Harlequin Love Inspired March 2021--Box Set 1 of 2

by Marta Perry

  What would make her happy?

  He tapped the steering wheel with his thumbs. She never expected appreciation. She acted like being in the shadows was fine.

  Well, it wasn’t fine. He wanted her to know down to the last detail how much he appreciated her. He wanted to shout to the entire town that this woman was a priceless jewel.

  Maybe he had something to offer that no one else had.

  Pure love for her.

  Devotion.

  Commitment.

  Lord, I need that woman. My girls do, too. How can I show her? How can I get through to her?

  And it hit him.

  “I’ve got an idea, girls.” He glanced at them through the rearview mirror. “Why don’t we throw a surprise party for Auntie Eden?”

  They exchanged excited looks and squealed. “Yes!”

  “I’ll have to make some calls. I don’t know if she’s busy.”

  “I love parties!” Ivy clapped her hands.

  “We need cake!” Harper kicked the seat in front of her.

  He pulled into his drive, mentally listing everyone he needed to contact. Hopefully they’d be free. He’d ask Gabby to get Eden to his house. Nicole might be willing to contribute dessert. Mason could help grill burgers…

  Ryder didn’t have much time. He didn’t want to wait a day, a week or a month. He was doing this now.

  His lips curved into a grin.

  And it just might work.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  It was after six when Eden gave herself a final look-over in the mirror. She’d curled her hair, carefully applied her makeup and found a pretty short-sleeved blouse to wear with her favorite dark jeans. After driving home from her special place earlier, she’d stretched out on her bed and fallen into a deep sleep. When she’d woken, she’d been confused, then realized it was still Saturday, and she did indeed still need to take charge of her life.

  She was going over to Ryder’s.

  Speaking of… She went into the kitchen where she’d left her phone earlier. She wanted to make sure he’d be home before driving there. She had so much to say.

  Her phone showed three missed calls and two texts from Gabby. Hopefully, there wasn’t an emergency. Her heartbeat thudded as she checked them.

  Are you busy tonight? I need to talk.

  Then Call or text me when you get this.

  Weird. Gabby wasn’t one to be dramatic. Something serious must have happened.

  Eden called her. Gabby answered after the first ring. “Where have you been?”

  “Napping. Why?” She closed her eyes tightly, silently praying that nothing bad had happened.

  “Oh, good. I, uh, needed to talk to you. Are you busy tonight?”

  “Kind of…” She should confide in Gabby, but she didn’t know what to say.

  “Can you cancel your plans?” Gabby sounded worked up.

  “What’s going on, Gabby? You’re scaring me.”

  “I am? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I just need some advice.”

  “Okay.”

  “I’ll pick you up. We can go out to dinner. It will give me an excuse to wear something besides yoga pants. I’ll be there in five.”

  The line went dead. What had just happened? How had she gone from worrying about an emergency to going out to dinner with Gabby? In thirty seconds, no less?

  She sighed. Her plans to talk to Ryder could wait until dinner was over. Maybe it would be better that way. If she got to his place later, the girls might be asleep, and she’d be able to talk to him privately.

  Five minutes later, Gabby arrived looking bouncy and cheerful. This all felt very strange.

  “Ooh, I love that shirt. You look really pretty, Eden.”

  “Thanks, so do you.”

  They walked to Gabby’s car and got inside. As she drove, Gabby kept up a steady stream of commentary about the cute bathing suit she’d found online for Phoebe and the new bedspread she’d bought.

  Gabby took a right at the stop sign, and Eden turned to her. “Hey, you went the wrong way.”

  “No, I didn’t. We have to make a side trip first. Sorry.” She shrugged, then launched into how she and Dylan had decided it was time to try for a baby.

  “A baby? Really?” Eden perked up. “I hope you get pregnant right away. Just think, Phoebe will have a little brother or sister.”

  “I know, right?” Gabby’s cheeks were flushed as she smiled. “Will you pray for us?”

