Blake sped to the cemeteryto find Hanna standing all alone over a coffin, oblivious to her surroundings.The only other people were two men who stood off to the side with shovels waiting for Hanna to leave.
The day was sunny and warm, but looking at Hanna as she stood in the shadows of the old maple tree, he knew she probably wasn’t feeling anything but despair and pain—the fact she was alone made it so much worse.
He parked behind her Tahoe and walked up to her.
She looked so incredibly tiny.She wore a sleeveless black dress that fell a few inches above her knees and hugged her curves perfectly.Her high-heeled shoes made her legs look longer, and her upswept hair made her look older and more sophisticated.
He stood behind her for a moment.She was so still, and no sound came from her.It was like she was frozen, and he didn’t know how to deal with the situation.He wanted to help her but didn’t want to intrude.
After a few more minutes, he finally stepped beside her and cleared his throat.
“Hi, honey.I just heard about your mom.I’m so sorry for your loss.”
It seemed to take an effort on her part to turn his way.She looked at him, looking uncertain for a moment as if to place who he was.He watched the dazed look replaced with confusion.
“What are you doing here?”she asked.
“I just heard about your mom and wanted to be here for you.”
“Why?”
“I don’t like you being alone.”
“Why?”
He sighed.“We'll discuss that later.What can I do for you right now?”
She looked around in a daze.“I don’t know.I don’t know what I should do right now.”
“You take the time you need.I’ll be here.”
Blake watched her stiffen when she looked at the two men standing in the distance, waiting for her to leave before looking back at her mother's casket.
“I feel close to her right now, and I’m afraid I’ll lose that feeling if I leave.”
He cleared his throat uncomfortably.He wasn’t a man who talked about feelings.He was too hard and rough, so he tried to find the words to use.
“I don’t think you’ll ever lose your love or memories of her.The pain will fade with time, that I do know.”
She glanced up at him.“Who are you talking about?”
“I lost my dad several years ago.It was hard.We were very close.”
“I’m sorry.”
He smiled gently down at her.He could tell she meant it.“You are so sweet.”
She shrugged and looked away.
He watched her place the flower she’d held on the coffin and stepped back.He gathered her in his arms when a sound of despair ripped from her throat.
“Shh, it’s going to be okay, baby.I promise.”
He continued to console her with his touch, holding her tightly against his chest, running a hand up and down her slender back as she sobbed uncontrollably.He murmured soft words until she finally relaxed against him, sighed, and hiccupped.
She sniffed and pulled away enough to wipe her eyes and blow her nose on the tissue she gripped in her hand.
“Are you ready to go?”
