Read Online Texas Hunt by Barb Han - Free Book Online Page B

couldn’t afford to allow herself to feel about her father’s death threatened to explode. The inside of her head felt like raging storm clouds gathering, clinging thickly in the air, making it difficult to think.
    Her father’s body had already been identified. At least she didn’t have to do that. Oh, but Lori had and Lisa hated that her baby sister had been the one to do it. Even worse was that Lisa had been in the hospital and Lori had had to deal with it alone. Ever since their mother had died, it had always been the two of them together, supporting each other through their dad’s antics. Lisa had stepped up to try and fill their mother’s shoes.
    The door was locked, so Ryan tapped on the glass.
    An older man appeared from down a hallway, waving and smiling. He opened the door and shook each of their hands, beginning with Lisa’s.
    â€œPlease come inside. I’m pleased to meet both of you. My name is Arthur.” His spoke in a soft, even tone. He was a short man in his late fifties. He wore a simple suit with a button-down shirt and no tie.
    Inside, the walls were painted taupe, a calming color, and the decor was simple. There was a cherrywood desk with matching bookcase and cabinets. The leather executive chair was tucked into the desk. It was eerily quiet and no one else appeared to be inside the building.
    â€œThank you for agreeing to meet this late,” Lisa said. “I’m Lisa and this is my friend Ryan. I believe you two spoke on the phone.”
    â€œIt’s my pleasure to assist you in putting your loved one to rest.” Arthur’s hands were clasped, his shoulders slightly rounded.
    He isn’t at rest , Lisa thought, he’s dead . Tension tightened the muscles in her shoulders and back. Arthur was being polite, doing his job, so it wasn’t him causing her to tense up. Maybe it was the thought that her father didn’t have to be...gone.
    She took in a deep breath and refocused.
    â€œPlease, follow me.” Arthur turned and then walked down the hallway, stopping at the second door on the right. There was a Bible verse written on one wall that she remembered from her childhood. On the other was a poster that read Celebrate the Life of Your Loved One. Ask Your Representative for Details.
    Two chairs sat opposite the cherrywood desk in Arthur’s office. Ryan helped her to the nearest one. He bent down so only she could hear him and said, “You say the word and we’re outta here.”
    She nodded slightly.
    He took a seat next to her, and then turned so that he was facing her more than Arthur, bent forward and clasped his hands together. The older man seemed unfazed and she imagined he’d seen stranger things. She glanced backward toward the door, not liking that she didn’t have a clear view.
    There was a small table between her and Ryan with a few brochures promoting add-on services like all-maple caskets and the use of their on-site chapel for viewing along with a tissue box.
    Arthur clasped his hands, mimicking Ryan’s gesture, and placed them on top of the solid desk.
    â€œHow may I assist you today?” he asked, his voice calm and soothing.
    â€œMy father wanted to be cremated.” Those six words threatened to unleash a torrent of tears.
    Arthur nodded, gave another compassionate look. As genuine as he seemed, he’d probably done this thousands of times over the course of his career. He’d seen an equal number of grieving families bury someone they loved.
    Lisa opened her mouth to speak but was silenced by a noise that sounded from behind. Ryan turned at the same time she did, watching the hallway.
    â€œIt’s probably nothing. Fred, our groundskeeper, is still here working,” Arthur dismissed the interruption, focusing on Lisa again.
    â€œStay right here.” Ryan was already on his feet by the time they heard a second noise.
    Lisa didn’t want to wait. Besides, the thought of Ryan