by Sonia Parin
He shouldn’t have kissed her. Even if it had only been an expression of his gratitude.
The first time, but not the second...
He’d kissed her deeply, unleashing, uncoiling a need he hadn’t wanted to admit he’d been harboring. He was no stranger to lust at first sight, but he’d never acted on it. Like his father, he enjoyed the build-up of anticipation, entertaining possibilities, taking one step at a time. Never rushing. Always savoring.
He’d known she was trying to move away from a bad chapter in her life. Had he complicated things for her? Had she read too much into his kiss? Had he been sending her the wrong signals? Was he kidding himself? He had to at least own up to the truth. He’d wanted to kiss her since the first day he’d seen her.
“What are we supposed to be looking at?”
Theo turned and found three pairs of eyes looking up at the building. The three Faydon brothers. Matthew stood with his hands hitched on his hips. Mitch leaned against Theo’s convertible, his feet crossed at the ankles. While Markus had his arms crossed and his eyebrows drawn down into a deep scowl.
“Is someone threatening to jump off the roof?” Matthew asked.
“I was looking at the figurehead.” Theo shifted his gaze from one of the windows to the figurehead of a voluptuous golden haired siren. “It’s an odd ornament to have in a pub. How did you come by it?”
“Frederick Charles McIver Faydon sailed The Gloriana from England to Australia back in the early days of settlement. The ship sunk off the coast, but eventually he salvaged the figurehead. When he came inland to settle in Eden, he brought it with him.”
Mitch cleared his throat. “Rumor has it you moved out of The Gloriana and straight into Claire Muldoon’s—”
Theo turned toward Mitch. Their gazes held for long seconds, then Mitch shrugged.
Matthew cleared his throat. “Mitch actually meant to say you were seen out on the road kissing Eddie.”
“Don’t tell me. Now I’m banned from the pub.”
Chapter Eight
“Make up your mind.”
Eddie sat in her car. She’d reached the end of her grandmother’s driveway, and now...
Her fingers tapped on the steering wheel like the tick-tock of a clock measuring another second of indecision. She watched several cars drive by. Everyone seemed to know where they were going. “I only need to point in the direction I want to go.” And she’d be off, somewhere, she didn’t know where. She’d tried breaking free of her routine by walking out on everything she knew, but she hadn’t been able to switch off her thoughts. No matter what she did, she’d never be able to get away from herself.
“And I shouldn’t need to run away.” Stay here long enough, she thought, and the world will come to me. As if to mock her, a car drove past. A bright, shiny, red convertible.
“What the—”
Theo had left Eden.
He was half way across an ocean, she didn’t know which one, but it had to be one of the big ones, putting several time zones and a lifetime’s distance between them.
She slapped her open palm against the steering wheel. “No. No. No.”
Checking for traffic, she gritted her teeth, put her car into gear and the pedal to the metal. But her little car didn’t have a hope in hell of catching up with his…
“Pretentious, sleek, turbo charged—”
She growled her frustration out of her system, slowing down before she embarrassed herself by pushing her car too hard and breaking down.
* * *
“Lunch first and then I’ll drive you over to your friend’s place,” Theo said as he held the door of The Gloriana opened for Ben.
“Sure, that’d be great.”
The previous day, the Faydon brothers had subjected him to a serious, shoot from the hip, line of questioning requiring yes or no answers. A fair enough system, Theo had thought. No demands for details. Although, the few uncertain I-don’t-know answers he’d given them had nearly banned him from The Gloriana. They’d also deprived him of a few hours sleep.
If he had the chance, would he kiss Eddie again?
Too much had been happening in the last couple of days to know for sure, but once he saw her again...
Theo brushed his hand across his face. Joyce had made a point of telling him, in a not so subtle dramatic way, that Eddie Faydon had left town. It had taken a bit of doing, with some wrangling thrown in, but in the end she’d caved in and had explained Eddie had gone to visit her grandmother.
Yes, but...
Would he kiss her again?
Mitch had laughed saying there could only be one answer. While Markus had shaken his head and had told him the answer had better be no.
“Mom’s having lunch on the plane, right?”
Theo set aside his muddled thoughts and smiled down at Ben. “She sure is.” They’d been up since before the crack of dawn and after an early breakfast, they’d hit the road driving to Melbourne so that Claire could catch her flight to L.A. The six-hour round trip had him beat, but Theo felt too relieved to care. The fact Claire had trusted him to look after her son still surprised Theo, but he knew it had a lot to do with how she’d felt… or still felt about Jon Kendrick. Of course, there was no getting away from the blood is thicker than water reality. Ben was his brother. They hadn’t told him yet. Claire had insisted on doing it in her own time, and only after she’d had a chance to talk to Jon.
Theo had sensed her nervous excitement and the quivery anticipation as the reality of what she was doing sunk in.
Mission accomplished. Finally. The rest was up to his father. He’d either wrap up loose ends and push for a favorable outcome or learn to live with his regrets.
Meanwhile, Theo had to hold the fort and somehow navigate his way around looking after a nine-year-old boy. He had zero experience with kids so he’d decided to adopt the better safe than sorry approach. In other words, he’d think twice before speaking. “You know it’s all right to miss your mom.”
