"Oh.” She made a small ‘O’ with her mouth, then smiled sheepishly. “Again, nothing I haven't seen before. Your secret's safe with me. Nobody has to know you're going commando. I won't tell anyone.” Eden winked. “There snap, snap, snap, all done.” She straightened and smiled. “Now was that worth all the fuss?"
"Eden.” He groaned and rolled the chair into the middle of the bedroom floor after her. “Stop patronizing me. Stop helping me."
"Are you hungry?” Eden asked.
"No, I'm not."
She bit her bottom lip. She looked like a kid with her bare feet and yellow nylon shorts barely peeping from the hem of a huge shirt. “I'm only trying to help."
"Eden, I don't know if this is going to work. Me staying here and all."
"Why?” She demanded and plopped down on the edge of his bed. “Why isn't this going to work?"
"Because, I...” he spoke softly, “need my privacy. I don't want you dressing me."
"Okay.” She shrugged. “I won't help you. I just don't see how you are going to manage. I mean do you want a kilt or loin cloth? I really don't think rolling around in the buff is the answer."
"Listen to yourself. Eden, have you ever, ever considered that I might manage without you?"
"No. You need help and Jeb is too little to do a lot of this. Grace is out of the question. Dylan is only here at night. Sorry. You need me."
"No, I don't.” She was not going to steamroller through his life.
"Independence has always been your big priority."
"Me? I think that's a case of the pot calling the kettle black."
"I don't mind needing people.” She pulled her knees up and hugged them.
"Really, and who exactly do you need?"
Eden opened her mouth and her eyes narrowed. “I need your understanding and cooperation."
He struggled and pulled himself out of the chair and onto the bed beside her, all caution thrown to the wind. “You don't need me.” He moved closer. He shared her air.
Eden didn't back away. She stood her ground. Her eyes widened in response to his nearness. The urge to crush her lips to his was strong and scarcely controllable. His heart sped out of control.
She reached up and touched his face, caressing with her palm. “I do need you."
He placed his mouth over hers and closed softly on her lips. “Lord help me, Eden, I want nothing more than to resume where we left off."
Eden smiled.
"Sorry.” He felt his face flushing. What had he just said? “I think that's the pain killers talking."
"But it's still there, isn't it?"
"Yeah. And when I see you and touch you Eden, I want to be with you again."
"I'm sure when the hospital released you this was not part of the plan."
"You didn't let me finish.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I was going to add but I also want to strangle you."
"Really?” She raised a brow.
He smiled. His lips touched hers and moved without conscious thought.
"Jericho.” She backed toward the headboard to rest on a pillow. “We need to stop."
"It was only a little kiss."
"A little kiss?"
"All right I lied. A few little kisses."
"So I take it you're through sulking?"
"No.” He gave a surprised laugh. “I reserve the right to sulk all I want. Half of me wants to pound some sense into that head of yours for trying to do this alone; half of me wants to let you see just how angry and insulted I am because my child was kept from me; and then half of me is so proud that I have a son and we share this child, I don't know what to do."
"That's three halves.” She corrected.
"Cut me some slack here."
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Eight
"Eden Sawyer, tell me that man is not in this house.” The slamming of the front door echoed throughout the house.
"That would be my mom."
"She's still in the area?” Jericho grimaced.
"Yeah, she still works at the trauma center, not that I see her that much. She always preferred career over family."
"Is she the orthopedic specialist there?"
"Yeah."
"I'm leaving. Your mother is not getting me on an operating table."
"She already has. She assisted with your surgery."
His eyes rounded. “You let that woman near me with a knife? Thanks."
High heels clicked on the hardwood floor. Marta Sawyer stopped in the doorway of the guestroom.
"Get out of that man's bed. Since you're here, Jericho, I'd like to look at that leg.” Marta spoke brusquely. “How did this bed get so wet?"
"I took a bath. I didn't stick the wrapped leg in. I propped it up on the clothes hamper."
