Each day added another millstone around Rachel’s neck. Images of Brennan and Jacque in a fiery forest streamed through her mind—memories by day and dreams at night, horrible dreams that burned with bright orange flames. She moved through her days trying to appear normal. She was failing, of course. Even Mrs. Ashford spoke in a gentler voice to her. Did everyone guess that she walked around feeling half dead? And why? In spite of her unrelenting anguish, Rachel had baked all morning. The town was holding two memorial services today. Almeria and Old Saul had expired hunkered down during the terrible storm, perhaps their hearts could not survive the stress, no one knew for sure. Noah had asked everyone to attend to honor and bid farewell to the dead and to give thanks that no one nearby had been injured or killed by the terrible storm that had raged over them. After the funeral would be a meal to spend time together, sharing memories and comforting the mourning.
