Page 10 of Safe Haven
Tingles I haven’t felt in years shoot up my arm, but I ignore them.
“Joel, I’m sorry for your loss. Thank you for trusting me with this. When were you thinking?” I sit back and turn to my computer.
I watch out of the corner of my eye as he shakes out the hand I was just holding.
“As soon as possible.” I nod and place my glasses on the bridge of my nose so I can read the screen.
“Cause of death?” I look over the rims at his face.
“Natural causes, I guess. She just never woke up.” I nod and start typing.
“No autopsy?” He shakes his head.
“No, the cops said there were no signs of foul play. I don’t want her violated like that for no reason.” I nod in understanding.
“Burial or cremation?” He hesitates for a moment, and I take my glasses off.
“Money is an issue. She didn’t have much savings, and I can’t,” I put my hand up to stop him.
“Joel, this one is on the house. She was like family to me. As long as you can manage the cost of the plot, I’ll take care of the rest.” He sighs and seems to relax for the first time since I laid eyes on him.
“I’m not looking for a handout. I can pay you back once I start working.” I wave him off and pull out a catalog of coffins and one of urns.
“I need to pick up the body. In the meantime, you look at these to help you decide which is best for you. If the burial plot is an issue, then go with cremation and you won’t be out of pocket a dime.” He looks at me and stares.
His eyes are full of so much hurt and pain that I want to ask him what happened, but I refrain. It’s not the time to rip that wound open. I have my own problems to deal with in the back.
“Let’s set her up for next Saturday. I have a connection to a funeral home closer to home that has let me work on site. That way, her friends can pay their respects locally. I’ll give them a call and let you know. My partner Corvin got your intake information correct?” He nods, and I stand and walk around my desk to offer him my hand.
“I don’t know how to thank you, Haven.” I keep my face neutral and a soft smile on my face, but inside, my inner bitch is growling.
I ain’t doing it for you.
He stands and grabs my arm with a rough hand, pulling me into a bear hug. His face buries into my neck, and I freeze. Should I push him off? Kick him in the balls? Scream for help?
No, Loki is armed, and Corvin may start planning a wedding if he catches the sparks coming off us.
“Thank you.” He kisses my neck right behind my ear, and I barely suppress a shiver.
He backs away, and I clear my throat.
“You’re welcome. I’ll be in touch.” I usher him to the door and barely have him out the door before I’m flipping the closed sign, locking the door, and turning off the lights so that no one gets the bright idea of trying to walk in after hours.
I make it into the preparation room before my knees give out.
“Ma’am! That chemistry was out of this world!” I roll my eyes at Corvin.
I do not have the bandwidth to deal with his Prince Charming syndrome tonight. I need to concentrate on what’s in front of me and deal with Loki and the biker gang.
“Fire up the furnace.” Corvin flips me the middle finger, but does what I ask.
“This is gonna take thirty minutes, so you might as well tell us that story.” Corvin points at my chest, and I sigh.
“Fine. Girl meets guy, guy takes her virginity after a hot and heavy summer, and then disappears. The end.” I grab an apron and step out of my heels and into my Danskos.
“He just fucked you and bounced? That’s cold.”
I sigh and shake my head.
