She just nodded. She asked him about his wife and family, and he asked her about her job. She felt little connection. But he was still her dad and it was good to see him.
Then it was time for the service to begin. They took their seats, Kate next to Cece and Lani on one side, her dad on the other. She recognized a few of Chrissy’s old friends in the chairs behind them, not many since Chrissy had been so much younger.
Kate settled back in the folding chair. It was time for the service to begin. Reverend Wilcox stood in front of the rose-draped coffin, a Bible open in his hand.
“We have gathered here today to praise God and to celebrate the life of Christina Gallagher, a young woman who died in the most blossoming years of her life. May God grant that in pain we find comfort, in sorrow, hope, in death, resurrection.”
The rest of the service passed in a blur of words and prayers, the minister trying to bring comfort to family and friends. Distantly, Kate thought her only real comfort would come from finding justice for her sister.
The service finally came to a close, and all of them stood up. People walked over to pay their respects, then wandered back to their cars.
Kate was staring at her sister’s grave when Cece gently nudged her. “Look who’s here.”
She followed Cece’s gaze to see Jason striding toward her. Her heart squeezed. He was wearing a black blazer, black jeans and black cowboy boots. There was a night’s growth of beard along his hard jaw. He looked tired and worried and amazing.
When he reached her, he simply opened his arms, and Kate stepped into them. All the tears she’d been holding back burst free as she turned her face into his thick neck and his hold tightened around her.
“It’s all right, honey. I’ve got you.”
In that moment, she realized he did. That he’d been there for her from the very beginning. That he had always looked out for her, always been there when she needed him. A soft pulse beat inside her, warning her that if she wasn’t very careful, she would also find him there in her heart.
Jase held Kate while she cried, his brave Kate who never backed down from a challenge. Her tears didn’t last long. She was strong and tough and determined. She took a shaky breath and eased away.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that.” She wiped tears from her cheeks. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“I tried to get here sooner. It’s a long story.”
She reached up and touched the scab that had formed on his cheek, directly below the one on his eyebrow. “Did you get him?”
A muscle tightened in his jaw. “Yeah, we got him.”
She turned to her father, who stood silently beside her. “Dad, this is Jason Maddox. We’re...um...working together. Jase, this is my father.”
“Frank.” Her dad extended a hand that Jase shook. “Nice to meet you, Jason.”
“You, too, sir.” Frank Gallagher didn’t look much like Kate, though she had probably gotten her height from him, as well as her gold-flecked brown eyes. Kate had barely mentioned him. Jase was a little surprised to see him at the funeral.
“And these are my friends, Cece Jacobs and Lani Renton. They drove me down.”
Both of them were pretty. Cece had dark brown hair; Lani’s hair was black and she was taller.
“Kate’s talked a lot about you. It’s nice to finally meet you. Thanks for looking out for her.”
“We were glad to come,” Cece said.
“It’s nice meeting you, Jason,” Lani said. “I know you and Kate have been working together. I hope you’re making progress.”
He could feel Frank Gallagher’s dark eyes on him. Since he didn’t know how much Kate had told him about the case, he kept his answer simple. “Some.”
His gaze returned to Kate. He could see the stress in her face, the sadness. He was glad he had come.
“I’m afraid I have to go,” Kate’s father said. “It was good seeing you, sweetheart. I wish the circumstances had been better.”
Kate swallowed. “Me, too.”
Frank bent and kissed his daughter’s cheek. “I’ll call you, honey. I won’t wait so long this time. I promise.”
Kate nodded, but didn’t look convinced. She watched her father walk away, then turned back to Jase. “I guess we should all get going.”