  “Always.”

  As they chatted about babies, Eden’s nerves got jittery. Maybe after she talked to Ryder, he would still want to date her. Maybe he’d even fall in love with her at some point. And what if they got married? One day it would be her turn to tell Gabby they were trying to have a baby.

  Her palms grew clammy. So much depended on tonight’s conversation. Maybe she should ask Gabby to turn around. Or confide in her about her feelings for Ryder. Ask her to take a rain check on dinner?

  The countryside grew familiar. Why were they pulling in to the ranch?

  “Um, Gabby?”

  “Yes?” Her innocent expression didn’t fool Eden.

  “Why are we at Ryder’s?”

  She drove up the driveway and parked. Then she opened her door and waved for her to follow. “Come on.”

  “I’ll wait out here.” Eden stayed in the passenger seat.

  “Look, I didn’t want to say anything, but Mason called me earlier and said the twins were upset this morning when he and Brittany watched them. I’m dropping off a little care package for them. But I think a word and a hug from you would make a world of difference to them right now.”

  If the girls were struggling…

  She’d do her best to help them cope. Eden unbuckled the seat belt and got out of the car. They walked to the front porch and knocked. The door opened, and they entered the house.

  Something wasn’t right. Where was Ryder? Who had opened the door? Why was it so quiet?

  Gabby dragged her into the kitchen.

  “Surprise!”

  All of her friends were in there.

  Had she forgotten a birthday or something?

  Ryder strode forward and took Eden’s hand. His eyes gleamed with affection for her. She couldn’t look away and didn’t want to. “Eden, welcome to your party.”

  “My party?” She loved the feel of her hand in his. Her heartbeat sped up. But she shook her head, even more confused than before. “What are you talking about?”

  “It’s our official Eden Page Appreciation Extravaganza.”

  Ivy, Harper and Noah raced over to her. “We’re throwing you a party, Auntie Eden!”

  Tears stung the backs of her eyes. “Why?”

  Mason stepped forward. “Because you’ve done so much for us.”

  “You rescued us.” Gabby slung her arm over Eden’s shoulders and side-hugged her.

  “You were there when we needed you the most.” Nicole, holding Henry, stepped closer. Judd held Amelia, and Eden noticed Brittany carrying Eli.

  Her knees wobbled. She couldn’t take it all in. This party was for her?

  “Come on.” Ryder stayed close to her. “Let’s take this to the family room.” He leaned in and whispered, “You look beautiful.”

  Then he kept her hand in his as they all made their way to the back of the house. Everyone took seats, except the twins and Noah, who were playing in the corner with a cluster of balloons. The room had been decorated with crepe paper, balloons and a homemade sign that read We Love You, Eden.

  She had to wipe away tears at the sight. She had no idea what this was all about, but she wanted to remember every second of it.

  Ryder helped her sit on the couch, then moved to the center of the room, facing her. Everyone turned their attention to him.

  “Eden, you’v
e selflessly devoted yourself to each one of us, and we all want to pay you back in some small way.” He gestured to Mason. “Do you want to begin?”

  Mason grinned and stood. He gave Ryder a half embrace and took his spot.

  “Eden, you were like a mother to Noah after Mia died. I don’t know how you did it, considering you were grieving, too, but you’re the main reason I was able to hang on that first year. I can never thank you enough or repay you for giving Noah such a firm foundation of love.”

  Noah ran up to her, and she hauled him onto her lap. He kissed her cheek and hugged her. “I love you!”

  “I love you, too,” Eden said, and then he hopped off her lap and ran back to the girls.

  Gabby had switched spots with Mason. “Eden, you’re my best friend. I don’t know what I would have done without you after my sister died. Here I was, suddenly a single mom with no clue how to raise a baby or deal with my grief. But you stepped in and babysat Phoebe. You’re the one who told me so many times that I was a great mom and that Allison would be proud. I love you, girl.”

