Eden

by Bobbi Smith

  During the time he'd been away, Logan had heard nothing from Eden. He had gotten a letter from Braden shortly after he'd left New Orleans all those months ago, telling him that he had gone to visit Eden to thank her for helping him on the steamer. She had talked with him and had accepted his thanks, but had not encouraged any further contact between them. Logan had continued to write to her regularly and had even arranged for money to be sent to the orphanage from other sources, so she wouldn't know the funds were coming from him. As he looked the Haven over now, it seemed in good condition, and he was glad. He had only wanted the best for Eden and the children.

  Logan stopped at the door and knocked. After a moment, Jenny answered.

  "Reverend Logan-er, I mean, Logan!" Jenny said, shocked to see him. "You're back!"

  "Hello, Jenny. Is Eden here?"

  "Well..." Jenny looked awkward, not sure what to say. Realizing she had no choice, she told him, "Eden's in the garden."

  "Thank you."

  Logan wasted no time on small talk. There was only one woman he wanted to speak with, and that was his wife. He hurried around the side of the building, looking for Eden.

  Jenny watched him go, and knew this was going to be a very interesting day. She went back to the children, but was anxious to see how everything turned out.

  Eden was sitting on the bench in the garden, holding her son on her lap. Michael Logan Mat thews was a little over a year old, and she loved him with all her heart and soul. Every time she looked at him, she was reminded of his father. Michael was going to grow up to be a strong, handsome man just as Logan had been.

  At times like this when she found herself thinking of Logan, Eden grew sad. What they'd shared had been beautiful, and it had ended far too soon. There were still days when she regretted having sent him away, but even if she had the chance to live it over again, she would have done the same thing.

  They had been enemies.

  Her allegiance had been to the South.

  But now the war was over.

  Her mother had recently received a letter from her father telling them that he and her brother would be coming home soon. It had been wonderful news. They were all joyously counting every minute until their return. Their homecoming would be sweet.

  Eden cuddled Michael close, cherishing the warmth of him in her arms.

  "It seems I'm always destined to find you in the Garden of Eden."

  Logan's voice came to her and she went completely still. She was shocked by the power of the heart-rending response that tore through her.

  "Logan?" Eden said his name in a whisper as he appeared before her.

  "Hello, Eden," he said quietly, seeing her holding the infant.

  "You came back-"

  "I told you I would." He paused, then added, "I missed you, Eden."

  Logan assumed the baby was an orphan she'd taken in at the Haven. He drew closer and saw that it was a beautiful baby. Then the infant turned to look up at him and smiled. A jolt of visceral recognition jarred Logan. He lifted his gaze to Eden's.

  "We have a child?" Logan asked hoarsely, a wide range of emotions tearing at him. Eden had borne his baby, and he'd never known. He hadn't been there to help her.

  Eden had feared incrimination and anger from him. Instead, she saw only awe in his eyes. "Yes. I named him Michael-Michael Logan Matthews."

  She stood up with the baby so he could see his son more clearly.

  "He's beautiful--just like you," Logan said, his heart aching with tenderness at the breathtaking picture his wife and son made.

  "Why did you come back, Logan?"

  "Because I wanted to tell you one last time that I love you, Eden." He looked down at her hand then. "You're still wearing your wedding ring.

  "I never took it off. I couldn't."

  "Why?" he pressed. "Because of the children?"

  "No. Because I love my husband," she finally confessed in a broken voice. She had fought against it, tried to deny what had been in her heart all this time, but her feelings for Logan had never changed.

  "Can you ever forgive me for hurting you?" Logan asked. He wanted to take her in his arms, but he wasn't sure yet if he dare try. "I want to spend the rest of my life proving how much I love you. With the war, everyone has lost so much. I don't want to lose our love."

  The months apart had helped Eden to know the depth of her feelings for him. She looked up at Logan and saw the man she'd fallen in love with. He might not be Reverend Logan, but she loved him nonetheless.

  "Do you have any plans to return to your calling as a minister?" she asked.

  Her question lightened Logan's mood.

  "No," he answered with a grin. "But I had thought of heading west away from the ugliness of these last years. We wouldn't be Yankee and Rebel there. We could truly be a family. I wasn't sure if you would be willing to leave the Haven, though." He knew how much the orphanage meant to her.

  "I think I know who could take over for me. Camille and her husband, Darrell, have been working here regularly. They'd be wonderful with the children."

  "You're sure?"

  She nodded and handed him Michael for the first time.

  Logan took his son from her and held him close. The baby nestled against him, trustingly.

  "We can start all over again, Eden."

  "I'd like that." Eden rose up to kiss him sweetly. "I love you, Logan."

  "I love you, too."

  And in that moment, they knew their love was strong enough to overcome all the pain of the past. Together, they would find a way to build a future of love and happiness.