The Taking of Eden

by Robin Alexander

  "Not a peep. I think she's gone on with her life, and I guess it's the way it's supposed to be," Jamie answered sadly as she gazed into the crackling fire.

  "I saw her the other day at the courthouse. I hardly recognized her in her own clothes." He chuckled. "I remember seeing her dressed in Donald's old stuff. She didn't speak to me. I guess she just wants to forget everything that happened and go on with life as she knew it."

  Jamie sighed. "I suppose I can relate to that."

  "That's one of the reasons I wanted to stop by, and I hope I don't churn up a lot of bad feelings by bringing this up." He set a key ring on the table between them. "Those are the keys to Donald's cabin. All the remaining Briggs children wanted you to have it."

  Jamie's eyes filled with tears as she picked up the ring.

  "I know there were some terrible things that went on there, but you have to admit there were some good ones, too, and I know Donald would've wanted you to have it." He paused and wiped the tears from Jamie's eyes. "I've renovated the whole thing, and I had the satellite hooked back up."

  "Paul, I can't accept this," Jamie said, choking back a sob.

  "It's yours and the forty-seven acres that surrounds it. If you choose to sell it, that's just fine with us."

  Jamie chuckled sadly. "I kind of miss the old place."

  "Well, even with the renovations, it's not as nice as your new home, but it'll be a good place to go when you need to retreat," Paul said, hoping that Jamie would accept the gift.

  Jamie swallowed the lump in her throat and stared at the fire a long time before she felt composed enough to speak. "I felt so out of place at his funeral. I sat there amongst your family, knowing that my involving him caused his death. I couldn't blame any of you if you despised me, and here you are giving me his cabin."

  "I figured you felt that way. It was written all over your face." Paul took Jamie's hand into his own. "My family believes that when it's your time to leave this life, there's nothing anyone can do to alter it. It was Donald's time to go."

  Jamie bowed her head as tears slipped down her cheeks. Paul gently tucked his finger under her chin and turned her face so he could look her in the eyes. "You know he wasn't the same after Beth died. He was just going through the motions of living from day to day. Donald is with her now, and I know in my heart he's very happy. You need to let go of the guilt you're harboring."

  After he was satisfied that Jamie was okay, Paul prepared to leave. Jamie clutched his hand as she walked him to the door, feeling like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Paul was right—Donald was where he had wanted to be for a long time.

  "You did know she was at the funeral?" Paul asked as he stepped out the door.

  "Who?"

  Paul chewed his bottom lip, feeling foolish for letting another cat out of the bag, a habit he seemed to be getting into lately. "Eden. She stood away from everyone, but she was there."

  Jamie seemed shocked by the revelation. "Why didn't you say something?"

  "She seemed so uncomfortable. I imagine she's been feeling a lot of the same guilt that you have. She probably felt that she didn't belong there, but before I could speak to her, she was gone."

  Jamie hadn't considered that Eden may have been feeling guilty, too. "I guess you're right, I'm sure she has some issues of her own."

  After Paul left, Jamie took her seat back in front of the fire. Her thoughts were all over the place. She clutched the key to the cabin tightly in her fist and wondered if she would ever have the guts to go back there again. The thought of being there without Eden made her stomach twist into knots.

  She thought back on the day when she had planned on dropping in on Al to thank him for all he had done. She parked on the street but hesitated getting out of her vehicle when a sports car pulled into the drive. The woman who stepped out was a far cry from what she had seen before.

  She stared open-mouthed as she watched the tall figure emerge from the car. Even from a distance, Eden looked so regal in her business suit and long overcoat. Unconsciously, Jamie's fingers clutched the steering wheel as she remembered what it was like to run her fingers through the brown hair that now hung well past Eden's shoulders.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Eden ran her fingers through her hair as she stared at the phone number Al had scrawled on a piece of paper. Her hand trembled as she reached for the phone.

  "I have the reports you asked for, Miss Carlton," Charlotte Miller, her new personal assistant, said as she walked into the office.

  Eden snatched her hand away from the phone and regarded the elderly woman who stood before her desk. "Thank you, Mrs. Miller. Do you have a minute?"

