They followed Kasey out to the backyard, which was just as stunning as the one at Cole’s house. “Megan, Will and Aaron are over by the koi pond under the tree. We’re going to do everything over there. I’ll go get Savannah.”
Dani and Cole wound their way past the pool to the serene setting.
Megan pulled Dani into a hug right away. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Of course. You know I wouldn’t miss this for anything.”
“You, too, Cole,” Megan added. “It means a lot that you came. I know it was important to Will that you were here.”
Dani looked over at Will and Aaron, who were immersed in what appeared to be an intense conversation. That was the nature of Aaron, though. Everything about him was strong and at full force.
Kasey appeared, holding Savannah’s hand. Savannah was really starting to shoot up. It wouldn’t be long until the little girl was as tall as Kasey. “I think we’re all ready. The puppies have been secured.”
Aaron and Will broke up their conversation and acknowledged Cole and Dani with a nod. Aaron stepped closer to Megan and whispered in her ear before scooping Savannah up into his massive arms and taking a spot right next to Kasey.
Megan removed her sunglasses and made eye contact with everyone in attendance. “Aaron and I have asked Will to deliver the eulogy today.” She cast an adoring look at Aaron. “My brother and I aren’t quite ready to talk about it yet. We just want the chance to honor Jason and the life he shared with us.”
Megan stepped back and made room for Will to stand in front of the koi pond. The sunshine filtered through the leaves of the trees overhead, casting beautiful dappled light onto the stone patio.
Will cleared his throat, and Dani could see the pain in his eyes. “We’re here today to honor the life of Jason Phillips, a brother, a father and an incredible friend. I will keep this short, because I know that words won’t bring him back. I didn’t write any of this down, but Jason always spoke from the heart, and I want to do the same for him.” Will stood a little straighter. “This has been hard for all of us. The loss we have experienced is great. But we still have today. And we still have each other. Jason would’ve wanted us to cling to what we have, not think about what we have lost.”
Will looked at each one of them. “What’s keeping me going right now is being able to see Savannah, Aaron and Megan. I see Jason in all of you. Aaron, I see your brother’s strength and intensity. That tenacity has shown in the investigation into his death. You uncovered details that have helped Cole and the entire team.”
Aaron’s jaw quivered, and Kasey leaned in to him.
“Savannah, I look at you, and I see the hope and youthful spirit that your dad always had. He and I were only a little older than you when we met. I will never forget that day.” Will’s voice faltered, in a way that made Dani wonder if he could continue, but he collected himself. “We were the very best of friends. We both loved horses, and we loved living in Texas. We’d get in some trouble from time to time. But your dad wasn’t afraid to admit it if he’d made a mistake. That’s an important life lesson. You have to own your mistakes and move on.”
Dani swallowed hard and looked over at Cole. Had she made a mistake with keeping the boys from him? She’d been so certain when she was in New York that she hadn’t, but as she spent more and more time with him, that certainty was giving way to questions.
Will turned to Megan and reached out for her hand. “Megan...”
“Don’t you dare make me cry, Will,” Megan said. “I did not put on waterproof mascara today.” Everyone laughed quietly.
He stepped closer to her and put his arm around her shoulders. “It’s okay to cry. It only means that you loved him.”
Megan looked into Will’s eyes and shook her head. “I did love him. I loved him so much.”
Will set a finger under her chin and kept her face tilted upward. “That love is still here, Megan. It lives inside you. I see it every time I talk to you. I see it when you laugh. Don’t ever let go of that. Hold on to it forever. For Aaron. For Savannah. For me.” Will broke down and pulled Megan into his arms.
Dani leaned into Cole, and he tugged her closer. The entire scene was so overwhelming, reminding Dani just how precious loved ones were. Will and Megan had lost so much because of Rich. Will had his identity stolen. Megan had a sham marriage. They had to continue living a lie until Rich was caught. But losing Jason was obviously the breaking point for both of them.
It made Dani realize how lucky she was to have Cole to lean on right now. She closed her eyes and inhaled his warm and manly scent, allowing herself to be comforted as he trailed his warm hand up and down her arm. It felt so good when he was being protective. It felt so right in his arms. He could be her rock when he wanted to be. But did he want that? Was it possible for them to work out their differences?
Megan sniffed and wrenched herself from Will’s arms. They were holding hands, still standing close. “Okay, everyone. If Jason was here, he’d tell us that this was enough sadness for one day and we should go inside, toast to him and eat.”
“It’s probably time to let the dogs out of the mudroom, too,” Kasey added. “There’s no telling what they got into.”
“Free the puppies!” Savannah wiggled out of Aaron’s arms and bolted inside the house.
“You okay?” Cole asked Dani, pulling her aside.
She nodded. She wasn’t really okay, but she had to be for Megan. “I’m good.”
Dani and Cole went inside and had a quick bite to eat and a glass of iced tea with everyone. The mood was subdued, although Savannah kept things lighter, playing with the Newfoundland puppies on the floor. Dani couldn’t take her eyes off the young girl, only two years older than Colin and Cameron. Clearly, Savannah was in a good situation, living with her uncle and Kasey, who were engaged to be married. But it still made Dani’s blood boil to think about what Rich had done. And for what? Money? Was any amount of money worth taking a parent away from a child? It wasn’t right. In fact, it was unthinkable.
Cole leaned closer to Dani. “You sure you’re okay?”
“I am. I’m just ready to get back.”
