February Waltz (Rhythm of the Heart Book 3) Read Online Free Page B

meandered through the graves and he rolled her along. “It's going to be okay, Zoe.” He murmured as he leaned down and kissed her cheek.
    “Yeah.” She replied.
    A small throng of people stood by the grave site, where a simple black casket was ready to be lowered into the ground. Calvin heard Zoe's breath catch and he longed for nothing more than to sweep her into his arms and take her as far away from the scene as he could. But I can't.
    They came to the edge of the throng and it parted to let them roll through. Calvin saw many faces he recognized. Lucas, Minnie Wilder, Maurice in a muted suit, and Callie Derringer, the floozy of the group. She wore a skin tight black dress that would have made most hard core whores blush in shame. Calvin shook his head. Wow, how pathetic can you be?
    “No closer.” Zoe whispered.
    “Okay.” They stood back a bit from the grave and Calvin came to her side to hold her hand. Callie watched them both with piercing blue eyes and she stiffened as he comforted his wife.
    Too bad, sweetheart. I don't know what you thought this would be, but you're wrong.
    The preacher came to the grave and said a few words, very simple ones. “We are gathered here to mourn the loss of Ed Parker, Father and friend. Does anyone have anything they'd like to say? A memory they would like to share?” He glanced out at the crowd with hopeful eyes.
    The crowd was silent for a moment until Zoe spoke up. “I have something to say.”
    The preacher smiled. “Please do.”
    Calvin rested his hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently. She brought her hand up and patted his as she spoke. “My daddy wasn't perfect, by a long shot. He found himself lost after my momma died and he couldn't find himself. He hurt me, he hurt people he said he cared for. But he tried in his last hours to redeem himself. Maybe we could all learn a bit from that. Just maybe. That's all I have to say. Thanks.”
    He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “You did good, baby.”
    She glanced up, her eyes glassy with tears. “Thanks.”
    The preacher paused again, looking around the crowd, waiting for someone to speak. As it became apparent no one else was speaking up, he looked down at his worn Bible with a nervous cough. Finally, a voice spoke up.
    “I'd like to say something.” Minnie Wilder stepped forward.
    “Please do!” He replied enthusiastically, mopping his glistening brow with a shaky hand.
    Minnie smiled softly and glanced back at Zoe, who nodded. “I'd like to say I loved Ed. For a little while. He wasn't easy to love, but I fell for him and I think a little bit he for me. I never really knew Ed before his wife died, so I don't know how he once was, but I know he cared deeply for his daughter, even though he didn't know how to show it. Like she said, he wasn't perfect, but he attempted to make amends for his wrongs. I know where ever he may be, he'd say don't cry for me, and let's get this over with. I know that much.” She smiled at Zoe again and stepped back into the throng.
    The preacher mopped at his forehead again. “Okay. Well anyone else?” Another pregnant pause stretched as he waited.
    Zoe said with an eerie calm, “Can we just get this over with, please?”
    “Cer - certainly!” He spluttered, thumbing through his Bible. His voice droned on as he read a simple passage. When he finished, he stepped back from the grave with an unsure step. “The service is over.”
    Zoe nodded. “Thank you all for coming. You're welcome to stay if you want while they put the dirt in, I plan to. But you're not required.”
    Callie was the first to break away from the group and she hustled through the chill, damp grass to her car. Others followed slowly, rubbing their arms in the brisk air, whispering amongst themselves at how odd the whole service was, and how calm and strong Zoe seemed. Another whisper Calvin's ears caught was how very pregnant Zoe was and the ever burning question as to if it was “poor Derek's” or his.
    As