  "Of course," Charlotte replied. "Will I need my notebook?"

  Eden smiled. "No, ma'am, this is more of a personal nature. Please have a seat."

  Charlotte sat and waited expectantly for Eden, who seemed to be struggling with what she wanted to say.

  "I've.. .deeply wounded someone with a wrong assumption, and I'm not sure how to make amends."

  Charlotte smiled. She was touched that her young boss had chosen her for advice. "Have you tried simply apologizing?"

  "It's been a while since we've spoken, and I'm afraid too much time has passed." Eden sighed. "I'm afraid she's written me off."

  "Miss Carlton, the longer you put things like this off, the more the wound festers and it becomes harder for the other person to forgive. You need to at least make an attempt."

  "I knew you'd say that," Eden said with a wry grin. "I'm just going to have to face the music."

  "It'll be worth it, if you can mend the friendship that obviously means so much to you," Charlotte said as she stood and prepared to leave Eden to her task.

  "Thank you for your time, Mrs. Miller, and in the future, please call me Eden. I feel a little funny having you address me so formally."

  "Please feel free to call me Charlotte, and if you need a shoulder to lean on, you can reach me anytime day or night. You have my home number."

  "Thank you, Charlotte, that means a lot," Eden said, feeling her stomach clench again as she glanced down at Jamie's number. Not only had time passed since their fight at the cabin, but Eden still harbored guilt over the deaths of Donald and Holly. A simple apology didn't seem to be enough.

  "I love painting, it's so therapeutic," Jamie said as she dipped her brush into the hunter green paint and brushed it over one of the shutters on her new home.

  "Well, chipping and sanding downright sucks," Ann huffed as she wiped the sweat from her brow. "You know, there are people who do this for a living. They're called professional painters, you can find them in the phone book."

  "I'm saving a lot of money by doing this myself, and remember, you volunteered." Jamie playfully flicked paint at her sister.

  "I know it makes you uncomfortable to hear this, but I'm more than happy to give you all the money you need until you get back on your feet." Ann held up her hand to forestall the protest. "You can pay me back by babysitting for a weekend or two. That in itself is worth a fortune to me."

  Jamie continued to paint one long stroke after another. "I have enough money to get me through the next few months. I just don't want to deplete my savings. And I do have a few job prospects lined up, I just need a break before returning to the workplace."

  Ann reached up and grabbed her sister's arm gently. "Look at me, Jamie. Don't go back to work until you're absolutely ready. You've been through a lot and you still need time to heal. I'm more than willing and able to support you until that time."

  Jamie grinned at Ann. "You love me, don't you?"

  "Love you? I don't even like you. Life was great until Mom and Dad decided to bring you into the world," Ann said with a chuckle.

  "No, you love me! I can see it in your eyes," Jamie teased as she pulled her sister into her arms.

  "Get off of me, you freak," Ann protested jovially.

  "Not until you say you love me." Jamie hugged tighter.

  "Just because I'm ol
der now doesn't mean I can't still whip your ass," Ann said, shrugging out of the hold and dropping Jamie to the ground. "How'd you like some grass for lunch?" Ann said with a menacing grin as she sat on Jamie, pinning her to the ground while dangling a handful of grass and soil above her face.

  "Am I interrupting something?" Eden asked, surprising the two women who did not hear her approach.

  Ann looked up at the tall brunette speechless, as Jamie spit and sputtered against the soil raining down onto her face.

  "I was hoping you'd have a minute to talk," Eden said to Jamie as she stood there awkwardly with her hands clasped behind her back.

  Ann got up and pulled Jamie to her feet. "I'll go inside and make myself useful," she said before scampering off.

  Jamie brushed at the dirt on her face. "How did you find me?"

  "Al gave me your address. It's a nice place you have here," Eden offered as she looked around.

  "Well, I'm sure it's not what you're accustomed to, but for me, it's perfect," Jamie responded with an edge in her voice.

  Eden cocked a brow. "Are you implying that it's too simple for my taste?"

