by Sonia Parin
“Oh, dad. Please don’t.” She’d definitely die of mortification. “I’m a big girl. I can look after myself.”
“You don’t have to. That’s what your brothers and I are here for. If Adam led you on—”
“He didn’t.” She took the griddle off the stove and stacked the pancakes on a plate. How could she explain to a grown man that his only daughter had made a fool of herself? Not once, but twice. “Please let it go, dad.”
He held her gaze as if trying to draw out the truth from her. “Okay,” he finally said. “If you say so.”
“I say so and I better take these out before they get cold.”
“I can do that.”
“That’s okay. It’s the last one and I need to stretch my legs.” Also, she needed everyone to see she hadn’t become a menace to society, or worse, a shrinking violet. Pulling off her apron, she strode out of the kitchen and headed toward the bar, her steps steady as she approached the counter. So far, so good, she thought as she set the plate down in front of Theo Kendrick and gave him a no-darts-up-her-sleeves smile.
“These taste as good as they smell and look,” he said after only one mouthful.
“You sound surprised.”
“I’m relieved. I jogged around the town five times this morning. My tank’s running on empty.”
She tidied up behind the counter and checked on supplies, all the while letting her attention stray to Theo Kendrick. Instead of sitting at one of the tables, he’d chosen to sit at the bar, not making it easy for her to ignore him.
“More coffee?” she asked.
He nodded. “How many shifts are you pulling today?”
“I’m off for the rest of the day.” She had a hairdresser’s appointment to keep, courtesy of her friends, Sophie and Helena. It was all part of Sophie Wright’s run up to her wedding in a few week’s time, but mostly it was a chance to catch up. Eddie knew her friends were miffed about her not saying a word about Adam and were eager to get the inside scoop.
She set the coffee down in front of Theo and leaned back to sip some water. “What’s with all the jogging? Do we have an upcoming marathon around here I don’t know about?”
When he smiled, his eyes lit up with amusement. “I started jogging when I moved to Oxford to study. It’s the best way to see a city. Every day I’d set out along a different route and in no time I knew the place like the back of my hand. It’s become a habit with me now.”
She rested a hand on the counter, but stood at an angle, as if about to resume what she’d been doing. “I thought about taking it up.”
“What happened?”
“It was a New Year’s Eve resolution. I woke up the next morning with a hangover. We had an Irish backpacker working as a bartender. He made the most delicious cocktails.” She shifted and leaned back against the counter thinking she’d let him end the conversation.
“It’s never too late to give it another go.”
“Maybe some day.” Eddie gave him a chance to resume his cell phone vigil but when his attention remained on her, she decided she’d chat with Theo Kendrick the way she did with anyone coming into The Gloriana, and then she’d move on to the next customer. “Why did you choose Oxford to study?” There were plenty of Ivy League schools in the States.
He took his time thinking about it, or perhaps avoiding giving her a straight answer.
“I was going to spend some time in England. It fit in with my plans.”
“And how does Eden fit into the scheme of things? I’m sure you didn’t come here on a whim.”
He smiled as he studied her. “What’s the latest theory?”
“There are a few floating around. You’ve committed a white-collar crime and chose Eden to hide out in.” She could imagine him wearing a suit and mixing with powerbrokers and high flyers. “You’re a writer looking for inspiration.” That wasn’t her favorite because she might end up in one of his books as the village madwoman. “You’re searching for a long lost relative.” Or a girlfriend looking to get as far away from him as possible, while leaving a trail of crumbs for him to follow. “You haven’t asked about any of the locals so maybe you want to do some fact finding first.”
“What if I asked questions? Would people huddle up and protect one of their own?”
She tilted her head. “Hoping to get some entertainment value, they’d send you on a wild goose chase. Their willingness to share information would depend on how forthcoming you are about saying why you’re looking for the person. You could be an axe murderer.”
“If I mention a name, everyone could safely discount my plan to kill her.”
“Her?”
“Or him.” He finished his coffee and paused.
For a wild moment, she imagined him breaking his silence and confiding in her.
“Edith?”
She frowned. “Is that her name?”
The edge of his lip quirked up. “I’ve been trying to figure out what Eddie stands for. So far, I’ve come up with Edaline and Edith.”
“It’s Eddie.”
“But it’s short for something else.”
“Do I look like I want to tell you?” In her mind, she’d always been Edwina, but that wasn’t something anyone needed to know. She wiped a spot on the counter. “It’s an old-fashioned name.”
“Did you ever give it a chance to grow on you?”
“Did you, Theodore?”
* * *
Theo checked the rear-view mirror and caught himself smiling. Eddie had warmed up to him without losing her spark.
He’d probably lived more than half of his thirty-one years in hotels, courtesy of his nomadic lifestyle. He traveled regularly between the U.S. and the U.K. dealing with his parents’ respective business interests and taking care of whatever chaos they created.
