Sweetwater (Birdsong Series) by Addy Alice

Author:Addy, Alice [Addy, Alice]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-10-07T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

There was a distinct chill in the air that portended the arrival of snow from off the western plains. Cassie remained in her room, asking for privacy. She had much to consider and many memories to revisit.

Emily decided to keep to herself, as well. She was emotionally fragile and bereft. She thought it would be best to stay in her room and try to regain her composure before facing her friends and hotel guests. Most of all, she dreaded her first meeting with dear, sweet Cassie. What could she say to lessen her friend’s grief? Emily simply wasn’t strong enough to face the day.

After lunch, Emily received a small knock on her door. “Em? It’s me, Patty. I must speak with you.”

Sighing, Emily reluctantly told her friend to come in. She sat up in bed, eager to listen to Patty and send her on her way, again. There was nothing the woman could say to make any difference in the way she felt.

“Emily, I’m sorry to disturb you, but this is fairly important. Jasper Jenkins is downstairs.”

Emily’s eyes widened in surprise. “The undertaker?”

Patty nodded. “He has questions about your brother, dear. He needs to know what you would like him to do.” She waited for an answer. “I’m sorry, but it is crucial that he knows your wishes.”

“Dusty? . . . I forgot.” Looking up at Patty with a look of incredible despair, Emily groaned. “How could I have forgotten my own brother? Oh, God. I’m awful!”

Patty knew Emily was nearing hysterics. She had to say something comforting . . . and quickly. “Darling, no, no. This is the way things are always done in these kinds of incidents. You must first deal with the shock, and then you pull yourself together and you take care of the business at hand. You’re definitely not awful. What happened to you was awful.” Patty watched Emily closely, trying to read her reaction. “Now, I’ll help you get dressed and we’ll go downstairs together, and tell nice Mr. Jenkins what you wish to have done.”

Emily looked like a small, lost child sitting on her bed. Patty would have to be very gentle with her. She chose a soft brown dress, with little pearl buttons. It was pretty but subdued, perfectly appropriate for the day. It was too soon for black, Patty decided.

She brushed Emily’s black hair until it glistened, and then braided it in one long braid coiled around her head, and fastened it with a pearl clip. On the way out the door, Patty pinched off a blossom from the last bouquet of the season, and pressed it into her friend’s hand.

“Smell its sweet fragrance, Emily, whenever you need courage,” she whispered.

The sweet blossom helped, as Emily spoke with the undertaker. They both agreed that Dusty needed to be laid to rest as soon as possible. She provided a new suit of clothes and paid for the best casket he had on hand.

“I want Dusty to be buried in the town cemetery.

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