  Hurt and anger bubbled to the surface, and Jamie felt no urge to control her emotions. "Why are you here, Eden?"

  Taken aback by the hostility in Jamie's voice, Eden took a deep breath and steeled her nerves. "I came to apologize for the way I acted back at the cabin."

  "Took you a while, didn't it?" Jamie seethed. "Did Detective Salamoni finally convince you of my innocence?"

  "Jamie, I knew you were trying to help me, but that last day when I found that phone, I was shocked and I overreacted. I couldn't understand why you kept it from me."

  "You should've given me the benefit of the doubt!" Jamie shouted. "I lost two friends trying to help you and you turned your back on me!"

  The hurtful words slammed into Eden, leaving her stunned for a moment. "This was a bad idea. Have a nice life, Jamie," Eden said as she pulled an envelope from her coat. "I hope this helps you." She held it out to Jamie.

  Jamie snatched it from her hand and looked at the check inside as Eden walked toward her car.

  "You have the audacity to think money would make everything all right?" Jamie yelled as she followed Eden to her car. "Is that how you solve your problems? Just throw a wad of money at it? You really are a rich brat!"

  Eden spun on one heel and came nose to nose with Jamie. "That money was for you to furnish your new house that / bought, not Al. I knew if he told you the truth, you wouldn't take it. I felt it was the least I could do for you!" Eden watched as Jamie's face flushed even redder with anger.

  "And you're right—I do have a lot of money, but aside from Al, that's all I have. You have a family who obviously adores you, and that makes you far richer than I could ever be!" Eden shouted into Jamie's face.

  "You're right. Had I known it was you behind the purchase of this house, I would've never taken it. I don't want anything from you," Jamie replied in a calm but cold tone.

  "Well, now you're stuck with it." Eden tugged the door to her car open and climbed inside, hearing the muffled curses that Jamie spewed.

  "Don't you think you were a little harsh?" Ann asked as Jamie stormed into the house.

  "I'm sure you listened to every last word, too," Jamie sneered.

  "Yep, and Mom would fall over dead if she heard what you yelled when Eden drove away."

  "I'm not in the mood to discuss this," Jamie said as she plopped down on the couch.

  Ann ignored the comment. "She didn't deserve that, she was trying to apologize."

  "Don't push me, Ann."

  "Why? Are going to go all ape shit on me like you just did in your own front yard?"

  "I think it's time for you to go home," Jamie growled.

  Ann sat in the chair opposite Jamie. "I think seeing her again brought all the pain to the surface." Ann paused for a second as Jamie glared at her. "I think that explosion was coming for a while now, and she just happened to light the fuse."

  "Did you sneak off and get a psychology degree?" Jamie asked sarcastically.

  "No, and it doesn't take one to know what just happened. Jamie, it wasn't her fault what happened to Donald and Holly, and you know this, but in some small way, I think you blame her."

  "I know it's not her fault," Jamie said quietly. "It's mine. There were so many things I could've done differently. I should've been patient, but I had to have the answers I wanted immediately." Tears streamed down Jamie's face. "I'm angry at myself."

  "In hindsight, everything is so simple. We all go through life thinking how much better it would be if only we had done some things differently."

  "Yes, but the consequences of my decisions were so severe. Sometimes I can hardly bear the guilt," Jamie said as she rubbed her eyes.

  "You do realize that Eden feels a lot of the same guilt, and that probably explains why it took so long for her to face you."

  "And I ripped her to shreds," Jamie said sadly.

  "The ball is in your court now, little sister, but I strongly suggest you take some time to get yourself together before you approach her," Ann said as she took a seat next to Jamie. "I'll be here for you to yell and scream at for as long as it takes." Jamie looked up and smiled. "You do love me, admit it."

  Eden pulled into Al's driveway and found him sitting outside in the sun.

  "Beautiful day, isn't it?" he said cheerfully as Eden approached.

  "Actually, this day sucks in a major way." Eden took a seat next to him.

  "You look as though you've been crying. What's wrong, love?" he asked, taking her hand.

  "I went to see Jamie today, and she told me to be fruitful and multiply but not in those words."

