In her heart she knew her grandparents had protected her from the moment she'd come into their lives, encouraging her to be whatever she wanted to be, even if it meant she was far away from them. Pa had done so right to the end. She couldn't be angry because he loved her.
He loved me.
Mr. Spencer leaned against his desk. "Eden, do you want to contest the codicil?"
"No." She rose to her feet. "But I'd like to do something else. Draw up the papers to give Tyler Jakes the property as my grandfather wanted."
"Please, think about this," he advised.
"I have. It's the right thing to do."
"Take a few days."
She reached for her purse. "Call me when the papers are ready to sign."
Walking out of the office, she felt better than she had in a long time. The truth had opened up the dark corners of her heart. So many wasted years misguidedly thinking her grandparents had loved Tyler more. In reality, her grandparents had loved them both, only in different ways because they'd needed different things—Tyler had needed a father, and she'd needed a home. Pa couldn't have loved Tyler more; love wasn't measured. It was freely given.
She'd always known Tyler was special; she just never knew how special until she heard of his devotion to her grandfather. Not many men would make such a sacrifice.
She had to have the courage to do something as meaningful.
The money from the sale of the property would be a loss, but if she couldn't make it in New York on her own, then she didn't need to be there.
***
Late that afternoon, Eden curled up in her grandfather's chair, soaking up his presence by touching the things he'd loved. How she wished she had the chance to tell him his wish would come true—his house and land would belong to Tyler and he would cherish it the same way Pa had. And she would move on to accomplish all the dreams he had wanted for her.
Except for the one that could never be. The one that was right here in High Cotton.
"Eden?"
She turned to see Jenny standing a few feet from her.
"I knocked, but you didn't hear me."
"Oh, sorry." Her thoughts had been inward.
"Whatcha doing?"
Without thinking, she replied, "Sitting in Pa's chair and remembering him."
Jenny jumped in beside her. "I like to do that, too. We can miss him together."
Jenny's face and hands were cold. "Where's your jacket?"
She shrugged. "My teacher found it on the playground and I brought it home. But after that… I guess I left it in my room. Pa said Daddy should tie it around my neck." Jenny giggled. "He's funny."
Eden tucked the afghan around the little girl and they sat, watching the fire and missing a man they both loved.
After a second, Jenny said, "Daddy and me are going to plant a garden and call it Ira's Garden. You can help us."
"That's real sweet." Eden wasn't sure she'd be here then, but there was no need to tell Jenny that.
"We do missing good, huh, Eden?"
"Yes, we do." The future lay before her and she wondered how it would all go. What would she miss when she left? Would she miss this house and the memories?
Would she miss the cowboy next door?
Chapter Eight
Eden smiled at the little girl on her lap. Since Jenny's two front teeth were missing, her words came out with a "th" sound. It was so cute. She noticed a piece of tattered paper in Jenny's hand.
"What's that?"
"I have to make something for school. But I'm six years old. I don't know how to make anything. And Daddy's hopeless. He can't even get my hair into a ponytail."
Eden took the pink construction paper from her. "What is this supposed to be?"
"A crown. I want to be a princess Barbie." She made a face. "But it's ugly. You make pretty things. Can you make my crown pretty?"
"Let's go see what's in my bag of tricks." Jenny followed her to the table. Eden had bought some rhinestones so she could glue them on a belt she'd worn for a party. She searched for them, finally finding the right tray and pulling it out. Jenny sat close beside her, intently describing how the crown should look.
Eden drew the shape on the construction paper and handed Jenny the scissors. The girl painstakingly followed the lines, her tongue sticking out. After that, Eden made a big O in the center and several stars along the sides. She glued on two rhinestones and then handed the glue stick to Jenny, letting her choose the colors, which turned out to be pink, red and purple.
Chewing on her tongue, Jenny said, "This is gonna be so beau-ti-ful. I'm gonna win a prize."
"Does your teacher give prizes?"
"No, but she should."
Eden smiled and watched Jenny work until the crown was almost covered. She stapled it at the back and placed it on Jenny's head.
"Do I look like a princess?"
"Oh, yes, you're a beautiful princess. And a cutiepie." Eden could see why Pa had loved Jenny and Tyler so much. She couldn't help loving them, either. But she wasn't going to analyze that thought any further.
"We'll let the glue dry for a bit."
"'Kay."
"Does your dad know you're here?"
Jenny bobbed her head. "I left him a note."
"A note? Can you write?"
"Yep. I can write my name and Pa's, so that's what I put on the note."
"I see." Tyler's job was to decipher the rest. Jenny certainly kept him on his toes. "Where is your Daddy?"
"He went to check on a cow. I'm supposed to be doing my homework."
Evidently Tyler hadn't come back or he would be looking for his daughter. "I'll walk you home." She had to talk to Tyler, anyway.
"'Kay. Can I wear my crown?"
"Sure."
They walked along a well-worn trail to the Jakeses' house, Jenny proudly displaying the crown. The old farmhouse with a wraparound porch was timeless. Two wood rockers and a sturdy swing decorated the front side. Jenny's bike lay on the plank floor.
At that moment Tyler rode up to the barn on his chestnut mare. As he dismounted, he noticed them standing in the yard and strode toward them.
"Uh-oh," Jenny said. "Daddy isn't happy."
Within a few seconds he was in front of them, his handsome face etched into a scowl.
"Look, Daddy." Jenny pointed to her head. "Eden helped me with my school project."
"You weren't supposed to leave the house for any reason."
"Yes, sir. I'll go sit in the time-out chair."
"That doesn't seem to be working. You're going to bed an hour early and no TV."
