She thought back on how Jamie had been there for her and began to feel guilty for her childish prank. "Flowers say it best," she said as she pulled the phone book out and searched for a florist.
Thinking they would mean more by being personally delivered, Eden walked slowly up Jamie's driveway with the bouquet of carefully chosen flowers. Her hands shook with nervous anticipation as she knocked on the door. When no answer came, she breathed a sigh of relief until she heard voices coming from the backyard.
Rounding the corner of the house, she paused and listened to the playful banter between sisters. All the ugliness from the day before faded away, and the sight of Jamie in an old pair of jeans and sweatshirt filled her with a longing to hold the feisty blonde in her arms. She clutched the flowers even tighter and slowly made her way toward the two women.
Ann was the first to notice her. "Hi, Eden," she said cheerfully.
Jamie was taken by surprise and was emotionally unprepared to face Eden again so soon. Her defense mechanisms kicked in before she could gain control. "What are you doing here, Eden?" she snapped.
"I came to apologize for this." She pointed to her handiwork. "I was hoping you might be in a better mood so we could talk."
"You painted my glass door and thought it would put me in a better mood?" Jamie screeched.
Ann cringed as she watched the exchange.
"I said I was sorry," Eden ground out as she thrust the flowers into Jamie's hand.
Jamie glanced down at the flowers, and for a split second, it looked as though Eden was getting through to her, but then she made a move that surprised Eden and Ann. She ripped a hand full of blooms off the bouquet and let the petals drop onto Eden's boots. "That's what I think of your apology," she hissed as she turned and marched back into the house, unceremoniously dropping the rest of the bouquet to the ground.
Eden looked down at her feet. "I can't believe she did that," she said in a bewildered tone.
Ann fought the urge to giggle. "I'm sorry, Eden. She's been a horse's ass for a while now. Would you mind sitting down for a minute?" she asked as she brushed a few leaves off the seat next to her.
Eden sank into the chair, her gaze still fixed on the toe of her boot.
"I've been trying to get her to see someone professionally to help her work through this, but she's as stubborn as an ox," Ann said. "She has terrible nightmares about shooting that man at the cabin, and the guilt over Donald and Holly has really been working her nerves. When she sees you, it makes it all real again, and she reacts like this."
Eden sighed. "Well, she won't have to worry about seeing me anymore. This has been hard on me, too, and I can't keep putting myself through this. I told myself yesterday that I wouldn't come here again, but here I am like a pathetic dumbass."
"Don't give up so easily, sweetie. Just give it a little time."
"I thought I had given her time, and she wasn't happy with that either," Eden said angrily as she stood. "I can't seem to please her, no matter what I do."
"She's been a grade A asshole, but she's crazy about you, Eden. Just let her work through this and I'm sure she'll be a different woman," Ann pleaded as she followed Eden around the house.
"Well, when she gets back to normal, tell her to give me a call." Eden jerked the door to her car open.
Ann grabbed Eden by the shoulder and gently halted her. "I'm Ann, her sister, by the way," she said with a smile as she extended her hand.
Eden sighed and did her best to calm down. "I'm Eden, and it's nice to meet you, even under the circumstances," she said as she shook Ann's hand.
"Welcome to the family, Eden," Ann said with a grin.
Eden chuckled. "I see insanity runs in the family."
"No, I just have faith that I'll be seeing you for a long time to come. I bet by the holidays you'll be at my parents' house with the rest of the Spencer clan."
"You've got enough faith for the both of us," Eden said with a wry grin as she climbed into her car.
"Well, you really screwed the pooch this time," Ann said when she walked into the house.
"Lay off, Ann," Jamie growled. "You were the one who said I needed time, so give it to me!"
"I'll give you all the time you need, and I'll be here when you need to talk. Eden, however, will not. She's not coming back, so you win," Ann said as she made her way to the kitchen.
Jamie clamped her eyes shut and curled into a ball on the couch. Ann's words cut her to the core, and she felt powerless to control her emotions. The one thing she wanted most in the world was to have Eden in her life, but whenever she saw her, something angry took over.
The memory of the hurt expression on Eden's face made her stomach turn.
Chapter Fourteen
Al Pittman hugged Eden and reveled at how good it was to have her in his arms. He had cherished every moment since her return like it was the last. However, Eden's visits had been few over the past month, and Al worried about the amount of time she spent alone.
"Grace will have dinner out shortly," he said as he poured Eden and himself a glass of wine. "I'm sorry to tell you that I still haven't been able to track the money Laura pilfered from your accounts. She's a crafty devil, I have to give her that." He took a seat across from Eden.
"Don't waste any more of your time on that, Al, the money is not important to me," Eden responded flatly.
"What else do I have to do? My dearest girl won't entertain me," he shot back playfully.
"I'm sorry, Al. I haven't felt like visiting much lately."
"Eden..." he began, when she interrupted him.
"Please, Al, let me sort this out on my own."
Grace set dinner on the table, and they sat down to eat. Al watched as Eden picked at the food on her plate, taking only an occasional bite.
Undaunted by Eden's refusal to discuss anything regarding the past events, Al forged ahead carefully. "I had a visitor the other day."
