“I found an error in the accounting. I did some investigating and discovered significant fraud.” She’d struggled for two months to appear casual at work. To make it seem as if there was nothing wrong at the firm. “I reported it and hired a lawyer familiar with this issue.”

  “You’re a whistleblower?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll call Jason. He’s the policeman who came the first night you arrived. He’ll know what to do.”

  “I must tell my lawyer, too. I recorded the phone call on my voice recorder.”

  “Smart move. Now I’ll help you to the couch so you can lie down.”

  “I need to dress for the wake.”

  “You have time.”

  “I want to be stunning.”

  He hugged her. She snuggled closer to him for warmth. “You already are stunning.” He put his finger under her chin. “And you have dimples.” He touched her cheek.

  Sawyer put at least five blankets on her as she lay on the couch.

  Jason arrived quickly with a detective. They took her laptop and her voice recorder. “The police in Lexington have been contacted and should soon talk with your boss.” Jason clicked his pen and put his notebook away.

  “He has a gun collection,” she warned.

  “We are aware of that,” Jason said. “We checked in with the police there and exchanged information.”

  Both officers left.

  Sawyer made coffee and served it with a doughnut. “I need to pick up Glenn at his class, but I don’t want you to be alone. Pack up whatever you need to dress for the wake and I’ll introduce you to some very savvy teenagers. They know all about hair, makeup, and how to take care of Glenn, too.”

  “I can’t stop shaking.” She’d never had such a reaction.

  Sawyer turned the heat in the car on full blast as he drove to Glenn’s school. “You’re in shock,” he explained.

  “I knew Desmond would find out,” she said. “It was inevitable. I suspected all along that there were others involved. Otherwise, he couldn’t have gotten away with it.”

  “Just remember, you are safe. Nobody will hurt you.”

  “Thanks for the hug,” she said. “I needed it.”

  “I was afraid you’d pass out,” he said.

  She bit her lip. His hug warmed her better than all those five blankets.

  Glenn was delighted to see her in the car. “Cookies?”

  “When you get home,” Sawyer promised.

  They weren’t at Sawyer’s apartment for more than five minutes when the doorbell rang, and Sawyer opened the door.

  "Hi, Mr. Nova," a girl of about sixteen greeted him.

  “Hi, Tamara. Thanks for coming,” Sawyer ushered the two teens inside. “I’m so glad you could help Miss Greenfield.”

  "Kelly and I brought all our beauty supplies with us.”

  Celeste stared at the equipment the girls brought. “Those look like toolboxes.”

  “They are.” The girls giggled. “Don’t tell our mothers.”

  ~*~

  Celeste never went through a more thorough makeover in her life. The two teenagers took over and worked wonders.

  “Where did you learn all this?” she asked.

  “Online videos,” Tamara explained. “They are a lot more fun than algebra.”

  “I like algebra,” Celeste said.

  The two girls looked at each other.

  “We have an algebra test coming up soon. Could you help us study for it?”

  “Sure.” Celeste wouldn’t go back to Lexington until she was sure she could be safe. Tutoring the girls would pass the time.

  When the girls completed the makeover, they helped Celeste into her black dress and matching jacket.

  When Celeste looked in the mirror, she was surprised. “Are you sure that’s really me?”

  “You look good without all the makeup,” Tamara said. “It’s just icing on the cake.”

  Celeste nodded. “Thank you. I really needed a lift today.”

  “Your mom donated every year to our cheerleading team. She was a really nice lady,” Kelly said. “We are sorry for your loss.”

  The girls stayed to watch Glenn while Celeste and Sawyer went to the wake. Sawyer promised to bring pizza back afterward.

  As Sawyer drove, Celeste gazed out at the holiday lights. Sawyer’s soft, deep voice comforted and calmed her. She started to believe she could get through the wake with him at her side.

  “Some folks really go all out for the lights,” Sawyer remarked. “They must be visible from outer space.”

  “Mom only put lights on the tree, but anyone driving by could see the tree in the window,” Celeste said.