  Nicole handed Henry to Mason and switched spots with Gabby.

  “Last Christmas Eve, I was at one of the lowest points in my life.” Nicole’s lips trembled. “And you showed up on my doorstep because I hadn’t answered your texts and you didn’t want me to spend Christmas Eve alone. I will never forget your kindness. You have no idea how much I needed you that night.”

  The lump forming in Eden’s throat had grown to the size of a walnut. No matter how many times she swallowed, it wouldn’t go away.

  Ryder took Nicole’s spot as she sat back down.

  “I met you two Christmases ago, shortly after meeting my brother.” Ryder nodded to Mason. “Eden, you weren’t afraid to tell me the truth when you saw me behaving badly. Even then you had the twins’ best interests in mind. I didn’t like it—wasn’t used to being called out. But it made a big impression on me.”

  She wasn’t sure where he was going with this, but he looked so sincere and she couldn’t look away.

  “I was drawn to you. Am drawn to you. When I decided to move here, I knew one thing—you’re the only one I was comfortable with watching my girls.”

  Ivy and Harper shouted, “We love you, Auntie Eden!”

  She clapped her hand over her heart.

  “You put your life on hold for us. You came here, to your childhood home, even though you had a lot of misgivings about it, and took care of not only Harper and Ivy but me, too. I am honored to call you my friend. I hope you know what a special person you are.”

  He crossed over to her then and held out his hand. She let him help her stand. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her. Then he whispered, “I have more to say to you, too, but not in front of the girls.”

  Everyone surrounded her, hugging her and telling her how much she meant to them.

  “It’s my turn.” Eden waved them all to sit. “I don’t know what to say. This is more than I deserve. Mason, thank you for the privilege of taking care of Noah when he was a baby. It saved me from my grief over Mia.”

  He looked emotional himself as he nodded to her.

  “Gabby, you are a terrific mother,” Eden said. “You’re my best friend. I would never have forgiven you if you wouldn’t have let me babysit Phoebe. I love her. And I love you.”

  Gabby wiped under her eyes.

  “Nicole,” Eden said. “You’re my hero. You took a desperate situation—losing your husband while pregnant with triplets—and chose to embrace your future. I know you and Judd are going to be very happy together.”

  Nicole smiled up at Judd, who’d placed his hand on her shoulder.

  “And Ryder,” Eden said. She couldn’t tell him everything in front of the girls. It wouldn’t be fair to them, but she owed him thanks, too. “I’m glad you moved here. You’ve given me the courage to want more from life.”

  Everyone stared at her, waiting in breathless anticipation. But she wanted to do this right. In private. Ivy and Harper had dealt with too many emotional ups and downs this week already.

  “Thank you all.” Eden’s lips wobbled. “I don’t know what I ever did to deserve such good friends.”

  “Let’s get the cookout going,” Mason hollered. As if on cue, everyone dispersed outside. Everyone except Ryder and the twins.

  Ivy hugged her first. “I missed you.”

  “I missed you, too.” Eden smoothed her hair away from her forehead. “And you, too, Harper.”

  Harper wrapped her arms around both her and Ivy.

  “I’m sorry your mom couldn’t stay longer.” She kissed both their cheeks. They nodded, their faces falling. “But I’m glad I got to meet her. She’s very nice.”

  They glanced at each other and smiled. “She is nice.”

  “And I could tell she loved the gifts you made her.”

  “She took our books home with her.” Harper’s eyes shone.

  “Mommy’s getting married.” Ivy’s cheeks drooped.

  “That’s what I heard.”

  “We’re flower girls.” Harper shrugged.

  “We get fancy dresses.” Ivy didn’t sound excited.

  “Well, you’ll be the prettiest girls there.” Eden held the twins close. When she let them go, they smiled at her. “I love you both.”

  “Come on, Harper! Ivy!” Noah bellowed. “I’m gonna pop this balloon!”

  The girls ran off.

  And only Ryder remained.

