“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to make a scene.”
Kurt grabbed her right arm and hauled her forward, wrapping those large muscular arms around her and holding her so close, she could’ve sworn her body was breaking in half. “Don’t go,” he whispered at her ear. “Don’t go back to your place. Come home with us. Ride back with me.”
“I don’t want to be a reminder of what you’ve lost.”
When he looked at her then she could’ve sworn she was staring into a sea of frothy green, the tears in his eyes looked like large overlapping bubbles pooling over his pupils as he fought for restraint, some semblance of control. He moved his lips, but the words ceased to exist. Finally, he whispered, “Why would you think you belong anywhere else? This is over now. The investigation, the danger, it’s all over. You belong with us.”
“Oh Kurt,” she whimpered, looping her arms around his thick neck. She sighed, feeling weeks of burdens diminish as she held on to him. “I missed being there with all of you.”
“I know you did.”
Was that regret in his voice? Had Brandon made the choice to keep her away or had his brothers had an active role in shutting her out?
A few minutes passed before he released her. When he finally stepped away, he took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “We think the danger has passed.” He didn’t look at her as he spoke then. Instead, he focused on the rolling hills behind them. “We hope so anyway. Either way, I’ll keep you safe. If I have to stay with you twenty-four hours a day, I’ll make sure you’re always protected.”
Part of her wanted to tell him she didn’t expect it. Another part longed to ask questions, find out if they’d first sent her home because they thought her father’s enemies were somehow responsible or was it because they wanted time to themselves to process what they’d lost? She wanted to understand their reasons.
Shaking off her longing for answers, she said, “I’ll need to go home and pick up a few things. Maybe I should meet you at your place.”
“No,” he said, placing his hand at the small of her back and guiding her uphill to the graveside. “I’ll follow you home.”
They topped the ridge and naturally parted, thanks to those waiting to speak to them. Kurt shook hands with members of their community, those who were waiting to express their condolences.
“Your mother was well loved,” someone said. “She will be missed,” another neighbor said.
“Coco?”
She turned, recognizing her sister Brianna’s voice. “Thank you for coming.” They embraced and then Coco hugged Jax, Tyler, and Flint, Brianna’s boyfriends. “It was so thoughtful.”
“Of course we would be here for you.” Brianna gripped her wrist. “Anything you need, ask and it’s yours.”
Coco searched the crowd, noticing how many recognizable faces were there. “Mr. Sellers from the Feed and Seed was here. Did you see him?”
“Yes,” Brianna replied. “He said this day would be remembered as the day the entire community cried.”
Coco sniffed, uncertain if she could hold back the tears threatening to come forward again. “I loved them.”
“I know you did, honey,” Brianna said, grabbing her and hugging her once more. “And they loved you, too.”
Coco admired her sister for a moment, taking a minute to at least approve of the glow in her cheeks. At one time, she’d been so hard on Brianna, condemning her choices and her love for three men. Wishing she could take it all back now, she turned to Brianna’s fellows and said, “I don’t know what you’re doing up the
re at Circle J, but keep doing it. I’ve never seen my sister happier.”
“We’ll try our best,” Jax said. “We sure love her.”
A mixed sob and chuckle fell from her lips and she used a tissue to dab the corners of her eyes. “As if I couldn’t tell.”
“Ah, honey,” Brianna said, digging in her clutch purse and handing over more tissues. “You’re well loved, too.”
“She’s right,” Tyler said in a tight voice. “I’ve noticed three fellas here who can’t seem to keep their eyes off you.”
“They’re just worried.” Coco thought of something to ask Jax then. “Have you spoken to Kane lately?” Kane Cartwell, her mother’s first cousin, had been instrumental in helping Coco and her sisters keep their father’s enemies at bay.
“No, why?”
“When Kane and Peyton visited a few months ago, Kane said he’d keep you abreast of new information, if he talked to our father or if he knew anything from the Feds.”
“I haven’t spoken to him since he left here three months ago. I really don’t think he’ll contact me if there’s a problem. He seems pretty hell bent on handling things himself.”