Heath and his family were the first to arrive the morning of the funeral. Since this was not a working day on the ranch, schedules and everyday expectations were eased and breakfast was served buffet style. Jarrod and his family soon arrived, as well. All wore the clothes of mourning: the women in black, the men in dark suits, and even the youngest children wore black armbands. Audra had not yet joined the family for breakfast but she was up and getting ready, Carrie reported. Carrie had been flattered and excited when Audra asked for her help getting dressed. Audra wore a long sleeved chemise under her corset. Carrie assumed this was a fashion trend and made a note to get one for herself.
There was little talk at the table and though Jarrod tried to start a congenial conversation or two, no one felt much like talking today.
Emily couldn't relax. Between anticipating Victoria's funeral, making sure the house was ready for guests, and still deeply troubled by last night's revelation, she could not sit still. She flitted in and out of the dining room, checking on food preparation in the kitchen, making sure for the hundredth time that the parlor was arranged just right, that the flowers weren't wilting. And always her thoughts returned to Audra and they made her heart ache and her blood boil. It seemed the more she thought about Audra, the less she knew what to do.
In the parlor, Emily stood at Victoria's coffin and, looking down upon the woman's face, hoped that by some miracle Victoria would guide her to help Audra.
In her peripheral vision, she saw Audra crossing above in the upstairs hallway and when she was on the stairs Emily looked up to greet her. Audra's black dress was the latest fashion, made of silk crepe, and Emily considered for a moment how extensive Audra's wardrobe must be that she wouldn't need to buy a mourning dress. Emily knew she hadn't had the time to do so and, anyway, Emily knew that was not a ready-made dress. The two women exchanged sad smiles as Audra glided past the parlor and into the dining room, greeted by warm voices. Emily waited a few minutes before joining the family.
She stood in the doorway of the dining room and observed how somber yet normal everyone seemed. Will sat next to a fidgety Julia and kept her distracted with stories and counting games. Nick and Tom talked in low voices about upcoming ranch work. And Audra looked appropriately sad but perfectly normal. One would never guess at the secret she kept.
So lost in thought, Emily was visibly startled when she realized Jane was speaking to her.
"Emily," she said, "please sit down and join us."
Emily sat down and stared at the food on her plate. She thought she would cry right then and there listening to Audra's gentle voice talking with her admiring nieces.
Nick stared at his wife who had been so characteristically calm and efficient over the past two days and now looked worried, even frightened.
Heath looked at Nick staring, then at Emily, then over to Jarrod, who, along with Jane, had also noticed how distracted Emily was.
"Emily," Jarrod said, "I think you've done a wonderful job of hosting all of us and preparing for Mother's funeral." Other voices added their assent to Jarrod's statement but Emily didn't notice.
Pappy! Emily thought. Jarrod will know what to do about Audra. She decided she would talk to Jarrod. Today.