was pure goodness—a generous, sweet, thoughtful girl. I don’t know a single person who ever had a bad word to say about her, and I feel honored to have been her friend for most of her life.”
His rueful smile tugged at Eden’s heart and nearly brought her to tears. She wasn’t sure how he kept his composure, but there was no hint of the emotion he’d displayed earlier in the car.
“I fell in love with Josie when she was six and I was seven, and she’ll always hold a special place in my heart. During the years we spent together, she made me a better person, and she continues to do so every day. When I’m frustrated or angry, I’ll ask myself how Josie would handle the situation. The answer is always with grace and courage. I try to live up to her example.” He stopped speaking to glance over the gathering. “Josie isn’t gone. The best part of her lives on in all of us.”
The preacher patted his shoulder. “Thank you for that, Blake. Let’s all take a moment to pray.”
Eden tuned him out. When Blake returned to his place beside Priscilla, she clung to his arm while tears ran down her cheeks. Long minutes later, the preacher concluded the service with a solemn Amen.
After offering Josie’s sister hugs or handshakes of condolence, the crowd dispersed. Most spoke to Blake, but only a few approached the older man. He made a single attempt to speak to Pricilla, and when she abruptly turned her back, he shuffled away. As he passed Eden, she reached out a hand to touch the sleeve of his blue shirt. An empty gaze met hers.
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you, but I made my peace with losing Josie years ago. I shouldn’t have come today.” He turned abruptly and headed toward a battered pickup parked on the street.
When Eden pulled her attention away from the dejected slump of the man’s shoulders, Blake was headed in her direction with Priscilla at his side. Strong emotions flashed across Josie’s sister’s face as she pressed pale lips into a thin line. Grief. Anger. Regret.
“Eden, I’d like you to meet Priscilla Lewis. Pris, this is a friend of mine, Eden Wilde. We’re currently filming on her family’s ranch.”
“You have my deepest sympathies.” Eden held out her hand.
The other woman shook it briefly, gave her a half-smile and muttered what might have been a thank you before tilting her head back to look up at Blake. “Are you sure you can’t spend the night? I’m just…I don’t know what to do with myself.” A tearful rush of breath left her. “I was counting on you staying at least a little while.”
“I’m sorry, Pris, but we’re filming tomorrow. The jet’s scheduled to fly out of Boise first thing in the morning, so we’ll spend the night there.”
“Can we at least have supper before you leave? I couldn’t face planning a big reception, but neighbors have been dropping off food ever since—” Her voice broke, and it took her a moment to gather her composure. “I have more food in the house than I can eat.”
Pity flashed through his eyes before he glanced over at Eden. “Do you mind staying? If we eat early and leave by five, we’ll get back in plenty of time.”
“Of course.” She gave Pris a hesitant smile. “Thank you for offering your hospitality.”
“I’m happy to, but I don’t understand.” Confusion filled her eyes. “You have an appointment in Boise tonight? Something more important than honoring Josie?”
Blake hesitated before speaking, and his lips tightened. “I’m catching up with a good buddy who’ll be in town.”
“You have friends here.”
“I do, and I told Bob and Andy I’d shoot a round of pool with them down at the Watering Hole this afternoon and talk about old times. If you don’t mind having a meal around four, we’ll stop by then. I do want to help you, Pris. We can talk about what you have in mind for your own future.”
She nodded. “I’m sorry I pushed. I realize you’re important and have demands on your time, but I don’t know who else to turn to.”
He let out a sigh then patted her shoulder. “We’ll be by the house a little later. Is your father staying with you?”
She glanced up, and her hazel eyes flashed. “I told him he wasn’t welcome. Not that he even bothered to ask…” Her shoulders hunched. “I guess I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”
With a nod, Blake placed a hand on Eden’s back and guided her across the well-kept grass toward the street. He didn’t say a word until they were in the car and he’d started the engine. “Want to go take a walk? We have some time before we head over to the bar to meet my buddies.”
“Sounds great. I could use the exercise.”
“I just need to clear my head. The service was…rough. Then Pris—” He clamped his lips together and pulled out onto the street.
The other woman was needy and…lost, but Eden sympathized with the situation Pris faced. “You have to cut her some slack, Blake. Her whole life has revolved around caring for her sister. Sounds to me like she wants you to fill the void left by Josie’s death, or at least tell her what to do next.”
“I know, but I can’t be her savior…or her crutch. She’s going to have to exercise a little initiative. Find a job or take some classes. Whatever.”
“I agree, but I feel sorry for her. Maybe right now time away from Blue Valley and all the reminders would help her.”
He glanced over as he turned off the street onto a dirt road. When the low-slung car ground over a pothole, he winced. “You mean she should take a vacation?”
“Something like that. I doubt she’d be comfortable going to Hawaii or Disneyland or any other tourist destination by herself. My guess is she has little travel experience.”
“You’ve got that right. I’m not sure Pris has ever left Oregon.”
“So, low key would be better.” Eden frowned as the ideas floating around in her brain came together. “What if we invite her to the ranch for a week or so? She could finish up whatever she needs to do here then drive to Wyoming sometime soon. She can watch the filming while she makes plans for her future.”
“You mean stay with me in my bus?” He pulled to a stop near the end of a driveway leading to a white craftsman house and a couple of outbuildings. “I’m not sure that’s a great idea. For starters, she’d drive me crazy.”
“We have a spare room in the barn near my workshop. She could have her own space there without intruding on yours or feeling awkward, which I imagine would be the case if I offered her a guest room in the house.”
His brow furrowed. “You think this is a good idea?”
Eden nodded. “Right now, she has no direction. If you walk away from her this afternoon without looking back, she’s going to feel like a dog that’s been dumped at the end of a road and abandoned.”
Blake winced. “Knowing Pris, I was afraid this would happen. I don’t want to drag out her dependence on me too long, though.”
“You said there’s a junior college somewhere around here?” At his nod, she continued, “I’m sure she can sign up for the fall session online. I can help her with that if she’s interested.”
“Fine, I’ll make the suggestion. This is awfully nice of you, Eden.”
She shrugged. “I never could resist taking in a stray or helping an injured animal. And that young woman is wounded.” She waved a hand and changed the subject. “Did we stop here for a reason?”
“Yep.” He pointed down the driveway. “That was my home growing up. Not much when you compare it to my Malibu beach house, but I never lacked for the necessities or support from my family.”
“That’s