Eden grinned and looked up from her plate. "Was it that widow who has had her sights set on you lately?"
Carol is a very interesting lady, I plan to take her to dinner tomorrow evening, but that wasn't whom I was referring to.
Jamie came by, and we had a really nice talk." Al watched as Eden paused from taking a sip of her drink, but her eyes never met his.
"She told me Dr. Briggs's family gave her the old cabin, and she's planning on going up there this weekend. Such a kind thing they did for her, but I hate to see that child return there alone." Al paused, waiting for a reaction.
Eden continued to toy with her meal, avoiding his gaze. "Since you feel so strongly about this, why don't you accompany her yourself?"
Al fought the urge to smirk. "Because, my love, that would be your place."
"We've been over this before; I have no desire to have this conversation."
Al set down his silverware and took a sip of wine. "Yes, we have been over this before, and I honored your request, but now I believe it's time we talk."
Eden dropped her fork loudly onto the plate in front of her. "I think it's time for me to go home."
"I insist you remain right where you are, Eden Carlton." Al never raised his voice and his tone brooked no argument.
Eden's jaw sagged in surprise at the firm command. Al had never taken such a stance with her, but then again, she'd never put him in a position to have to.
"Now that you've ruined my appetite, you'll accompany me to my office." Al stood and Eden dutifully followed.
Al poured them both a brandy and motioned for Eden to take the chair opposite his. "I didn't think it was possible, but you're even more stubborn than your grandfather. The only difference is he never gave up."
Eden didn't answer but instead looked out the window into the darkness.
"I know about the affair you had with Laura McManus." He watched as Eden's posture stiffened. "And I can only assume by your behavior that something occurred between you and Jamie. The child nearly burst into tears when she looked at your picture the other day."
Eden bowed her head, and he watched as the first trickle of tears streamed down her cheek.
Al softened his tone. "If you're afraid that I'm going to disapprove or condemn you for it, you're wrong. What I do disapprove of is you running away and refusing to deal with something that had such an effect on you."
Eden fought to contain her emotions, and tears streamed unbidden down her face. "If you were in her shoes and lost two of your closest friends because of me, wouldn't I be a constant reminder of that?"
"You were no more the cause of their deaths than she was. The circumstances surrounding what happened are what they are, and nothing can change that. Eden, you can't die right along with them."
"She has made it implicitly clear that she wants nothing to do with me. Apparently, I remind her of too much," Eden said as she stood and began to pace around the room.
"She does care, that much was obvious during our visit the other day. And she admitted her regret over being so hostile to you."
Eden sank wearily into the chair. "I'm not sure I want to set myself up for that kind of rejection again, Al."
"Eden, she came here to tell me she was going up to the cabin alone, she all but asked me to let you know. She's extending an invitation."
"Then why didn't she simply pick up the phone and give me a call?"
Al took a sip of his brandy. "I suppose she was afraid she would get the hell she's been giving you."
Eden looked away. "How long have you known about Laura and me?"
"I found out during the investigation. I would've preferred to hear it from you, but I understand why you were reluctant to tell me," Al said softly.
"I didn't want to disappoint you."
"I want only to see you happy and with someone who truly loves you for who you are, not your holdings, and I believe Jamie does truly love you."
"What if you're wrong? What if I get out to the cabin and she says she just wants to be friends?"
"I'm never wrong," Al said adamantly.
Eden did look at him then with a raised eyebrow.
Al chuckled. "I'm a good judge of character, and this old man has great instincts. That woman loves you. Go to her."
Chapter Fifteen
Detective Salamoni regarded the inmate coolly as she was led into the room and placed in a seat opposite the table where she sat. "I'm not going to sit here and mince words with you, Ms. McManus. The evidence against you is damning, and you're going to serve a very long sentence. There's no need to protect her," the detective said before taking a sip of her coffee.
Laura sat with a twisted smile on her face. "Am I to sit here and pretend I know who you're talking about?"
Detective Salamoni set the cell phone on the table sealed in a plastic bag marked evidence. "I know she called you—your number is on this phone."
"I have no idea who you're talking about," Laura replied calmly. Her father had always gotten her out of a jam, and this time would be no different. There was no way she would admit to anything, nor did she plan on spending the rest of her life in a cage.
Detective Salamoni had seen this type of behavior many times before, and years of experience kicked in. "You may think you're untouchable because of your family's wealth, but money and smooth-talking lawyers can only go so far when you're guilty." The detective fought the urge to smile when she saw tension fill Laura's face.
"And everyone affiliated with this case can smell the guilt that surrounds you. That's exactly why you were denied bail for trying to leave the country."
"I look forward to the day when that smug look falls off your face and I walk out of here a free woman," Laura said with controlled anger.
Detective Salamoni did laugh at that. "Your father has agreed to cooperate with us, Ms. McManus. The only place you'll be walking is back and forth from your cell." The detective watched as Laura visibly shook, trying to control her rage.
"My dad used to always tell me, regardless of a person's station in life, we're all just people capable of all kinds of things good and bad. I've never found that statement truer than when I look at you. Ms. McManus, you are trash and a murderer, no amount of money will ever change that."
