Positive/Negativity (30 page)

Lacey Sinclair’s funeral was a bitter-sweet occasion. During the service, countless people gave testament to a life well lived by a woman well loved. From the town’s Mayor to a former student of hers, now grown, each person gave tearful testimony of the shining example of love, loyalty, and friendship that Lacey’s life offered us all.

Declan was prepared for today and had braced himself for his brother’s reaction to laying his wife to rest. Though Carter’s grief was privately disquieting, he managed to keep his emotions in check while in public. His fellow Troopers stood strong around him, and there was a poignant strength in their presence that we all were drawing from as we approached the gravesite.

As the minister said prayers over Lacey’s final remains, one of her friends sang
“In the Garden”
acapella as we all stood silently, sniffling into our tissues.

It was customary at this cemetery that the lowering of the casket into the ground be done once the family had gone. The service was concluded, and the mourners paid their last respects. All were welcomed to honor her memory at a luncheon at the hall in town. Aimee had taken care of the logistical arrangements as well as coordinated the gifts of prepared food from friends and neighbors. She’d gone ahead to play hostess for the family while Declan and I stayed behind with Carter.

“Please, you two, go on without me. I’d like to stay here with Lacey just a little while longer…” he said through vocal chords that had been taxed by his cries.

Declan shook his head at his brother. “No, we’ll wait for you.”

Carter shot Declan a stern look. There was anger lying just under the anguish. The surface of his grief was a thin membrane separating the two and it was about to erode. “I need a little more time to say my goodbyes, Dec. Give me space dammit.”

I intervened and stood between the two of them. With emotions as high as theirs, I didn’t want them to relieve their tension by taking it out on each other.

“Carter, Declan just didn’t want you to be by yourself,” I gently said as I laid my hand on his arm. “He loves you, and he’s concerned about you. Surely, you can see that.” He looked down at me examining my interfering intent. “Lacey wouldn’t want you two to go at each other, especially not today.”

They both softened upon hearing me invoke Lacey’s name. Knowing I spoke the truth, they shook their heads in agreement.

Carter addressed us both. “I’d like a few moments alone, with Lacey, to say
my
goodbyes. I’ve asked one of my friends from the force to stay behind and drive me to meet up with you. He’s right over there,” he said, pointing to a Trooper in uniform who tipped his hat at us. Turning back to us he appeared resigned. “Look, I’ve been surrounded by people twenty-four seven for the past two days. I haven’t had a moment to myself because everything has been either a funeral arrangement or speaking to someone. I need some time with Lacey.
Alone
.” Carter’s jaw went slack, and his posture a bit dejected as his eyes pleaded with us. “Please understand…”

I squeezed Declan’s hand and looked at him to reassure him.

“He’ll be fine,” I said.

Gave me a little smile he shook his head, then went to Carter and gave him a hug.

“We’ll see you in a little while,” he told his brother. He looked into Carter’s eyes and clasped his shoulder. “I love you.”

Carter’s eyes filled with tears, and he shook his head.

“You, too. See you in a little while.”

As we walked to the limousine, we saw Carter sitting in a chair next to Lacey’s casket. We also saw his friend standing a respectful distance away, keeping an eye on him. Carter did need some privacy to speak with the woman he shared every moment of every day with since they were young, before he allowed them to put her body into the ground.

As we drove away I felt the familiar splintering of death invade my heart. The days ahead wouldn’t be kind. Time doesn’t make losing someone you love any easier—time just makes that loss a little easier to bear.

As Carter settled his final message to the woman who held his heart, he rose from his chair. He started in the direction to join the Trooper who waited for him and meet with friends that wanted to share their last condolences with him. As he was walking, a woman approached him.

“Carter?” the woman said waiting for a confirmation.

“Yes.”

“I’m a friend of your brother’s. I heard what happened and attended to pay my respects. I just wanted to say that I’m sorry for the loss of your wife…”

“That’s very kind of you.” Carter was numbly and mechanically repeating the familiar phrase he had said dozens of times in the past few days. “Would you like to join us for lunch?”

“No, no. That’s why I stayed behind. I have to run off, but I didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye and extending my condolences,” she said as she patted his hand.

“Well thank you,” Carter said. “It was kind of you to come.”

“Think nothing of it,” she said as she made her way to her car.

Carter walked with her when his friend approached and diverted his attention. The woman got into her car and waved; Carter instinctively waved back.

“Who was that?” his friend asked.

“I don’t know. I didn’t get her name. She’s some friend of Declan’s.”

Getting into his friend’s car, he never gave her another thought.

…and as the final luncheon occurred to celebrate the life of a woman well loved, Marisol was celebrating how clever she was that no one recognized her or thought to ask for her name…

T
Have I Told You Lately That I Love You – Rod Stewart

TT
Let’s Make This a Night to Remember – Bryan Adams

Declan and Katherine had finished their work at the studio and they were on their way to meet Aria and Paige at The Stoney Lonen for lunch. Aria had completed the renovation of a small beach cottage in the vicinity of the eatery, and Paige was meeting with her regarding details to list her property after she finished showing another property down the street. It was a perfect and convenient place for everyone to connect.

As Declan and Katherine walked in, the owners, Brian and Rita, waved and directed them toward Aria and Paige. Seeing his girl always brought a smile to Declan’s face.

“Hi, beautiful,” he said as a wide grin broke his rugged features.

“Hi yourself,” she said, looking up at him with her ever-changing eyes. Today, they almost looked crystal blue-grey.

“I’ve been going over the details of the studio opening with Katherine. The guest list is rather lengthy, but Aimee knows all the clients so she took care of the invitations. I agree with her that we should invite everyone we’ve worked with. Her philosophy is that no one’s ever offended if they’re invited and they decline, they’re only offended if they’re
not
invited.”

The group all shook their heads in agreement with him.

Aria made a face as she wrinkled her nose.

“I suppose that means we have to invite Marisol…” she said as both a question and a statement.

“Aria, we don’t
have
to invite her at all,” Declan directed at her. He was firm in his statements. “This is your night as much as it is mine, beautiful,” he said sweetly. “Marisol’s feelings are none of my concern, but
yours
are my
first
concern. If you don’t want her there, then you just say the word. I won’t have you uncomfortable all night.”

He reached across the table and took her hand in his.

Aria had worked very hard on the renovation of this building, and her ideas were brilliant. The changes were astonishing. The building had gone from an empty shell of a former gym to a bright and beautiful office building featuring prime studio space fit for any photographic need. If they hadn’t documented the changes with photographs of their own, they weren’t certain they would, or could, describe it accurately. Declan was certain that the building would entice the most selective clients to utilize the space, and he was especially proud to give Aria credit for all of her hard work. The fact that he was in love with her gave him an extra measure of pride.

“No, Declan,” Aria said, meeting my eyes. “I don’t want anyone excluded on my behalf. I want Marisol to see how proud I am of your business.” She squeezed my hand reassuringly.

“You’re amazing, you know that?” I asked, looking at her.

Katherine and Paige made some noise, clearing their throat and coughing to remind us of their presence. Aria and I began to laugh.

“Hello? We’re still here,” Paige said.

Katherine chimed in, “Okay, save the gushy stuff for home. We have four weeks to pull the rest of this together. Focus, people, focus!”

I raised my eyebrow at my Assistant.

“Yes, Ma’am!”

Katherine looked at me, then down at her list. “I’ve gotten the invitations from Aimee, and they’re going out tomorrow. The menu has been finalized, as has the music. We’ve arranged for red carpet and photographers. This is going to be the largest event that this little beach town has ever seen! All that’s left for you two to do is to choose what you’re going to wear.”