“You have been back there then?” Kari shook her head. “You should return. They would come to you quicker than they would a stranger. It is something that we cling to if our lives were taken with much violence. I would take another with you, just to be safe, but I would think no harm would come to you from them.”
“I’ll try.” Emil looked at Aster again, and Kari watched them both. She could tell that the spirit was in awe of the younger woman, but she never made any attempt to speak to Billy. She wondered if he was hurt by it, but he didn’t appear to be. When Emil looked at her, Kari could see the determination there and almost felt sorry for her mistress. Kari would bet anything that Bethany would be here sooner rather than later.
“I still don’t fully trust you.” Kari nodded at Emil, expecting this if only because she was married to a Bennett. “I’ll tell her what I’ve found. I would like to have met the younger Bennett, but he is not here.”
“No. He and the others are working. They are on a site where nineteen bodies have been located. They’re working to help identify them as well as give the people there closure.” Emil nodded but said nothing. “I will have him here when you can convince Bethany to come to see us.”
“I didn’t say I would.” Kari only nodded. “If she were to come, and I’m not saying she will, what is it you want from her? She has nothing to add to his life.”
“Oh, but you’re wrong there. She has everything to add to his life. Mine too. We want her to be a part of our lives if she’s willing. Have a chance to get to know her and let her get to know us. There are so many gaps in Steele’s life that I know that he’d like to have filled in.” Emil said nothing, but Kari knew that she was listening. “You as well. As far as we’re concerned, you’re as much our family as Bethany is. More if I’m correct in thinking you’ve kept her from joining you.” If Emil was shocked by the words, she didn’t show it.
“She had no life, she thought. Nothing. That man…her husband was a good man and didn’t need to die so young. But things happen that way and no one can know why. Then the baby…there was no saving it when she took ill. Her depression was so deep it was as if she had fallen into a pit of tar, and it was almost too hard for her to fight her way out. After a time, I thought her to be getting better. Then that man Bennett came into her life and took everything again. More I think. But to have thought all these years that her child, her only child, had died too was nearly too much for her. She is not the same person that she was, even after the baby and husband had passed.” Kari wasn’t sure what to think when Emil came toward her. Billy stood nearby, but he didn’t interfere with them. Emil put her hand on Kari’s heart. “I can feel your love for her. You’ve no idea of her, and yet you love her.”
“I do. Her son is my life. Her grandchild, when we have one, will be my life as well. I need her. I need her more than I need anything, because she’s a part of the lives we’ve lived. Without her, none of this, none of us would be here.”
Emil stared at her for so long that Kari wondered if she was looking into her soul. When she smiled, it was as if she’d lit up the room with it, even the world. There was so much understanding in that smile that Kari smiled as well.
“I shall bring her to you. It will not be easy nor will she be happy, but I will bring her to you.” Kari, too overwhelmed with emotion to speak, nodded. “You will have her son here? He’ll not hide away from her?”
“No. He’s not hiding now but working. He’ll be here. I promise you, we’ll all be here.” Emil looked at Billy and walked toward him. He only smiled, but Kari knew the man well enough to know he was nervous.
“You’ll be here as well?” Billy nodded. “She knows you’re dead. I’ve asked her to summon you so that she could talk to you, but she was…. Her life has not been a good one these past years. She might have needed her daddy, but didn’t want to disturb your rest.”
“I wish I could have been there for her. And I will rest when she is safe and happy.” Emil nodded. “Could you tell her that I love her? Tell her that after all this time thinking her dead, it is wonderful for me to be able to see her again?”
“I shall. Will you do me a favor as well?” Billy nodded. “When she comes here, could you please welcome her to your place of rest? She will want to visit you, but to be welcomed there…it will be good for her.”
“I shall.” Kari wondered what that meant, to be welcome to the cemetery, but Emil nodded and disappeared before she could ask her. Billy must have known because he smiled at her. “She wishes to visit my grave and stay for a while.”