Page 3 of Delivery After Dark (Gansett Island #28)

H e’d debated whether to have the funeral in the first place and had engaged in a full-on argument with himself about doing a eulogy. Now that he stood before the packed gathering, Morgan Weyland wished he’d asked someone else to speak about Billy.

He’d decided to have the service because that’s what his late mother would’ve wanted. So he’d done it for her—and for Billy and the many people who’d loved him.

“I want to start by thanking you all for coming today and for the way you’ve stepped up for me over these last few surreal months.

As many of you know, Billy and I were raised on here on Gansett, along with our late sister, Amanda.

Unlike my sister and me, Billy loved this island with his whole heart and soul, and while Amanda and I were plotting our escape, he was figuring out a way to stay forever.

He founded the gym right out of high school in the hope that it would allow him to live here forever.

“Billy, congratulations on achieving that goal. You did it, pal. You spent your entire life on this island you loved with all your heart. After spending these last few months here with all of you, I can see why Billy loved it so much and had no desire to leave. It’s been a reminder to me that even if I wanted out of here as a kid, it’s always been a special place made up of incredible people who show up in good times and in bad.

“Thank you for the meals, the cards, the endless support, the kind words about Billy and for everything you’ve done to prop me up during the awful days when we were looking for him and every day since we found him.

“If my brother were here, I’d punch him in the face for putting me through this.”

The congregation laughed, as he’d hoped they would.

“We were always wrestling, trying to outdo each other, tripping each other and generally acting like fools when we were together.

We drove our poor parents crazy with the bickering, trying to one-up each other, constantly competing to see who could do what stupid thing better, faster or with less blood.

“We spent a lot of time in the island’s clinic when we were growing up. Billy held the record for the most stitches, while I was the broken-bone champion. We wore those titles with honor and considered them proof of a well-spent childhood.”

Morgan paused to contend with the lump that suddenly appeared in his throat. Please, Ma, help me get through this and not bawl my head off in front of all these people. I’m doing this for you…

“Our sister, Amanda, died from meningitis when she was in college. Over the next five years, we lost both of our parents to accidents. For a time there, it felt like the universe was out to get us, but Billy and I… We hung on to each other and got through it. Somehow. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to get through this without him to hang on to.

He was my best friend, my favorite person to annoy and the only one in the world I talked to every day.

That’s how I knew for sure he was gone. He stopped answering the phone and texting me back.

He’d never do that to me unless he had no choice. ”

A few people sniffed, and he saw tissues being passed around.

“Billy worked his butt off establishing the island’s only gym and made a huge success of it.

I was so proud of him, and I’m thankful now that I told him so every chance I got.

Like many of you, who, like me, grew up here and escaped to the mainland as soon as we could, the island looks different to me as an adult.

I loved coming out here to spend a weekend with Billy.

I’ll cherish those memories forever. A lot of you have asked what I plan to do with the gym, and for now, the only plan I have is to keep it open because that’s what he’d want me to do.

I’m taking it day by day, week by week, so I guess I’ll just say we’ll see what happens for now.

“I’ll never know what possessed Billy and Jim to try to ride out a hurricane on a boat, but if I know Billy, he was worried about losing the boat he loved and didn’t want to be out there alone.

They probably figured they could muscle through it together.

I can’t bear to think of what they went through…

I’m not a very religious person, but if there’s an afterlife, I hope Billy is with the ones we’ve loved and lost.

“Thank you again for being here for Billy—and for me—and for reminding me why my brother loved it here. I’ll never forget how you all took care of me during one of the worst times in my life.”

He wiped away tears as he left the lectern and made his way back to his front-row seat. As he went, his gaze connected with Billy’s friend Sierra, who was openly sobbing as Duke Sullivan comforted her.

He’d gotten to know her a little as she’d brought meals to the gym, each time asking if there was anything she could do to help him.

While he’d appreciated her kindness, he also found himself looking forward to her visits, as she was not only sweet and kind but also one of the sexiest women he’d ever met.