"Dad-dy."
Tyler pointed to the door. "Go read one of your books. I'll be there in a minute."
Jenny stomped inside and Eden could see the pain it caused him to discipline his daughter. She could tell he was a great father.
She wished she'd stop discovering all his good qualities.
***
Tyler took a breath and turned to face Eden. They had to talk about the codicil. He didn't want the land. It was hers. She sat on the stoop and he joined her.
"Don't worry about Jenny coming over. She wasn't a bother," she said, and that delicate fragrance he associated with her relaxed him. "But I agree she shouldn't leave the house alone. That's why I brought her home."
"I'm at my wit's end on how to discipline her."
"Where's your mother?"
"In Abilene with her husband. She worries about me and Jenny and comes about every six weeks to make sure I'm not starving her grandchild."
"So it's just you and Jenny?"
"Yeah."
The sun was sinking in the west and the temperature was dropping. But for some reason he didn't feel cold.
"Eden, I'm sorry about the codicil. I'm not exercising that right. The house and the land are yours totally. Besides, I can't afford it."
"I spoke with Mr. Spencer and he told me the whole story, which my grandfather neglected to do. I had no idea he was so ill. When I'd called, he sounded w
eak. But he always said he was just tired, and I believed him."
Damn! Why had Spencer done that? It accomplished nothing now but to upset her.
"Eden…"
"I'm glad he had you to take care of him and I'm so grateful."
"Are you crying?" He couldn't see clearly as the darkness crowded in on them.
"Just a little."
He put his arm around her and she nestled into him.
"I'm sorry I was jealous of you over the years."
"Really? I rather enjoyed going head-to-head with you."
"You did not." She turned and looked at him and he lost himself in the glistening blue of her eyes. Against every sane thought in his head, he cupped her face and kissed her softly, gently…until stronger emotions took control. Her hands slipped beneath his Carhartt jacket and he weaved his fingers through the thickness of her hair as the kiss deepened. He'd kissed her before, but not like this. This time they kissed as equals, aware of exactly what they wanted.
After seconds—or minutes, or hours, he couldn't gauge—he rested his forehead against hers and his hat fell off. He didn't care about that. He only cared about the woman in his arms.
"I have to tell you something," she murmured.
"What?"
"Pa wanted you to have the house and land, so I'm giving it to you. I just want some items from the inside."
He drew back. "No, no! You can't do that."
"I already did. I'll sign the papers before I leave town."
"You're still leaving?"
"Yes. I'm meeting a friend in New York to peddle my jewelry to designers. I'll let you know before I go."
He frowned. "Then what was that kiss about?"
She touched his face. "Goodbye, Tyler. I'll never forget the cowboy next door." She stood and walked into the darkness.
***
Tyler caught up with her. "Eden, I refuse to accept the property."
"Tyler, please, this is what Pa wanted." The night wrapped around them and a million stars lit their path.
"I believe what Ira really wanted was for us to spend time together so that we could get to know each other and stop competing. And we have. I used to think you were flighty, irresponsible, but I don't anymore. I got a glimpse of the real Eden and I like her—a lot. She's spunky, brave and reinvents herself when life doesn't go according to plan. That takes courage."
"What are you saying?"
She heard a heavy sigh. "I'm asking you to consider staying. I know you have plans…and this is sudden but… You don't have to be alone anymore."
Eden threw herself into his arms and he held her tight. "I always thought you were the golden boy with the Midas touch who could do anything. I know now that's not true. You have troubles, heartache and pain just like everyone else. And you're so compassionate, caring for Pa and Jenny. I never saw that side of you."
He kissed the side of her face and she trembled. "We've both learned something in the past few days. Love doesn't come from doing what's expected of you. It comes from the heart."
"And achievement doesn't create love, either."
"No." He cupped her face. "I was so sure I wouldn't fall in love again, but I'm nuts about you. I'm so afraid, though. Can you settle for a small-town life?"
Eden thought about her plans in New York. They weren't so appealing anymore. In the past few days, her desperate need to succeed had been replaced by a need for someone else. A need for family. Everything she wanted was right here, standing next to her.
She buried her face in the warmth of his neck. "Is it possible to fall in love this quickly?"
"We've been falling for a long time. We just didn't realize it."
"Mmm." She stood on tiptoes and met his lips with a fire that left no doubt about their true feelings.
After a moment, he cupped her face once more. "Are you sure?"
"I've never been more sure of anything. This is where I belong—with you and Jenny."
"What about your plans?"
"I'll just reinvent myself again. I can make Pa's house into a workshop and create my jewelry here. Paige will understand. Since she's doing a new website for me, I can ship items from the local post office. I really don't need the hectic lifestyle of New York, but I do need you and Jenny."
He kissed her briefly. "You know, your bravery has inspired me. Maybe I'll reinvent myself and do something I've always dreamed of doing."
"What would that be?"
"I gave up the rodeo when my mom remarried. I don't want to go back there, but maybe…I might start a rodeo roping camp. Boys are always asking me to teach them to rope."
She snuggled into him. "A great idea, and I'll be here to help."
He kissed her long and deep and the January wind blew against them.
"I love you," he whispered against her lips.
"I love you, too."
They'd both found what they'd been searching for—love, right next door.
THE END
Farewell Note:
Wow this book was a challenge to me because cowboys are one aspect of life I knew nothing about,I hope you love it,If you want to contact me here is my E-mail address: [email protected] -Miley Stewart.
Other Books By The Author In Smashwords
Single Doctor!
Soul Mates
Navy Hope.
The Cowboy Next door Page 4
