Chapter 26 #2
“We haven’t known each other long, Eden, but you’re family now. Once the Davies clan has claimed you, I’m afraid there’s no turning back. Why don’t you tell me what’s been on your mind lately, darling?”
I didn’t mean to speak—in truth, I meant to give her the same bullshit response I’d been giving everyone else. Instead, I whispered, “It’s my fault.”
That was when she drew back, frowning at me. “What’s your fault, Eden?”
The words poured like a tidal wave, inevitable and destructive, as I told her about my childhood, the stifling religion I’d finally escaped when I turned eighteen, the dread I’d carried with me since the moment I started planning to open Garden of Delights.
I told her about the hate mail we’d received and the note tied to the brick that vandalized Milo’s store.
Then I told her about my parents leaving the country without a goodbye, my brother getting married and having a daughter I’d never met, my fear that the kid was living out my miserable childhood all over again.
Terry was silent long enough that I thought she was going to shove me away and tell me to stay away from her son. I even started to flinch away, but she caught my face in her hands and locked eyes with me, that slate gray going soft as kitten fur in the same way Milo’s sometimes did.
“You think you’re responsible for some vandal’s behavior because you grew up in an environment like that?”
My mouth opened and closed twice before I nodded. “Well…yeah. I’m the target. If I hadn’t been in Milo’s store, they would have thrown that brick here.”
“And you know that,” Terry said gently, “as fact?”
“I—well. It makes sense, doesn’t it?”
She smiled as she brushed her thumbs across my wet cheeks. “A lot of things make sense, Eden, but that doesn’t make them all true. Was your name on either note?”
“No,” I admitted.
“So whoever did those things might not know a single thing about you, wouldn’t you say?”
Good god, was this what it was like having a mother who cared? I blinked back at Terry, frowning, even as her lips curved into a smile.
“And do you think, even if that person was targeting you, that a man I raised would blame the victim of these acts? A victim he clearly loves?”
“No,” I whispered.
“Do you think if you talked to him about it, that he’d want to be away from you while you’re hurting like this? That he doesn’t deserve to be part of the conversation, to have the chance to keep you safe, too?”
“No.” I closed my eyes against the ache in my chest.
“Good, because if you thought that of him, I’d tell you he deserves better, Eden. But he loves you, and if I’m not mistaken, you love him, too.”
“I do. I’m in love with him.”
Her smile widened until it was glowing, radiant.
“Good. Eden, darling, you have no control over what other people do. Milo knows that the people we love are always more important than the things we have. His new window is being installed right now, and this incident gave Carter an opportunity to share his talents with the world. There’s always a bright side. ”
A trembling breath slipped past my lips. “You’re very wise.”
“I’ve had a lot of practice. Now, what do you say about that early access sale, hmm? I think Tucker would love this little red number, and if Milo is anything like his father—though please don’t tell me, I don’t need to know—I think you’d look absolutely stunning in this sweet silver nightie.”
The laugh that burst from my throat sounded as rusty as it felt, but I gestured toward the piles and said, “Please, be my guest. And I think you’re right about the silver.”
Terry’s smile turned soft. “What he sees in you is what you should see in yourself, Eden. That’s not easy, but if you let him show you, you’ll find out that he’s got impeccable taste. Gets it from his father.”
This time, the laughter came more easily. When Terry pulled me in for another hug, I hugged her back. My own mom might have been cold, stern, and strict, but she was out of my life, as far as I was concerned.
Family didn’t require shared DNA. The Davies clan was proof of that.
And it was about time I let myself believe it.
Tempted as I was to close the shop early and go straight over to Milo, I went home, washed my face until there was no trace of tears, and packed a bag for the night.
The silver nightie was at the top of the pile. I couldn’t fix this with sex, but it felt like a peace offering, a little treat for us both after he accepted my apology.
Driving to Milo’s house was nerve-wracking, especially when I wondered if I should have texted to be sure he was home—it would have ruined the surprise, but at least I wouldn’t be freaking out during those seven minutes in the car.
When I pulled into the driveway, his car was there and plenty of lights shone through the windows.
I’d put on the heels that made his gray eyes turn to molten steel, but otherwise, I was wearing the dress I’d worn to work. Though I was prepared to ring the doorbell, Milo swung the door open as soon as I stepped onto the front porch.
“Eden,” he said softly, eyes caught on my face. “Is everything okay?”
“No. I screwed up. Big time. I was hoping you’d give me the chance to apologize.”
Milo reached out to clasp my free hand and pulled me into the house.
I thought he might yank me straight into his arms, but he paused, his eyes searching.
Whatever he saw there must have reassured him, because he let his gaze slide slowly down, following the way the dress clung to my breasts, waist, and hips.
The moment he reached my shoes, he drew a tight breath as a groan rumbled in his chest.
“You don’t need to apologize for anything, Eden, but I have to admit that this giving you space thing is not my favorite.”
“I hated every second of it,” I confessed. “I just wanted you to be safe.”
“Eden,” he began, but I shook my head.
“My head was all mixed up, because I feel responsible for what happened. If someone from my parents’ church is behind this, I brought that into your life. It’s my fault.”
“No, it isn’t. If I’d known this is what you were battling, I would never have let you shut me out.”
I drew a tight breath. “I just thought it wasn’t fair to make you suffer through it with me.”
Now his hands went to my waist, then eased around to the small of my back. I let my tote bag fall to the floor and tangled my arms around his shoulders. His head dipped so he could brush his nose along my jaw, nuzzling the space under my ear until I shivered.
“I suffered through it without you anyway. Next time, can we agree to suffer together?”
“Yes,” I whispered when his lips touched my throat.
“Did you wear those shoes just for me?”
“Yes.”
“Eden,” he growled. “I hope to hell that bag means you’re planning to spend the night. I’m tired of sleeping without you.”
“It does,” I murmured, “but I have a surprise for you, so you can’t just tear my dress off and have your wicked way with me.”
Milo drew back to lift a brow. “A surprise? Will I like it as much as your last surprise?”
I smiled at him as every bit of the pain from our time apart melted away under the intensity of his expression. His gaze dipped, following the curve of my lips. The heat in his eyes remained, but it was tempered now by something soft and tender.
“Well, I’m not sure about that, but I wanted to do something special for you,” I hedged.
His arms tightened around me. “You, Eden, are the most special thing in the world to me. All I need is you, right here with me, yeah?”
“Yeah,” I breathed, just before his lips descended to capture mine.
And for the first time in my life, I believed it, because all I needed in that moment was the sweet warmth of his love wrapping around me as snugly as his arms.
This, I realized, was paradise—and we found it together.