Swept Away (28 page)

Maddy’s official funeral was set to be a state affair. The governor even showed up for the occasion, though Tucker wasn’t impressed. As far as he was concerned, they all picked the wrong side. None of them stepped up to help Josie, but now that the public was enamored with her, and poking their pitchforks at the cops and the elected officials…they were quick to show up with some pomp, circumstance, and crocodile tears.

As a line of dignitaries dressed in suits so perfectly pressed he couldn’t spot a single crease or rumple approached, Tucker took Josie by the hand and walked in the opposite direction. He wasn’t in the mood for small talk, especially at this fiasco of a funeral.

His family said good-bye last week, privately, in a boat service on the lake in the spot where Maddy’s body was found. To him, this production was nothing but a waste of time. But it seemed to please Gloria, so for her, Tucker played nice.

Josie leaned close enough to whisper, “You’re not worried, are you? About this morning?”

Tucker grunted and frowned. This morning hadn’t helped his mood any. The doctor had told them no sex for six weeks, but Tucker caved. He was weak.

Josie gave him an ornery grin. “I didn’t think men were ever supposed to regret getting lucky.”

“I don’t regret it. It’s just that it’s only been three weeks. What if—”

“It’s fine. I know my body better than they do.”

“They’re doctors. They know things. We shouldn’t—“

“Oh shush, Tucker Boone. You sound like an old woman.”

Looking down at her, he shook his head.

She grinned, looking worry-free. “I needed that. It was like a stress reliever. I knew this day would be difficult. I think being relaxed is far more valuable than three more weeks of abstinence.”

He still frowned. She shrugged and smiled back.

“There you guys are. You need to take your seats,” Marlene said. “It’s about to begin. I just got Hetty and Murray seated next to Gloria and Rob. I swear, getting all you people where you’re supposed to be is like herding Gloria’s cats.”

Tucker and Josie followed her, taking their seats in the front row of the crowded church.

The local news put together a video to honor Maddy and her vibrant spirit. The air in the church grew thick and hard to breathe as images of the smiling girl moved across the screen. Then there were video clips. The place echoed with her voice, her laughter. Josie tensed; her nails dug into Tucker’s hand. “She’s gone,” she whispered. “I can’t believe that’s all that’s left of her…in that box.”

Tucker tried to think of the right words to comfort her, but before his mind could come up with anything, Josie’s hand went to her belly. He finally relaxed, feeling better about bending the rules. Josie had hope. And so did he. There were still plenty of miracles in this life: family, friends, and possibilities. 

And there was justice. Jeb was back in jail, joined now by Greg Meyers, several cops, and the smug prosecutor.

And Rob was home.

Once the final prayer was offered, they followed the casket out of the church. Tucker helped get his dad into the limo as Gloria and Josie climbed in from the other side. They drove quietly along the road. Crowds gathered on the street, solemnly honoring the procession as it passed.

“If only Maddy could see,” Gloria said, wiping tears from her eyes. “She’d feel like a superstar.”

Rob took her hand and nodded.

Josie stared out the window. Police cars lined the entrance of the cemetery—their blue lights flashing. People crowded around the wrought iron fence that was piled high with flowers and stuffed bears. Josie broke down. Sobs escaped her. Tucker wrapped an arm around her and squeezed her close. Gloria leaned forward and said, “She’s all right, Josie. Call me crazy, but I know our Maddy’s okay. I dreamed about her last night. She told me I wouldn’t remember, but I do.”

Josie nodded and smiled, dabbing the tears from her eyes.

“Look at that, will you?” Gloria said.

Josie and Tucker looked the direction Gloria pointed. Someone painted a glorious butterfly with outstretched wings and hung it from the entry arch. The purples and pinks of the creation seemed to reflect the sun and shimmer, as if it had life.

Gloria gasped. “It’s gorgeous. I want to find who did that. And thank them. Maddy would—no, Maddy does love it. Fly free, baby girl. Fly free.”

Thanks to CookieLynn Publishing for the opportunity to fly solo. Putting a book together and calling it done without the prodding of a publisher was both inspiring and terrifying.

I was beginning to wonder if this book would ever be done. I swear, like a bratty kid, this book didn’t ever want to be finished. Bits and pieces kept not wanting to fit. I was about to chuck the story into the never-see-the-light-of-day file. Fortunately, I have friends. Thanks to them, they kept reading and reading, pointing out the strengths and flaws until FINALLY- this book felt done.

So, many thinks to the very best betas, editors, and proof readers. Thanks to Kelley Lynn for the content edit. Suzi Retzlaff and Melissa Maygrove for their most seriously awesome editorial skills. Thanks to Jo Wake and Susan Flett Swiderski for the proof reads (they read over all my many changes to catch butchered commas and vile homonyms).

As always, thanks to my beta readers whose feedback is always priceless! Kari Dinardo, Sonya Hedricks, Celeste Holloway, and Tammy Theriault. You ladies are awesome.

Special thanks to my husband for putting up with my distracted writer brain. Hopefully, forgetfulness is not grounds for divorce. And to Tina Longwell for her constant reminders that another book should be available soon.

I hope the final product is an enjoyable story. God bless.

Elizabeth divides her time between her beach cottage and her scrupulously clean house in the hills of West Virginia. Ooops. That's fantasy Elizabeth. The real Elizabeth spends her days schlepping after her four boys (five if you count their father) and the assortment of pets they swore they'd take care of. She does live in West Virginia; the house is clean when the mother-in-law visits; and she does have serious dreams of living at the beach. Elizabeth is a Marshall University graduate with a degree in counseling. This has proven very beneficial when dealing with the make-believe friends she hangs out with all day (she calls this 'writing'). Follow her blog at: http://www.eseckman.blogspot.com