"Can I get up now, Daddy?"
"Yes." He walked to the kitchen table and sat down.
She crawled into a chair.
"Why did you disobey me, Jenny?"
"I…I…wanted to sit in Pa's chair. I miss him, Daddy. Why did he have to go to heaven?" Big tears rolled down her cheeks.
He gathered her into his arms, not sure what to say to her or how to make her feel better. Parenting a prayer at a time was the best he could do. He stroked her hair. "Remember you said goodbye to Pa and you gave him a big kiss."
"But I didn't want him to go," she wailed.
He held her closer. "He was sick, baby, and he was ready. He wanted to be with Mavis."
"Uh-huh."
He pulled her chin out from his chest. "What did Pa tell you?"
"Every time I see a flower to think of him."
"Yeah. Pa taught you about flowers, vegetables and fruit trees."
Jenny nodded. "He knew all about that stuff, Daddy."
He poked her chest. "Pa lives right there in you. All you have to do is think about him and all the things he taught you."
Her eyes grew big. "Eden, too, Daddy?"
For a moment he was thrown off balance. Jenny must have sensed it because she said, "Does Pa live in Eden, too?"
"Oh. Yes. Eden has lots of memories of Pa."
"Eden makes jewelry," Jenny announced.
Tyler was sure his daughter had that wrong. "You mean she wears jewelry?"
"No, Daddy, she puts it together with real pretty colors and she sells it."
"Oh." He had no idea what Jenny was talking about. Eden was an actress and a model; Ira had raved constantly about how well she was doing. Why would she be making her own jewelry? To sell? That didn't make sense.
"Her mommy left her, too."
"She told you that?"
Jenny bobbed her head. "Yep. And we decided we did good. I got you, and Eden had Pa and Gran."
He was stunned. Eden had taken the time and bonded with his daughter over a very touchy subject. Usually Jenny never discussed Denise, but now she seemed happy that someone understood. Maybe Eden wasn't so flighty after all.
The idea was jarring, and he decided not to hurt his brain by thinking about it. "Listen, pumpkin. How about this spring we plant a garden with flowers and vegetables? We'll call it Ira's Garden. How would you like that?"
"Yeah!" She clapped her hands, her sadness forgotten.
He wanted to ask more about Eden but didn't. He had to find out on his own.
"Pumpkin, Daddy has to go out for a little while. I'll call Mrs. Hopper to see if she'll sit with you. I won't be long."
"'Kay. She reads good stories."
Tyler took a quick shower and changed clothes. Opening a desk drawer, he pulled out a large manila envelope. Waiting for Eden to talk to the lawyer about the will now seemed like the coward's way. He owed it to Ira to do it himself.
***
Tyler didn't call Eden. He just showed up. He didn't want to give her the option of saying she didn't want to see him.
When she opened the door, he caught his breath. Her long silver-blond hair tumbled around her. Her perfect features were relaxed and not tight as they usually were when she was with him. Black slacks and a white pullover sweater showcased her gorgeous feminine body. Red socks were on her feet.
"Come in," she said in a polite voice he hadn't heard in a long time. He soaked it up like raw cotton absorbs water.
He followed her into the kitchen and stopped short. The table was covered with brightly colored beads, stones and various other things he didn't recognize. He took a seat, as did she.
"Jenny said you made jewelry."
She lifted an eyebrow. "You sound surprised." She nodded her head. "Oh. You thought I was still acting or modeling."
"That's what Ira said."
"My grandfather tended to embellish. A bit in a commercial and a gig modeling for a catalogue is not a big money-paying career. I make more selling my original jewelry now."
"Oh." Tyler was confused, not sure how to fit any of this new information in with the image he'd always had of Eden.
"So Jenny lives with you?" she asked.
It took him a moment to concentrate. "Yes. I have full custody."
"Oh."
He shifted uncomfortably, and laid the papers on the table. Not sure where to begin, he said, "Thank you for being so nice to Jenny."
"We have a lot in common. We both love Pa and have mothers who left us."
