His siblings hugged him, but they parted for him to get to Emily.
“Em,” he breathed as he reached her. He lifted her into his arms and savored her feel and her smell. “I can’t believe you’re here. I didn’t want you waiting for me, worrying about me.”
“Well, what did you expect me to do?” she asked with that Southern sass in her voice that he loved.
“I pictured you home in bed, having a nice rest, or maybe sipping on some cocoa while you waited for the news.” He smirked at her.
“Oh my goodness.” She shook her head at him. “As if I could rest for worrying about you.” There was something in her eyes that terrified him. Though she was relieved he was out and wanted to be with him, she was hurting and confused.
“Excuse us for a moment,” he murmured to his family.
They all nodded and stepped back.
Caleb took her arm and walked with her out of the room and down the hall. Thankfully, it was quiet. “Are you okay?” he asked.
Emily blinked and then put a hand to her mouth. “No. I mean, yes.” She shook her head, blinking back tears. “I’m so relieved you’re not being prosecuted, as his death was not your fault, but it’s crazy, because I’m sad for him and really torn up for his parents. He changed so much from the man I married, but he’s still Krew’s father, and knowing he’s dead because football was all that mattered to him and he just kept getting the concussions and lying … I know it was his choice, but it’s still awful and it still hurts.”
Caleb nodded. He did know. She was confused and hurting, and he completely understood. He opened his arms, and she fell against him. He held her while she cried.
Eventually, she pulled back and said, “I am so grateful for you, Caleb, being there for me, coming for me, being so patient.”
Caleb looked her over, somber and scared. “But …” he prompted.
“Can you be more patient? I just need some time to process all of this.”
“Can I … be there?”
Emily smiled sadly at him. “I promise I’m not shutting you out. I love you, Caleb. I just need some time to work things through with Krew and in my mind, get through the graveside service. I’m sorry I’m such a mess.”
Caleb wanted to stay by her side, hold her hand through the process, but this was Emily. He pulled her close and tenderly kissed her forehead. “Ah, Em. You know I’ll do anything you ask.”
“Thank you.” She glanced up at him with a mixture of gratitude and love in her eyes. Caleb would hate any minute she wasn’t with him, but she was going through something hard. If she needed space and not him, he’d deal with that somehow.