In all his travels, Theo had never encountered anyone like Eddie. At first glance, she’d confused him with her cold shoulder act. Then again, he’d been spoilt, always getting the green light from women happy to engage him in conversation as a lead up to something mutually satisfying—the sort of offer he only took up if he was staying in one place long enough to make it worth everyone’s while. Now Eddie Faydon seemed okay with him, engaging him in easy chatter. It didn’t mean she was getting ideas. She probably wanted to break up the tedium…
Theo brushed his hand across his face. She did have an intriguing smile… “Stay on track.” He’d driven out after breakfast. As Eddie had pointed out, the roads around Eden were tricky, mostly because they lacked road signs. Also, the houses were set well back from the road and most didn’t have numbers.
He pulled up on the side of the road and checked his cell phone. The reception wasn’t great but it was good enough. From the start, he’d thought it would be a good idea to let Claire Muldoon know he was on his way. But so far, she hadn’t picked up his calls and he didn’t want to leave a message. His overcautious mind told him it wouldn’t be the wisest move. Maybe he could say something without mentioning his father’s name...
He dialed the number and when the call went through to voice mail, he hesitated. Forgetting the lines he’d rehearsed, he hung up.
“Losing your touch?” It only ever took one phone call to sort out anything from a damaging leak to the tabloids to the most sensitive ego on the verge of career suicide, namely his mother. He dealt with difficulties on a daily basis. Sometimes, moment to moment. He faced dart-wielding redheads without batting an eyelash. Leaving a phone message should be a walk in the park for him.
Leaning against the steering wheel, he could just make out the roofline and a corner of the house. The last couple of times he’d tried, she hadn’t been home. He supposed he could walk up to the front door, knock, and if no one answered, he could leave a written message—introduce himself and pave the way. Theo decided to go with that plan, but as he opened his car door, a car emerged from the tree-lined driveway. The driver glanced his way but didn’t pay him much attention as she drove off toward town, leaving Theo no choic
e but to follow.
* * *
“If you’re going to put your pride on the line do it with a stranger and start small. Have a fling, or better still, a one-night stand.”
“Golden advice from a woman in love.”
Eddie’s gaze bounced between Sophie and Helena Wright. The two sisters had organized the hairdressing appointment as a lead up to Sophie’s wedding but mostly as part of their monthly get-together, which looked about to be cut short because at the rate they were going, they’d be tossing hair curlers at each other.
“Shouldn’t we discuss veils and flower arrangements?” Eddie asked hoping to diffuse the eruption before it blew up in their faces and ruined their girls’ day out.
“There’s no point in focusing on bouquets when your private life is down the toilet,” Sophie said.
“Telling Eddie to have a fling is insensitive,” Helena Wright snapped.
Eddie sighed. “Maybe Sophie’s trying to live vicariously. She’s no longer a free agent, so it’s up to us to live it up,” she said and raised her champagne glass in a toast. “Although,” she turned to Sophie, “Helena has a point too. You might as well know I’m experiencing a bit of bride envy.” And she didn’t want a one-night stand. She wanted what everyone else seemed to get so easily. But first, she had to find someone she wanted and who wanted her right back. “I don’t understand why we haven’t done this before. A manicure. Champagne. Chocolate covered strawberries...”
“Because this is the first time I’m getting married,” Sophie said.
“You’ve caught the last of the good guys. I doubt there’ll be a second time.”
“There are plenty of fish out there. You only need to know what bait to use,” Sophie said.
Helena tossed back her drink. “Having a plan of action doesn’t hurt either. Meanwhile, I suppose there’s nothing wrong with finding someone to have fun with.”
Sophie nodded. “We hear he’s good looking and traveling alone. He’d be perfect. Here today, gone tomorrow. And don’t give us that blank look. Yes, we’re talking about Theo Kendrick. Pity we can’t get into town early enough to catch sight of him jogging. Does he really have a six-pack?”
Eddie rolled her eyes. “Yes, he does and I’m not after something temporary.” There, she’d said. “I wouldn’t be any good at it.” She’d had a couple of long-term relationships. With three brothers looking over her shoulder, it hadn’t been easy to become more than friends with anyone. There had been Derek. He’d moved to Eden during her last year of high school. They were together for over three years.
Derek had always wanted to study geology but first he’d worked for a couple of years in his grandparents’ farm to save enough money to cover his living expenses. Once he’d moved to Melbourne and started his studies, the relationship had cooled down until eventually they’d gone their separate ways. Although, they had remained friends and to this day, they still sent each other birthday and Christmas greeting cards.
It had taken her a couple of years to find someone else. Roy had come to Eden to take up a teaching post at the local high school. They’d become inseparable and everyone had thought they’d get married. In fact, they had been headed that way. They’d made plans. They’d looked at houses in the area. They’d even set up a joint bank account. Then one summer, Roy had gone on an impromptu holiday to visit his family up north... without her.
Eddie’s breath hitched and she mentally scurried to find her bullet point list of events—the one she relied on to stop herself from falling into the trap of dwelling.
He’d bumped into an old girlfriend.
She’d fallen pregnant. With his baby.
End of story.
At first, she’d given herself six months to get over the feeling of betrayal. But with each passing day, her head had filled with more reasons why she should avoid becoming tangled up with a man again.
