One Step Closer(84)

Jonesy nodded knowingly. “I don’t know how he could avoid having unresolved issues. He doesn’t need that gold digger muddying the waters. He has enough to deal with.”

“I know. I can’t lie; I’ve questioned Macy’s motives, myself.”

“That girl is out for number one, so thank God he has you.”

“He also has you and Jonathan, Jonesy.”

Jonesy stood up and started to leave. “Yes, he does. You’d better get dressed honey. Jared is waiting for us out front. I’ll see you downstairs.”

***

THE FUNERAL WENT by in a blur.

Dex and his dad were there. Caleb saw them sitting in the pews when, Wren, Jonesy, Macy, and Jonathan took their seats in the front pew. Veronica was also in attendance, Caleb noted with disdain. He’d expected her to be there but even so, it grated on his nerves.

He’d kept Wren up all night, making love and talking, so he decided to let her sleep in. He had barely slept and he was tired, he wanted the day to be over with so he could talk to Wren and they could get on with their lives. He knew she’d still want to dance, and they’d have to work out the logistics. He was anxious to tell her how he felt; how he’d always felt and that he wanted to be with her. He was ready to do whatever it took to work it out.

Despite his exhaustion and the impending funeral, he felt happy. The night with Wren had radically changed the future. He was confident in his decision to give her half of the estate. She hadn’t said she loved him, but he could feel it in every touch. Sex without love wasn’t what he and Wren had shared.

Macy had been waiting to pounce the minute he was dressed and came upstairs for breakfast. Jonesy had his ready, but wasn’t expecting Macy and the older woman had to scurry to make a plate for her as well.

He’d wanted to have some time to speak to the elderly woman alone and make clear that her place in the family wasn’t going to change and he’d hoped to use the early morning to do so, but Macy had effectively ruined his plans with her presence. He couldn’t remember a time when Jonesy hadn’t been in the Luxon house and he didn’t want that to change. When Macy indignantly demanded Jonesy make her breakfast, it made Caleb decidedly pissed off. Jonesy was the closest thing to a grandmother he had, and he’d be damned if he’d let anyone treat her like a servant.

In the car ride to the church, he’d debated whether to have it out with Macy over her treatment of Jonesy, but then decided it would be a waste of time. He’d already told her he’d be staying in Denver, but he wanted to make it clear that their relationship was over. In fact, he couldn’t wait until she left to return to San Francisco. He wanted time with Wren before she had to go back to New York, but he needed to have that conversation with Macy first.

Caleb was preoccupied with all that needed to be done. He needed to go back to San Francisco for a few weeks to resign his position with his firm, sublet his apartment, and to pack up his things. Wren had another week or so of her break before she’d go into rehearsal for her next production, and Caleb hoped he could convince her to spend it with him while he packed up. She could fly back to New York directly from the west coast.

Caleb wasn’t prepared for the sadness that overcame him during the service, especially at the cemetery. He stood between Macy and Wren during the short interment service and all he could do was stare at the large dark grey marble headstone with his mother and father’s names on it. The date of death for his dad would need to be added, but his mother’s was there and it choked him up. He was once again a twelve-year-old kid, who’d just lost his mother. His eyes filled with tears and he used one thumb to quickly brush one away.

Macy was clinging to him almost the point of annoyance as they left the church, during the ride in the back of the limo to the gravesite and on the walk to it. His eyes met with Wren’s more than once and he could tell she was hurting when she’d quickly look away. He was certain she was feeling confused by Macy’s behavior and his allowing it, after their night together.

Truthfully, he felt like hell over it. He wanted to be near Wren but he didn’t want a scene. He needed to get the funeral and the entire day behind him before he told Macy he was ending things between them. They hadn’t been physical in any intimate way since he’d set eyes on Wren the night she arrived in Denver.

A small rush of guilt overtook him. It hadn’t been that long since he’d taken Macy to bed, but he never said he loved her. At the time, he hadn’t thought he’d even see Wren, let alone that they’d share such an incredible night together. He didn’t know how he bottled up his feelings for so long. After a night in her arms, he was ready to explode with love for her, and he didn’t like hiding it from anyone… Mostly, he hated that Wren didn’t know for certain that he loved her.

Wren stood quietly next to him; his instincts screamed to reach out, slide his arm around her, and pull her close to his side. Sensing his emotion, her small hand slipped into his and their fingers threaded together.

Caleb inhaled deeply as she squeezed his hand as the priest spoke a few words and said a prayer. There were only about thirty people in attendance and they drifted off, leaving Caleb, Wren and Macy at the graveside.

“Would you mind giving me a minute?” he asked of Macy. “I’ll meet you at the car.”

She glanced up into his face and Caleb could see the conflict in her expression. “Sure,” she answered quietly and started to walk way, sending Wren a glance to see if she would follow.