"Even at nine you were very self-confident. It never occurred to me to think of how hard that must have been for you. I'm sorry."
"It wasn't confidence. It was self-defense. Talking to Jenny earlier made me realize how desperately I wanted love and attention."
"And instead I hogged your grandparents' focus."
"It pissed me off…and it hurt me. I could never do anything as good as you."
"And I could never do anything to make them love me more than they loved you. I lost a parent, too. My mom was a single mother, and didn't always have time to bake me cookies like Mavis, or teach me about planting crops like Ira. I needed their love as much as you did."
Their eyes locked. The fire crackled in the living room behind him and she curled her feet beneath her. "They loved us both, just in different ways."
"Mmm. We were the ones that made it a competition. We lost a lot of time with them because of it. I'm sorry for that."
"You should be," she replied, and then smiled a smile that made his heart beat faster, made this lousy day brighter.
She cocked her head. "Well, since we're making heartfelt confessions…what happened to you and Denise?"
He swallowed. "Denise's idea of marriage and mine weren't the same. She liked to party and go to clubs. I didn't. She wanted to move to Houston. I didn't. We came to an impasse and I told her she could either stay or go. She chose to leave."
"Without Jenny?"
"I wouldn't let her take the baby and she eventually left without her. We went back and forth over custody until she met an older guy with money who didn't want kids. His were grown. After a few months, she signed over her parental rights. I have full and permanent custody."
"That must have been a relief."
"Yes…and no." He rubbed his hands together. "Jenny was barely a year old and I didn't know how I was going to explain what had happened when she got older. My mother advised me to tell her the truth and I did. Of course, I glossed over a lot of it and emphasized how much Denise loved her."
"Wise decision."
He stared at all the beads and stones on the table. "So your new line of work is creating jewelry?"
"Yes. I design and craft the pieces. Clunky and bold is in these days." She moved aside a plastic container of turquoise stones. "I'm moving to New York in less than a month to get the business going in a big way. Only it takes money to start a business. I thought inheriting this house was the answer to my prayers, but… You said the things in the house didn't have any sentimental value for me, but they do. I'm not sure how to part with any of my grandparents' treasures." She glanced at her hands. "But if I don't, it'll be one more failure. Somehow I have to do this—I have to prove the time and the care my grandparents gave to me was worthwhile and that I can succeed at something."
"So they'll be proud of you?"
She lifted her eyes to his. "Yes, so they'll…love me. As silly as that sounds."
"Eden, you never had to succeed to gain their love. You had it every day of your life."
"I know…now, anyway. But it's too late… They're gone." She brushed away an errant tear, then another, and his heart twisted.
He cupped her face for a moment, in awe of the softness of her skin, before his lips touched hers. The world rolled away, and he tasted her sweetness and her pain. He'd only meant to give her comfort, but everything feminine in her lit a fuse deep in him. She moaned and he took the kiss to another level.
"Tyler," she breathed against his lips as he pu
lled away gently.
"Shh…Eden. Everything's going to be okay. I'm going to make it okay." He forced himself to get up and walk out the door, the manila envelope clutched in his hand.
Chapter Six
Tyler stayed up late going over his books. He had to find a way to make ends meet without the crops he'd planned to harvest on the March property. It was Eden's land. He had no right to it. He'd realized that when she'd talked of her dream in New York. He'd always admired her bravery, her courage to stretch her wings as far as they would go. Eden had a zest for life unmatched by anyone he'd ever met. Ira had wanted her to be happy. Tyler wanted her to be happy, too. So he had to step back and let it happen.
He tore up the legal document and threw it into the fireplace. He would recoup his losses somehow and move on. Chance would give him all the work he could at the Southern Cross. Then he'd work his own ranch and plant crops after he signed off there. But he still had to make time for Jenny. It wouldn't be easy, but he wasn't taking anything from Eden that rightly belonged to her. And her dreams.