  “Lila loved lights,” Sawyer sighed. “She draped them all over the apartment. I should put up a tree for Glenn. I meant to do that.”

  “I’m sure Mom’s tree is in the attic. You could have it if you like,” Celeste offered.

  “Don’t you want it?”

  “I think it’s important for a child, but I’m not a child anymore.”

  “What about that old slate. Isn’t that for a child?” Sawyer asked.

  “It’s an heirloom,” she said. “I can almost feel Grandma’s love when I hold it.”

  “What about the ornaments on your mom’s tree. Aren’t some of those heirlooms?” Sawyer asked.

  “Some are handmade ornaments Tina and I made when we were kids.”

  “You should keep those. Someday, you could show those to your kids.”

  Celeste shook her head. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get married or have kids.”

  “Why not?”

  She shivered. “I have poor taste in choosing men.”

  “How many men have you dated?” he asked.

  “Not that many, but Desmond was one of them. When I first started working at his company, he asked me out. He took me to expensive places, but then he became demanding, and I realized he acted the part of the gentleman for most people but underneath he was not a nice person.”

  “And you broke up?”

  “Sort of. If he asked me out, I told him I was busy. After a while, if he saw me at work, he would always say something demeaning or nasty.”

  “When did you report the problems with the audit?”

  “Two months ago.” She hugged herself tightly. “I had to report it. The fraud is massive. I didn’t tell Mom because I didn’t want her to worry. I was paranoid though. Every time I walked into the office, I expected to be escorted out immediately by the security guards. I emptied my desk as much as I could so I would be ready to leave.”

  “Desmond could get jail time for those threats.”

  “He sounds unhinged.” Celeste’s heart pounded and her stomach roiled.

  “You’re safe here.” Sawyer’s hand clasped hers and warmth went up her arm.

  As they arrived at the funeral home, Celeste’s nerves went into overdrive. She cast a glance at Sawyer. Though he moved with an easy nonchalant grace, his square jaw tensed.

  “The past few years, your mom pointed me in the right direction for the services that were best for Glenn,” he said. “I really will miss her. I don’t know what I’ll do now.”

  “Glenn’s doing well from what I see.” Celeste remembered her mother spending hours everyday teaching Tina. Mom wanted Tina to be the best she could be. And she was, but then she’d died. Tears threatened as Celeste remembered the agony of it.

  “His teachers are doing wonders. But your mother’s advice was always right on target. I relied on her. My parents passed away several years ago. I miss having older people around. They have wisdom.” He shrugged. “I don’t have it yet.”

  “You’re developing it,” Celeste reassured him.

  “I doubt it.” He opened the door. “The detours in my life are epic. I started archeology in college with a minor in history.”

  She walked into the building. “Why aren’t you an archeologist?”

  “I like old things but not too old. Digging in the dirt, in the sun, with little brushes was tedious.” He helped her take off her coat.

  “But to go from an archeologist to an auctioneer …”

  “It’s more fun. Lila suggested it.” He took off his coat. “Now let’s celebrate your mom’s life. She was one in a million.”

  Flynn Olsen, the funeral director, hurried toward them and led them to the room where Celeste’s mom lay in a pink coffin lined with white satin. Celeste stared down at her mom, dressed in an elegant gown with sequins on it, something her mother would never have worn. Celeste had picked it out from what Flynn had on hand, but it was too new. Mom liked old things, but there wasn’t anything vintage in Flynn’s offerings.

  Celeste sent photos to the funeral director who made a collage of them on a large board. Mom and Dad’s wedding photo, Celeste’s graduation photos with Mom and Dad, Mom with baby Tina, Mom with baby Celeste, family vacations, and family reunion photos brought back a host of old memories. Desolation took hold of her. How did she move on from this?

  Sawyer went to the coffin, knelt, and bowed his head. Sawyer claimed God didn’t take people away, but Mom was gone. The empty space in Celeste’s heart grew. She should have visited Mom more often. She should have called every week. Now she would never have that chance again.

