Eden

by Bobbi Smith

  "Eden." Camille appeared unexpectedly in the doorway of the dining room. "Why, hello, Logan." She spotted the two of them and didn't waste any time heading their way.

  "Camille-I didn't know you were coming to the Haven today." Eden was surprised to see her, but after last night she knew she shouldn't have been.

  "I wanted to help you in any way I could," Camille said coyly, her gaze upon the handsome minister. "So I thought I would get down here bright and early this morning."

  Eden actually felt a sting of jealousy over the way her sister was ogling Logan. She tried not to let it show. She had no claim on the minister. He was there for the children.

  "That's very generous of you," Logan said, smiling at Camille. "I'm sure the children will be delighted to see you."

  Camille didn't care one bit what the children thought. She wanted to know if he was delighted to see her.

  "What would you like me to help you with?" she asked, only barely paying any attention to Eden. She looked straight at Logan. "Is there anything you're doing that could use my help?" On the way there, she had envisioned herself working by his side for the whole day, making herself indispensable to him.

  "I was planning to work outside cleaning out the carriage house," Logan answered, having no ticed its run-down condition the night before. "That's hardly work for a lady."

  Camille's expression faltered. "Oh."

  "Would you like to spend some time in the classroom with the children?" Eden offered. She knew her sister hated working out of doors, and she doubted Camille had any desire whatsoever to spend any time with the children, but she didn't want to see her humiliated in front of Logan.

  "That will be fine, Eden." Camille turned to her sister, the only sign of her irritation the spark of annoyance in her eyes.

  "Logan, would you like some of the boys to help you with the carriage house? I'm sure Jenny could spare them from class." Eden knew it would be good for the boys to spend some time with him. At their age, they needed a strong male influence.

  "I'd love to have Mark and Paul work with me. Send them out," he answered. "May I leave my Bible and coat in the office?"

  "Of course."

  Camille stood with Eden watching Logan as he left the dining room.

  "Clean the stables!" Camille muttered in almost a curse. "Why is a man of Logan's stature cleaning the stables?"

  "Because he saw that it needed it. He truly does want to serve us here. I've never met anyone quite like him," Eden said, and she meant it.

  "Neither have I," her sister agreed, her eyes narrowing as she already began to calculate a legitimate excuse to go outside and talk to Logan, one that didn't include doing any kind of physical labor on her part.

  They went upstairs to the classroom.

  "Miss Jenny, children, this is Miss Camille. She's my sister, and she's here to spend time with you today."

  The children all welcomed Camille, and she went to sit by Jenny at her desk.

  "And I need Mark and Paul to come with me, please."

  Both boys looked a little shocked at being singled out. For a moment, the fear that they were in trouble of some kind shone in their eyes.

  "No, you're not in trouble," Eden quickly told them. "Reverend Logan needs your help today."

  At this news, both boys brightened. They quickly rose from their desks to follow her from the room.

  Camille watched them go and fought not to let her irritation show. She was trapped for now, but she promised herself she would find a way to see more of the reverend a little later. Surely it wouldn't take him all day to work in the carriage house, especially not with the two boys helping him.

  "What are we going to be doing?" Paul asked Eden as they went downstairs. He was more than pleased at having gotten out of class.

  "Reverend Logan's working outside this morn ing, and he requested you both specifically."

  "He did?" Mark was delighted.

  "That's right."

  Together they went outside and around to the rear of the grounds. They had to pass through the flower garden, and Eden couldn't help remembering what had happened the last time she'd been there-last night-in the dark-with Logan. She forced herself to think of other things. As they neared the carriage house, they could see Logan already hard at work inside.

  "Here are the boys for you," Eden announced, coming to stand in the doorway.

  Logan looked up from straightening a pile of equipment and smiled in welcome. "I can use all the help I can get."

  "Yes, sir."

  Paul and Mark were glad to have escaped lessons for one day. They quickly grabbed up a shovel and rake and pitched in.

  Logan took a break to visit with Eden.

  "I never imagined you'd be doing anything like this for us when you volunteered your time," she said ruefully. "I thought you'd be doing a lot of praying and saving souls."

  "But I am," he said with a grin.

  "You are?" Eden's heartbeat quickened at his rakish smile, and she remembered far too vividly the feel of his mouth upon hers. She gave herself a mental shake. He'd apologized. The kiss had meant nothing to him. It had been a mistake. He'd been sorry that it had ever happened.

  "If I can teach these boys by example that honest work is hard work and has its own rewards, they'll be ready to make their way in the world."

  "I hope so. I just wonder what kind of world it's going to be when they're old enough to leave the Haven."

  "None of us have the answer to that right now. It won't be easy for them, but they're smart. They'll survive." Thoughts of surviving reminded him of Braden. "We just have to do everything we can to prepare them for real life." And he had to do everything he could to help his brother.

  "You are. Just by being here today, you're teaching them the importance of sharing your gifts and aiding those who are less fortunate."

  Logan ignored the twinge of conscience he felt at Eden's praise. His cover was working. That was all that was important. "I'd better get back inside before Mark and Paul start thinking that I'm not helping the less fortunate very much when it comes to the real dirty work."

