“A lot of people have your back, Kenna.”

His words branded me. A painful belonging. Claiming. I wanted so badly to lean in to them, but I just couldn’t. “I can take care of myself.”

“I know you can, but it doesn’t hurt to have people who want to help, to support you.”

I brushed my hair out of my eyes, surveying the crowd that was gathering on the hillside. “No, it doesn’t.”

Crosby stepped in closer to me as we walked, the warmth of his body seeming to seep into mine. “Then you won’t mind if I stick close.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but, damn, the man had trapped me. And I simply didn’t have the energy to battle with him today. I’d need every last ounce of energy I had to make it through these next few hours. To hold my mask in place and keep the cap on my emotional well firmly affixed. “Do whatever you want.”

Crosby leaned in, his lips just barely grazing the shell of my ear. “I love it when women tell me that.”

I brought my elbow up and back in one swift movement. Crosby let out a muffled grunt. “Keep your lips and other body parts to yourself.”

“You say that now…”

I shook my head and kept right on walking, but I couldn’t help the twitch of my lips.

“May the Lord bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May He look kindly on you and give you peace. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

The minister’s words filtered through the air, his well wishes and a prayer for the mourners before we departed. I couldn’t look at him, I could only stare at the coffin. My hands itched, my muscles strung so tightly, I wouldn’t have been surprised if one snapped. I wanted to throw myself at the foot of the coffin, to hold on to the brass rail and refuse to let Harriet go. Because when they lowered her into the ground, Harriet would truly be gone. There was no coming back.

People began moving around me, headed towards the church for the reception. I wasn’t sure I could make myself turn away.

Warmth pressed into my side. “Do you want to go?”

Bell’s voice was gentle, but I hated the tone. It was one that said she was worried I would break. I said nothing, just kept staring at the glossy wood before me. I could make out the reflection of the sun and clouds in the lid. It was one of those perfect weather days, the ones Harriet lived for.

A hand slipped into mine. Caelyn. “We’re here. Whatever you want to do.”