Taya bent to hug her mother. Mum was a tiny woman—buxom, but short. Taya had inherited her father’s height, as had Camden. They’d also both taken after her father with their shiny dark hair and brown eyes, whereas Mum had grey eyes and, when she was younger, wavy dark blonde hair. Now it was grey, like her eyes, but the waves were still there.
“Let’s go inside,” Taya said. “People will be arriving soon, and we need to greet them.”
“I don’t know how we’re supposed to do that,” Camden muttered as they walked into the church together. “We’re the ones who are grieving. Why should we have to arrange the funeral and then make everyone else feel better?”
Taya bit down on her lower lip. She didn’t have any answers for her child other than that’s how things were done.
“I’m sorry, Mum. I’m not complaining for myself. I know how much you’ve had to do to get this whole thing arranged, and it seems wrong that it’s on your shoulders when you’re going through something so hard.”
Taya patted her arm as they took their seats at the front of the chapel. “It’s okay, sweetie. I don’t know why it is the way it is, but who else should do it? There’s no one else. Only us. And yes, it’s hard, but it’s probably a good way to say goodbye as well.”
If she hadn’t been required to take care of the funeral arrangements, Taya would’ve simply disappeared into her bedroom, curled up on the bed, and not emerged for days. She would’ve cried into her pillow, eaten too much chocolate, and watched sappy movies. Instead, she’d looked through photographs and videos of Dad to add to a reel or to print out for the service, she’d picked out his favourite songs to play, hired a string quartet, located the pastor her dad had loved and who had since retired, and arranged for family to fly in and stay at the inn. There were a million things she’d managed in the past two weeks since her father died, and every step had brought her to a place of frustration and grief, and then resignation and acceptance.
It was all part of the healing process, she supposed. Even if it did seem like cruel and unusual punishment.
The funeral itself went quickly. Taya stood up to give the eulogy and managed to get through it without crying. Evie, Bea, and Charmaine sat near the middle of the chapel and smiled at her encouragingly. The entire chapel was packed with people. So many of the residents had come out to pay respects to her father, the man who’d built an empire from his home in the tiny hamlet of Blue Shoal on Coral Island. He’d never given up the place to move to the big city, and people appreciated that about him. He’d called Blue Shoal his home for most of his life, as had Taya. Her family was familiar with almost every single resident on the island. They’d employed a lot of them over the years—had been to BBQs with them or attended school with them.
There were also many businesspeople in attendance from across the world. Some of the top employees and resort managers from throughout the resort network had flown in to attend the funeral, and there were dark suits and red-rimmed eyes everywhere she looked. It brought a lump to her throat when she stood at the front to deliver the eulogy, as she spoke about her father—the man he was, the parent he’d been to her, and his achievements. She talked about how much he’d loved her mother and the community where he’d spent his life.
Finally, it was over. She spoke with as many of those in attendance as she could before leaving with her mother in the limousine. Camden and Michael followed in their car. They travelled back to the house, where caterers had taken over the kitchen and wait staff were scurrying through the living areas setting up tables with tablecloths, candles, a condolences book, and drink stations for the wake.
Taya looked around for Andrew and saw him parking his car in front of the garage. He’d avoided the valets who stood in the circular driveway waiting to park guests’ cars on the road outside the estate. She waved him over and stood on tiptoe to embrace him with a deep exhale. It was good to be in his arms again, and she felt sudden fatigue wash over her.
“I’m glad you’re here.”
He squeezed her. “Your eulogy was perfect.”
“Thank you. And I’m sorry I ran out on you the other day. I was in a panic. I should’ve driven with you, but I couldn’t think clearly.”
“It’s fine. I understand completely,” he replied. “When my wife died, I could barely function at all. So, I think you’re doing well, considering.”
She’d always meant to ask him more about his wife’s death, but hadn’t found the opportunity. It seemed like a sensitive topic and she didn’t want to be insensitive, but she was curious.
“I don’t mean to pry, but you mentioned that she was killed…”
“By religious extremists.”
“I’m so sorry. That must’ve been devastating for you.”
“It was,” he said, his eyes clouding over. “But enough about that. What can I do to help?”
“I think everything’s been taken care of. Come inside with me, and we’ll find a drink. At some stage, we need to talk about the business and what Dad’s sudden death will mean.”
Andrew linked his fingers through hers and then kissed the back of her hand. They stepped into the house and walked through the cavernous halls, her heels tapping on the polished tiles. They found her mother, Camden, and Michael in the kitchen. Mum was pouring Tom Collins cocktails into several tall glasses. The icy drink looked delicious and exactly what Taya needed. She’d barely had a thing to drink all day, and her mouth salivated at the sight of the cold liquid.
“Thank you,” she said as Mum handed her one. “You should sit down, Mum. You don’t have to serve anyone—we’ve hired staff exactly for that reason.”
“I don’t mind. I’m not sure what to do with myself if I don’t keep busy,” Mum explained with trembling lips.
“Then do whatever it is you prefer, Grandma,” Camden said, coming around the bench to embrace her.
Taya’s heart swelled with pride over the loving, thoughtful daughter she’d somehow managed to raise on her own while running a very demanding boutique inn. How had she managed it? She’d purposely avoided asking her parents for help much of the time, since she was adamant about doing it on her own and not needing to rely on the family fortune or name. Now she realized how ridiculous that had been — what was family for if not to help each other during the hard times? And they had helped her, just not as often or as much as they would’ve liked, Taya was sure. They’d told her often enough they wanted to do more. Still, Camden had grown into a wonderful, hardworking, strong and independent woman despite Taya’s stubbornness.
Taya patted Camden on the back. “Thank you, sweetheart. Grandpa would be so proud of you.”
Camden faced her, eyes glistening. “Do you think so?”
“He told me all the time how much he loved you and how wonderful you are. He was proud that you decided to become a chef — he’d always said that chefs are the hardest-working members of the Paradise Resorts family. I think he hoped that one day you’d work for him.”