Marta slowly looked to Eden. “I would have thought you knew enough to keep his legs dry."
"I took a bath, Doc. I'm a big boy and Eden can't really stop me from doing anything. For that matter, neither can you."
"You need to keep the brace on at all times. And use some common sense."
"I'm not going to go around smelling.” Jericho stiffened.
"Try sponge baths. Eden wouldn't mind helping I'm sure,” Marta suggested dryly
"What if we get an extra brace and use it for the tub?” Eden casually sat on the chair arm.
"I'll think about it.” Marta grumbled.
"So what's the prognosis?” Jericho questioned.
"You'll be up and about on crutches in about six weeks, if you keep that brace on your right leg. You will probably graduate to a brace then for the left leg. Stay in bed more and without my daughter in it. In fact I'm putting that leg up right now. It's swelling. Get some pillows, Eden."
Eden walked to the closet and withdrew four more pillows which she propped under his left leg. “You were very lucky. I realize this is going to be awkward for all involved and it is as a doctor, I'm saying this. No pressure on those legs of any kind.” She turned to face Eden. “Keep your hands off him. He needs to heal. I'll be back day after tomorrow to check on you."
"I'll see you to the door.” Eden stood and walked with her mother.
"I can't believe you have him in your home.” Marta's heels tapped in a harsh staccato.
"You live with Dr. Snyder. Don't give me that."
Marta's expression never changed. “We are two adults. Not a wannabe cowboy and a silly girl who has no idea what she wants."
"He's ranked number one in his division of calf-roping. That's no wannabe, and I know what I want."
"Oh please.” Marta rolled her eyes. “You need to think of your career, which has gone nowhere since that irresponsible cowboy got you pregnant. You have no idea what you want out of life."
"I do. I'm happy being a mother. You're the one who didn't want a family, not me."
"You don't have a family,” Marta snapped. “You're a single, unwed mother who has zero chance of finding a respectable man as long as you keep hanging onto Jericho Farrell. Keep the legs elevated and dry."
"Yes, Doctor.” Eden shut the door as soon as her mother walked over the threshold. Her mother had never been the touchy feely type, why would she start now?
* * * *
"Eden?"
"Do you need something?"
"If you wouldn't mind, I'd love two fresh ice packs and...” He paused. “You in here."
She walked to the kitchen and returned with the packs. After they were on his legs, she slowly walked to the other side of the double bed. “You know what the doctor said."
"I don't care what Marta said."
"Really? What do you want, Jericho? A fling? We've already had one of those."
"No, at the moment all I want is you with me so I can hug up to you,” he answered.
"You know what I think? I think you got so used to sharing a bed with Dylan when you were a little boy you're not comfortable unless someone else is in the room."
"He told you about that, did he?” His eyes nar
rowed and made a mental note to kick Dylan's backside later. He had shared a double bed with Dylan until he was twelve. Then his sleeping bag had been a bed for a good long time. “Please, don't repeat that story.” He held out his hand to her. “Despite what Marta seems to think, I am harmless on these pain pills.” He put his arm around her shoulder. “You know this is the important part."
"What?"
"Talking, holding each other.... “He sighed. “I had a marriage where the only things between us were superficial or physical. I needed more than that. Parts fit together with any woman."
Her eyes widened at his bluntness and she couldn't help but laugh aloud.
"Well it's true.” He chose his words with care. “I want a relationship, mind, and heart, and soul. Being with a woman shouldn't be like going to the ATM machine. We had that something more, Eden. One time with you was more wonderful and special and everything than a thousand times with anyone else could ever be. Even if we'd never been together, your smiles and kisses are more meaningful and moving than spending the night with any another woman."
"That was a long time ago. I am not that same silly girl and you are certainly not that same boy."
"I love you.” He traced her jaw line with his forefinger.
