Becoming Forever (Waking Forever Series)

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Authors: Heather McVea
afternoons.” Michael looked at his sister, tears filling his eyes, his voice breaking. “The kids will help, right?”
    Ash dried her hands on a nearby dish towel, and walked toward her younger brother with outstretched arms. “Absolutely.” Ash wrapped her arms around him, and gently rubbed his back.
    Michael had met Amy while they both were attending Incarnate Word University in San Antonio. Michael was getting his teaching certification, which he ultimately used to become a successful corporate training and curriculum developer. Amy, who was two years his junior, had finished her nursing degree, but after their second child Chelsea was born, she had made the decision to stay at home with her children.
    Jason closed the dishwasher door, and tapped several buttons until the machine began to make a low humming noise. “Maybe we can get out to Canyon Lake and do some fishing off the pontoon this weekend?”
    Jason was nearly forty years old. He and his wife Katy had married only five years before, a first marriage for them both, and they had decided not to have children. Jason’s construction business had struggled with the downturn in 2008, but between his perseverance and Katy’s job as a CPA with a local firm, the couple had made it, and their marriage seemed stronger than ever.
    Michael stepped back from Ash, and wiped at his face. “Great idea. Count me in.”
    The brothers looked at Ash expectantly. “I’m down.” She had managed a smile, even though the last thing she wanted to do was feign enthusiasm, when all she wanted to do was go home and curl up in bed. Maybe she was the one that needed to be careful about laying down roots.
    In the end, no one had stopped living after her mother’s death. It had taken several months before she could see her father and not immediately feel like crying, but eventually the family had returned to its normal ebb and flow, the absence of Elizabeth always there, but becoming less of an impediment.
    Now Ash sat at the funeral of a young, successful man who had been brutally murdered. She frequently made a point to attend at least the services of the victim to see the reactions of both the sincere and insincere mourners.
    Having asked Mr. and Mrs. Garrett’s permission, Ash would be at both Paul’s services and graveside today. She hoped the mysterious Michelle would put in an appearance, and if she didn’t , that would only further Ash’s suspicions of her.
    Ash sat at the back of the chapel and watched as Andrew Raymond , Paul’s co-worker, made his way through the crowd, toward Sara Glass, who sat with Rachel Collins and a woman Ash didn’t recognize. Given the physical similarities between her and Sara, Ash deduced the woman was a family member.
    From where she was sitting, Ash couldn’t hear what Sara was saying. But it was clear from her rigid body language, and the quickness in which she terminated the awkward hug Mr. Raymond initiated, that the lawyer was as unimpressed with the short man as Ash had been.
    Ash continued to look around the rapidly filling chapel. She saw several people she had met at Paul’s office, including Mr. Rooney and Delores Reed. What she didn’t see was any lone woman. The elusive Michelle seemed to be MIA.
    Ash’s phone vibrated in her pant pocket, pulling it out she quickly read the text from Cris. Know you can’t talk, but give me a call when you’re done at the funeral. Odd M.E. report.
    Ash quickly typed. It will be about an hour or two. She knew better than to expect an acknowledgement from Cris. She was surprised he had opted for a text at all, considering his commitment to being a trendaphobe. The doctor’s report must be interesting.
    For the next half hour, Ash listened to well-wishers, cousins and co-workers talk about how wonderful Paul Garrett was. They talked about his love of running and how committed he was to his work and his family. As funerals went, Paul’s was average, and no one caught Ash’s eye as being

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