Miss Gina pulled in Zanya and Blaze, put them in the blue room on the third floor to keep the guests on the lower floors from complaining about a baby crying.

The day Zoe put her father in the ground, the sun was unusually warm.

More than one person told her she didn’t need to go through the effort. What they didn’t understand was that she wasn’t burying him for his sake, but for hers . . . and her siblings’.

Luke drove her Land Rover with Zanya, Zane, and Blaze in the back.

A caravan of cars followed them to the cemetery. There wouldn’t be a service, for no one had anything good to say about the soul that once filled the dead man’s body.

The minister of the Little White Church told her he’d be at the site to say a few words to help them with this day.

Zoe agreed and said nothing more.

Zane carried Blaze in his baby carrier with Zanya by his side as they walked over graves to the site destined to hold Ziggy forever.

Dark sunglasses gave Zoe the ability to look around and not be forced to talk to people after making eye contact. They also aided in covering the green and yellow bruise on her face that makeup didn’t hide.

Jo and Mel flanked her and Luke as they left the cars.

Wyatt took Miss Gina’s arm and followed close behind.

Zoe saw the lone casket and tuned out those around her.

She stopped at the edge of the dozen chairs set up for people to sit in. Only she didn’t want to stay that long.

When she looked up, car upon car pulled along the cemetery drive.

Mr. and Mrs. Miller, Principal Mason and his wife. Teachers, Deputy Emery, Sam, Brenda, Josie . . . the whole town poured in. One by one, they stood on the edges of the dug up earth in silence. A dark sedan opened, and out of it came Felix, September, and a few faces from her on-screen crew.

Zoe reached for Luke’s hand, which was never far away, and squeezed.

He kissed the side of her head.

She kissed his hand and moved between her brother and sister. Together they linked arms but stayed standing.

Zane nodded to Minister Imman.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming today to show your support to the children of Ziggy Brown. While every funeral has its own set of difficult circumstances, this one stands out. This man’s troubled life fell on his children in ways none of us could ever imagine. While the support of your community is welcome now, may it be a reminder to us all to find that support earlier.”

Zoe finally looked at Minister Imman.

“Many of you will say this man deserves to be in this grave. God forgive me, the thought has entered my own heart. But it could have just as easily been any one of the Brown family. While I have been called to help save the souls of River Bend, I found in this man’s passing I must first do my part in saving the lives of those souls as well. I know that lesson was not given to me alone.” Minister Imman scanned the crowd, and more than one head bowed.

Zanya squeezed Zoe’s hand, tears in her eyes.

Zane stood stoic, his eyes never leaving the casket.

“Let us pray. Dear Father, please stand beside your children left in the wake of their father’s passing. May you enter their hearts and help them find forgiveness so that they might move from this difficult time with joy in their hearts. And Father, please reach out to Sheryl Brown so she can feel your mercy. Amen.”

Zoe refused to cry as she opened her eyes.

“Zane, Zoe . . . Zanya. I’m deeply sorry for your loss. Not of this man, may God forgive us all in that thought, but for the hopes and dreams of what will never be and what you now must put behind you. Peace be with you.”

They stood there, silent. There would not be an outpouring of praise for Ziggy, or even one person wanting to say a single word.

Except Zane.

He broke away and approached the casket.

With his arm in a sling and stitches still holding his eyebrows together, he glared. “All I ever wanted was a dad. And this is what I got!” He lifted his arm in the sling. “You tried to break all of us. We survived you! May God have mercy on your soul, because if it were up to me, you’d burn in hell.”

Zane turned toward her and Zanya and accepted their hugs.

“I love you, Zane.”

“I’m sorry, Zoe. I should have listened to you.”

“Don’t. It’s over.” She watched as he picked up Blaze and moved through the crowd.

Zoe stood beside Zanya. “Do you want to say something?”

Zanya stepped forward. “When I was expecting Blaze, I was scared for my future. How was I going to support a child? How would I live? Then you came back and I feared for my life. I’m not scared of my future any longer.”

Zanya followed Zane’s path.

Luke took their place beside her. “What about you?”

She shook her head and let Luke lead her away.

Chapter Thirty-Four

“I’m scared, Jo.”

It took a lot for a grown man to tell anyone he was scared.

“Why?”

“She hasn’t cried. Not once since she came back from the hospital the day he died.”

Jo watched as Zoe thanked the residents of River Bend for coming to the funeral and the gathering at Miss Gina’s in show of their support.

“Do you ever think she’s done crying? How many tears has she shed for that man?”

Luke looked distressed. “I don’t want to lose her again. What if she can’t live here now?”

Jo placed a hand on his arm and tried the warmest smile she could find. “Then you go with her wherever she needs to go.”