Page 19 of Harvest Moon (Riverbend 3)

“Of course.” Judy turned to the back seat of the rental.

“Let me get your luggage,” Gavin said.

“That can wait a bit.” She turned, unfolded a walker, and placed it in front of Paul, who used the metal frame to lift himself from the car.

Gavin met Laurel’s gaze, exchanging the silent message.Not good.

Judy closed the door behind her husband. She was nearly as tall as Paul. “I don’t know if Mike mentioned Paul had a stroke a couple months ago. He’s doing great, though.”

“Physical therapy has worked wonders,” Paul said.

“I’m glad to see you’re doing so well,” Laurel said. “Are you hungry? I made sandwiches and soup.”

“I hungry,” Emma said and toddled toward the house.

“That sounds wonderful,” Judy said.

Between their grief and Emma’s unsettled future, none of them probably could’ve cared less about food right now.

They moved slowly toward the house, and Gavin positioned himself at the steps.

“Can I help you up, sir?”

“Thank you, honey,” Judy said. “But we’ve got it.”

Gavin watched Paul painstakingly navigate the two steps. Okay, so Emma’s grandpa was a little disabled at the moment. He was recovering from a stroke.Recoveringbeing the key word. He seemed otherwise in very good health. And Judy appeared strong as an ox, helping her husband up those steps—and also spry, the way she’d knelt to embrace Emma and popped back to her feet. They were holding up remarkably well under the situation.

Ten minutes later they sat around the table, making small talk. Since real conversation was ill advised, lunch revolved around Emma, and Gavin was fine with that. The adults ate little, mostly pushing food around their plates as they interacted with the child. Judy had to leave the table twice to get her emotions under control. Who could blame her?

Would Emma go down for her nap so soon after her grandparents’ arrival? But shortly after the meal was over, she went willingly with Laurel while the others got up to clean the kitchen.

Once Emma was upstairs, Judy sagged onto an island stool. “That poor baby.” Her voice quivered. “She’s going to miss her mom and dad so much. Dear Jesus, why?”

Her husband cupped her shoulder, his eyes going glassy.

“I’m so sorry for your loss, both of you.”

“Thank you for being here for Emma,” Paul grated out. “It was one less thing to worry about.”

“Of course. I’m here to help in any way.”

Judy wiped the tears from her face. “Does she... does she know what happened?”

“Well... we told her they were in an accident and that they weren’t coming back. But she’s so young...”

“She can’t possibly understand,” Judy said. “Ican hardly comprehend it.”

Paul blinked back tears. “Maybe that’s a blessing.”

She would come to understand slowly, day by day, as her parents failed to come home. It seemed cruel. She’d be left wondering about the two most important people in her life.

The stairs creaked and a moment later Laurel appeared in the kitchen. Seeming to take in the somber mood, she gave the Claytons a tremulous smile.

“Did she go down okay?” Gavin asked.

“Like a champ. Can I get anyone a cup of coffee?”

The Claytons rejected the offer.

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