Yet, here she was dreaming and wondering, wishing her special day would hurry up and come. She wanted to be married. To start her own family. To live in a house instead of at the pub. Everyone around her seemed to be settling down. Why was it taking her so long?
She chortled under her breath. Was she suffering from selective memory loss? There had been Derek, and then Roy…
Assuming disasters came in threes, her next relationship was bound to end up in the trash.
If the best she could hope for was another bad relationship, then maybe she should focus on getting it over and done with. Then she’d be free!
“So you’re suggesting I let my hair down, and go with the flow. Keep it casual. And if anybody asks why I’m still single, I’ll pretend I have developed a phobia about commitment.”
The sisters looked at each other and shrugged. “Or you can hold out for the fairy tale.”
Helena lifted her glass in a toast. “That’s what I’m doing. I’ve already drawn up a list of possible candidates. Doc Fisher is about to retire. I heard him say his nephew is looking to set himself up in a country practice. I wouldn’t mind catching myself a vet.”
“Is that your way of calling first dibs?”
Helena grinned. “With all things being fair and equal, we all stand a very good chance, but there can only be one winner.”
“Who needs reality TV?”
“Then there’s Luke Sterling,” Helena continued.
The sip Eddie took of her champagne nearly went down the wrong way. “Good luck trying to land him. Everybody knows Luke Sterling has a girl in Melbourne. Why do you think he travels there every weekend?”
Helena shrugged. “I’m an optimist. He’s tied to the land. No way is he going to end up with a city girl. It’s just a matter of time before he comes to his senses. But we’re not here to talk about me.”
“That’s right, we’re here to decide how Sophie is going to have her hair done and what color nail polish to wear on the day.”
“Nice try.” Helena refilled their glasses. “We need to put our heads together and come up with a plan to get you together with Theo Kendrick. You have a good foundation—”
“How do you figure that?”
“He’s staying at the pub. That’s a start and an advantage over any other woman. Not that I would consider putting him on my list of prospective husbands.”
“I’m glad we cleared that up.”
“Please try to take this seriously, otherwise you’ll be going to the wedding with one of our cousins and we like you too much to let that happen.”
“I think I’ve drunk too much champagne. I’m sure I said Theo Kendrick is only passing through and that I’m not interested in a fling.”
“Okay. If you’re not game, then that clears the way for me,” Helena said and lifted her glass in a salute. “How do you feel about that?”
Eddie refused to answer. She couldn’t. She wouldn’t.
* * *
Claire Muldoon slammed her hands on the driver’s door of Theo’s convertible and did a convincing job of staring him down.
“Why are you following me?”
Up close, he had trouble believing she was in her mid forties. She had high cheekbones, glowing skin. Rich brown locks fell to her shoulders in a fun, flirty style. Her eyes were large green gems... shooting off sparks at him. “It’s not what it looks like.”
Her expression shifted from angry to surprised. “You’re not from around here.”
“I suppose my accent is a dead giveaway,” he chuckled. “I’ve been trying to get in touch with you, to let you know... to ask if you’d be prepared to meet with me. There’s something I need to discuss with you. Jon Kendrick—”
Claire Muldoon pushed away from the car as if jolted by an electric shock, took a step back, and lifted a warning finger. “You need to stay away from me.”
Chapter Four
Theo pressed the phone to his ear and listened to the update on his father’s condition.
Significant improvement. On the mend. Asking about you. No longer critical…
He frowned. Whe
n he’d left L.A. a few days before, his father had been in a bad way but not critical. He wrapped up the call and brushing his hand across his face, he remembered how his father had taken hold of his wrist, not letting go until Theo promised to do everything he could to find Claire Muldoon. Find her and bring her back...
So if he was off the danger list now, it meant he hadn’t been entirely in the clear when he’d forced the promise out of him. It made Theo wonder about his father’s frame of mind. Desperate and anxious, but still cunning enough to coerce the doctor into backing him up with a misleading prognosis so that Theo wouldn’t hesitate and delay his trip to Melbourne?
His back teeth pressed together.
For now, it was enough to know he didn’t have to rush back to L.A., and just as well, because at this rate he’d be going back empty-handed.
“Somewhere between yesterday morning and now you lost your happy face.”
Theo looked up from his cup of coffee and seeing Eddie, he rubbed the tips of his fingers across his forehead, easing down the ridges of concern, but his thoughts remained. If he couldn’t convince Claire Muldoon to return with him—
Eddie Faydon’s smile distracted him.
“Surely our coffee isn’t that bad.” She shifted and gave him a slanted look. “Okay, between you and me, our coffee is not great but Joyce refuses to share the name of her supplier with me, so until I wrestle the information out of her—”
“Are you saying there’s an establishment in Eden serving superior coffee?”
She laughed. “Did you just use your snooty tone with me?”
“I may have.”
“Say something else.”
“Who is this Joyce you speak of and how do I find her?”
She clapped her hands. “Hang around here long enough and the Eden Thespians will rope you in to play the lead role in the annual theatre production. This year they’re doing Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of… something or other.”