Free Million-Dollar Marriage Merger by Charlene Sands Page B

smoothly.”
    Tony knew Joe meant well. He wasn’t prying; he was simply concerned. “She’s still grieving.”
    “Understandable. Where is she?”
    “Outside. She won’t come in. But I plan to rectify that soon. She’s not thrilled that I’m moving in with her.”
    “I wasn’t sure of your plans. I guess it makes sense for you to live there for a while.”
    “I’ll divide my time between here and there, Joe, but I’d appreciate it if you and Nick could hold down the fort for a few days without me.”
    “Sure, no problem.”
    “Thanks. You know,” he began with a slant of his head, “if you’d have told me six months ago I’d be married to Rena and raising a baby, I wouldn’t have believed it.”
    “Am I hearing a little bit of awe in your voice?”
    “Yeah, well, maybe I’m adjusting to the situation a little better than my wife is.”
    “She’ll come around. In fact, I think I’ll step outside and say hello to my new sister-in-law. Maybe put in a few good words for you.”
    “I can use all the help I can get. Rena thinks she married the devil.” He chuckled as he took the steps up to his bedroom. He’d been called even worse by some of the women he’d dated in the past.
    And it had all been true.
     
    “Tony?” Rena questioned him immediately when she realized where they were going. Tony hadn’t takenher directly back to Purple Fields after he’d picked up his clothes from his estate. Instead, he’d driven to the cemetery where David was buried.
    “Are you okay with this?” he asked.
    Rena squeezed her eyes shut. Right after David died, she’d made daily trips to the cemetery to lay wildflowers by his grave. She’d come and sit on the grass just to feel close to him again. But after she’d learned about the promise he’d asked of Tony, she’d gotten so angry with him for his manipulation that she hadn’t come back since. Now she realized the folly in that. David had tried to protect her. Even in death, he’d tried to take care of her. Guilt assailed her for being so shortsighted and selfish. She should have come more often. She should have honored the man who’d loved her. “Yes, I’m okay with this.”
    Once out of the car, Tony met her on the lawn and put out his hand. She glanced down at it and then into his reassuring eyes. “We’ll do this together.”
    She slipped her hand into his, and silently they walked to the center of the Gracious Hill section of the cemetery. A new bronze headstone with David’s name and birth date embossed in gold stared up at them. Rena sank to her knees and said a prayer. She sat there for a minute, looking down, running her fingers over the headstone, touching David’s nameplate with infinite care.
    Tony helped her up, and taking her hand, he spoke with reverence as his gaze drifted down toward the grave. “She’s safe, David,” he whispered. “We’re married now. I’ll take good care of her.”
    Overwhelmed with emotion, Rena let out a sob. Tears she couldn’t hold back, spilled down her cheeks. The reality of the last few weeks came crashing down on her.
    “It’s okay, honey,” Tony said softly. He turned his body and encompassed her in his arms, cradling her as she cried into his chest. She sobbed deeply, the pain emanating from deep within. Guilt and sadness washed over her.
    Tony tightened his hold on her. “Let it out, Rena.”
    Cocooned in Tony’s strength and warmth, she cried and cried until she finally managed to control her emotions. She sniffed and gulped in oxygen and stopped crying after several minutes, yet she couldn’t let go of Tony. Wrapped up in his arms, she was grateful for the comfort, the gentle assuring words, the soft kisses to her forehead. She gave herself up to Tony allowing him to be strong for her. She needed this. She needed for once to let someone else take the brunt of her heartache.
    “He’s okay with this, Rena,” Tony whispered. “It’s what David wanted.”
    She knew that to be true.