"You are something else, Jericho Farrell, and you are not harmless. You are just the kind of trouble I don't need.” Eden dropped her chin to his chest and snuggled. “You know neither of us has enough sense to know what's good for us."
"Yeah, but I am content with that knowledge,” he whispered.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Nine
Eden watched as Jericho put his tractor in gear beside the one driven by Matt. He'd been on the mend for eight weeks now and was now helping on the farm. The brace was off his right leg and as long as he was really careful, crutches were all he needed. Two of the hands had left the ranch for other jobs and Jericho had naturally stepped in to lend a hand. Right now Jericho sat atop the tractor in the early morning sun. Out of old habit he'd simply stripped down to his cut off jeans. Eden smiled. Jericho had always hated a farmer's tan.
Matt hadn't forgiven Jericho for his relationship with her. Although their friendship was on rocky ground, Eden knew Matt still appreciated the help.
Jeb had followed his father's example and thrown his small T-shirt on the back of the trailer. Eden tried to ignore the stirring she felt watching Jericho. He had a way about him. He always had. She hadn't been able to ignore the poor farm hand. She had worked in the fields all day by his side. As a young teen she adored him. That had never diminished.
They had shared the same bed often since he had moved in but they had simply slept together. Eden had moved back to her own bed of late. He was driving her to distraction.
Jericho dismounted and grabbed his crutches, then headed to the picnic table under the sheltered area by the barn. Eden still remembered how he used to lay down on the cool concrete in the picnic area after a hot morning in the sun. It had been one of those lazy days when she had first realized he was attracted to her.
She had been all of fifteen and had an enormous crush on Jericho. Always one to act on her impulses, she had spied him asleep. Eden had put her hands in the office refrigerator for a minute, then snuck up on him. He had jumped when the cold had hit his bare stomach, then realized it was her and laughed uncontrollably as she tickled.
"Eden, stop,” he'd laughed at first.
"Make me.” She'd challenged. After a few more tickles, he'd grabbed her arms pinning them behind her. She had raised her head to meet his heated expression. Jericho had bent his head to her and hovered a minute. Eden had been so eager and ready for his kiss her eyes had closed, then he'd pulled back and murmured a quick excuse to leave.
Eden felt like that now. Eager with anticipation. Yet Jericho held back. Eden wasn't an impulsive fifteen-year-old any more. “I'm an impulsive twenty-seven year old.” She walked out the door of the office to the shed. She put two quarters in the drink machine and selected a cola.
Eden straddled the bench at the end of the picnic table and popped the top of the canned drink. She looked to the cement where Jericho rested.
"You know, Jericho, you can rest in the house or go swimming in the pool to cool down.” He gave her a dry look and gestured to his splinted leg.
"In this? I don't think so."
"Well, you don't have to lay on the concrete.” She took a sip then held out the can to him. “If you're tired, I really think you ought to take a rest."
"I'm here out of force of habit. I'm fine, Eden.” He sat up stiffly, bending his healing right leg and dragging the left a bit as he scooted over to her. He took the offered can and leaned the back of his head against the wood of the bench.
"You should rest those legs some.” She worked the tight muscles of his shoulders.
"Yes, Mother.” He cut his eyes at her, taking a long sip of the drink.
"Jeb is going to be at my dad's tonight,” she said.
He turned at her statement, regarding her with those turquoise eyes.
"How about a nice quiet dinner and then we could go see a movie or something?"
"Are you asking me out on a date, Eden?” He pulled himself up and seated himself on the table.
"Um-hum.” She didn't look at him. Jericho reached out and caressed her cheek with his hand, his thumb lingering on her lips. Eden met his gaze and felt her pulse quicken.
"Sweet Cheeks!” Dylan was loud as he came bounding around the side of the building with Gracie tagging along behind.
