AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Anxious for us to come home.”
He wanted this to be over.
He needed her.
Glancing at his niece sleeping so sweetly, Kodiak turned from the glass. “You should lay down with the baby. I’ll sit with him.”
“You said we’d get each other through this. I’m sitting with you.”
And she did.
The hours passed. Giving in to exhaustion, Linnea slept beside him. Slow and shallow, Jarrid’s breaths rattled in his chest. He knew what that meant. Leaning forward, he held his hand. Kodiak supposed he should say something, but he had no words of comfort to offer.
“After everything you’ve done, I don’t know if I have it in my heart to forgive you, but I’m going to try. Just know your children are cared for, happy, and loved. So long, Dad. Whatever comes next, I hope there’s peace.”
Kodiak must’ve dozed off, because the next thing he knew, the nurse was rubbing his shoulder. “He’s gone.”
Gazing upon his lifeless body, a tear rolled down Linnea’s cheek, but he didn’t have it in him to cry.
Dawn was breaking by the time they got to the Tahoe. He and Linnea were both quiet, Charlotte happily waving in her car seat. On the way through Decatur, he took a turn on Water Street.
“Seth, where are you going?”
“Citizens Bank.”
“No, no, no, not now. He said to go on our way back home. He was very adamant about that, remember?” Placing her hand on his forearm, she gentled her voice, “Besides, it’s only six in the morning. The bank isn’t even open yet.”
“I remember.” Sitting at a stoplight, Kodiak scrubbed his face with his hands.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m all right,” he assured her. “Just tired.”
“We should stop at Hazel’s for a quick breakfast, then you can get some sleep.”
Already knowing that wasn’t about to happen, Kodiak snickered. There were still arrangements to be made. A funeral to get through. Once they were home, maybe then he could sleep. For now, though, he could do with some food in his stomach.
He took her hand and kissed it. “Sounds good.”
Breakfast at the diner on a Friday morning wasn’t much busier than lunch on a Sunday afternoon. As soon as they walked in the door, Hazel rushed over, coffee pot in hand. “You two look like you haven’t slept in a week. How’s your father doing?”
“He passed this morning,” Linnea informed her. “Couple of hours ago.”
“I’m so sorry, dear.” She patted his sister’s hand. Then pouring their coffee, Hazel called out to Tommy, “Seth and Linnea are here. Get me two breakfast specials, eggs scrambled.”
“Thanks, Hazel.” She was probably the only person he would miss from this town.
“And how are you?”
“We’re okay.” Holding her hand between both of his, Kodiak gave her a squeeze.
“Have the church folk been bothering you?” Arching her painted-on eyebrow, she pursed her garish red lips. “I don’t suppose they know yet.”
“Jeremy’s been by a few times.” Sipping his coffee, he shrugged. “And no, they don’t. I’m going to have to go see him. Make the arrangements.”
And he wasn’t looking forward to it.
“Do we have to?” Linnea wanted to know. “Can’t we just bury him privately?”