The young boy threw his head back and sighed. “We’ve been apart before. I go camping and on school trips all the time.”
In fact, he had one coming up and according to the ‘to do’ list Claire had drawn up, Theo had to make sure Ben had everything packed the night before.
“Can we sit at the bar?” Ben asked.
“Um. Sure.”
“Mom never lets me.”
“Hang on a sec—”
“Only because we always come here with other people and they like to sit at a table. It’s all right, she won’t mind.”
Theo had the feeling he’d been passively manipulated. “Maybe you shouldn’t boast about it to your mom when she comes back. You know, let it be our little secret.” He’d kept his voice low, yet he knew he’d been overheard, like he knew he was being watched. Turning, he met a pair of large chocolate brown eyes. They bounced from him to Ben. Back and forth, as if she couldn’t believe her eyes.
Eddie’s expression shifted from cautious to curious. Then her cheeks turned a deep shade of crimson and her expression withdrew into a reasonable impression of nonchalance.
“Hey, Eddie. Mom’s gone to L.A. She’s on a plane right now. One of the big ones. And she’s flying first class.”
“And she left you behind?” she asked, her lips stretched into what looked like a forced smile.
“She’ll only be gone for a few days. There wasn’t any time to organize a passport for me.”
“Where are you staying?”
Ben shrugged. “Home. Theo’s sleeping on the couch.”
“The lumpy couch?”
Ben laughed. “Yeah. Until the new one comes. The couch makes him groan in the morning.”
“I bet it does.” She leaned on the counter. “Sorry to do this to you, buddy, but in the absence of your mother someone has to. Have you washed your hands?”
Ben rolled his eyes and threw his head back. Then with a groan, he slid off the barstool and did his best impersonation of a zombie as he walked toward
the rest rooms.
Eddie turned to him.
“It’s a long story,” Theo said in response to her raised eyebrow and unspoken question.
She cleared her throat, her eyes zigzagging across his face. “I figured as much. And I’m guessing you still can’t go into details.”
He wasn’t sure how Claire would feel about everyone knowing she’d had a fling with Jon Kendrick all those years ago. Her story to tell, Theo decided and shook his head. “Claire’s doing a favor for a friend who’s sick.”
“It must be a very good friend for Claire to leave her son in your care.” She clamped her hand over her mouth. “I really should stop that. Sorry. Cross my heart, I won’t toss any more fishing for information remarks.”
“I’ll forgive you if you pour me a beer.”
She lifted a finger. “And that’s your quota for the day since you’ll no doubt be driving Ben back home.”
“I’ll take what I can get.”
“It’s like that, is it?”
“I’m all out at sea and not sure what I’m doing, so yes, it’s like that. I haven’t spent much time around kids.”
“Men are only grown up versions of kids. You’ll be fine. Just do guy things.” She shrugged and turned her attention to pouring his drink.
“I hear you’ve been away,” he said.
“And I thought you’d gone away.” She put her hand up. “Sorry. I’m doing it again.”
She set his beer down on a coaster and poured some juice for Ben.
“Your meals shouldn’t be too long.” She turned to leave.
“We haven’t ordered yet.”
“Ben always has a burger with the lot. You’re having one too.”
He was?
“And don’t use cutlery. Eat with your hands. Otherwise Ben will think you’re weird.”
“I didn’t realize I was seeking his approval.”
“You should be.” Again, she turned to leave.
“Um. Do you think we could catch up?” he asked.
She gave him a noncommittal shrug. “We’re bound to bump into each other if not here, then at Joyce’s.”
Theo cleared his throat. “I’m not sure we’ll see each other at the café.”
“Why not? Ben and Claire always have breakfast there on Sundays. I’m guessing she wants you to stick to a routine.”
“Well, Ben might have to settle for my home cooking because I’ve been… sort of banned.”
“As in, no more coffee? That’s harsh.”
“You don’t sound surprised.”
“Nothing that happens in Eden ever surprises me.” She unscrewed the top of a bottle of water and took a long swig. “What reason did Joyce give you?”
“Apparently, I’m guilty of misconduct.” He rolled his eyes and looked up at the ceiling then down at her again. “Being tight-lipped got me blacklisted. Do you think you could do something about lifting my ban?”
“Reinstate your privileges? What makes you think I have any pulling power?”
He gave her a raised eyebrow look. “Don’t underestimate your influence.”
“Okay, let’s assume I can do something about it. What’s in it for me?”
“You sound like a business person trying to cut a deal.”
“I think I picked up a bug while I was away, it’s making me act all out of character and do things out of self-interest.” She gave him an impish grin.
“What do you want?” he growled softly.
She drummed her fingers on the counter. “Mm. Let me think about it. I’ll get back to you. And… here comes Ben. You should go wash your hands too. You wouldn’t want to set a bad example.”
* * *
She could do this so long as she managed to make it look easy, normal, not forced. Eddie set the plates down in front of Ben and Theo, her eyes dancing between one and then the other before she stepped back.
“Theo can’t decide what to do for dinner tonight,” Ben said as he took a bite of his burger. “That scares me. Also, he doesn’t understand how we’ve survived this long without at least six take out options in Eden. He says it shows poor judgment.”