"Oops.” He smiled. “Didn't mean to interrupt a private moment there.” They made an interesting pair, Dylan with his baggy khaki shorts and tank top and Gracie behind him. Her nearly black hair supported at least a dozen little butterfly bows and she wore an enormous pair of neon green sunglasses that clashed horribly with her flowery knit top and stripped shorts with eyelet trim around each leg. Her big daisy flip-flops slapped loudly with each step and revealed tiny little painted toenails.
"Great it's the town clown and his sidekick.” Jericho muttered.
Dylan stopped and pointed at his brother. “I heard that, Hop-a-long."
"Here they are, Uncle Matt!” Jeb came running around the building too. Matt followed closely behind.
"We're on our way to check out Dylan's house.” Matt leaned against a post and removed his hat.
"They got the cabinets in. Y'all have to see it.” Dylan interrupted.
"After that Dylan and I are going to Cranky Hank's and the Yellow Rose. Thought you two might want to come along.” Matt looked at his sister.
"I guess.” Eden reluctantly agreed.
"Well you don't have to sound so excited.” Matt was sarcastic.
"Sounds real good.” Jericho leaned over whispering, “Not as good as what you were suggesting.” Eden blushed. The tight set of Matt's mouth combined with the flush creeping up his neck told her he'd heard the comment.
"Hey! None of that whispering,” Dylan reprimanded oblivious to the tension. “If you can't say it in front of everybody, don't say it at all. I ain't going to have you two acting like a couple of courtin’ teenagers all night.” He sounded a lot like his Grandma Hazel with the last statement.
"Can I come too, Mama?” Jeb was scheduled to fish with his grandpa in the morning but he loved Cranky Hank's.
"Sure.” She looked at her clothes and frowned. “Let me tell Johnsie I'm leaving.” She jumped up and ran inside the office. “Then we'll go change.” Eden walked toward the office with both children following her like little ducks.
* * * *
The last place Jericho wanted to be was at the Yellow Rose Corral. He sat in the stands with Jeb, who was snoring, and waited as Eden bought their drinks. He looked up warily as Bennie Dunlap approached.
"Jericho.” Bennie's voice was low and confidential. “Just to let you know, I have drawn up custody papers ready for the two of you to sign.” Bennie had been in his graduating class at Wayback Central.
>
"Really?” Jericho wondered why Eden hadn't told him about this.
"You could have knocked me over with a feather when she came in last week.” He squinted his eyes at Jericho. “So you're the culprit. What kills me is that your name has been on the birth certificate all the time, and nobody ever mentioned it.” He shook his head in disbelief. “She gave you a very generous split. Very generous"
"Why do you say that?” he frowned.
"Most women make a man pay for the privilege of raising their children. Must be nice to have someone overlook the fact you deserted her and your son. I guess she wants you in Jeb's life so badly she wants you to know that she and the boy aren't a package."
He hadn't thought of it that way. “You're saying she wants me to know I don't have to marry her to get my son?"
Bennie looked at Jericho. “If she had any sense she won't let you have a second chance."
Bennie walked away and Jericho looked for Eden. He found her a few sections to his left. She was with the very pregnant Reba Beckett. He watched as Reba put a plastic cup on her stomach and it got kicked and fell to the floor. They must have repeated it five times, laughing the whole time like school girls before they realized he watched.
"Hi Jericho.” Reba yelled and waved. Eden excused herself and walked back to him.
Eden slid in beside him and handed him a beverage. “You have to feel that baby kick. She has a soccer player in there."
Eden situated herself at his side.
"Did Jeb kick a lot?” he asked thoughtfully.
"Yeah he did.” She laughed. “He kicked especially hard if Eric Clapton came on the radio and I never figured that one out. When he was a baby I just got him several Clapton tapes and he would fall right off to sleep. He really liked ‘Layla,’ the old one with the piano at the end. Most mothers play lullabies, I played Cream and Derek and the Dominoes."
Jericho looked at her. “You're serious, aren't you?"
"Yeah, I am.” Eden laughed, leaning into him. “I'm sorry you missed so much. I wish I could make it up to you."
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