She let herself inside the house and went to her parents’ bedroom. The furnishings were the same as when she had been a child. The main difference she discovered was that her father’s belongings had been moved to another room.
Shoulders slumping that she hadn’t made more of an effort to keep in touch with her mother, Jewell found what she needed to give the funeral home then left. Locking the door, she placed the key back under the mat.
During the next couple of days, Jewell caught up on her sleep, and after a text from her father, she went back to his house to pick out anything she wanted to keep, because he would be selling the house and what was left. She texted him when she was done.
Jewell had decided against a visitation, only having a funeral. When she arrived at the funeral home, she saw her father sitting in the front row.
Finding a seat three rows back, she sat, waiting for the service to begin. Unable to bear the sight of the open casket, Jewell stared down at her hands as the service began. When she felt someone slide into the seat next to her, she didn’t even bother to look up until she felt a feminine hand take hers in a warm clasp.
“I’m sorry. I came as fast as I could,” Arin whispered.
Jewell felt hard thighs brush her knees as a male took a seat on her other side. Hennessy took her other hand.
“Thank you for coming.”
Hennessy’s only response was to tighten his clasp on her hand.
They stayed by her side throughout the service.
Remaining in her seat until all the mourners had left, Jewell finally rose, hoping her father had already left the graveyard.
Arin and Hennessy flanked her as she went out the double doors.
“Wait here. I’ll get the car,” Hennessy told them.
Jewell made a point of not looking for her father among the milling crowd.
A low whistle had Jewell turning to Arin.
“What happened to your father?”
She looked in the direction Arin was looking, only to be shocked at his appearance.
“Was he in a car wreck?” Arin asked.
Her father had a cast on one arm and was leaning heavily on a crutch. His nose was taped, and he was sporting two black eyes.
“I have no idea,” Jewell said, watching him head toward the limo, which had been provided for the service. She almost regretted refusing the ride the funeral director had offered. It might have been worth putting up with his company to find out what had happened.
She didn’t wish ill on her father, but she couldn’t help wishing there were a different body being loaded into the back of the hearse.
“Life isn’t fair.”
Arin looked at her in silent understanding. “No, it isn’t,” she agreed, winding her arm through hers. “My parents want you to come back to the house afterward.”
“Okay.”
“You should have taken them up on their invitation to stay with them.”
“I didn’t want to put them out.”
“Good luck explaining that to them. Dad is retired now. You think your dad looks bad now? If your dad dares say anything, he’ll be dealing with two broken arms.”
“Easier to stay out of eyesight.”
Arin gave her musing look. “For you or Dylan?”
“For me. Mom asked if I hated her before she died. The answer wouldn’t have been the same if Dad had asked.”
“He wouldn’t ask. Why are you looking so sad for him?”
Jewell met her father’s gaze as he got in the empty limo. She could feel his hatred in every core of her being, and the only emotion she could raise was pity.
“He doesn’t have anyone to ride with.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
A long whistle caught her attention as she pulled her suitcase out of the trunk. Tiredly, she slammed the trunk down to see Nickel leaning against the banister.
“Thank God, you’re back!” he yelled. “Can I have the morning off?”
Rolling her suitcase toward the steps, she picked it up. “You can’t wait until I’m on the porch to ask?” she yelled back.
Nickel met her halfway down the stairs to take the suitcase from her. “Missed you. The factory sucks when you’re gone.” He hooked an arm around her neck, and they climbed up the rest of the steps.
“That’s only because you sucker me into giving you the easy jobs.”
“Shade made me reorganize the seeds. I’d rather shoot my left nut off than do that job.”
“You shouldn’t have snuck it into the punishment bag.”
“I won’t make that mistake again. I have that duty for the next two months now.” Nickel scrutinized her face. “You have a good vacation?”
“It was all right.” Jewell hadn’t told any of The Last Riders that her mother had passed away, preferring to handle it on her own.
“I’ll set your suitcase by the door. When I get off duty, I’ll carry it where you want when you decide where you want it. Viper still has Elizabeth in your room.”