  Her heart was bursting with love for this man. She just prayed she had the right words to let him know exactly how important he was to her.

  * * *

  The twins ran outside and shut the sliding door so hard it bounced open an inch, but Ryder didn’t care. He took Eden’s hand in his and kissed the back of it.

  “I can’t believe you put all this together.” She shook her head. “I was getting ready to text you to see if I could come over when Gabby called.”

  “You were going to come over?” Hope began to grow inside him.

  Her eyes were shy as she nodded. “Yeah.”

  All he wanted to do was kiss her. Tell her how much she meant to him.

  Tell her he loved her.

  Her eyelashes dipped. “I wasn’t entirely truthful with you this morning.”

  “Oh?” An uneasy pit formed in his stomach.

  “I thought I was, but…” She met his eyes. “I do want to explore whatever this is between us. I felt inferior to Lily. It’s not just her, though. You asked me if someone had broken my heart. The answer is no. I’ve never given it to anyone to break. Until now.”

  Was he hearing her correctly?

  “I’m in love with you. I love you, Ryder. I didn’t want to be, but I couldn’t stop it.” She stared at him through those rich brown eyes, and he was helpless to look away. “I’ve been attracted to you since we met. I lied that day when I said I wasn’t. You’re gorgeous. Smart. You get things done. You don’t let anything get in your way. You love your daughters—I know you’d make any sacrifice for them.”

  A thousand things popped up to say to her, but none of them came out.

  “As for exploring our feelings,” she said, “I have to warn you, I’m kind of past the exploring phase. My heart is already yours.”

  He held his breath.

  “But I think you should know…” She glanced down at her hands for a moment. “All I ever wanted was to get married, have a family and live on a ranch. Because of that, I don’t want you to ever think I’m telling you I love you because of what you can offer me. I love you because you’re a good man, a good father, a good friend.”

  He wrapped his hands around her back and hauled her to him. He could feel her heart beating against his chest. His was beating double-time.

  “I love you, Eden.” He stared down into her incredible eyes. “I love yo
u. It feels so good to say it out loud. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. And your heart—it’s so big. I don’t know how you do it. You give and give. I want to give you everything. I want to be worthy of you.”

  “You? Worthy of me?” She scrunched her nose and laughed. “You’ve got it all wrong.”

  “No, I don’t.” He wanted her to know he was dead serious. “I don’t think there’s a man on earth worthy of you. All the guys around here have thumbtacks for brains, and I’m glad. Because you’re mine.”

  He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. And she softened into his embrace. This woman. He’d never get his fill of her.

  When he ended the kiss, she smiled. He tenderly brushed her lips with his thumb.

  “Oh, my,” she said.

  His thoughts exactly.

  “I think every day should be Eden Appreciation Day.” He kept his hands on her waist, enjoying having her in his arms.

  “My head would get too big.”

  “If it meant getting to hold you and kiss you, I wouldn’t care.”

  “What will we tell the girls?”

  “The truth,” he said. “They can handle it.”

  “Are you sure? They’ve been through a lot.”

  “Yeah. But they deserve nothing less than the truth.”

  “I think you’re right.”

  “Of course, I’m right.” He grinned. “If, by chance, I’m wrong, I can always buy Harper a pony and promise Ivy a bunny.”

  “You’re terrible.” She chuckled, swatting at his chest.

  “And you’re wonderful. I’m your biggest fan, and I’ll never stop letting everyone know how blessed I am to have you.”

  “You’re the blessing, Ryder.”

  “I guess God blessed us both.”

  EPILOGUE

  She was going to be their mommy! Eden hugged Ivy, then Harper. How blessed she was to nurture these children.

  The twins were dressed in identical white dresses with tiaras in their curled hair, and each of them carried a small basket with rose petals. Organ music spilled from the church to where they stood near the entrance to the sanctuary.

  “Are you ready, girls?” Eden fluffed the material of her wedding gown and tried to rein in her nerves.