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“Everyone ready to go?” Jeb asked loudly All eyes in the roohtened as they steeled theo to Jeb’s truck Brody’s hand on Jeb’s shoulder stopped him

“Mom would want you to ride in the family car She wouldn’t have it any other way”

“If you say so,” Jeb replied, nodding slightly He helped Sadie into the back seat and then climbed in hiainst the farSarah sat in the middle Brody sat on the other side John sat up front next to the driver Lou buckled Sarah in to thethe back Brody lifted his arht his when his fingers slid between her own She squeezed his hand gently and smiled softly at him

Sadie squeezed Jeb’s thigh in the backseat He patted her hand in return

Brody and John forreet the visitors Sadie and Jeb played host and hostess, shaking hands and giving teary hugs to friends and fale with the crowd, not sure what to do with herself

She felt Brody’s arm slip around her waist He whispered in her ear, “Come and stand by me?” His hand slid froed her hand, urging her to ith him

She protested, “But I’m not family”

“You were to her and you are to htly and allowed herself to be placed between Brody and John He smiled the unabashed smile of a ten-year-old “I have to admit I need someone to tell me who all these people are It’s been more than ten years since I have seen most of them”

Friends, family, and ishers all came to pay their respects to the late Mrs Wester They sobbed, they laughed and they all spoke of what a fine woman she was She had numerous friends and acquaintances frohboring farot choked up when friends spoke of how h and quick wit Brody had his cheeks pinched by the old dowagers and even had his bottom pinched by an old friend from school

Heat crept up her cheeks as Brody’s eyes caught hers He knew must have known she had seen the pinch After the visitor had passed, he whispered, “Do you knoho that was?”

“Melinda Campbell frorowled

“That’s little Millie? No way!” He cast an appreciative glance in Melinda’s direction “She sure has filled out Last tilanced over in her direction again

“I guess she’s cute if you like buck teeth and a wide behind,” Lou mumbled

“What did you say?” Brody asked

“Nothing” She planted a fake smile on her face