22. Eden
22
EDEN
E den sat at the table at Axel’s aunt and uncle’s house, with Jack by her side and Axel sitting opposite, smiling a funny smile at her that he’d worn all day.
They had explored the snowy homestead earlier, tromping through the fields to see the horses, the old houses, the new cabins, and a creek that curved through the woods.
It was incredible how the family had worked together over the past two years, turning the venerable old estate into a place where children could learn about wildlife, farming, and local Native American history, and families could come to camp out in the cabins and enjoy nature.
They had spent so much time outside today that Eden’s cheeks were windburned and she was chilled to the bone by the time they got back to the big house for supper.
But now they were at the table, with a fire crackling, a kitchen stove that seemed to always be going, and so many people gathered around that they were all nice and toasty warm, in spite of the slight draft moving through the old windows and ruffling the curtains.
Tanner and Valentina were there with Zeke. Jack and Zeke had worn each other out throwing a ball and playing hide and seek with a few of the other Williams kids.
Now, as the adults lingered over their meal, the children were all eating pot roast at an alarming rate and knocking back chocolate milk as fast as Axel’s Uncle Alistair could pass it around.
“This is great,” Jack said, suddenly popping his head up from his plate with an enthusiastic smile.
“Thank you,” Axel’s Aunt Annabelle said with a warm smile. “I’m so glad you’re enjoying it.”
Normally, Eden had to encourage Jack to clean his plate. It was nice to see him put away food, especially when their hostess seemed to take it as a compliment instead of judging him for inhaling the home-cooked meal.
Looking around the table, she noticed that everyone had fond glances for the children. This was such a relaxed group, in spite of the Williams family being so well-known and respected in town. It was becoming clearer to Eden that respect in this town was gained by worthy actions, not by fancy possessions or putting on airs.
She was grateful that there were some familiar faces, though she was still so new to town that she certainly didn’t recognize everyone.
Miss Caroline from the library was married to Axel’s cousin, Logan. And Lily, who owned the toy store in town, had married another cousin, Levi. Lily had excused herself from the table earlier to go play with baby Flora, their toddler, who Eden figured was about one and a half. The two of them were examining all the decorations on the tree right now, the toddler’s eyes sparkling with happiness as she reached for the shimmering objects.
But there were still plenty of people at the table—adults and kids— and Eden knew it would take her forever to learn all their names.
Will I have forever?
She was being silly, of course. It had been kind of Axel to invite them here today. She sensed it was because he knew Jack got a little bored hanging out quietly at home with her on the weekends, and there was certainly a crew of children here to keep him occupied.
But that look on his face today… what is that?
Suddenly, everyone was chuckling.
She looked up and realized that Sebastian Radcliffe, the local philanthropist, who used to be Valentina’s boss and was now married to Axel’s cousin Emma, had said something funny, and she had missed it.
Stop mooning over Axel, she told herself firmly. Just enjoy this time together, and don’t question it so much.
“Oh goodness,” Annabelle said, still smiling. “Well, on that note, who wants to help me clear off the table so we can set up dessert?”
Eden rose immediately, and the kids all cheered and rushed to help.
“Eden,” Axel said quietly. “Can I steal you for a second? ”
She glanced back at Annabelle, wondering if she had better help her hostess first.
“The kids usually do the clean-up and help with dessert,” he told her. “It’s tradition.”
She smiled, realizing that must be right. Every child at the table was industriously gathering up dishes and cups and marching for the kitchen, all of them looking very pleased with themselves.
“Okay,” she said, letting him lead her out to the living room.
“Someone needs a fresh diaper,” Lily said, smiling knowingly, and heading out of the room with little Flora.
“Sit, please,” Axel said gently, gesturing to one of the sofas.
She sat on the soft cushions, watching as he pulled something out of his pocket and lowered himself to sit beside her.
“I got something for Jack,” he said, his voice a little nervous. “I think he’ll love it, but I wanted to talk to you about it first.”
She had been thrown a little by the tension in his voice, and the fact that he had a present for Jack did make her a little uncomfortable.
It had been so kind of him to buy their Christmas tree yesterday. The beautiful pine was standing in their living room now, ready to be decorated.
But it had given her a whisper of worry. She was proud to provide for her son, and glad that she could do it herself. She was getting her head around the idea that dating Axel was nice. But she didn’t want to rely on him .
And she really didn’t want Jack to start expecting gifts and presents.
Besides, as far as she knew, Axel didn’t even have a real job lined up yet. It wasn’t right for him to spend his money on them without more coming in.
“Axel,” she said gently. “You don’t need to buy things for us to show us you care…”
“This isn’t like that,” he said right away.
He frowned, like he was trying to think how to explain what it was, and then appeared to think the better of it, and just thrust a folded piece of paper into her hands.
She took it, unfolding it carefully.
Spring Break Football Camp to Develop Young Players in the Pocono Mountains!
She couldn’t believe what she was reading, but the message was clear.
Axel wanted to send Jack away.
The black and white images of kids playing on a field and rowing canoes blurred in front of her eyes and she couldn’t read anymore. But she didn’t need to.
Breathe, she reminded herself. But white-hot fury was already burning in her heart. This was a nightmare come to life.
Axel seemed like such a gentle soul, but here he was demanding more from Jack, as if participating at school and in a club wouldn’t be enough for her son to reach Axel’s standards.
And worse yet was knowing that he wanted to separate her from her son. All day yesterday and today she had been so grateful and happy that the three of them had so much fun together.
But all Axel wanted was to send Jack away at the first opportunity and have her all to himself.
Well, if he wanted a woman without a child, there were plenty of those on the market in Trinity Falls. He was not going to be sending her favorite little person to some camp full of strangers.
She was off the sofa before she had even realized she was standing, moving to the kitchen as quickly as she could without knocking anyone over, unshed tears burning her eyes.
“ Excuse me, ” she murmured, passing behind Annabelle and grabbing Jack by the elbow.
“Mom?” he said, the word jerking out of his mouth worriedly.
He knew her too well. He could always read her moods.
“We have to go,” she told him as calmly as she could. “I’m so sorry. Can you grab your coat?”
“Is there anything wrong?” Annabelle asked quietly, slipping out to follow them to the back porch where the coats were hung on hooks.
“Everything’s fine,” Eden told her. “I just have a terrible headache.”
She hated lying, but she didn’t want to tell the poor woman that she was heartbroken. And to be honest, her head didn’t exactly feel great.
I didn’t realize how much I liked him until now...
“I’m so sorry,” Annabelle said. “You can lie down in my room with an ice pack and an aspirin, if you don’t feel up to driving.”
“I’ll be fine,” Eden said, turning to face her. “Thank you so much for everything. This was the nicest day I’ve had in a long time.”
There was a lump in her throat, and it was all she could do to pull her own coat on and take Jack by the hand on the way out the back door.
Thankfully, the walk around to the front of the big house was shoveled. She walked as fast as she could, with Jack half-trotting beside her.
“ Eden ,” Axel called out as they reached the car.
“ Bye, Coach ,” Jack called back to him. “ My mom has a headache, but I’ll see you at school. ”
She was already in the car when she realized she still had the piece of paper crumpled in her sweaty hand.
“What’s that?” Jack asked.
“Nothing,” she told him, shoving it into her coat pocket.
She forced herself to take a deep breath and slow her heart before starting the car and turning it out onto the big gravel driveway and the road that led back to the village.
How could I have been so stupid?