Detective Salamoni rose from her seat, with her eyes locked on Laura's cold face. "Whether you come to your senses or not, I'll find her."
Jamie felt tension climb up the back of her neck as she turned onto the gravel road leading to the cabin. Memories of her first trip there were still fresh in her mind. It was ironic how the same anxiety plagued her now as it did that evening that seemed so long ago.
As the cabin came into view, sadness and longing overtook the anxiety. Without conscious thought, her foot moved to the brake, and she debated turning around and leaving it all behind. Choking down the last bit of her resolve, she finished the short drive and got out of her vehicle before she lost her nerve.
Jamie ran up the steps, knowing that if she didn't do it quickly, she would never cross the threshold. The old planking on the porch had been replaced, and a new door greeted her as she stood gathering her courage.
With a twist of the shiny brass key, the door opened and Jamie took a tentative step inside. Pushing the tidal surge of memories aside, she concentrated on the changes that Paul had made. New appliances sat in the kitchen waiting to be used, but the old table she used to sit at was still there. She ran her fingertips lightly over the marred surface, thinking of all the conversations shared there. She could hear Holly's laughter echo in her mind.
The old couch and recliner had been replaced with new pieces. Paul had chosen a rustic-looking fabric that matched the mood of the cabin. A new coffee table had been added to the mix, and on it sat a remote for the satellite system, which brought a smile to Jamie's face.
Avoiding the loft, she chose to check out the bathroom that remained exactly the same. Images of being alone in that tiny room with Eden played across Jamie's mind, causing her to slam the door behind her. She circled the ladder to the loft knowing that she would have to go up there eventually.
As she ascended the ladder, a sliver of disappointment washed over her as she noticed that it was exactly as it had been before. Part of her wished that Paul had replaced the bed that she and Eden had shared, helping to erase the memories.
"I need a pack of cigarettes, please."
"What brand?" the heavy-set woman behind the counter asked.
Eden thought for a minute. "I'm not really sure, I don't smoke...well, I mean, I do today," she said, looking sheepishly at the clerk.
An amused smile spread slowly across the woman's face. "Need something to calm your nerves?"
"Yes, and I don't believe in drinking and driving, so I'll have to settle for this."
The clerk chuckled. "Okay then, you have a decision to make. Do you want menthol or regular?"
"Regular, I think." Eden looked at the lighters, and the choices were slim. She chose the half-naked woman over the rebel flag.
The clerk rang up her purchases and stuffed the cigarettes, a pack of gum, and the naked lady lighter into the bag. She smiled at Eden as she handed it over the counter. "I wish you luck with whatever you're facing."
Eden laughed nervously. "Thank you, I need all the help I can get."
With a little practice, Eden managed to shift her car and smoke the cigarette that made her gag and cough. The only consolation was the mild high the nicotine gave her. She puttered along at seventy miles per hour as the rest of the interstate traffic sped by her.
She'd never driven any less than ten miles over the posted speed limit on the highway since first getting her driver's license. Today, however, she was in no hurry, but drove along lost deep in thought. The urge to turn around had been so strong that she exited the interstate several times, only to pull back on minutes later.
In her career, Eden had made many tough decisions, but this was the toughest by far. With work, she would study the pros and cons and spend countless hours going over different scenarios of what the outcome might be. But
with Jamie, she was clueless and felt a vulnerability that she had rarely felt before. Feeling as though her life depended on how Jamie would receive her kept her on the plotted course.
Wrapped in a blanket on the porch swing, Jamie watched as the sun set over the lake like she had so many times before. The peacefulness of her once-safe haven was overshadowed by a loneliness that she knew she could no longer tolerate. When Eden didn't show, she resigned herself to the fact that this place would no longer be a comfort to her. The next day at first light, she would pack up and go home. A single tear slid down her cheek as she thought of ways to tell Paul that she could not keep his gift.
When the last rays of sun faded into the darkness, Jamie left her perch and settled on the couch, looking for something on television to take her mind off Eden and the memories that haunted her. But memories returned to her one by one, leaving her in tears again. "Why did I ever do this to myself?" she wondered aloud. "I should've accepted her apology when it was offered."
She awoke the following morning on the couch, relieved to see the sun pouring in through the windows and pleased with herself for spending the night in the place that often haunted her dreams. She walked groggily into the bathroom and went through her morning routine before giving the cabin one last look.
As she made her way down the porch steps, she looked out at the lake and the pier that jutted out into the serene waters. Feeling that she couldn't close the book on this place without walking across those wooden planks, she strolled to the water's edge.
A crisp wind blew in off the water, penetrating the thick layer of clothing that Jamie wore. She closed her eyes and listened to the gentle lapping of the water against the pier, and in her mind, she heard Eden's laughter. She turned to make her way back up the hill before her emotions got the better of her when she saw the sports car pull to a stop.
Eden had arrived at the cabin in the middle of the night, but when the memory of Jamie filling their intended assassin with bullets came to mind, she resisted knocking on the door. Instead she found a spot up the road where she sat until morning, smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee from a thermos, still trying to gather her nerve.
The Taking of Eden Page 15
