window that overlooked the mountain in the distance. “This is a nice surprise.” She raised her plump cheek to Hannah’s kiss. “You and Gav in the same afternoon.”
The walls of the family room were covered with pictures of Caleb and Gavin. A shadowbox containing Caleb’s medals was the focal point of a wall devoted to his military career. The picture of him in uniform, a fierce expression on his lean face, never failed to stir Hannah’s emotions.
“We’re both on the same wavelength.” Hannah tore her gaze from the picture she didn’t have at home. It was a painful reminder of how and why she’d lost him.
“Today hasn’t been the best day I ever had,” Amelia said.
“I had a feeling that might be the case.” She thought about the item she had in her purse that she’d intended to give Caleb’s parents, but now she wasn’t so sure.
Perceptive as always, Amelia said, “What’s on your mind, hon?”
“I’ve come from seeing Myles Johansen, and he gave me Homer’s collar. I thought you might like to have it.” She retrieved the worn brown leather collar from her purse.
Amelia’s eyes filled with tears as she took the collar from Hannah. “That’s very sweet of you. Are you sure you want to part with it?”
“I’m not really parting with it as long as you have it.”
Amelia ran her fingers over leather that had gone smooth with age. “That’s true. We’ll keep it safe and treasure it.”
Hannah shared a smile with the woman who’d been like a second mother to her. “We’ve decided to throw a big old Sultans funeral for Homer.”
“What a wonderful idea! Caleb would love that.”
“I thought so, too. We’re doing it next weekend. I hope you and Bob can come.”
“Of course we will. It’ll be so great to see everyone.”
It was always great to see everyone when the Sultans came together, but there was always someone missing, too, and that made the boisterous gatherings particularly difficult for Hannah. But she kept up the tradition because his friends had been so very important to Caleb, and she couldn’t imagine not doing it.
“Are you okay, honey? You know how Bob and I worry about you.”
“I’m sad about Homer, but it’s comforting to think of him with Caleb, wrestling and chasing balls and doing all the stuff they loved to do together.”
Amelia’s lips formed a small smile. “I’ve been thinking about that all day. How happy Caleb must’ve been to see his buddy.”
“I should get going and at least try to get some work done today,” Hannah said as she rose.
“Bob will be sorry he missed you and Gavin. He ran to the store to get something for dinner.”
“Tell him I said hello, and I’ll see you both soon.”
Amelia stood to hug Hannah, both of them holding on longer than they normally did. When Amelia pulled back from the embrace, her eyes were full of tears. “I’m so sorry, Hannah. I’m a mess today. I keep thinking it’ll get easier, but it never really does.” She swiped at the tears as if they irritated her. “I don’t have to tell you. You’re one of the few people who truly understands what it’s been like to lose him.”
“Losing Homer is bound to set us back a bit.” Hannah wished she could find a way to adequately comfort Caleb’s mom.
“No matter how much time goes by, it never gets any better. Even when I’m enjoying myself I feel guilty because Caleb is still gone. If he can’t enjoy himself anymore what right do I have to enjoy anything?”
Hannah was hit with a pang of fear over what might become of her close, warm bond with Caleb’s parents and brother when they learned she was seeing Nolan.
Would they approve? Would they be disappointed? Would they think less of her for moving on from their son? As if she’d ever truly move on . . .
“Don’t mind me.” Amelia forced a smile. “You don’t need to be weighted down by my woes. You’ve got enough of your own.”
“You can always talk to me. You know
The walls of the family room were covered with pictures of Caleb and Gavin. A shadowbox containing Caleb’s medals was the focal point of a wall devoted to his military career. The picture of him in uniform, a fierce expression on his lean face, never failed to stir Hannah’s emotions.
“We’re both on the same wavelength.” Hannah tore her gaze from the picture she didn’t have at home. It was a painful reminder of how and why she’d lost him.
“Today hasn’t been the best day I ever had,” Amelia said.
“I had a feeling that might be the case.” She thought about the item she had in her purse that she’d intended to give Caleb’s parents, but now she wasn’t so sure.
Perceptive as always, Amelia said, “What’s on your mind, hon?”
“I’ve come from seeing Myles Johansen, and he gave me Homer’s collar. I thought you might like to have it.” She retrieved the worn brown leather collar from her purse.
Amelia’s eyes filled with tears as she took the collar from Hannah. “That’s very sweet of you. Are you sure you want to part with it?”
“I’m not really parting with it as long as you have it.”
Amelia ran her fingers over leather that had gone smooth with age. “That’s true. We’ll keep it safe and treasure it.”
Hannah shared a smile with the woman who’d been like a second mother to her. “We’ve decided to throw a big old Sultans funeral for Homer.”
“What a wonderful idea! Caleb would love that.”
“I thought so, too. We’re doing it next weekend. I hope you and Bob can come.”
“Of course we will. It’ll be so great to see everyone.”
It was always great to see everyone when the Sultans came together, but there was always someone missing, too, and that made the boisterous gatherings particularly difficult for Hannah. But she kept up the tradition because his friends had been so very important to Caleb, and she couldn’t imagine not doing it.
“Are you okay, honey? You know how Bob and I worry about you.”
“I’m sad about Homer, but it’s comforting to think of him with Caleb, wrestling and chasing balls and doing all the stuff they loved to do together.”
Amelia’s lips formed a small smile. “I’ve been thinking about that all day. How happy Caleb must’ve been to see his buddy.”
“I should get going and at least try to get some work done today,” Hannah said as she rose.
“Bob will be sorry he missed you and Gavin. He ran to the store to get something for dinner.”
“Tell him I said hello, and I’ll see you both soon.”
Amelia stood to hug Hannah, both of them holding on longer than they normally did. When Amelia pulled back from the embrace, her eyes were full of tears. “I’m so sorry, Hannah. I’m a mess today. I keep thinking it’ll get easier, but it never really does.” She swiped at the tears as if they irritated her. “I don’t have to tell you. You’re one of the few people who truly understands what it’s been like to lose him.”
“Losing Homer is bound to set us back a bit.” Hannah wished she could find a way to adequately comfort Caleb’s mom.
“No matter how much time goes by, it never gets any better. Even when I’m enjoying myself I feel guilty because Caleb is still gone. If he can’t enjoy himself anymore what right do I have to enjoy anything?”
Hannah was hit with a pang of fear over what might become of her close, warm bond with Caleb’s parents and brother when they learned she was seeing Nolan.
Would they approve? Would they be disappointed? Would they think less of her for moving on from their son? As if she’d ever truly move on . . .
“Don’t mind me.” Amelia forced a smile. “You don’t need to be weighted down by my woes. You’ve got enough of your own.”
“You can always talk to me. You know
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