Not that he had time for such thoughts while figuring out how to run a gym and dealing with his brother’s estate, among many other current challenges, including his own job, which had been put on hold when his brother went missing in the storm.

He’d have to make a decision about that situation before too much longer, but that didn’t need to happen today.

The last time Sierra had come by the gym, she’d left a gift certificate for a massage at the time of his choosing.

She’d put a note in it to let her know when he was ready, and she’d find the time.

He wasn’t sure he’d be able to handle having her hands all over him, which was a thought he absolutely should not be having as Reverend Banks led them through prayers for Billy’s eternal soul.

Morgan was still trying to decide whether he wanted to keep Billy’s ashes with him or inter him with their parents and sister on the mainland. If he had to guess, he’d bet Billy would want to be on the island somewhere, so maybe he’d sprinkle the ashes in some of his brother’s favorite places.

All at once, he was awash in tears at the thought of dealing with what was left of his brother.

He wanted Billy here with him, not in an urn on the mantel or lost to a stiff breeze.

How could he have risked his life when he knew Morgan had no one else?

How could he have left him to face the rest of his life alone?

What was he supposed to do now? Billy had poured everything he had into the gym, and the thought of closing it was almost as heartbreaking as losing Billy.

He couldn’t let that happen.

But at some point, he had to get back to his own life. His boss had been supportive, telling Morgan to take whatever time he needed and that the job would be there when he was ready to return, but his patience would run out eventually.

After the service, Morgan stood by the door and greeted everyone who’d come to pay respects to Billy. He’d had so many friends, most of them through the gym, but there were fishing friends, poker friends, softball friends and others who’d helped to search for him.

“Let us know if we can do anything for you, Morgan,” his high school classmate—and onetime baseball teammate—Mac McCarthy said when he and his wife, Maddie, stopped to say hello. After she’d brought a meal to the gym, one of the guys had told him she and Mac had five young kids at home.

“Appreciate all your help so far, and thank you for the food. This community doesn’t mess around when it comes to helping others.”

“That’s one of the things we love best about Gansett,” Maddie said. “We’re all in it together out here.”

“That’s what Billy said, too. Being here again has brought back a lot of memories.”

“He’ll be missed,” Mac said. “And you have been, too. I hate the reason for it, but it’s nice to have you back in town. Let’s get together and have a beer when you catch your breath.”

“I’d like that. Thank you so much for coming.”

Mac’s parents, Big Mac and Linda, were right behind them with hugs and offers of help. Big Mac had been his and Billy’s Boy Scout leader once upon a time. They were followed by Ned Saunders and his wife, Francine.

The people kept coming. Some he knew, others he met for the first time, all of them with something kind to say about Billy and generous offers to help him with anything he needed.

“Everyone is so nice,” he said to Jace Carson, who’d been one of Billy’s good friends at the gym.

“That’s Gansett for you.” Jace put his arm around his fiancée, Cindy Lawry.

They’d checked on him daily since Billy went missing and had been steadfast in their support as he planned the memorial service.

“Everyone is heading over to the Beachcomber for drinks in Billy’s honor, if you feel up to joining us. ”

He’d closed the gym for the day since most of the patrons were planning to attend the service. “That sounds better than cleaning out Billy’s stuff and figuring out what he did with all the important paperwork. His filing system makes no sense whatsoever.”

“That’ll keep until tomorrow,” Cindy said. “Come with us. Be with people who care.”

He glanced back at the church, which was now empty except for Reverend Banks, who was straightening up the altar.

Where had Sierra gone? She hadn’t stopped to see him on the way out.

Would she be at the Beachcomber with the others?

And why did that matter? It didn’t. He had enough to deal with as it was.

The last thing he needed was additional complications—and that woman had complicated written all over her gorgeous self.

But he didn’t want to be alone after the emotional service, so he nodded to Jace and Cindy. “Sure,” he said. “Let’s go.”