  Eden lingered for a minute longer, watching the three together, then returned to her own duties inside.

  Camille was bored as she sat in the classroom listening to Jenny lecture the children on first geography, then spelling. This was definitely not what she'd had in mind when she'd planned to spend her morning at the Haven. There was absolutely nothing for her to do except pass out pa per and pencils to the students as they worked on various assignments.

  Casting a glance toward the window that overlooked the rear grounds, Camille grew frustrated. Logan was out there somewhere, and she had to find a way to spend some time with him. As she sat there in complete and utter irritation, she finally thought of a believable excuse to go to him. She quietly excused herself from the classroom.

  It took Camille only a few minutes in the kitchen to get the pitcher of water and cups she needed to take out to the carriage house. Surely, after all this time working outside in the heat, Logan and the boys would be ready for a cool drink. The cook said nothing as Camille swept outside to seek Logan out.

  "You boys want to take a break?" Logan asked.

  They had been hard at work since Eden had left them and were making good progress in repairing the building.

  "Sure," Paul said, more than ready to rest for a while.

  Mark didn't say anything, but he put aside his rake and went to sit with them in the shade nearby.

  "So, Mark, how are you doing here at the Haven? Is everything going all right?"

  The youth cast a sidelong glance at him. In the few days that he'd been there, his life had changed completely. He was no longer hungry or homeless. And he had friends now, too. He knew Reverend Logan had been right to bring him to the Haven. "It's fine."

  "Good. I was hoping it would work out for you. Is there anything you need?"

  Deep in his heart, Mark wished he could have his parents back, but he knew that wasn
't going to happen. "No. Miss Eden takes good care of us.

  "Miss Eden is special," Paul added, then turned more serious as he looked at the minister. It was rare that he allowed himself to open up to anyone, but he felt he had to thank Reverend Logan for what he'd done. "I sure am glad you got here when you did that first day. I love Miss Eden, and those men were real mean. They might have hurt her even worse if you hadn't been here to stop them. So-thanks, Reverend."

  "You're welcome," Logan said, knowing how much it took for the boy to talk to him that way.

  "Yeah, I'm glad she's all right, too. She sure is a nice lady," Mark put in. "And real pretty, too."

  "Reverend Logan?" Camille called out, wanting to interrupt their conversation. The last thing she was interested in hearing about was how pretty Eden was.

  Logan and the boys looked up to find Camille approaching with the water.

  "I thought you might like a cool drink since you've been out here working so hard."

  "Why, thank you. That's most thoughtful of you, Miss Camille," Logan said.

  She handed each one of them a cup, then poured water for them.

  "It looks like you're making good progress," Camille remarked, casting a glance inside the carriage house.

  "That we are," Logan said with a smile. "The boys have been a big help to me."

  Camille was wishing that the two boys would just disappear, but she knew that wasn't going to happen. She managed a benign smile in return.

  "I'm sure they are. You know, Reverend, since you're new to the city, if you ever want anyone to show you around, I'd be more than happy to do it. There are several theaters, too, that would be worth attending if you're in the mood for some entertainment."

  "That's very kind of you to offer, Miss Camille. Right now, though, I don't have much time to do anything but my work here at the Haven."

  His answer hurt, but she didn't let on. She was certain that where there was a will, there was a way. She wouldn't give up. "Well, you just let me know when you have the time."

  "I'll do that." Logan was polite, but deliberately kept his interest cool. The last thing he wanted to do was encourage Camille.

  Before she could say more, Paul spoke up.

  "Reverend Logan, we better get back to work. We still got a lot to do if we're going to be done before lunch."

  "You're right, Paul. Mark, are you about ready?"

  "Yes, sir."

  "Miss Camille, thank you for bringing us the water. We appreciate it." Both boys thanked her.

  "We'll be in as soon as we're finished," Logan told her.

  He followed the boys back inside, leaving Camille standing there fuming at being so easily dismissed. She found it infuriating that he would rather be cleaning out the carriage house than visiting with her. Her head held high, she returned to the Haven. As she went, Camille was already trying to figure out how she could get to sit with him during the noon meal.

  The day passed quickly for Eden. She wasn't surprised when Camille made her excuses and left shortly after lunch. She'd known her sister had wanted to sit with Logan during the meal, but she had been thwarted in that plan when he'd been surrounded by the children the moment he'd entered the dining room and dragged off to sit with them. Camille had tried to hide her irritation when she'd announced that she was leaving, but Eden knew her too well. Eden didn't doubt for a moment that her sister would be back, though. For, as long as Logan was going to be at the Haven every day, Camille would continue to show up, too.

  Logan left the orphanage in mid-afternoon with the promise to return the following morning and accompany the children to the Sunday church service at nine A.M.Eden found herself wondering what he was going to do that night, but she didn't ask, for she didn't want to be too forward with him.

  As the day aged, Eden's thoughts turned to her own plans for that evening. Darrell would be back to meet her at the agreed-upon hour, and they would once again lay in wait near the bar for the two Yankees. She hoped tonight was the night they found them. She wanted to make sure Layton and Moran never mistreated anyone again.

