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There was a trace of gray against the black; a breath that had been long held was released It was the only reaction as the silence lengthened

“She’s coentled with compassion In this, she couldn’t be blunt, “Ty askedscheduled for the day after He would have come himself, but he’s at the hospital His father is badly injured, and they aren’t sure he’s going to make it”

“He’ll ht” There was a leaden sound to the voice that came from the shadows “Them Calders have as ed with bitter acceptance

“I’m sorry about your sister, Culley I kno close you were to her” Jessy felt a reluctance to leave hiauge hoell he was handling the news “Would you like me to stay awhile? Maybe fix some coffee?”

He was a long ti “I’d rather be alone,” he said finally

There was nothing left to do but crawl back into the truck As she reversed the pickup onto the rutted lane, the beaure of a man, hands thrust in the pockets of his dark coat and the bri his face

For a long time, Culley didn’t move froht and silence enclosed him before his motionless stance was finally broken He lifted his face to the heavens, the wetness of tears glistening in his dark eyes A groan came from his throat

With a ieee!” Guilt bore down heavily on hi him to his knees

23

The throng of people attending the funeral had thinned out until only faravesite All the headstones bore the na the newest, inscribed with the words Mary Elizabeth Calder, My Beloved Maggie Ty felt keenly the absence of his father, the one whothe most

A sliloved hand slipped inside the crook of his elbow Ty roused hilance at his wife, a dramatic vision in her ebony fur and a turban-style hat The cold had rouged her cheeks with color, giving an added vibrancy to her looks

“It’s ti for us,” she prodded him softly

“Yes,” he agreed on a heavy breath and lifted the Mack Stetson to put it on his bare head, pulling it low

Together they turned to walk across the frozen ground to the car “I wondered whether he would show up here since he didn’t attend the church service,” Tkra murmured

Ty located his Uncle Culley O’Rourke, the object of her reled across the small cemetery to the pickup parked all by itself The black suit he earing made him appear a slim, dark shadow His head was bowed, and there was a look of utter loneliness about him