Reluctantly Royal(62)

“Thank you. I should have come earlier to help.”

“Not at all.” She looked at me with wise eyes. “Your father is already here. He’s been here for a while. Asked to see his father before the ceremony.”

“Really?” I frowned. I hadn’t thought he would care to see my granddad’s body. I hadn’t really thought he cared about any of it, to be truthful. “Has he said anything?”

“He’s been quiet.” She patted my arm. “I don’t think you’re going to have much to worry about today.”

“Thank you.” I couldn’t explain how much I hoped she was right. “How’d my father get here? Did he drive?”

“Prince Maxwell has been a big help this morning.” She offered me a smile. “He rode with a car to get your father. Said that he wanted to help escort the duke to the funeral.”

“He did what?” I stopped and blinked at her. Marty grabbed my hand and waited with me. I could hear Cathy talking quietly with someone behind me. Surprise had me looking around the area for Max. He must’ve gotten up before dawn to manage everything. When my eyes landed on his, I felt my heart thump loudly in my chest. He was watching me with soft eyes as Cathy talked quietly.

“Prince Maxwell brought your father to the funeral. He felt it best that someone ride with him.” She put her hand on my elbow and gently steered me toward the doors. I looked back to the church and took a deep breath.

My mind rushed through all of the scenarios that could have happened. Had he gone to make sure that my father came to the funeral? Honestly, I hadn’t been sure he would attend.

“Mere!” An older man waved at me from near the door. “Marty!”

“Patrick!” I picked up my pace and walked toward my granddad’s oldest friend. He was wearing a worn, dark suit and wire-rimmed glasses. As soon as I got to him, I wrapped my arms around him. “I’m so glad you were able to make it.”

“Of course, love. I’m so sorry about your granddad.” He squeezed me back before leaning down and hugging Marty. “He was a good man.”

“Thank you.” My eyes began to water and I wiped at my cheeks with my fingers. Seeing Patrick was like seeing my granddad’s ghost. It cemented the awful truth of his death.

“Let me know if you need anything.” He squeezed my shoulder. I looked into his eyes and realized that he was fighting back tears of his own.

“I really appreciate you coming out and helping today.” I looked down at the ground. “It’s not an easy thing to ask.”

“I would have been offended if you hadn’t asked me.” He smiled at me. “It’s my honor.”

I leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “I’ve got to go inside.”

“I’ll be in there in a minute. Just need a little more fresh air.” He took a deep breath.

“I understand.” I hugged him again and picked up Marty’s hand.

“Mom?” Marty’s voice was quiet.

“Yes, baby?”

“I don’t want to see Great Granddad.” His chin trembled. I dropped to my knees, blocking the door for everyone else, and wrapped my arms around my son.

“That’s okay.” I squeezed him tightly.

“I just want to remember him fishing, you know? Fishing.”

“I understand.” I looked at him and wiped a tear from his cheek. “That’s perfectly fine.”

“Can I sit next to you?” Max knelt down next to us.

Marty looked from Max to me.

“We’d like that.” I looked at Max. “It’ll be nice for Marty to have someone to sit with while I sing.”

Marty looked at Max and nodded his head.

“Okay, then.” Max stood up and held his hand out to Marty.

Marty accepted it before turning and holding his other hand out to me. I took it and looked at Max. Did he realize that we looked like a family? A complete unit? Did he understand that Marty had opened himself up to him?

Marty and I were both so vulnerable and Max had stepped in and become our shield during the storm. It was frightening and amazing how quickly it had happened. How quickly he had become part of our lives.

Max nodded his head once and his bright green eyes locked on mine.

“Ready?”

“Ready,” I whispered.

Together we walked through the church. It was full of people in black or gray. Some of the women wore hats, while others had chosen not to. They all had one thing in common, though. They turned to watch our little group make its way down the aisle.

Purposefully, I let my eyes sweep the room, never landing on the casket at the end of the walkway. I was scared to see if it had been left open or not. So I focused on other things.