Page 68 of Shielding Maya

Tate nodded. "Thanks, Rafe." He stepped around his desk and the two men hugged and did that back slap thing men do. "Great job."

"Great job by GHOST, as usual.”

Tate sat at his desk once again. "Let's get these reports finished and watch the world change."

"Sounds great."

39

Jasiah finished rubbing hickory oil on the outside of the casket for his father. It would be his vessel here on earth, to send him to his eternal rest. It had to be perfect. He had to honor his father by doing the very best job he could do.

Sweat dripped from his forehead. Though it was crisp this morning, he'd put all of his energy into sanding, then rubbing this oil into the wood. He'd soon finish it off with a coat of beeswax made up here.

Elenor approached and admired the finish. "You do such great work, Jasiah. Your parents are rightly proud."

He stood and stretched his back. "Thank you, Elenor. The least I can do is have something beautiful to lay him to rest in."

Elenor's lips parted in a soft smile. Her hand rested on his forearm. "You've done that."

He stared into her eyes. "Thank you. It means a lot to hear that."

She nodded once. "We have him prepared and ready."

His shoulders slumped. While he'd been working meticulously on this casket, he'd managed to believe he was making something his father would love. That fact came crashing down hearing Elenor say the words, prepared and ready.

He nodded as his throat clogged with emotion. He repeatedly swallowed to get his emotions in check, but she seemed to understand and nodded before moving on.

Stepping back, he stared at the casket. This side only had a few more inches of stain to apply, then he'd complete it by rubbing the beeswax in. He blew out a loud breath, dipped his rag into the stain and continued rubbing it into his father's resting vessel.

His mind flipped back and forth between his father and Maya. One was his past, one his future. He needed to focus on his future. His future looked bright. He'd waited long enough to find her. Maya. He'd be an old dad, at least an older dad. He was already forty-two. But, he wanted kids badly. That was something he'd never thought of all these years, not until he'd met her.

His phone rang and it took him a few rings before he realized what it was. Carrying a phone around was still rather new to him.

"Jasiah Weston."

A sweet giggle reached his ears and the grin on his face came naturally.

"Maya Sager."

He chuckled. "I was just thinking about you."

"Oh, I hope good thoughts."

"Always."

She was silent for a moment. "I missed you and wondered how you're doing. Are you doing okay, Jasiah?"

Tears hit his eyes so quickly it caught him off guard. He sniffed slightly. "I'm alright. I'm about to begin rubbing beeswax into the casket. Then, it'll be ready for him. I'll get ready then and we'll be down the mountain by noon. The funeral is at one. I can't wait to see you."

"I'll be at the funeral home at noon to be with you and your mom while final preparations are made. Helissa is making food for us to bring up afterwards. My entire team will be there. My parents are coming also."

His heart twisted slightly. "Wow." He sat on a bench left over from the melee last night. Someone would claim it later. His breathing became choppy. Taking in a deep breath, he let it out. "Your support and that of your team and parents is overwhelming. Thank you."

She tsked. "Of course, I support you. I'm with you. Always."

He swallowed profusely. "I'm always with you, baby."

"Anything I can do? How is your mom?"

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