Page 132 of The Woman Left Behind

Like a shot, Caroline and Amanda followed Ronetta, leaving Harry’s dad and Josh behind.

“Really, stay at the house,” Harry repeated his invitation.

“We have a suite with a view of the lake and a couple of days without the kids, so if you think I’ll be able to pry Amanda away from that, you clearly don’t know my wife,” Josh replied.

“You have guests,” his dad said to Lillian. “We’ll visit more later, darlin’.”

“It’s really so lovely that you came,” she returned.

“This is going to make me sound unhinged,”—his father’s gaze shifted to Harry and then back to Lillian, making a point even in the circumstances she couldn’t misconstrue—“but I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Lillian gave him a soft, sweet smile.

His father took her hand, patted it, then he and Josh moved away.

It took another half an hour for the people who were left to share their thoughts and condolences, and finally Harry had Lillian to himself.

“How you doing?” he asked.

“Mom sang that song to Dad,” she belatedly explained the unusual memorial music choice.

“Figured it was something like that.”

“I love it that your family showed. That’s so crazy sweet.”

“Like Amanda said, no pressure, honey. They’re laid back and the holidays are around the corner. Plenty of time to get to know them then.”

“Do you honestly think Ronetta is going to let them get away with a stealth visit, in and out, without her feeding them?”

Harry grinned at her.

Her eyes warmed as they dropped to his mouth.

Then her gaze moved to the room like she was looking for something.

She found it, because she waved at someone.

He turned that way and saw Madden waving back.

“They were gone so long, I’m going to keep them with me for a while,” Lillian said so quietly, he had to lean in to hear her.

“Makes sense.”

She turned to him. “And then I’ll figure it out. Maybe I’ll keep them with me forever. Maybe I’ll spread them in the wildflower field Dad used to take Mom on hikes to, because she loved it so much.”

“Your choice,” Harry pointed out the obvious. “From what I hear about them, they’ll want you to make it and trust you’ll make the right one.”

She leaned into him, and Harry suddenly had to brace, because she gave him all of her weight.

“I’m so glad you’re here, Harry. Right here.”

“Wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

“I don’t think I’ll ever wear black again.”

She was wearing a simple, body-skimming, modest dress that was very attractive, suited her figure, and was perfectly appropriate for the occasion. She told him Ronetta bought it for her.

And she looked good in it.

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