  The empty ache in her heart swelled and she wanted to sit in a corner and cry, but other folks arrived and started lining up at the coffin. Celeste fought her grief and steeled herself to appear calm for all those who came to offer sympathy and hugs.

  “My goodness, with your hair swept up like that, you look exactly like one of the women in the cameos your mother always wore,” said one woman whom Celeste recognized as a cashier at the grocery store.

  Celeste thanked the woman. If she had been thinking properly, she would have gone through Mom’s closet and picked out the type of outfit her mother would have worn and decorated it with a cameo. Without the storm, everything would have been less hectic.

  Sawyer wandered around talking to people. He seemed to know everyone.

  The line of people offering their respects seemed endless. Celeste soldiered on and thanked them all.

  Sawyer came over to her at one point and whispered in her ear. “Please sit down. You look done in.” He led her to a chair.

  “Thanks,” she said.

  He returned a few minutes later with a glass of water. “Hydrate.”

  She gave him a wan smile. “It’s nice to have a butler.”

  “At your service, ma’am.” He winked.

  A deacon from Mom’s church came to guide a short prayer service. Afterward, the funeral director announced the time for the funeral.

  People filed out of the room and Celeste was left once again with only Mom and Sawyer.

  “She was well-loved,” Sawyer said.

  “I know.” Celeste nodded. “I didn’t love her enough.” She let out a sob.

  Sawyer hugged her. “She was very proud of you.”

  “Are you sure she’s happy now?” Celeste asked.

  “Yes,” he said. “You saw how many people loved her. God loves her more.”

  Celeste took a deep breath and stood to leave. Suddenly, she grew weak and the room appeared to be spinning.

  Sawyer caught her and sat her in the chair. “When was the last time you ate?”

  “I ate half of the doughnut you gave me.”

  “Before that?”

  “Pfeffernusse?”

  “Last night?”

  “Um…yes.”

  “That’s not a well-balanced meal.”

  “There is some protein in the cookies.”

  “Stay right here.” He went off.

  She stared at Mom in the coffin, who did not look like the mother she knew. Mom always wore a smile or at the very least a serene expression, accepting everything with unwavering poise.

  “Mom, I will miss you. A lot. Sawyer says you’re happy. I hope so. I want to believe you and Tina and Dad are all happy and safe. I don’t have the faith to believe it though. I didn’t tell you about Desmond and I should have. That’s my fault. You would have given me good advice. Sawyer’s been helpful and nice. Glenn is a treasure. I’m sorry I was mean to Sawyer at first. I wish you’d told me you rented out the basement. But it’s OK. Thanks for being my mom.” The tears came again, and she grabbed more tissues.

  As she sat there, she remembered what Sawyer said about prayer, “Sometimes, things seem to fall in place.”

  She prayed very little but Sawyer said he’d prayed for her. Were those prayers working? Things did seem to be falling in place. Sort of. She was seven hundred miles away from Desmond.

  Sawyer returned with Flynn wheeling a cart carrying a teapot, cups, saucers, and some dainty sandwiches.

  “Please eat and drink,” Flynn ordered. “You need your strength.”

  “Thanks, Flynn.” Sawyer proceeded to pour tea into the teacup.

  “I’m glad I bought that tea cart from you Sawyer,” Flynn said. “I knew it would come in handy.”

  “It’s a beauty,” Sawyer smiled.

  “My wife loves it.” The funeral director walked away.

  Sawyer held up a small pitcher. “Milk?”

  Celeste nodded. He poured the milk and then dug a teaspoon into the sugar bowl. “One or two?”

  “No sugar.” Celeste frowned.

  He handed her the cup. “Your mom used to come to some of my auctions and I auctioned off some special items she had, which did not do well in her store.” He picked up one of the small tea sandwiches and devoured it in one bite. “Cucumber, but there’s some spice in it. Or herb. I’m not sure exactly what it is.”

