Page 82 of Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Tom glanced at his watch and checked his appearance in the mirror. He adjusted his black tie and smoothed down a stray curl of hair. The new silver photo frame on his dresser caught his eye again. It contained a beautiful photo Fee had taken of him with his grandmother the day they visited and was something he’d always treasure.
‘Will I do?’ Feeemerged from the bathroom and planted herself in front of him. Tom cleared his throat but couldn’t find the words to express how beautiful she always looked to him. ‘I’ll take your silence as a “yes”.’
‘We’d better go.’ He took hold of her hands to stop her fiddling with her hair. Fee’s hands were one of the first things he’d noticed the day they met. There was a strength and eleganceabout them; the fingers long and slim and her nails short and unadorned. Fee wriggled free and picked up the clean handkerchief he’d laid on top of the dresser. ‘You’ll need that.’
Tom pushed it down into his pocket and tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow to walk out through the cabin together. He’d survived last night’s visitation by a hair’s breadth, overwhelmed by the numberof people who came and today’s funeral service would be worse. His father had aged ten years in these last few days and that was hard to watch. The comfort of family and friends helped but in the end they were all alone with their grief.
Fee hitched up her dress to clamber into the truck and caught her heel on the footboard.
‘This is why I usually dress the way I do. I don’t knowhow people manage this all the time.’
‘Practical is good.’ He managed a half-smile. ‘But I like this too.’
‘I thought you would.’ She buckled her seat belt. ‘I’m relieved I sorted things with Rayna last night.’
Before visitation started at the funeral home Fee had apologised to his sister and the rest of the family. She’d brushed off their attempts to do the same and courageouslylaid out her life for them all to hear so nothing was hidden now.
‘I’ve never felt this sense of… peace before.’
He squeezed her hand and they sat silently for a few moments before he dragged in a deep breath and turned on the engine. ‘Time to go.’
Fee’s head whirled with trying to remember the names of all the people she’d been introduced to. They’d all be confused ifshe told them today’s funeral for Betty Mae reminded her of one she photographed a couple of years ago in a small African village. Everyone there came to mourn an old lady who was considered to be a wise woman and much revered. The predominantly black clothes worn here were different to the vivid patterns loved by the Africans but the sentiments were the same. Both were about celebrating a life welllived and in the middle of tears there’d been a lot of laughter and the sharing of many well-remembered stories.
Across his grandmother’s crowded house Fee spotted Tom and his strength nestled deep inside her. Loving Tom so completely was something she’d never expected to happen and occasionally it still caught her out in the best possible way. She suspected her mother would size him upas conventional and boring but she’d be wrong. He’d been through the hell of his wife’s tragic death and survived it, using the love of his family and his own inner strength to claw back from the dark edges. There was nothing weak about this man.Herman.
He’s not a rash, flitting around sort of boy. When he chooses he thinks carefully and takes his time. You’d better appreciate him andif I ever hear you’ve messed him around you’ll have me to deal with. Even if I’ve passed on I promise to come back and haunt you.
She covered her mouth with her hand and bit back tears.
‘You doin’ okay?’ Tom appeared in front of her and she managed to nod.
‘I’m sad I didn’t have more time to get to know your grandmother.’
‘Yeah me too.’ He brushed a light kiss onher cheek. ‘Doesn’t matter if you’re rollin’ in money it’s the one thing no one can buy. Let’s go see Mama and Pop for a minute then head for home.’
‘You don’t need to rush off for my sake.’
Tom rested his forehead against hers. ‘I’ve had enough too and my folks will be grateful for someone to make the first move because it’ll give other people the hint to head on home themselves.’
Fee registered the strain carved into every plane of his face. She brushed a fleck of dust off his jacket and re-adjusted his crooked tie. ‘Can’t have you looking scruffy. Mee Maw wouldn’t approve.’
Tom laughed when Fee mentioned looking forward to a peaceful evening. ‘We’re leaving tomorrow and I’ve still got a ton to do.’
‘I’ll happily help you with anything if you needme but if not I’ll go outside to get a few evening shots around the lake.’
‘I’m not gonna ask if you’ve packed because I’m guessin’ it’ll take you all of five minutes.’ She had mocked him kindly for starting a list of things to pack a week ago and fretting over it every day since. Right now everything was laid out on his spare bed ready to be fitted in the new backpack she’d insisted hebuy, saying it would be easier to travel with than a suitcase. ‘Off you go and do your thing. I’m gonna clear up the office paperwork first ready for Billy and Rayna. I’ll probably go do some work on Lulu’s house afterwards. I want to get the kitchen furniture finished up if I can.’ He touched her hand, stroking his fingers over Fee’s warm, silky skin. ‘You’ll be here when I’m done?’
‘Of course.’ Her lips turned up in a wicked smile. ‘I’ll be in bed waiting.’
Tom fought to dampen down the shot of desire flooding his body.
‘Hell, Fee,’ he rasped. ‘You look so damn cool and controlled. Did no one before me ever see underneath the mask?’
‘No.’
‘You’re all heart and passion deep down. I’m guessin’ your mother showed so much of her own it made youlock yours away to protect yourself.’ He kissed her but kept it gentle. ‘You can let it all out now. It’s safe with me.’