  Al arched his gray brows. "What does that mean?"

  "She told me to screw off, that was the censored version," Eden said as she stared at the ground.

  Al chuckled. "I don't mean to laugh, darling, but that child is a little spitfire, isn't she?"

  "Yes, and she reduced me to a pile of ashes," Eden replied sadly.

  "She's dealing with a lot, just as you are. Give her some space and you'll be able to patch things up."

  "She'll have all the space she needs because I'm not going to try that again."

  "You two need each other after going through so much together, don't be so quick to give up. True friendship is worth the wait."

  Eden sat quietly kicking at the grass.

  "Is there something you'd like to tell me?" Al asked softly.

  Eden took a breath. "No, sir. I'm just going to go home and mull things over."

  "Very well then, but you know I'm here whenever you want to talk. You know you can bare your soul to me with no condemnation," Al said as Eden rose from her seat.

  Eden leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "I know and I love you for it."

  Al watched as she walked back to her car, shaking his head at the stoic woman. She was more like her grandfather than she realized. It was like pulling teeth from the elder Carlton to get him to talk about things that troubled him, and Eden was no different. He left the door wide open for Eden to confirm his suspicions about the relationship he suspected she and Jamie had. He wanted to comfort her, but he would not push, at least not this day.

  "Rich brat," Eden hissed under her breath. She knew she should have just gone home, but instead she found herself cruising down the tree-lined street that led to Jamie's house. She pulled in behind a car parked on the street and watched as Jamie and the woman who was obviously her sister backed out of the driveway.

  The woman was only an inch or two taller, but her and Jamie's facial features were too similar not to be closely related.

  "Where are we going?" Jamie asked grumpily as Ann pulled onto the main road.

  "We're going to get something to eat, then go shopping."

  Jamie scowled. "I'm not in the mood for shopping today, Ann."

  "Well, I'm not in the mood to eat pizza for every meal like we've had for the past two days. You
need food in your house, and a bag of Oreos and soda do not count."

  "I don't cook," Jamie said as she reached for the volume on the stereo. "Don't you have anything other than KC and The Sunshine Band?"

  "You can cook, you just don't like to. And don't knock my music, it's much better than that rap crap you listen to. That's the way I like it, uh-huh, uh-huh," Ann sang along with her favorite band.

  "You really shouldn't sing, animals are falling dead in the street," Jamie said as she rubbed her temples. "Somebody please put me out of my misery."

  "Would a rich brat paint your house?" Eden said aloud as she looked proudly at the freshly painted shutters. Jamie had neglected to pick up the remnants of her painting job, and Eden found the task too tempting. "Now for my signature," she said with a grin as she strolled to the back of the house.

  "I just love sliding glass doors," she said under her breath as she dipped the brush into the bucket.

  The following morning, Jamie arose to the sound of Ann's laughter. She dragged herself out of bed and was fastening her robe when Ann met her in the hallway. "I've got good news and bad," she said much too cheerfully.

  "Give me the bad news first," Jamie said as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

  "Nope, the good news first—the shutters are painted," Ann said with a grin.

  "You painted already this morning?" Jamie asked groggily.

  "No, she did," Ann said, stepping out of Jamie's view of the glass door.

  Compliments of the rich brat was scrawled across the glass door in green paint. "Son of a bitch!" Jamie hissed as she stared at the sight.

  "It was dark when we got in last night, I didn't notice it until now," Ann said with a giggle. "At least she rinsed the brushes out."

  "I don't know whether to be happy she painted the shutters or pissed off that I'll have to spend my Sunday scraping paint off the glass," Jamie said between clenched teeth.

  "Look at the bright side—she did a wonderful job on the shutters," Ann tossed in as she slipped into the bathroom.

  Eden puttered around her house, looking for something to keep her hands busy and her mind on something other than Jamie. Still emotionally bruised from the day before, she was determined to go on with her life and leave Jamie to hers. She tried not to remember how cute Jamie looked with sprinkles of dirt on her face or how her blonde hair glowed in the fading sunlight as she stood on the curb cursing like a sailor.