From This Moment On - By Debbi Rawlins Page 0,47

smile and big heart. Had she ever encountered someone so unexpected? She didn’t think so. She turned her head a little to look at his profile, and met his watchful green eyes. This time he rubbed his palm against hers, creating a pleasant warm friction. Much better than the squeeze.

God, she wanted to feel his arms around her like yesterday when they’d sat quietly watching the clouds turn pink and orange. He’d known exactly what she needed.

The sudden awkward silence might as well have been a gunshot in the dark. Lost in her own thoughts, she had no idea what was going on, or where they were in the service. Okay, now she was nervous again. She glanced at Trace and saw that he was looking past her and Matt. She turned her head and watched Lucy walk stiffly to the podium. Her hands were as white as the handkerchief she was wringing.

Trace lowered his head and spoke close to Nikki’s ear. “No one volunteered to give the eulogy.”

Oh. Poor Lucy.

The woman was so small you could see only her face over the podium. Nikki imagined that was fine with Lucy, who noisily cleared her throat, started to speak, then cleared her throat again. After about a minute she mumbled something about knowing Wallace his whole life, then gave in to tears. Matt got up and returned her to the pew.

Nikki bit at her thumbnail, a habit she’d kicked long ago. She didn’t want her brother to feel as if he had to say something. It wouldn’t be fair. Everyone would know he was lying if he said anything nice. How awful would that be...?

Rachel seemed worried, too, twisting in her seat to look at her family. Probably giving Cole or Jesse the eye.

Trace released her hand and slowly got to his feet. She hadn’t noticed the black jeans or that he was wearing a long-sleeved black shirt and his new boots. None of it mattered. But she wasn’t thinking very clearly.

He looked nervous standing behind the podium trying to loosen his collar and keeping his gaze high. “You folks out there who went to school with me know how much I love being up here,” he said, and people laughed. Eyes downcast, he took a deep breath. “Most everyone knows there was bad blood between Wallace and my family, and I’m not going to stand up here and pretend otherwise. We had our differences.” He shrugged. “But I’m truly sorry Wallace has passed on. He was too young to die and it’s a shame he didn’t have more time to get to know the man his son had become or the fine daughter he brought into this world.”

Nikki held her breath. Trace was looking at her, and she suspected so was everyone else. She would’ve died herself right on the spot if not for the affection on Trace’s face. Somehow she managed to give him a shaky smile.

“Wallace could be mean when he was drinking, though I heard it from people who knew him back in the day that he wasn’t always so ornery. No matter what, the one thing nobody can take away from him is that he produced two exceptional children who will do the Lone Wolf proud and who make our community a better place.” He tugged at his collar again. “I guess that’s all I got to say.”

On his way back to his seat, Matt shook his hand. Then Nikki grabbed it. She didn’t say anything since she didn’t trust her voice, but the rest of the service seemed to go fast. Half the people showed up at the cemetery. She only went because she felt she had to, though she would’ve preferred going to the Lone Wolf with Hilda, Rachel and Mrs. McAllister to handle the food.

Trace stuck by her side, then followed her back to the house. She headed straight for the bar that she’d personally stocked yesterday and poured them each a drink. Screw anyone who didn’t like it. They were welcome to help themselves.

“What is this?” Trace asked, squinting at the glass.

“Tequila.” She held hers up to the light. “I hope.”

“Now, that doesn’t sound good.” He smiled. “You okay?”

“I am now. I can finally breathe again.” She took a sip. “You don’t drink hard liquor, do you? I can get you a beer.”

“This is all right.”

Nikki hadn’t even gone to the kitchen yet. But she saw the casseroles, roasted chicken and salads already spread out on the dining room table and