Page 18 of Homani True

Who is this man and the community that had shown up to aid them? Curiosity tugs at her, and she asks, “What are your burial rites like where you’re from?”

“In Crescent? We honour the ocean as you honour the soil. The ocean provides for us, so we give our deceased back to it,” he shrugs. “I guess, in a way, both of our communities respect the cycle of life.”

“Huh. I’ve only seen the ocean a couple of times during a trade run. It’s beautiful.” She tightens her jacket around her as she gazes at the burial mounds one last time.

“That it is. Are you going to the reception?”

“Yeah,” she says, giving him her full attention.

Gage motions forward. “Mind if I walk with you?”

Lilly shrugs. His nearness settles something within her, and her panther stirs at the thought.Not now, she sends to her inner beast. She has enough on her mind. She doesn’t need to unpack her attraction to the man beside her as well.

He places his hand on the curve of her back as they make their way out of the field. A slight shiver courses through her at his touch. What in the world is wrong with her? She should be gearing up to fight, not have her lady bits get all twitchy because of a man’s touch.

As they walk along, Lilly stops sporadically, giving a kind word or a hug to a fellow attendee. A slight smile tugs at the corner of her mouth when Harold and Pete approach, relieved that these two men have survived the attack. Their smiles widen on their weathered faces the closer they get. They have their best shirts on–white, neatly pressed–and wear tan cargo pants rather than their usual plaid shirts and grease-covered jeans.

“You’re a sight for sore eyes, missy,” Pete grins at her, his hat clutched in his wrinkled hands.

“Our Lilly is a fighter. Nothing would keep her down,” Harold nods, a gleam shining in his eyes. He squeezes her shoulder. “We’re glad you’re back with us.”

Lilly pats the hand on her shoulder, blushing. Tears sting her eyes. These two men have been the father figures she never had. She has memories of Harold and Pete teaching her how to survive, giving advice, and sometimes, just comforting her, when the nightmares of her childhood woke her in the night. She can still smell the pine mixed with grease scent that clung to their shirts as either one or the other held her.

Pete eyes Gage up and down. “I heard you and your team were a force to be reckoned with during the rescue,” he says, reaching out and shaking Gage’s hand. “Thank you for bringing our Lilly back to us.”

Gage looks at her, and a slight smile purses his lips. “Thank you. It was an honour to be part of the team.”

Harold opens his mouth, but Pete says, “Come on, you old coot. Let’s leave the young folks alone.” Both men nod and wander away.

“It takes a lot to impress those two,” Lilly remarks.

Gage just nods, but she swears he says something under his breath. It sounds suspiciously like 'it’s you I want to impress', but that’s ridiculous. She shakes her head, assuming she must be mistaken. He barely knows her, after all.

Chapter twelve

ThetownsfolkgatheratDusk ‘til Dawn for the funeral reception. Gage and Lilly walk into the bar, which is filling up fast with Homani and clones alike. A mountainous man, JD, if she recalls his name correctly, motions Gage over.

Gage turns to her. “Join me?”

She waves him off. “Not yet. I need a minute.”

He stares at her for a moment, his forest-green gaze intense. Finding whatever he was looking for in her eyes, he gives her a curt nod and wanders over to his friend.

Shrugging off her light jacket, she places it over the back of her chair as she takes a seat at an empty table near the bar. Her eyes scan the room as she tries to process the events of the day. She sees people mingling, their voices low and hushed as they offer condolences to one another.

She sits alone for a while before a familiar voice interrupts her thoughts.

"Hey there," Brook says, a small smile on her face. "How are you holding up?"

Lilly looks at Brook and Dawn, who are standing in front of her, concern etched on their faces. She tries to smile, but doesn't quite manage. "I’m okay," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just trying to process everything that's happened."

Dawn takes a seat beside Lilly, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder and setting her drink down with the other. "We're here for you," she says. "If you need to talk or anything, just let us know."

She nods, grateful for their support. "Thanks, I appreciate it." Lilly takes a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "It's just been a lot to take in."

Brook takes a sip of her beer, a thoughtful expression written on her face. "We know," she says. "But we're here to help you through it."

Lilly manages a small smile, relaxing a bit in their presence. "Thanks," she says again. "It means a lot."

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