Before he crawled into bed, he thought of the new feelings they'd shared lately—the intimate confessions…the romantic, passionate kisses. For a moment he wished it could lead to a lot more. But like Denise, Eden wasn't happy in small-town Texas. She had big-city dreams.
Was he destined to always fall for the wrong woman?
The next morning, as they walked out the door, Jenny asked, "Can I go to Eden's this afternoon?"
Tyler forced himself not to show any emotion. Last night was still fresh in his mind. He steered Jenny in another direction. "Don't you have a project to finish for Mrs. Lofton?"
"Yeah, but—"
"Work on it first."
"'Kay," she grumbled.
He glanced at the March house. It was in darkness—she must be still asleep. He'd talk to her as soon as he dropped Jenny at school. She had to know he wouldn't stand in her way.
***
Eden woke up to warmth. The feather bed was so cozy and she didn't want to move, but it was morning. And she had tons to do. In pajama bottoms, T-shirt and socks, she padded into the living room and saw the fire was almost out. She dashed to the porch, grabbed two logs and hurried inside. The temperature was low and she shivered.
Quickly she placed the logs on the burning ashes and stoked it. It burst to life. After replacing the screen, she went to make coffee. With a cup in hand, she curled up in Pa's chair and wrapped Gran's afghan around her. She should be making jewelry, she should be packing and cleaning and getting things together. Instead, she was agonizing about what had happened last night.
She'd wanted Tyler to kiss her and it was everything she'd wanted it to be—exciting, exhilarating and passionate. She'd wanted to lose herself in him, to feel his arms around her, his hands on her skin. But just when she'd thought they'd go further, he'd pulled away, saying everything was going to be okay. What did he mean by that?
Taking a sip of coffee, she stared into the glowing embers. At twenty-five, she'd been kissed before. She should be able to figure it out, but she was clueless. She just wanted to be with him again.
Her stomach growled so she went into the kitchen to make toast. Yesterday she'd picked up Pa's mail and it was lying on the counter. It was probably junk, but she took a moment to flip through it. A large manila envelope addressed to her caught her eye. It was from her grandfather's lawyer. Pa had left everything to her so she couldn't imagine what it could be. Ripping it open, she sat down to read.
She pulled out a legal document. It was a codicil to her grandfather's will. Her eyes froze on the page. For his dedication to me and my welfare, I, Ira March, hereby grant Tyler Jakes first choice to purchase said property. A legal description followed. For the said price. An amount was listed that blew her mind.
Pa had practically given him her inheritance.
She'd thought she'd gotten beyond the competition between them, but reading her grandfather's words made everything clear—he'd loved Tyler more.
A knock sounded at the door. Tyler. She couldn't deal with him right now. Maybe if she didn't open the door, he'd assume she was still asleep. She didn't move a muscle.
"Eden, are you awake?"
Darn! She'd forgotten to lock the door. He walked in, bringing the cool January temperature with him. He was awesome in boots, tight jeans and a Stetson. Her stomach fluttered in excitement, even though she didn't want it to. She actually wanted to hit him again.
"It's nice and warm in here," he said, holding his hands to the fire.
"Why are you here?" she asked, trying to keep the anger out of her voice. She failed.
Complete silence filled the room. The fire crackled and suddenly Eden was hot—hot all over—with renewed resentment.
She fingered the document. She could feel Tyler's lips on hers and she hated that she'd been fooled so easily.
"Could we talk?" He walked into the kitchen. "Have you spoken to Ira's lawyer?"
"He asked me to stop by his office when I was in High Cotton. I'd planned to do that Monday. He said it was just a formality." She held up the envelope. "But I guess it's a whole lot more than that."
"Eden, I'm sorry. I received a copy about two weeks ago."
She stared at him. "You do realize the price is staggeringly low?"
"I had no idea Ira had this in mind."
"I bet you didn't." She got up and placed her cup in the sink. If her jewelry didn't sell, she wouldn't be able to stay in New York. Then where would she go? Tyler would have the only place she'd ever thought of as home.
