“Good. You may go in any time you’d like. We have your mother at the front. A few people have already gotten here.”
“I hope I wasn’t late,” Tessa said.
“No, dear. It’s just a few of her long-time friends that wanted a little time with her.”
“Okay. Thank you,” Tessa said.
Nate could feel her shaking, but she was holding it together. “We’ll get you through it.”
She smiled at him and then turned her attention to her mother’s coffin.
“I’ll be right behind you.”
“Thank you, Nate. You have no idea how much this helps to have you here.”
“I told you I’d be here. We also have to talk about how you’re introducing me. I’m not just your brother’s friend. I’m yours now, too.”
Tessa nodded and moved toward her mother’s coffin.
Nate stood directly behind her. Not close enough to touch, but she would be able to feel his body heat. His hand sat on her hip, and they stood there.
A few people came up to them to give her theircondolences and to see her mother.
He could tell it wasn’t easy for her and worried because this was just the visitation. They still had the funeral and the burial.
He had no idea how long they stood there when a sound at the doorway caught his attention. He grinned and tapped Tessa on the shoulder.
“Look, baby. Look and see who came to be with you.”
Tessa turned and then gasped. “Jade is here?” She burst into tears but had a smile on her face.
“Yes. She wanted to support you and be here for you.”
“Cole is here, too?”
“Yes. He wouldn’t allow her to travel without him,” Nate said.
“That’s nice.”
Nate smiled down at her. “Would you like to be taken care of like that?”
She waved to Jade before she answered. “I think so. But I don’t like to go on dates, and I’m not sure where I’d meet a man like that. Now, I don’t have the time. I have to sell the house, pack it up, move a few states over, and find a place to live and a job. It’s all so overwhelming.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I can help you with all of that.”
Tessa stared up at him. “I can’t ask you to do that, Nate. You’ve already done so much for me.”
“Let me help you, baby. I hate that you think you don’t have anyone, because you do.”
Jade and Cole made it to them, and Jade hugged her tightly.
“How are you?”
Tessa sighed. “I think I’m okay. I’m shocked that you guys came. You didn’t know her.”
“But we know you, Tessa. We’re your family,” Jade said.
Tessa teared up and hugged Jade again. “Thank you.”