The Summer Getaway: A Novel(106)

Robyn sat between her children, listening to all those who wanted to talk about how much Lillian had meant to them. Salvia spoke, as did the husband of Lillian’s late best friend. Former students of Leo who had known her well flew in from different parts of the country to share how she had been like a mother to them, helping them, giving them advice, guiding them. Harlow spoke movingly about spending the summer here while recovering from cancer. And Mason read from several of the letters she’d written to him.

Robyn had cried so much in the past few days that there were very few tears left for the ceremony, so she was able to take in all the love these people had for Lillian. Knowing how her beloved great-aunt had touched so many helped start the healing.

After the short, family-only graveside service, they all went to Lillian’s house for the wake. Their guests were there already, enjoying sandwiches and scones, fruit tarts and mini eclairs. In addition to tea, the catering staff offered a selection of Lillian’s favorite cocktails.

Robyn escaped to her room to take a breath and freshen her makeup, then went downstairs to deal with the crowd. She found Austin, Harlow and Kip circulating, checking on drinks and food, and rescuing some guests from overly curious cats. Mason was comforting Salvia, who was still fighting tears. Robyn didn’t see Cord anywhere, but also didn’t have the energy or interest to deal with him.

She greeted people she knew and introduced herself to those she didn’t. She was exhausted, but determined to represent Lillian as gracefully as possible. An hour stretched into two. She was starting to feel faint when Mason appeared at her side.

“If you’ll excuse us,” he said to two nuns Lillian had known. “Robyn’s needed.”

He ushered her toward the back of the house. Bypassing the kitchen, he pulled her into the breakfast room, where he guided her to a chair.

“You need to sit,” he told her, his voice filled with concern. “You haven’t slept, you won’t eat, and I doubt you’ve had anything to drink.”

“Trying to liquor me up?” she asked, hoping she could summon a little teasing tone for her voice.

He handed her a glass of water. “Let’s start with this.”

She sipped gratefully, the cool liquid helping her dry throat. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Now stay there until I’m back.”

She did as he requested, doing her best to clear her mind and simply be in the moment. Less than five minutes later, Mason returned with a plate of tiny sandwiches and a green salad.

“There isn’t any real food in the house,” he grumbled, putting the plate in front of her.

She managed a smile. “What do you consider real food? Bacon?”

He grinned and sat next to her. “It would be a start.”

She nibbled on one of the sandwiches and picked at the salad, but had no appetite.

“I can’t,” she said, pushing away the plate. “I’m sorry.”

“Hey, you tried.” He took her hand and rubbed his fingers against her knuckles. “Tell me what you need.”

Lillian not to be dead. Only she couldn’t say that. He was hurting just as much, and he was only trying to take care of her.

“Why are you so good to me?” she asked.

He hesitated, as if weighing his words. Unusual for Mason.

One of the caterers stuck her head into the breakfast room. “I’m sorry to bother you, but someone just came in the back. She’s not here for the wake. Her name is Zafina, and she’s looking for someone named Cord.”





thirty



ZAFINA? ROBYN TRIED to take that in as she stared at the young woman standing in the breakfast room doorway. Her ex-husband’s pregnant girlfriend? The ridiculousness of the moment combined with exhaustion and her soul-stealing grief. She looked at the pretty, dark-haired woman, saw the resemblance to Kip, remembered that Zafina was also her daughter’s fiancé’s twin sister, and started to laugh. The laughter burst out of her and grew until she couldn’t control herself. She gasped for breath and laughed and laughed until suddenly she was sobbing, covering her face with her hands and not knowing if she would ever feel whole again.

Mason pulled her to her feet, then wrapped his arms around her. Then he looked past her and spoke.

“Hi, Zafina. You caught us at a bad time. Robyn’s great-aunt passed away, and today was the funeral.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. I saw all the cars but didn’t know why they were here.”

“You couldn’t.”

Robyn managed to collect herself enough to wipe her face, then say to Zafina, “I’ll get Cord.”

Zafina looked confused, tired and wary. Robyn couldn’t blame her.

She pulled her phone out of her dress pocket and quickly texted Harlow.

Please bring your dad to the breakfast room. It’s important.

She put her phone away and smiled at Zafina. “He’ll be right down. You can wait in here.” She paused. “Would you like something to drink? Water? Herbal tea? We have plenty of food if you’re hungry.” She thought about the ingredients in high tea and figured they would probably be all right for a pregnant woman.

“I’m fine,” Zafina said with a tight smile. “You’re being very gracious. We haven’t met, but I know who you are.”