Page 24 of Harvest Moon (Riverbend 3)

They’d left Patty an urgent voice mail. The woman didn’t seem to have any social media accounts. Cooper had also called to inform him that they’d made contact with Mallory’s estranged mother. The woman wouldn’t even be coming for the funeral. Unbelievable. He couldn’t imagine any situation in which his mother wouldn’t attend his funeral.

“Did the will appoint her aunt as power of attorney?” Paul asked.

“Well...” Gavin glanced at Laurel. “Since her mom’s not interested, the aunt’s next of kin.”

Paul took a sip of water. “Sometimes the will spells out who should do what.”

“I didn’t even think of that.” Gavin jumped up from the stool and went to grab the document. He was glad to have the Claytons here, and not only for Emma. He’d gone through his son’s death and funeral, of course, but the details were a blur. He’d been enveloped in a cloud of grief and guilt.

In the office he grabbed the document from the desk and returned to the kitchen.

Paul leaned in. “It would probably be under ‘power of attorney’ or something in regards to their health care. Being as young as they are—were—they may not have—” His voice gave way. He blinked several times and cleared his throat. “Sorry.”

Laurel set a hand on his forearm. “You have nothing to be sorry for.”

“I just... I still can’t believe this has happened.”

“I know.” Gavin set down the will. “It doesn’t seem real.”

“I don’t want it to be real. But there are things to be done, and we should get on with them.” He nodded at the document. “First things first.”

Gavin found a page titledDurable Power of Attorney for Health Care. “I think this is it.” On the first line the Claytons were listed as Mike’s agent. “Mike named you and Judy, of course.” He skimmed down a few lines, then he lifted his gaze to Laurel. “Mallory named you.”

Laurel leaned back against her seat. “I don’t remember her mentioning that. So I’ll be planning her funeral? What about her aunt? What if we can’t reach her?”

“Surely she’ll be in contact soon,” Paul said.

“You mentioned having a double funeral,” Laurel said. “I think Mike and Mallory would’ve liked that.”

“Me too.” Gavin glanced out the patio door where Judy was still trying to comfort Emma.

“It’ll be easier on Emma too,” Laurel said.

Gavin’s gaze shot her way. “Are you sure she should go?”

“Of course she should. It’s her parents’ funeral. She won’t remember it, but one day she’ll want to know she was there.”

He thought of the overwhelming grief and pain of his son’s funeral. And he was an adult. How would a child comprehend that kind of emotional display? “But won’t it be... I don’t know, too emotional for her? Won’t it scare her?” Gavin looked to Paul for backup.

“You two have been around her more than Judy and me.”

“If things get too emotional,” Laurel said, “we can always take her from the room. But I think she should be there.”

Gavin wasn’t sure that was right decision. But Laurel seemed so certain, and she knew more about little ones than he did. “We haven’t talked about this, Paul, but what if we left the caskets closed? I wouldn’t want Emma seeing her parents that way. It might confuse or scare her.”

Paul gave a nod. “Judy and I already discussed this. Mike’s body was... It’s probably best to have closed caskets. Those who want to see them one last time could do so before the funeral.”

Emma’s wails carried through the patio doors. She was having a meltdown, and Judy was struggling to hold the child.

Laurel rose from the stool. “We can talk more about this later.”

Gavin swept Emma into his arms. Hoping to settle the child with a quieter house, Laurel had taken the Claytons on a walk around the orchard.

Emma whined in his ear, but he couldn’t distinguish any words.

“What’s the matter, Emma Bear? What can Uncle Gavin do?”

She struggled in his arms so he let her down again. She threw herself on the living room rug and lay there, facedown.

---