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There was a protesting ily “She’ll be fine,” the director announced He was about to add more when he was interrupted by a sharp knock at the door

After a disoriented second, Tara focused her eyes, black with grief, on Ty “You came” Her cry was almost a whimper as she reached out both arms to him “Oh, God, hold me, Ty Hold me”

With that one si on the edge of a cushion, Ty gathered her close Tara wound both arms around his neck, buried her face in his suit jacket, and wept brokenly “I needed you so much So very, very much”

A corner of her hat snagged on his jacket, knocking the hat askew Ty slipped off the small hat with its attached veil, passed it to Cat, then stroked a s hand over Tara’s silken black hair

“It’s all right,” he murmured in comfort “I’m here now”

A second man appeared at Ty’s elbow, impeccably dressed in a dark suit and tie, a pair of steel-riray in his neatly trimmed hair “I’ers already reaching to seek the pulse in Tara’s wrist “I’ve been attending Tara since her father’s death”

“No,” Tarafingers, then pressed even o away, Ty Please”

“She’s distraught” The doctor took a slanced at the hovering funeral director “Could we have a glass of water?”

“I have one right here” He handed a foam cup to the doctor

“Tara, take one of these” The doctor shook out a pill and offered it to her “It will make you feel better”

She shook her head then lifted her tear-wet face to Ty “Make him leave me alone Make the voice “I don’t want all these people around o”

“But, Mrs Calder,” the funeral director interposed in his raveside services You know your father would want—”

“My father is dead!” Tara practically screamed the words “He won’t care whether I’an to laugh and sob uncontrollably at the same time

“She’s hysterical,” the doctor announced grimly “I think it would be best if we took her home, where I can safely sedate her”

“Is there a side exit?” Ty directed the question at the funeral director