide her debt, apparently hoping he’d be too in love to mind by the time he found out.
Had Erin done the same?
Used their relationship to get ahead at work? Given him the relationship he’d so obviously wanted in hopes of receiving a bailout? Could she have considered the same possibility that Sam mentioned? That if she married John, she could someday divorce him and take a fortune with her?
The desire to leave and never look back pulled so hard, his hand shook.
It might not be true.
The thought stayed him. Erin deserved his trust, and Sam didn’t. Not only was itpossibleSam was wrong about her—or lying—it waslikely. John wouldn’t overreact. He’d talk to Erin, learn the truth.
Just not today.
Because on the off chance she’d done what Sam said, he’d have to walk away, but he refused to be the man who’d abandon her at her father’s funeral.
Erin satwith Mom in a quiet Sunday school classroom until the funeral director came and encouraged them to join their guests in the sanctuary for the service.
Her heart fluttered with panic as she rose. She’d be at the podium in a matter of minutes to deliver her eulogy, but how would she keep her composure? She brushed her skirt straight and rounded the corner.
John stood in the hall off the foyer, leaning against the wall, expression troubled.
She’d known he felt deeply, but she hadn’t expected so much empathy from him. As he offered her his elbow, he looked pain-stricken, and all for a man he hadn’t even known.
Well, probably, he felt worse for her and Mom than for Dad, but still. She let her hand rest inside his elbow, his strength holding her up.
“I suppose there’s no use trying to hide the tears.” Mom dabbed her nose with the tissue. “That’s what today is for.”
The funeral director nodded as if he were proud of her.
Encouraged, apparently, Mom stepped into the foyer.
Erin followed. Her ankles ached from standing so long during the visitation, and her eyes had been seeping tears since she’d arrived at the church. She prayed for strength to deliver the eulogy but didn’t muster much confidence.
At the door to the sanctuary, Mom turned to look for her. John stepped back, freeing Erin to walk arm-in-arm with her to the front. Mom’s sniffling and the sad looks of the sixty-some attendees drew tears to Erin’s eyes as they made their way down the aisle.
She’d be sobbing in no time.
Her throat pulsed with panic, and another desperate prayer didn’t lend comfort.
Mom quietly lowered herself to the bench. Erin dropped quickly, and John sat beside her. She grabbed his hand, trying to load her emotion into a squeeze so the tears wouldn’t come out in a sob.
He squeezed back.
After a prayer, the pastor had everyone stand for the first hymn.
John found the page in the hymnal and angled it toward Erin. She inhaled comforting hints of pine mixed with the neutral paper and carpet smell of the sanctuary.
She’d never expected a man who disliked talking so much to sing well, but he did, strong, low, and on key. Yet he didn’t touch her, not her hand on the hymnal, not a reassuring arm around her back.
Not that he had to touch her every second for her to know he was there for her.