  Celeste picked up one of the sandwiches and bit into it. “Mint. That was the queen’s secret ingredient in her cucumber sandwiches.” She picked up another small sandwich and realized she was hungry.

  “Nice addition. I never would have thought of it.” Sawyer poured a cup of tea for himself. “Your mom’s shop is quite impressive.” He picked up another sandwich. “I bet this is ham salad.” He proceeded to eat it. “Tasty.”

  “I’m glad you’re enjoying this feast.” She took a sip of her tea.

  “Flynn’s wife is a great cook. I’m sure she made this.”

  “Are you friends with Flynn and his wife?”

  “We were on the track team in high school. He was a good runner, but I was better.” He chuckled. “I have longer legs.”

  “Yes, you do. Mostly because you’re taller.” She picked up one of the ham salad sandwiches and took a small bite. “This is delicious. I went to high school here, too. I don’t remember you or Flynn.”

  “Because we are older than you. So is Brock Walling.”

  “By how much?”

  “Four years.”

  “So, you are way ahead in gathering wisdom.”

  “Let’s hope. Oh. Look at this!” He held up another sandwich. “This is a curried egg salad sandwich. Flynn is so blessed.” The small sandwich was quickly devoured.

  “I see you brought your appetite. Aren’t you supposed to encourage me to eat?”

  “By telling you how delicious the sandwiches are I am tempting you to eat them.” He devoured a few more.

  She tried the curried egg salad. It was good so she ate another one. “You know, I always wanted to be an accountant. I liked adding up all the receipts in my father’s hardware shop. Now, I’m wondering if I should have done something safer. Like maybe teach.”

  “You could always teach accounting or just simple math,” he suggested. “Some people are very bad at addition and subtraction. I give people their change and they tell me I’m wrong.” He shook his head.

  “Some people are very good at cheating.” Her mind filled with doubts and fears.

  “You’re safe. Everything will be fine.”

  Celeste wasn’t so sure. She decided to try standing up again. Eating helped though Sawyer held her hand to make sure she was steady. Despite her two-inch heels, she needed to tilt her head slightly upward to look in his face. As a tall woman, she spent most of her life looking down at men. Desmond was taller than her, which was one of the reasons she had been attracted to him at first, but though he was tall, he seemed to be missing a heart.

  After a few moments, Sawyer guided her outside and to his car. He drove her to her mom’s house.

  A police car sat at the curb.

  “Why are they here?” she asked.

  “To keep an eye on things,” Sawyer said. “I’ll feel better knowing you aren’t completely alone tonight.”

  “You told your friend Jason to do this?”

  “It was a suggestion for a rookie who might need to practice this sort of thing.”

  “You’re full of surprises my man-in-the-basement.” Being with him made her a bit giddy.

  “Is that what I am now? That sounds like a plumber.” His mouth quirked with humor.

  “Far better than a plumber. You’re super basement guy.”

  “Do I get a t-shirt with my new logo?” He chuckled.

  “Maybe. I really appreciate everything you did for me today.”

  “For a lovely lady like you, anyone would do the same.”

  “But you’re special.” She kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

  His face clouded with unease for a moment before he got out of the car, opened the door for her, and walked with her to the steps. “Be good tomorrow and eat breakfast,” he chided.

  “I will,” she promised.

  He turned to walk back to his car and called over his shoulder. “Something substantial.” He didn’t wave. He got into his car and drove away.

  A shudder of humiliation went through her. Was she wrong to kiss him? She shouldn’t be embarrassed. He had been so kind to her.

  She turned her key in the lock and went into the house. She didn’t think she would have survived Desmond’s phone call or the wake without him. Tomorrow, she would strengthen herself for the funeral as promised.

  9

  The next morning, Sawyer continued to reason with himself about the kiss Celeste bestowed on him. He’d helped her, she gave him a thank you peck on the cheek. Nothing more. She was grateful. She might have wound up in the hospital without his assistance. He hoped she listened to him and ate breakfast. What if she ate only pfeffernüsse again? He decided to send her a text message.

 

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