AS PEOPLE LEFT THE church, and Mina breathed deeply, forcing her shoulders down. Aunt June served as the family representative, shaking hands, receiving the murmur of kind words from the last of the attendees, with Ren and the priest beside her. Nicole was telling Maggie and Liam a story, leaving Hana free to kneel beside the casket. Her hands rested on the polished wood, her forehead on top of her hands.
Mina stepped towards the front of the church when fingers touched her shoulder. Her head spun around to glare at the offender. Mr. Whitaker took a step back, and Mina rearranged her face into a less feral expression.
"Mr. Whitaker. Good of you to come."
"I'm terribly—"
Mina lifted a hand. "I've had my fill of condolences today, if it's all the same to you."
Mr. Whitaker tipped his he
