Piper was in jeans and a sweatshirt that read RIDE THE RAINBOW. Apparently, Rowan had given it to Gavin, who’d shrunk it, and so it’d been passed down to Piper.

Cam, not having had any sort of specific clothing that he associated with Rowan, was in his usual cargoes and T-shirt, but he wore a windbreaker against the gusts and dark lenses against the bright winter sky.

And also to shield his own emotions.

He’d been drunk through Rowan’s first funeral. It had felt best to be numb at the time. He hadn’t missed the numb until this very moment. His heart ached and felt too heavy for his chest, and he tensed when a hand landed on his shoulder.

His dad’s.

He forced himself to relax, wishing he’d gone with being drunk for this service as well. His dad was carrying a small canister that he’d informed the shocked gathering only a few moments before held some of Rowan’s ashes.

“This was Rowan’s favorite secret spot,” Emmitt said. “He’d come out here, sometimes to climb down and then back up just for fun. Sometimes to just sit and breathe. He liked to do that.” Emmitt’s voice got a little choked up. “He got that from me. I taught him to slow down and smell the flowers. I know it’s not a popular opinion, that I should’ve taught him ambition and forced him to go to college, but those things made me miserable at his age. And as it turns out, life’s too fucking short.” He sucked in a breath. “So, Rowan, I hope you’re in the clouds climbing mountains and smelling the flowers. I’ll miss you, son.” He swiped at the tears on his cheeks and nodded. He was done. He handed the canister to Winnie.

She drew in a deep breath, but before she could say anything, someone else came along.

CJ. He was in uniform, and his gaze went to Gavin first before eyeing the rest of them, including what Winnie was holding.

“Why aren’t you resting?” Gavin asked.

“Yeah, I thought you were off duty for another few days,” Piper said.

CJ shook his head, and when he answered, it was to Piper, not Gavin. “Couldn’t stay off another second. I’m fine. On desk duty, but fine.”

“Doesn’t look like desk duty,” Gavin said.

CJ shrugged coolly. Clearly something had happened between the two of them to make the air seem suddenly arctic.

“I’m sorry to be intruding on what’s clearly personal business,” CJ said, “but Mrs. Wilkinson called in that there was something funny going on up on her hill. I took the call and came to check it out.”

“Who’s Mrs. Wilkinson?” Cam asked.