  Eden was tired, but the tension within her grew as evening came and midnight approached. After making sure the children were all asleep and Jenny was abed, Eden pretended to retire herself. She locked herself in her bedroom, but sleep was not on her mind. Eden donned the trousers, shirt, and hat from the previous night, and she made sure she had the scarf to complete her disguise. She was ready. Now all she had to do was wait for Darrell; she hoped nothing delayed him.

  Right on time Darrell appeared in the side yard, and Eden silently escaped the house through the bedroom window to meet him. He had brought a mount for her, and they rode off together as quietly as possible. She realized the two soldiers might not still be in town, but she didn't want to miss the opportunity to seek her revenge. She planned to continue her search for them until she'd accomplished what she'd set out to do.

  Eden and Darrell reached the alley and took up their vigil once again. They tied their mounts out of sight, and then, with the blackness of the night and the stench of the alley surrounding them, they waited.

  "Are you always this determined?" Darrell asked in a low voice after about an hour.

  "When something's this important to me, yes," she answered without hesitation.

  Eden realized she could have forgotten the attack-put it from her mind and gone on with her life. If she'd been the only one involved, she probably would have, but these two soldiers had invaded the Haven and threatened the children. She'd considered reporting them to the authorities, but any action of that kind might have caused trouble for Paul. So she'd decided that she would handle it herself. She would seek her own justice.

  Darrell looked at her in the shadows. Eden wasn't a physically big woman, but there was something about her courage that made her a force to be reckoned with. It was no wonder Forrester trusted her. Darrell only hoped that these two Yankees would be as easy to control as she thought they would be.

  "Cornering these two could prove tricky." Darrell warned her.

  "That's why I'm glad you're with me," she told him, appreciating his company. "Once we finally do find them, we have to surprise them. As mean as they are, they might try to give us a fight, so we have to have the upper hand from the start."

  "So you're ready."

  She nodded. "Yes."

  "And you know what you want to do."

  "Yes." Eden quickly explained her idea to him.

  Darrell nodded his head in appreciation. "I think that might just work."

  Eden grinned. "Now, if they would only show up.

  They fell silent again as they waited to see if fate would deliver the Yankees into their hands.

  Another hour passed.

  And then Eden saw them.

  Layton and Moran came staggering down the street in front of the bar together.

  Eden tensed as she rested her hand on her gun.

  "There!" she whispered excitedly to Darrell, pointing the two men out. "That's them!"

  "Do you want to do it now or later after they come out of the bar?"

  "Later. They'll be even drunker then. It'll be easier to confuse them."

  "You're sure about this?" Darrell asked, wanting to give her one last chance to reconsider.

  "Yes. The big thing is, when the time comes, we have to act quickly and quietly."

  They turned their attention back to the bar's entrance and kept careful watch. Eden knew it might be hours before they reappeared, but she didn't care.

  Logan had met with Sam after leaving the Haven late that afternoon, but the operative had nothing new to report. After he ate dinner alone in a restaurant, the night stretched before Logan long and empty. He made his way back to his hotel and crossed the lobby to the stairs leading up to his room. He longed to be doing something, but there was nothing to be done-yet. Unlocking his door, he stepped inside.

  It took Logan only an instant to react once he realized someone else was in the darkened room. He open
ed the Bible and grabbed for his gun, unsure of who the intruder was.

  "There's no need to start shooting, Reverend," the deep voice said, amusement evident in his tone. "I've come here to save my soul."

  Logan froze, peering into the heavy shadows, trying to make out the face of the stranger. "Who are you?"

  "A friend," the man replied obliquely. "My name's Holder, Jim Holder. Larry sent word that I should pass on all the information I have about the raid to you."

  Logan relaxed and put his gun away. He closed the door and walked to the small dresser to light the lamp and put his Bible aside. That done, he turned to face the informant. "Have you heard anything new?"

  Jim smiled grimly at him. "Yes. I have news I think might prove important. I work for Nathaniel Talbott at the bank, and I see and hear a lot that goes on around town. You're right to suspect Forrester, and I wanted to let you know that Talbott has been gone for almost a week, too. Word at the bank is that he's away on family business. Once he returns, I'll be able to find out exactly where he's been; then we can try to figure out what they're planning next."

  "So there is a definite connection." Logan was glad to have this confirmed.

  "Yes. Forrester and Talbott meet on a regular basis at the bank. If I could find out exactly what goes on in those meetings, I could take action, but so far I haven't had any success. If I tried to go in and have them arrested, without definite proof, they could always claim that they were talking about raising funds for the orphanage."

  "I don't want them arrested-not yet. This organization could be a lot bigger than we suspect. If we were to bring in Forrester and Talbott now, whoever they're working with would disappear before we ever had the chance to find them."

  Logan knew, too, that if the group disbanded that way, he would never find the lead he needed to locate his brother. Unbidden thoughts of Eden came to him then. He had no conclusive proof that she had been involved with the theft in any way, yet just the fact that she worked with Forrester at the Haven and had been on the Bayou Belle on the day that the guns had been seized, seemed far too much of a coincidence to him. His suspicions troubled him.