“I suggest you fill up here then. It might be a long night for you, buddy.”
“Seriously? Mom said he’d take care of me. I’m a growing boy. To quote mom, I need my regular feeds or else I turn into a gremlin. And not the cute ones. We’ll probably end up coming here tonight again, but mom’s got that on a no-way is that allowed to happen list. Lunch at the pub is fine, but not dinner. She says the place is too rowdy for a young, impressionable boy.”
“Are you taking note of all this?” she asked Theo who was looking at his empty glass of beer and probably wishing for something stronger.
“I’m quietly praying you come up with a solution. Something along the lines of offering to cook for us.”
“Yes. Please say yes,” Ben said, pleading with his hands.
“Do I look like I’m for hire?” she tried to laugh it off, but the idea of spending any time with Theo, even as a token friend… Get a hold of yourself, you fool. Again, she looked at Ben and then at Theo, taking in the same shaped face, the hair coloring, the eyes…
“I’ll pay you. Triple the going rate.” Theo drained the last drop from his glass. “Actually, you can name your price.”
“How on earth did you manage to convince Claire to leave her precious son under your care?”
He pointed to his head. “It’s the halo.”
“You’re deluded.” Shifting her gaze, she caught sight of her brother Markus standing by the fireplace, his arms crossed, his scowl aimed at Theo, more as a warning for her than for Theo who sat with his back to him.
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Yes, I’ll throw you a lifeline, but I’m making a mental note of it. I will expect payment in due course. As for the currency, I’ll let you know.”
“Just put it on my tab.”
Ben sunk low on his stool, playacting his relief. “That’s one meal taken care of. Now to sort out the rest. Maybe I should fill up my pockets with peanuts.”
“In your place, I’d be more worried about being dragged out of bed to go jogging. Did you know Theo jogs in the morning? He might make you go with him.”
Ben surprised her by shrugging. “That’d be okay. I don’t mind.”
“How about doing your share of the housework?”
“There’s a law against child exploitation.”
“Does that work with your mom?”
“Never, but it was worth a try.”
Theo cleared his throat. “So, what time can we expect you tonight?”
“Oh, you weren’t kidding. You really want me to go over and cook for you guys.”
“Please.”
* * *
“Eddie? Why are you bent over? Are you sick?”
Yes. No. She didn’t know. Her mind had a parade of thoughts marching through, there was some sort of trapeze act happening in her stomach, and she couldn’t steady her breathing. “Go away, Mitch.”
“You’re hyperventilating.”
She had her hand over her heart, and anyone seeing her, anyone other than her witless brother, would think she was practicing her breathing and preparing for labor.
“You’re huffing… and puffing. Have you been running up the stairs?”
She gave him a slanted eye look that spoke of murder and mayhem. “I could be dying and you’d still ask me a thousand questions. I could keel over from a heart attack and you’d probably prod me with your foot first.”
“Of course I would. What sort of idiot do you take me for? You might bite.”
She straightened and glared at him.
“Why are your cheeks red? That’s not a good sign.”
“You’re full of insightful observations today.”
“Yeah, and I’m having a light bulb moment here and thinking you’ve had a run in with a certain—”
She lifted a warning finger. “You boys need to stop ho
vering around me. Just because I came back doesn’t mean I’m staying. One wrong move from any of you and you can start looking over your shoulder because I’ll be there, watching and waiting to trip you up and ruin your lives. And that’s a promise.”
“Wow, go easy on the reprisal. You know we have your best interests at heart.”
“How about I release you from whatever brother-at-arms pledge you’ve made. I’m one interference away from taking out a restraining order on the three of you. And tell Markus to stop scowling at Theo. He’ll scare all the customers away.” She stood toe to toe with her brother, her finger wagging under his nose.
“Careful with the ultimatums, Red. I can still throw you over my knees and spank you.”
“Just you try it. I’ve got new moves.”
“Eddie.”
She groaned. When Mitch lowered his tone, he meant business.
“Be careful with Theo.”
Mitch Faydon, Eden’s very own bad boy, was warning her off Theo?
* * *
“How about a movie with aliens and spaceships?” Ben asked.
Go with the flow. Don’t fight the current. Theo had apparently worked something out with Claire. That left Eddie with two choices. She’d already decided against running away so she’d simply have to adjust. Learn to live with the idea of Theo being with someone else.
He’d come to Eden for Claire so she shouldn’t feel as if she’d missed out or been passed over for someone else. Think of sand through the hourglass. This too shall pass...
“Earth to Eddie? Scary movie with aliens and spaceships?”
She tapped her chin. “Those movies don’t scare me. And I can almost always tell when they use fake aliens.”
Ben rolled his eyes. “You want a girl flick with kissing and crying and weddings—”
“Young man, you should study up on those films. The day will come when you will reap the rewards of a well-informed mind.” She’d never really been into girly films, but it was all she watched whenever she got together with her friends. Maybe she should listen to her own advice. She might learn a thing or two about catching a man and keeping him. “I wouldn’t say no to Mars Attacks. That has to be the best alien movie around.”