Weeping Willows: A Thrilling Mystery Novella (Dark Desires Book 1) Read Online Free

few days with them in Rosewood creek. Uncle Frank
kept reassuring her that she needn't worry, he would take care of
everything even in the funeral arrangements. Suzie felt so
overwhelmed at their kindness and grateful for having them in her
life at this crucial time. The truth was that her brain felt like
it had literally shut down.

 
    - Chapter 8 -
     
    The earth smelt fresh, a mixture
of soil and dampness permeating through the air. A steady light
drizzle continued, a few rows of vehicles lined the pavements
opposite the cemetery. A few varsity friends and close friends of
her parents stood together around the grave site with Suzie and the
Franks. The priest voiced the final words of “ The Lord is my Shepard.”
     
    Their caskets were lowered and finally laid to rest.
Suzie placed the blood red roses on the caskets of her parents as
tears rolled down her cheeks. She brushed them away with gloved
hands, praying for their peace knowing that they would be received
in heaven where they belong. Sobbing, Uncle Frank and Aunt Lizzie
led her away from the grave site. She felt totally spent. The
feeling of desolation, a second skin. For now she felt relieved at
the support of Melly's parents and her heart went out to them for
all that they had done for her. She admired their strength knowing
full well that the uncertainty of Melly's disappearance still
plagued them. They wanted and needed their daughter home. The fear
of the unknown choking their every moment, the fear of what may
be.
     
    Leaving the cemetery, Suzie thanked them profusely
for everything telling them she would never forget it. She told
them that she appreciated their kindness but she needed to go back
to her cottage, she needed time to mourn and grieve her loss. They
both said that they understood and would come visit regularly. She
thanked them as she left.
     
    The man had stood at the back of the gathering. He
felt secure in his anonymity. It was a funeral after all. This gave
him a chance to be closer to the girl, to observe. He stared at her
pale face and tear filled gaze. Her brown eyes watery pools. She
looked so beautiful. He wished he could gather her into his arm and
tell her it would all be okay. He was doing all this just for her.
He convinced himself that in time she would understand why he had
to do what he did. It had all been for her.
     
    He watched silently, she had such grace and poise
pulling herself together as she thanked everyone who had attended
the funeral. A couple had stood just before him, he thought of
touching her little hands as she greeted but on afterthought he
pulled away. Stepping away, he walked briskly to his car. This was
not the time. Their moment needed to be special, not surrounded by
these inconsequential strangers. He would wait, he was accustomed
to doing that. Patience was definitely his virtue.

 
    - Chapter 9 -
     
    The stream gurgled in the early morning. Birds
whistled their melodious tunes. The man picked up his axe and
struck at the wood. Beads of sweat glistening on his arms and his
back as he swung the axe to and fro in a rhythm chopping at the
firewood. He calmed the troubled thoughts. It was now two months
and there had been no word.
     
    He missed her so much! He had told Emma, his sister,
what had happened and was surprised that for once she appeared to
be understanding. She'd told him to take as much time as he needed.
If being on the farm gave him some semblance of sanity, then Craig
could skip this semester considering the severity of the situation.
He knew that it looked bad. He and Melissa had been fighting a lot
recently and many people at campus knew of this. Her
flirtatiousness was no secret. He knew it was harmless and Melly
was impulsive and she'd fought constantly, accusing him of becoming
too clingy and possessive.
     
    He had lied to the authorities and to Suzie, telling
them that they had been quarrelling about a silly movie. The
argument had erupted over Melly's flirtatiousness and Craig