to break them up. “I don’t know.”
“Haven’t you looked?”
What? Why would she do that? Angela couldn’t stop herself from leaning a bit closer to him. “What do you mean?”
Ryan shrugged. “You’re interested in what happened, yes?”
“Very.”
“Well, I’d do an internet search for her. If you discover where she is, that might give you some clue as to what happened.” He must have sensed her uncertainty. “It’s like a puzzle, Angela. You can’t put the pieces together until you have said pieces.”
“You don’t think it’s an—” she searched for the right words— “invasion of privacy.”
His jaw dropped. “I’m talking about searching the internet. That’s public.”
“Oh, right.” She certainly wasn’t getting any information from Jesse. What could it hurt? She could just peruse the net a bit. See what she found. “I wouldn’t know where to start.”
Ryan smiled. “Research happens to be my specialty. And as I told you when we met, I’m between projects.”
“Yes, you didn’t happen to mention you were a successful author.”
“What of it? Right now, I’m your research assistant.”
“Hm.” She watched him from the corner of her eye. “I don’t pay well. Unemployed, remember?”
“Eh,” he said with a shrug. “I’ll do it pro bono. If you’re game.”
She was. Maybe nothing would come of it. Maybe she’d learn a little about the woman who so fully and for so many decades still managed to hold Jesse’s heart.
Angela had all but stopped believing in that kind of love. That earth-shattering, feel it to your toes kind of love. Maybe it did exist. Maybe she’d unlock some of those divine secrets in her quest. Maybe.
Chapter Nine
End of Summer, 1981
Olivia
It appeared that all the locals on the island had come for the funeral. Olivia stood beside Jesse and the other members of his family, next to the floral draped casket waiting to be lowered into the ground. The minister finished the service with the announcement “a reception will take place in the fellowship hall.” The family slowly filed out, each one laying a single white rose on the casket as they passed by. Olivia did the same with the rose she’d been given by Jesse. She watched Jesse and the others as to what to do next. She had never been to a funeral conducted like this, so informal and inclusive.
Olivia wasn’t sure she would feel comfortable or even welcome, but Jesse wanted her to be with him, so that was enough. She stood beside him at the front of the crowd holding hands and just as the minister requested a few moments of silence. She chanced a peek at Jesse’s family members—but no one looked over at them, no one cast her even a fleeting glance. Just as well, she had met almost none from his family. She’d been in every room of Jesse’s home, though. She knew the size of bed and what his linens smelled like. She knew if his pillows were soft or firm. Firm. But meet his family? No.
“You’re squeezing my hand,” Jesse whispered in her ear.
“Oh. Sorry.” Olivia loosened her death-grip.
The summer wardrobe she’d brought with her from Boston contained nothing black or even dark. She ended up with a tan skirt and a silk ecru blouse, her long hair secured at the back of her head with a pearl clip. Jesse wore black pants, a black shirt, a black jacket, and a black tie. Wavy dark brown hair brushed his shoulders. He looked very handsome. He looked older.
The cemetery grounds adjoined the church property. A wide expanse of mowed area between the two was filled with a few hundred friends, relatives, and acquaintances paying their last respects to Jesse’s Uncle Louis. Jesse tugged on Olivia’s hand, and they made their way through the throng. There were so many people, and wearing such a wide array of clothing, she realized it wouldn’t have mattered what she wore. It was clear that these people were just glad to be together.
The Island Friendship Church was a picturesque white building with stained glass windows and a tall steeple. An addition attached to the rear proved to house the fellowship hall. Inside the spacious hall, lined across one end, were tables laden with every kind of food imaginable. And so many people. Hugging, greeting, kissing, even laughing as they recounted stories of the deceased that only they could appreciate and enjoy. Jesse was inundated with hugs, kisses, and condolences, along with the rest of his family.
Eventually it settled down and people gravitated toward the kitchen area and the food tables.