Page 61 of Three Steps Behind

“Excellent baking, man,” Nick said, half a cookie still in his mouth. “Come join the remembrance party.” He gestured to the overflowing living room. “The kitchen and dining room are bursting with food. Grab a plate and find a spot to sit.”

Party? This was most certainly not a party. It was a remembrance ceremony—not some causal barbecue.

She gazed about the overflowing room, studying the faces of those in attendance. Many familiar to her, but some new. Her gaze tracked past the crowd to the sliding glass doors, where she caught sight of Steve and Susan outside.

Nick shifted to head off, but she caught him before he did. “When will the service begin?”

His brows V’d. “Service?”

“Yes. It’s a remembrance ceremony, right?”

“Oh, I see the miscommunication.” He patted her on the shoulder, giving her the heebie-jeebies. “It’s an informal time for us to get together and remember Taylor through stories anyone would like to share, and just chatting with one another about her. It’s nothing formal. But anyone who wants to say something is welcome to.”

“I’m sure you’ll be saying something very kind.” She smiled, curious what he’d say.

“I’m honestly a little too choked up to say anything.”

He wasn’t going to speak? Not say anything? His wife was gone, and he’d remain silent?

Twenty-Four

“LOSING YOUR WIFE must have come as such a shock,” Deckard said.

Nick took a sharp inhale, then released it. “It was a terrible shock.”

“Had she displayed any symptoms in the days leading up to her death?” Harper couldn’t stop herself from asking. So many questions rattled her brain, but she needed to wait for the right time for each one to be asked, and she definitely needed to space them out so Nick wouldn’t feel pressured or grow curious about why she was asking.

Just a friend wanting to understand. That’s how she’d play it.

“No signs.” Nick shook his head. “She played tennis that morning. The EMTs said the strain on her heart might have been too much.”

Taylor played tennis all the time and never had a problem.

“Well, if you’ll excuse me.” Nick turned for the back of the house and the dining room. “I’m going to add these cookies to the table. You two make yourselves at home,” he called behind him.

She elbowed Deck and gestured toward the fire pit out back with plenty of open seats.

“You grab your coat,” Deck said. “I’ll grab us each a warm drink.”

“Deal.” Retrieving her evergreen overcoat from the rack, and Deck’s black denim jacket, she headed for the sliding doors.

“Want anything to eat?” Deck asked as she passed back by him.

“I’m not really hungry right now.” Her stomach was still bobbing. “But the hot drink sounds great.”

“You got it.” He winked, and she smiled. She so wished Taylor could have met Deck. She would have loved him.

She moved on to the sliding door, and Susan caught sight of her and waved. She waved back and noted George, Nick’s frat buddy out there. Joy. He was such a pleasant man.

Stepping outside, she grabbed a blanket off a table laden with them and moved to sit beside Susan. Before she could sink into one of the Adirondack chairs, Susan stood and enveloped her in a giant hug. She smelled of the sweet scent of Taylor’s favorite perfume—lavender, cassia, and honeysuckle.

“Serene Secrets?” Harper asked, noting the scent.

“Yep.” Susan wiped tears from her eyes. “Taylor had the company ship me a bottle just last week. She was always so thoughtful with little gifts.” She sniffed.

“She sure was.” Always tiny, wrapped surprises in tissue paper with pastel ribbon curled into loops. Taylor loved giving far more than she liked receiving. Such a generous soul. At least that was a consolation—Taylor knew Jesus. She was in heaven with their Savior, and it wasn’t truly good-bye. It was see you in a while. That made it bearable. Not easy, but bearable.

“Come sit down,” Steve said, patting the open seat next to Susan. “Wrap that blanket tight around you. Even with the fire, it’s chilly.”