The Horse Soldier: Beginnings Series Book 10 Read Free Page A

words of comfort. I could read passage after passage but that isn’t what we need. We need to feel Frank. We need to share in memories. That is why we have this memorial service. So . . . because I’ve known Frank and have been a member of the community for quite some time, I have taken the liberty to ask a few of you to share some words about Frank. Eulogize him as only you can do.” Reverend Bob stepped back and took his seat.
     
    Ellen and Robbie’s heads immediately swayed to each other when Dan, one of Frank’s most trusted Security men, gripped emotionally to the edges of the podium, lowered his head, heaved his shoulders, and let out a single long sob.
    Dan sniffled loudly and long and then raised his head. He ran his hand down his reddened face. “I’m sorry.” He held up his hand. “It’s just a very . . . it’s an emotional time for me. I guess it didn’t seem real until today.” He let out a heavy breath. “I kept hoping to see him come back.” Dan’s lip quivered. “When I first came to Beginnings, and I was one of the first survivors here, Frank . . . he saw something in me. He took me under his wing. I thought, sorry Ellen, I thought when I first met him he was one of the meanest men I had ever encountered in my entire life. But when you got to know Frank, you saw that he had a heart as big as he was. He taught me how to do things I never thought I could. He taught me how to take care of myself and anyone I’m around. I loved Frank and I’m gonna miss him. This community will never be the same without him, but I’m sure there’s always gonna be a little bit of Frank hanging around.” Closing his mouth tightly, Dan stepped from the pulpit and walked to Ellen. He extended his hand and gripped hers. As Dan looked at her, he lost it again, crying as he made his way back to his seat.
    Ellen whispered into Robbie. “Frank will never let him live that down.” She felt Dean’s arm move from around her and curiously Ellen watched Dean stand up. “Shit.” She whispered and looked at Robbie. “Dean?”
    Dean stood silently before everyone. “I promise not to bore you with anything medical.” He brought from everyone a light rumble of emotional chuckles. He cleared his throat. “When Reverend Bob came to me yesterday morning and asked if I would speak second today about Frank, I . . . I kind of laughed. Frank and Dean being used in the same sentence usually meant impending disaster, but then I started thinking.” Dean leaned on the podium. His wrists rested against the edge of it and he spoke relaxed. “I thought, what would I say? I thought this after the laugh and then I got serious. Someone once told me there is a fine line between love and hate and for as much as I hated him at times, I guess . . . I guess I loved him too. I never realized how much life and spirit he brought to me until now.” Dean paused. “I miss him. I miss his walking into my lab and calling out my name really loudly to make me drop things. I miss his fighting with me over Ellen. I miss his telling me I had little-man-attitude. Without Frank being around, his children will miss knowing one hell of a father. There is nothing I wouldn’t do, if I could bring him back. Beginnings is not the same without Frank. None of us are the same without Frank.” Dean straightened up. There were strong sniffles in the chapel. He walked solemnly down and sat next to Ellen.
    “Oh Dean.” She kissed him on the cheek. “That was really nice.”
    “I wrote it yesterday before I knew what I knew,” he whispered to Ellen. “Don’t worry. I do want him back, even if it is just to kill him for kidnapping you.” Dean patted her hand then looked up when Henry stood before the congregation.
     
    “Frank.” Henry spoke his name. “He was my best friend. I knew him well. A lot of people really didn’t know Frank, probably because they didn’t like him.” Henry shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess if you look at it, you can see