“The funeral’s not until five, right?” Clem said.

He nodded glumly.

“Then let’s get out of here and have our own party.”

“Go,” Addison said, shooing them with her hands. “Both of you. I’ll cover the shop.”

“You will?” Irene asked. “Are you sure?”

“It’s Thursday,” Addison said. “No one is going to be coming in for healing today.”

“But…” Irene started.

“Mom,” Addison said. “I’ll be fine.”

Clem fished her phone from her pocket and started dialing. A few seconds later she said, “Hey, babe.”

“What are you doing?” Irene asked.

Clem held a hand over the speaker. “You’ll thank me later.”

Kaden slumped even farther onto the table.

“Can you get away from the bed and breakfast for a few hours?” Clem asked into her phone. “Kaden just got back from seeing his mom.” She paused, glanced at him and Irene. “That’s exactly what I was thinking,” she said into the phone. “Perfect.”

After she hung up, she crouched down behind the register and started rummaging around. A few seconds later, she popped up with a bottle of bourbon in hand. She turned the label to face them. “Don’t worry, not Bonner’s. What we need is a little bit of gloom-free sunshine.” Clem grabbed Irene’s keys from beside the register. “Come on.”

Irene stood reluctantly from the table. Kaden followed.

“You’re sure you don’t mind?” Irene asked her daughter.

“Yes.” Addison pushed her mom down the hallway and out the back door. “Now, go.” She closed it behind them.

“We’ll take your truck,” Clem said, her grin all mischief. “But I’m driving. You don’t mind sitting in the middle, do you?” she said to Irene.

Irene’s truck only had a front seat, which meant she’d be squeezing in right between Clem and Kaden. If Clem wanted to help them get their mind off things, that was definitely one way to do it.

“You have towels, right?” Clem asked as Irene slid across the seat.

“Towels? Why?” Irene asked.

“You’ll see,” Clem said.

Kaden got in the truck. He pressed up against the window and leaned his legs toward the door, but he was still close enough to Irene that their shoulders touched.

“Sorry there’s not a lot of room,” Irene said.

“It’s a short drive,” Clem said. “Your truck’s better equipped for it than my car.” She dropped the visor, pulled Irene’s sunglasses free, and handed them to her. “You have another pair?”

Irene glanced toward where Kaden’s knees sat a few inches from the glove compartment. “I do.”

“Can I borrow them?” Clem asked.

“Do you mind?” Irene asked Kaden.