Death Changes Everything by Linda Crowder Page B

ago.
    “He’s a firefighter. Ten days on, ten days off. Nobody is around to take over for him until tomorrow. Mel was going to come anyway, but I told her there wasn’t anything she could do here. They haven’t released the…the body yet.”
    Tears welled up in her eyes and Emma put a hand on Maddie’s arm. “It’s okay. You cry if you need to.”
    She looked at Emma as though seeing her for the first time. She blinked, dislodging a tear, which slowly made its way down her cheek. “I…I meant to call you.”
    “Don’t worry about that. You don’t need to do anything except let yourself feel what you need to feel.”
    Maddie’s eyes teared again but before she could answer, Terrilyn bustled back into the room. She was balancing an insulated coffee server, three cups with saucers, spoons, a sugar dish and a tiny pitcher of cream on a silver tray. “Now, now,” she said, her voice curiously brisk. “No more tears, Madeline. Let’s enjoy a nice cup of coffee with your friend here. Wasn’t it kind of her to come and visit you?”
    Maddie withdrew her arm and the muscles in her jaw tightened. She took the cup Terrilyn offered and sat rigidly erect. Emma accepted her coffee, watching with interest the dynamic between the two sisters.
    “Maddie tells me you live in Sheridan,” she said when neither sister spoke.
    “We have a hardware store. When the police called us, my husband told me to get going right away and be with Maddie.”
    I bet he did, thought Emma, wondering if her husband might have jumped at the chance for a little peace and quiet at home.
    “How did you say you knew him again?”
    “Rotary Club.”
    “I don’t have time to waste on clubs myself.”
    “Lynn…” warned Maddie. Her tone implied she was accustomed to countering her sister’s sharp tongue.
    “What? I was just saying those fancy clubs are fine for some people, but I can’t leave the store to go flitting off to some club meeting whenever I feel like it.”
    “Lynn, please. Emma, I’m so sorry.”
    “What did I say?” demanded Terrilyn. She turned to Emma, “She’s always shushing me.”
    “You’re fine.”
    Terrilyn smiled triumphantly at her sister. Emma searched for something to say. “I’m sure we’ll all miss Steven.”
    Terrilyn’s answer caught Emma by surprise. “Steven was a no good, arrogant, pompous…well, I’m too much of a lady to say more than that.”
    “Emma, would you like cookies? Lynn, could you bring us a plateful? I think you’ll find some in the pantry.” Maddie’s voice had a steel edge to it. Without another word, her sister left the room.
    “You must forgive my sister. She means well, but she never liked Steven. Of course, he didn’t like her any more than she liked him.”
    “That must have been hard on you, being caught in the middle.”
    “You have no idea. You wouldn’t have wanted to be here for holidays.”
    “Fireworks?”
    “Guy used to enjoy watching them squabble. Sometimes he’d say something just to set them off, then sit back and watch the show.”
    “And Melody?”
    “Played peacemaker for a while, but when the two of them got going, it wasn’t any use.” She sighed. “Truth is, they’re too much alike. Both of them, so hardheaded. So sure they’re right and everyone else is always wrong.”
    “I should be going, Maddie. I didn’t want to intrude. I just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you.”
    “Thank you, Emma. I know my doctor wants me to talk to you…professionally. I just don’t know if I’m ready for that.”
    “Of course not. Let yourself get through the next few weeks, maybe even the next few months. Lean on your family. Go visit Melody, maybe. It might be good for you to be with her for the holidays.”
    “That would be nice.”
    “I’m here for you, Maddie. If you want to come see me, that’s fine. If you’d feel more comfortable talking to someone else, don’t wait because you think you’ll hurt my feelings. I just want