Page 15

Tori cringed. Lowering her voice so hopefully no one else would hear, she whispered, “Look, since I’m sure you’ve been dealing with the family, you understand them. I’m here for Nadine and Nadine alone. This is my job.”

Miranda jerked her head slightly. “And my job is to protect sacred time with the family.”

“Who’s your boss?” Maybe this tactic would work. Surely if Miranda was handing out pamphlets she wasn’t that high up in management.

Miranda flicked her gaze again. “Hannah, do you mind taking over for a minute?”

“No problem.” There was a handoff of tasks as a young woman stepped into Miranda’s place.

Miranda snagged Tori’s upper arm and pulled her toward the offices just off to the side. They stepped inside, and she shut the door. “I won’t have you making a scene in front of the family.”

“Those are friends of the family. You just told me the family was gathered already.” Tori wanted Miranda to stop touching her, but her grasp was firm, her hand warm. Tori looked down at her fingers, the thinness of them, the veins on the top of her hand. Why couldn’t she stop looking at Miranda? This was getting ridiculous.

“I won’t let you be here if you’re going to disturb the services.”

“I’m not going to disturb them.” Tori stood her ground. “I’m here to support Nadine. I’m her life coach, and she asked me to be here because of the tensions between her and her family.”

Miranda snorted. “Life coach?”

“Yes.” Tori again looked at Miranda’s thin fingers on her.

“This is insane.”

“It is, because you’re refusing to let me do my job.” Tori slowed herself down. She couldn’t let Miranda get under skin. “Can I talk to the funeral director?”

“You are talking to her.”

Perfect. Tori’s stomach swam with nerves. “Look, please just let me do my job. My goal is to help prevent drama today. I think we can both agree that’s a reasonable and needed goal.”

Miranda rubbed her lips together, as if she were mulling it over. Tori’s hope ratcheted up a notch with each passing second. Finally, Miranda let go of her arm and stepped back. “Fine.”

“Fine?” Tori raised an eyebrow. Had she really won that easily?

“I don’t have time to argue with you today. We’re shorthanded, and I need to do the final viewing with the family and close the casket. You’ll have to excuse me.” Miranda was gone in a flash, a wake of frustration and confidence left behind her.

Tori blew out a breath, ruffling the baby hairs that haloed her face. Since one problem was out of the way, she could finally focus on Nadine. Finding her friend was easier said than done. But once Nadine had a hold of her hand, she wasn’t letting go. Tori was glad she’d stood up for herself. Normally she would have backed down, and to be honest, she was surprised Miranda let her get away with it.

Miranda was fully in her element, and it could very well be one of the most beautiful things Tori had ever witnessed. She moved swiftly and efficiently, every sign of confidence in her actions and gait. Tori had to work hard to tear her gaze away from her.

As everything wound down and the reception started, Nadine let go of Tori’s hand and gave her a moment to breathe. She flexed her fingers and took a steadying breath. She wasn’t used to quite this intensity of emotions. She wasn’t sure how Miranda managed it every day, but that could also explain a lot.

“I’m going to run to the bathroom. Will you be okay?” Tori whispered to Nadine, hoping for a bit of a longer break.

“Yeah. Sure.”

Tori escaped down a hallway she hoped was the way to the bathroom but also the way outside. It was raining heavily, but she needed the breath of fresh, clean, crisp air. Anything to give her a moment of reprieve. Just as she was about to step outside, a sharp movement caught her attention. Miranda straightened her shoulders, dropping her gaze over the black A-line dress Tori had dug out from the back of her closet that morning.

“Not bad looking for a life coach.”

“Excuse me?” Tori was instantly grinning. That sounded like a compliment, but she was almost afraid to take it that way.

“I like your dress.” Miranda’s eyes were locked on hers for a brief moment before dropping to her breasts and then back up. Was Miranda checking her out?

“Thank you.” Tori faced her fully. “Are you relaxed now that the work is done?”

“Working in death means the work is never done.”

“Same goes for life.” Tori canted her head to the side, crossing her arms. This was quite easily the most relaxed she had ever seen Miranda.