"Eden…"
"I'd appreciate it if you'd stay away until I get my mind sorted out. But then there's not much to think about. It's a done deal. You're getting the property at a steal. Is that what you planned all along? Kiss up to Eden and she'll go along with anything?"
"I didn't plan what happened with us. That was honest and real."
"Oh, please."
"I came over to tell you I'm not invoking the codicil."
"Why not? Pa wanted you to have this place. You were the son he always wanted. I was just the flighty granddaughter."
"That's not true…Eden." He moved close to her and his masculine scent did a number on her resolve.
"Please, don't touch me. Leave me with some dignity." She ran from the room, tears streaming down her face.
Chapter Seven
In her grandparents' room, Eden quickly dressed and called her grandfather's attorney. She had to have answers. A machine came on. She grabbed her purse, intending to be in Giddings, Texas, where Mr. Spencer's office was located, when he opened the door. Tyler was gone when she went through the kitchen to the door.
As she neared the town, she phoned again and Mr. Spencer's assistant answered. Eden informed her she'd be there in five minutes. Mr. Spencer was waiting for her, and she followed him into his office.
"My assistant said you sounded upset." Mr. Spencer waved a hand for her to take a seat, and he followed suit.
She crossed her legs. "How did the codicil to my grandfather's will happen?"
"It was Ira's wish. Since you were out in California, he knew you would never live in the house, and he wanted someone who cared about the place to own it. He wanted to give Mr. Jakes the property outright, but felt it would be a disservice to you, the granddaughter he loved."
"Why did he want to give it to Tyler?"
Mr. Spencer looked uncomfortable. "Mr. Jakes was always there when Ira needed anything. He wrapped the pipes in winter, kept the well pump from freezing, mowed the grass, cut wood for the fireplace, fixed whatever was broken. And he took care of Ira in the last days of his life."
A lump formed in her throat. "I don't understand. My grandfather was healthy until the heart attack."
Mr. Spencer's brow knotted in confusion. "Ira had two heart attacks."
"What?"
"Didn't Ira tell you?"
"About six weeks before his major heart attack he phoned and said he had a spell with his he
art. I offered to come home, but he insisted he was fine."
"He wasn't. Mr. Jakes found him in the yard, called 911 and Ira was life-flighted to Scott & White Hospital in Temple. The doctors wanted to operate but, because of his age, they only gave him a fifty-fifty chance. Ira decided to leave this world just as he came into it."
The lump dissolved into tears. "Why did no one call me?"
"Ira and I have been friends for a long time. I was at the hospital when Mr. Jakes asked Ira if he had called you, and he said he had."
"But he didn't tell me what happened, only that he was okay and I wasn't to worry."
Mr. Spencer crossed his hands over the file on his desk. "I'm at a loss at what to say, Eden. Ira had this idea that you were a lot like your father, Geoffrey, always with a big dream, always needing to be free. After your parents deserted you, Ira wanted you to have the best and for all your dreams to come true. He felt that would never happen here."
Eden brushed away a tear. "I guess we didn't really know each other."
"I think you did. Ira was stubborn and didn't want his beauty saddled with a sick grandfather. He wanted you to be happy."
But I wasn't. I was so alone.
She brushed away another tear. "So Tyler looked out for Pa?"
"Yes. He moved in and took care of Ira."
"What?"
"Ira was very weak and Mr. Jakes didn't think Ira should be left alone."
"What about his little girl?"
"Mr. Jakes' mother came and took care of her, but Jenny was there a lot. Ira loved her."
"How long did this go on?"
"About six weeks. When Mr. Jakes saw the end was near, he loaded Ira into his truck and carried him to the hospital, calling you on the way, against Ira's wishes. He felt you should be given the opportunity to see your grandfather before he passed."
"I did. I got to say goodbye." More tears flowed. Mr. Spencer got up and handed her a tissue. She blew her nose. All these years she and Tyler had warred for her grandfather's attention, to make him proud—a stupid competition, a trivial thing compared to what Tyler had done for her grandfather.
The Cowboy Next door Page 3
