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Rev weighed my words before he finally shut the door behind hi strides I scooted over in the bed as he eased down on the mattress Slowly, he took off his boots They thumped onto the floor before he collapsed back on thefor an invitation, I scooted over to hile up to him and lay my head on his T-shirt-covered chest

"How’s your ood Breakneck finally had to give her a shot She’d probably still be pacing the floors and sobbing if he hadn’t"

Tears overflowedht I should be with her But she had her boys She and I would grieve together soon

Everything in my world had turned as black as the charred remains of Case’s house And then out of nowhere, Willow’s sony escaped hten around me

"Oh God, Rev, what about Willow? They’re not supposed to be back until Wednesday"

"I figured ould go get her tomorrow Tell her in person"

I couldn’t even fathom what it would be like to tell her, least of all what it would do to her In the last eight months, she had lost her un to know … and to love "Bless her heart," I ht be too soon to say this, but I need to Without Deacon, you ht think you don’t have a place here anymore, but that isn’t true You’re our fa, Willow is going to need you"

I liftedon going anywhere In case you uys, too I love you all"

He jerked his chin at led close to him Silence stretched out between us as ere both overwhel here, Rev," I whispered in the dark

"You’re welco ain, and I fell into a deep sleep

When I woke again fro over in the bed, I eyed the clock It was al Throwing back the covers, I rose frohted doith the all-consued me Sleep had been a welcoe of emotions I found the hallway quiet and eh I desperately needed coffee,else I turned on the water as hot as it would go before slipping under the strea at the worn tile in front ofover my head finally woke me up I washedthe entire tiot out, I rubbed the towel furiously overto warm up I slipped on my robe and headed back to uished weeping It didn’t take me but a second to realize it was Kim’s Her and Case’s room was across the hall froin to iony Case had been the love of her life and the father of her children, but more than that, he had been her salvation froan to feel like I was slanced at the ID,myself to answer it The door opened, and Rev stepped inside He eyed the phone, and I shook ured it hen I heard the ringing"

Shaking my head, I said, "I can’t"